Current generation of neato v older

[a4refillpad]

I think the current generation of neatos are very different to the previous generation.

I have recently replaced a neato xv15 (board rev 113) with a XV25 (board rev 64) which has v3.0 firmware. Apart from the obvious: colour, brush and filter, I have noticed a number of other changes. The device has slightly more rounded contours, clear perspex for both the wall and cliff sensors rather than dark and I'm pretty sure is a lighter device. I can also now clearly see the "blower" when I take out the dirtbin which I could not before, which would indicate that the device is built slightly differently.
The power supply (as covered by a different thread) is of a lower amperage and the new robot refuses to stay on a dock when the older power brick is attached.
More importantly, I've noticed that the battery life is clearly not as good even with the same brush attached and for me only covers around 60% of what my 9 month xv-15 did!
The xv-25 covers large rooms in smaller squares and now no longer manages the full width of my lounge which the older model always did. I've also noticed that the lidar is not as sensitive as before and the xv25 is now totally incapable of detecting the legs and sides of my darker furniture. My xv-15 never had this problem and I used to enjoy watching the old neato skilfully navigating around the piano chair legs without touching them. Now the xv-25 stupidly bumps into them continually. The device feels as sturdy as before, only time will tell if it is more reliable or not and whether the dreaded RPS error which killed my previous device will rear it's ugly head.

However, call me superficial if you like, I still prefer the new neato because I prefer the new colours!

Anyone else here have more than one generation of neatos who can confirm and spot any more differences? This may help others if they want to "upgrade" or not.

[vic7767]

I've purchased every model that is available in the US. Each release has had some modifications performed to the hardware. All changes so far have enhanced the durability of the Neato with each new model.

[Wing Nut]

If a new model Neato doesn't like using the old power brick, then my idea of buying another, this time with the pet brush and alternating them between upstairs and down, gets even more complicated. The annoyingly low run times and constant bumping puts me off even buying another Neato if my faithful old XV-11 should ever fail beyond repair. And another thing - I really like the olive green with orange trim of my old Neato. It reminds me of this - http://www.seriouswheels.com/2007/2007-Aston-Martin-Racing-Rally-GT-SA-1280x960.htm

With Vorwerk showing what XV-11 owners might reasonably expect from Neato in the future, I never thought I'd even contemplate another brand (even if I have to paint to green with orange trim!), but if new Neatos can't perform as well as the old at such a fundamental level as endurance and avoidance, then there comes a point where improved reliability and robustness doesn't really matter

[a4refillpad]

I agree, the colours of the xv-11 were better than the european xv-15 in my view.

Yes, the lack of ability to share docking stations is somewhat annoying. The solution offered by neato is to buy new ones as they work with older neatos! They are shockingly expensive here and to be fair not worth the money.

It is worth pointing out that i've based my findings purely on my own observation, it is possible that there are variations in the production line. I too was surprised and disappointed that the newer model appears less capable in endurance and navigation. It is possible that the lidar is just as sensitive and the bumping and endurance is firmware related as it is running v3.0 rather than v2.6.

Going a little off-topic. I have a friend who has a new'ish VR100 and his board rev is also 113 (as per the older generation neato) rather than rev 64. The power brick and dock is also identical to the older neato. Looks like his vr100 is based on the older neato model too.

I'm hoping the neato v3.1 firmware (when it gets released) will restore some of the performance back to the original levels.

[ilpirata]

It is worth pointing out that i've based my findings purely on my own observation, it is possible that there are variations in the production line. I too was surprised and disappointed that the newer model appears less capable in endurance and navigation. It is possible that the lidar is just as sensitive and the bumping and endurance is firmware related as it is running v3.0 rather than v2.6.

So the Xv-11 (15) run only v2.6?

[a4refillpad]

I had read that v3.0 only applied to xv-21 due to engineering changes but I'm not sure if this is the case. I would assume that v3.0 and above would apply to all new gen neatos of board rev 64.

[c.mueller]

My XV has 3.0 on board...

[a4refillpad]

Going by this I think all current gen neatos are board rev 64 and firmware 3.0 and above.

[denodan]

My Neato VX-11 has the version 3.0+ firmware, so applys to all new Neatos.

[a4refillpad]

Worth pointing out that my new VR100 (latest one with translucent wheels instead of black plastic) is also a board rev 113. In fact everything about it reminds me of the earlier neatos including the exact same powerbricks and shape of the "turret" which is larger and rounder unlike the "gen 2"s.

[a4refillpad]

One other thing I've noticed on the latest models which I've never seen before, is a periodic recharge of the robot whilst docked. For example, I tend to schedule the robot to run at 6am. I've noticed on many occasions the robot start charging again around 6pm in the evening all by itself. Maybe this it is somehow conditioning the battery whilst docked all day. Very impressive. Not sure if this is a firmware change (in other words something that could be inherited by older models) or a hardware change only available to later models.

[vic7767]

That function has been around since the first Neato XV-11. The Neato charging system applies a trickle charge to the battery packs all the time. Since there are active circuits internal to the Neato there is a constant discharge that occurs and the packs are topped off every few hours.

[a4refillpad]

Ok I take your word for it, strange how I haven't noticed this on my previous model for some reason, seeing how I can't leave these things alone.

[a4refillpad]

One more difference just noticed. The board rev 64 models seem to either have a battery backed clock or some other means to be able to keep the time after a shutdown. If you shutdown an older neato the time would reset to 0:00. On a newer neato the time and day of the week would still be correct. Useful for when the bot gets trapped causing the battery to be depleted.

[a4refillpad]

Anyone actually understand how the blower directs air upwards on the rev64 neato? Had a look and cannot see anything obvious.