Amazing

[denodan]

Just timed my Neato on one charge, seems I get 70 mins on one charge and is my 3rd or 4th charge and it is mostly on carpet, and even docks great every time, even from other side of house, and docked perfectly going back to charge up, so waiting to see it finish the job once charged.

Took everything off the floor to give a good long vacuum. Seems my firmware is 3.017235, and the box is different to the older VX-11 box, and manual now comes on CD.

I have read with the latest Neato's there has been some hardware changes, etc, so what had changed?

Can the older ones not update to this firmware?

[vic7767]

There were several circuit design changes on the main PCAB and one nice change was the flimsy ribbon cable from the main board to the LCD board was changed to a connector style instead of a pressure fit. The power supply and charging base were also changed. The earlier firmware versions cannot be upgraded to the newer 3.0 version because it was written for the newer board design and will not be compatible with the earlier hardware of the older units.

[denodan]

Did I also not read somewhere the spring break issue has also been fixed, or is this incorrect?

[vic7767]

You did read somewhere that indeed the drive wheel spring mounts have also been enhanced.

[denodan]

Think compared to many here 70 mins on battery is great. Mine finished recharging and finished the bit it did not finish, which only took less then 10 mins and went back to base. It always finds its way back.

The only problem I had today is it got stuck between the chairs, for the first time, it's much better than my Roomba, which Is good for doing one room, so guess both vacuums compilment each other, but very impressed with the intellgence of my Neato.

My Roomba is so dumb compared to my Neato. The only thing is my Roomba cleans the corners better, so once in a while also run my Roomba, but both clean well.

[Wing Nut]

The power supply and charging base were also changed.

Am I correct in assuming that the latest Neatos can't use the old charging bases, and vice versa?

I've been considering a second Neato with the pet brush to locate downstairs and save me carrying my XV-11 back and forth on vacuuming days. My plan was to occasionally swap them between the two levels, so the brush model gets a chance to do its thing in the other half of the house. I might as well stick with what I have if they're not compatible with each others charger.