Kobold VR100 or a Neato XV-25?

[Pantera Ruber]

Hello!

I am trying to decide between a Kobold VR100 or a Neato XV-25 and I have gotten the impression that many of you own a Kobold. I hope you can help me in this endeavor. (I am located in Sweden)

As I understand it the Kobold has a rotating side brush and different batteries.

* What kind of battery life do you Kobold owners get vs. what kind of battery life do you Neato owners get?

* Are there any more differences that you know of?

As I understand it, the XV-25 can be had with different brushes and different filters. (Allergy version)

* Is it possible to buy these filters / brushes for the Kobold as well?

Any more information is greatly appreciated.

* Which one would you get and why?

[a4refillpad]

The VR100 is basically an enhanced neato. The main consideration points are that it costs a lot more and availability of warranty. If neither of those are of concern then I would acquire a kobold.

[ilpirata]

The VR100 is basically an enhanced neato. The main consideration points are that it costs a lot more and availability of warranty. If neither of those are of concern then I would acquire a kobold.

In Italy you can find the VR100 for 575€ (at the local representatives) while the Neato is at around 500 (the difference is not big then).
The warranty should be two years for the VR100, don't know for the neato.

[Pantera Ruber]

Thank you both for your replies!

Anyone else out there who has more specific answers to the specific questions above?

[ilpirata]

VR100 has the side brush, more battery time, a gretear suction power and make slightly less noise. As previously said, it is an improved version of the Neato. Neato costs less and can be bougth with a 5 years warranty period.

Some worry about the VR100 batteries being LiOn, which are more prone to become hot and don't know what more.

My suggestion is to go for the Neato if you have a small house or you can let the neato run for 3-4 hours while you're outside. Go for the VR100 otherwise.

[Pantera Ruber]

Thank you very much ilpirata. I think I am leaning towards the VR 100.

A possible alternative would perhaps be the Samsung which is self emptying, (SR8980 NaviBot S Robotic Cleaner) but I don't know how "smart" that machine is. Any ideas there?

[ilpirata]

Thank you very much ilpirata. I think I am leaning towards the VR 100.

A possible alternative would perhaps be the Samsung which is self emptying, (SR8980 NaviBot S Robotic Cleaner) but I don't know how "smart" that machine is. Any ideas there?

I'd honestly not give a great importance to this since the neato and vr100 have a big bin and therefore do not need to be emptied very often. Moreover the empting procedure is very rapid.

The samsung, IIRC, is basically a clone of the roomba, so it wanders around randomly and touches things (not a great intelligence then).

[a4refillpad]

Worth pointing out that the samsung referred to is a mapping robot and not random. In fact it is a fairly decent bot with many attractive features (in my view).
The large bin of the neato does need fairly frequent emptying and filter cleaning due to the powerful suction. On carpet it will need emptying on most runs if you have a large house. With hardwood or tiled floors without pets you could get away with less frequent emptying.

[a4refillpad]

Also going by the price difference you guys have in Italy. I would choose the VR100 hands down.

[npluis]

I have bought the Neato a while back but I regret it that I haven't bought the Kobold. Mainly because of the absense of a side brush (we have primarily hard floors).

[ilpirata]

I also partially regret it and am also less confident in Neato because they are delaying the release of the new software which has been working on the VR100 for several months.

[Nephisto]

Yeah im missing The side brush too, otherwise its perfect robot for me.

[JEfromCanada]

I also partially regret it and am also less confident in Neato because they are delaying the release of the new software which has been working on the VR100 for several months.

I was one who said it's more important to get it right the first time, rather than rushing the release. But, it's been delayed for so long now, I'm beginning to wonder whether they've skipped this update in favour of something that will have additional features. I really want to see the improved corner cleaning feature in person!

[Pantera Ruber]

Thanks all for the input!

I will be getting the VR 100.

[a4refillpad]

Just one last thing to point out. Seems like the vr100s are still revision 113 boards not the rev64 of the latest neato builds. I can't quite put my finger on it but the vr100 just feels a little older in the way its built and moves even though I acquired it after my xv25. My xv25 feels more responsive but that could be down to the problems I'm having with the vr100 at the moment.
Vr100 is still the better of the two though.

[ilpirata]

Just one last thing to point out. Seems like the vr100s are still revision 113 boards not the rev64 of the latest neato builds. I can't quite put my finger on it but the vr100 just feels a little older in the way its built and moves even though I acquired it after my xv25. My xv25 feels more responsive but that could be down to the problems I'm having with the vr100 at the moment.
Vr100 is still the better of the two though.

Hi,
can you explain what kind of problems do you have?
I have seen some videos and it seems that the VR100 is more responsive and rapid in choosing where to go and clean.

Anyway, in the following days I will try to give some comparison among the xv-25 and the vr100, that I will get soon.

[a4refillpad]

My particular VR100 is faulty, covered in another thread viewtopic.php?f=20&t=16737
I currently still have both the vr100 and xv25.

[glnc222]

No detail has been seen on a fascinating claim by Kobold when introducing their Neato version: an improved vacuum fan impeller. Wonder if VR's have more suction. Need a cleaning comparison with this instead of vs Roomba.
How about taking your VR apart and showing all the parts for once? Taking apart always more fun than using -- what things are really for. Staff can take care of the rest.

[a4refillpad]

Taking it apart really depends on my negotiations with the seller as my vr has a faulty battery/charging issue. I'm currently getting use out of it by charging the batteries using an external charger.
It certainly sounds different to the neato but this could be because of the additional sound insulation and the additional noise added by the side brush. Overall pretty similar db levels but different tone. The additional suction, if it exists at all, is not noticeable in day to day use.

[fufu]

Just one last thing to point out. Seems like the vr100s are still revision 113 boards not the rev64 of the latest neato builds.

Meanwhile, the new Kobold models have the 64 revision. Furthermore they have a modified fan exit. The air blow is now pointing up in the air, so it won't whirl up dust right behind anymore.