Hurry people get your Neato XV-21 now, amazon just accepted my order. Very cheap considering how much they are sold here.
Don't get the pro version since this version have international warranty and support coverage here.
Good luck
CamelCamelCamel.
The pro or signature has the same motor. A lot of wheel and sensor issues still. But awesome when they work. When they are reliable I won't hesitate.
I am using the same model since it was launched (almost a year approx) and is very happy with the results. It hasn't skipped a beat since. Only time I have to use my old and trusted Black and decker is when I feel like cleaning the 1-2 inch strip it leaves close to walls.
I have recommended the same to one of my friends and he is also very happy with the product.
I think I will hold off purchasing for another generation or two until they start using lithium batteries.
I think they use non lithium batteries because they have a longer lifespan.
The battery tech really isn't an issue. Mine has been running strong for almost 2 years with regular use.
Have had one for nearly a year. Returned it to USA due to a faulty wheel at cost of $110 but in doing so was instructed to keep the batteries. The Unit was fully replaced including a new set of batteries valued at over $100. It has worked faultlessly since. Initial battery life was about 35 minutes before recharging. Now the batteries last about 26 minutes before recharging. I have it programmed for twice weekly cleaning for main living areas, it begins at 8am and is finished at approx 2pm with two recharges in between. Buy two extra filters as these are washable, just swap them over while one is drying. Check & trim any long hairs that get tangled up in the brushes (i.e. Pickup and inspect under, regularly)
And a spare magnetic strip/s if you have areas of loose cabling or tight spots in the house, as this prevents it from passing or entering.
It was really funny to see it once, perched and stoppped on a dog bone left on the floor….. So a small amount of preparation is always wise.
It can get confused if you change things/furniture/chairs around after its done its lazer scan mapping, so try to avoid this as much as possible.
Definitely pet friendly.
Even though it probably isn't the pinnacle of technology, it is still worth the money. Not many other brands are.
To our family it is the "tidy up" between the main weekly vacuum and mopping. It keeps the place tidy.
+1
We bought an XV-11 (through Amazon) and our first one lasted around 4 months - we also returned ours to the US for around $110 freight (we also kept the original batteries).
That was 18 months ago - our replacement has been running strong ever since, with similar reduction of battery life over that time. We have two dogs and two kids in a 220 square meter home. Our Neato runs twice a week, and it keeps on top of things. We move the bulk of our furniture (chairs, cushions etc) into the games room (blocked off via magnetic strip), and let it do it's thing in the rest of the house. Once finished, we move the stuff back and it does the games room.
The Neato does 98% of the vaccuming - we still need to go around the very edges of the room, hard up against the skirting boards, or behind doors etc, but we are OVER THE MOON with this unit. The value is that my wife can do other things while the Neato is running, resulting in a big reduction in the amount of time needed to clean our home. The laser mapping is important - other alternatives that randomly bounce around a room take MUCH LONGER to clean a room.
It paid for itslef very quickly, as my wife works part time - less cleaning time = more working time :)
Cheers,
Jeff
When you returned your first one to the US, did you return to Amazon or to Neato Robotics directly? I was told by Neato Robotics that they do not honour warranty claims for Neatos taken outside of the U.S.
Cheers
Great unit, used for over a year.
apparently aus version still has the old cheap battery that has problems, however us ones are updated with new battery. this version has local warranty it been mention on whirlpool forum.
Guys, these are crap. I have had 3 of them and they are brilliant while working but they fail with either navigation errors (Laser fails) or battery charging issues as the mainboard fails. I have rebuilt them twice with parts salvaged from each one and that one is now dead too.
Dont waste your money.
I've had my xv-11 for almost 2 years now. It's my favourite tech toy. If you buy this with the knowledge that you will need to perform regular maintenance (cleaning bin, removing long hairs from wheels etc) and make sure that there are no socks/undies/garbage (you filthy beast) on the floor, you will be more than satisfied with coming home to clean floors everyday.
One issue is that if the battery drains fully, you need to reset the clock for your schedule to work again.
lol, from your experience.
I almost bought one of these a few months ago. I'd been looking at the Neato's for a while, but in the end (after reading about the various issues, some mentioned above being quite common) I went with an LG Roboking and she has been fantastic.
Whilst the price for this Amazon deal is attractive, based on the user feedback from owners here in Australia, the risk of having to return to US for warranty might turn you off.
110v? or usable here without a transformer?
110-240V, works here, you just need to change a power cable, like the ones from laptops.
I got this Neato XV21 from Amazon few months back, works great, very happy with it.
I have had one for about 18 months. First issue was within six months and was a faulty wheel motor. Rather than pay for returns, I bought a motor on ebay and changed it myself. Not hard and no issues with that since.
Recently, the battery is not charging correctly (runs out way too soon). I've ordered some spares through ebay. i'll see how it goes, but concerned at someone's comment above about the main board…. hopefully it's just the battery.
It is an exceptional vacuum, doing a better job than our regular LG vacuum. The navigation is very good. It gets stuck sometimes, due to physical limitations only - I mean, only due to a cord getting sucked up, for example. You do need to have your house 'prepared' to be auto vacuumed. Pick stuff up.
I'm not sure if I'd buy again - probably not now that I'm in a house with multiple floors. It's a pain to take it up and down the stairs and invalidates the whole 'set and forget' principle.
I just tried to order but came up as $453.96 AUD. Are you sure your price of $416.64 is not USD?
yes you are right, i updated the price
Cheers, still a great deal.
$430 on ebay delivered from the America
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/300882082342?ssPageName=STRK:MEWA…
I have been researching the Neato a lot lately as I want to buy one as a gift (bloody expensive if I buy it here in Aus). So I've been shopping around and came across this Amazon price too. Being concerned about warranty, I emailed Neato Robotics to ask how it would work if I bought Neato from Amazon and have it shipped to Australia. They responded with: "Purchasing a robot from the U.S. and taking it out of the North American region does void the warranty. We would be available for assistance however no repairs or warranty exchanges could be provided". So for those that say that have sent their Neato back to the U.S for $100 or so, how did you make a warranty claim and where did you send it back to? e.g. Amazon (or where you purchased it from) or Neato Robotics?
As it's a gift and don't want to cause them grief if the robots happens to malfunction (which isn't uncommon if the whirlpool forums are anything to go by), I'm thinking David Jones might be the way to go since they currently have 15% off making it $679.15. It says it's sold out online but click and collect is available. I would MUCH prefer paying around $450 though so any feedback on warranty claims is much appreciated!
I resigned myself to self-maintaining (the robot…), as you can see from my comment above. I do think these are fiddly enough that you need to have someone about who doesn't mind fiddling (with the robot). It's very simple inside (the robot), but I wouldn't give one to my mum (a robot).
If it was me, I wouldn't mind but it's for my sister and she's definitely not the fiddly type! Thanks though. She would need a warranty procedure.
International warranty is no longer being offered by the distributor as of a few days ago. I called the Aussie Service Center (distributor Peter McInnes on 1800 632 867)and they said they will not be accepting any new claims for Neatos bought outside of Australia.
Ended up being $432.96 AUD on my 28 Degrees card charged in USD.
Thank you OP, almost pulled the trigger. But after doing a bit of research I have become skeptical of the build quality of the Neato. Seems a lot of people get issues after after using it for a few days/weeks, with some having to send it back to the US at their own expense.
http://www.buyhappier.com/robotic-vacuums/neato-xv-signature…
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2113224