Aiper Scuba S1 Review

[Orion7319]

You used Vibel and Viable in the same sentence. Very impressive. I like that name better than Aiper, lol.
I have one of each of those robots in my pool. Two Bettas seems like overkill. On those rare days when the pool gets overwhelmed with leaves, I just grab the pole with the leaf net and help the little guy out.
And, of course, empty the basket a little more often.
Your pool looks sparkling.

Thanks for the compliment on my pool, just TFP methodology there. Everyone’s pool here looks that good! (Except for all the new people in the I gots the algae bad section and the people in the watch me build a pool section) Two bettas is not overkill! I could use another three or so… I can’t stand grabbing the leaf net, kills my back every time!

 

[z3540i]

Hello All
I have read all the posts and decided to get the Aiper Scuba S1 Pro. I've had it since mid June and used it on my kidney shaped, 20K gallon, in-ground, gunite pool. Here are my observations:

1. It does pretty well cleaning the wall and water line. I have to turn off the pool pump so the pool return jets don't blow it off the wall.
2. It does well cleaning the floor when it works. I have found that it does get stuck in some places as CSSNMS has described. There are some runs that it doesn't get stuck. It depends on how it goes back and fourth (length wise vs width wise) and where I drop the robot into the pool. I experimented dropping the robot at different spots around the pool and one spot works most of the time.
3. It picks up fine sand and dust.
4. It does let debris go back into the pool as I remove it from the water as some have mentioned. It has happened twice and I can't figure out why. When I opened the lid, I found debris outside of the debris cage. Did I not seat it well in the robot? Was there something holding the spring-loaded door open at the bottom of the robot?
5. It is heavy (it doesn't bother me) so this may be a factor for elderly people when removing from the water.
6. The battery runs close to 3 hours when running in full mode (wall, waterline, floor).
7. The part of the lid that is between the 2 hinges keeps rubbing against the body of the robot. I have to force the lid open, causing a loud snapping sound. I'm afraid this will break.
8. I like the cordless feature.
9. Cost: I paid $909.99. I did not know of the ASAP15 discount code and an extra $30 off if you sign up for their ads by giving your email. Currently, it's on sale for $899.99. With the discounts, this comes out to $779.99.

I have decided to return the robot. For $1000, I wanted it to do all with no problems. Also, after watching the video comparing various robots, it seems I paid too much for what it does. I think version 2 will improve on the problems this robot has. So, I will be going back to my pump-powered, hose-attached Polaris 360

 

[Katodude]

I am also joining the 2 Betta club. I have a replacement coming for me Betta2 who’s battery does not last through the night anymore. Which is really bugging me. So i used my 20% discount to buy a new SE Plus with the 3 year warranty. BTW. The 3 year warranty also got the 20% discount. So the whole thing cost me around $400.

Anyway I still have an M500 that I use for deep cleaning. However, I find myself almost never using it. Please report back on how those filter pads work out. Turns out the easiest thing for me to do is run my S1 every day. I dont even clean out the basket except for every few days, or if the pool was very dirty after a storm. The only time it leaks debris back in the pool is if a twig seems to get stuck in the door. That tells me it’s a good time to clean the basket.

What I may try for fun is run my S1 (which its doing now). Charge it up really quickly and then run it again with some Polyfill and see if I notice a difference.

 

[Orion7319]

I am also joining the 2 Betta club. I have a replacement coming for me Betta2 who’s battery does not last through the night anymore. Which is really bugging me. So i used my 20% discount to buy a new SE Plus with the 3 year warranty. BTW. The 3 year warranty also got the 20% discount. So the whole thing cost me around $400.

Anyway I still have an M500 that I use for deep cleaning. However, I find myself almost never using it. Please report back on how those filter pads work out. Turns out the easiest thing for me to do is run my S1 every day. I dont even clean out the basket except for every few days, or if the pool was very dirty after a storm. The only time it leaks debris back in the pool is if a twig seems to get stuck in the door. That tells me it’s a good time to clean the basket.

What I may try for fun is run my S1 (which its doing now). Charge it up really quickly and then run it again with some Polyfill and see if I notice a difference.

Will do! I haven’t actually been by pet smart yet to pick them up. Got tired on Sunday and my work weeks are always busy. Might have the Dolphin repaired before next weekend as the cable should get here by Friday. Definitely going to try it though as I know it’s a fairly durable material. The two bettas definitely reduce my skimming by a lot after a wind event.

 

[cssnms]

I was informed a second firmware update has been released. Simply follow the same steps as before.

I will install the update and report back.

 

[Orion7319]

I was informed a second firmware update has been released. Simply follow the same steps as before.

I will install the update and report back.

When was this? I think the one I installed was .09 or something like that when I unboxed mine the other day.

 

[cssnms]

When was this? I think the one I installed was .09 or something like that when I unboxed mine the other day.

If it was just the other day, you likely uploaded the most recent update. I think it's been a week and half or so.

 

[Orion7319]

If it was just the other day, you likely uploaded the most recent update. I think it's been a week and half or so.

Ah OK! It runs great, I never tried it on the factory installed firmware.

 

[JC707]

Do I need to install both or if I install the latest then that's good to go?

 

[cssnms]

Do I need to install both or if I install the latest then that's good to go?

Latest and you should be good, at least that's been my experience with any sort of firmware updates I've done.

 

[Bbp]

I still can't figure out how to connect mine to wifi. Lol

It might go back anyway due to dropping debris when taking it out of the pool.

 

[Orion7319]

I still can't figure out how to connect mine to wifi. Lol

It might go back anyway due to dropping debris when taking it out of the pool.

Put it into pairing mode. While plugged in hold the power button for 10 seconds. When the app asks you to, go to your wifi settings and connect to it. The password is 12345678.

 

[cssnms]

I still can't figure out how to connect mine to wifi. Lol

It might go back anyway due to dropping debris when taking it out of the pool.

Look for Aiper wifi link (see below) under your wireless network settings and click on it, AFTER you've put your machine in pairing mode while plugged in. Password is 12345678

 

[cssnms]

Updated the firmware again and now charging the bot, going to give it a whirl tomorrow in floor only mode and see what happens.

 

[HermanTX]

Case History
We had Hurricane Beryl come through last Monday July 8th. My pool was fully of leaves and twigs. Once the eye passed over us i put the Betta SE in and it did its job on the surface. I had charged the S1 (standard) before the storm. Note - I lost power once the eye passed over us. I scooped out the bigger twigs and leave clumps, then put in the S1. At the same time I added liquid chlorine as the pump was not running due to no power. The S1 worked for 3 hrs and had the pool virtually spotless. It also helped circulate the water for the LC I added. I removed it and the basket was completely full. There were no twigs stuck in the flap and there was no dropping of debris back in the pool when I removed it. It picked up not only the twigs and leaves but a large amount of dirt that had settled on the bottom.
Overall I was very pleased. Furthermore, the Betta did a great job as well and had a full basket of leaves and twigs from its surface tours. It was a sunny day so the Betta was recharging as it motored around the pool.
I brought the S1 to my daughter’s since she had power and charged it. I will run it again in a day or 2.

 

[cssnms]

Just as I was typing out that it appeared the latest update was also a failure something happened...

After I observed the bot going back and forth in the usual spot where it gets stuck on the incline I noticed something...

After traversing the same path several times, the bot has not been programmed to recognize that it is not advancing. A quarter of the way across its path it stopped and spun 90 degrees facing up the slope. After doing so the bot traveled about 24" up and over the top of the transition, then stopped. It then spun 90 the other way and continued on it N pattern side-to-side cleaning cycle.

Dare I say Aiper seems to have listened and solved the issue. Granted it left a stretch that did not get cleaned but I'd venture to guess it will get that area when it does it's N cleaning cycle length-wise.

I ran the bot in floor only mode, I still want to test in Eco mode which theoretically should yield the same result.

 

[Orion7319]

Just as I was typing out that it appeared the latest update was also a failure something happened...

After I observed the bot going back and forth in the usual spot where it gets stuck on the incline I noticed something...

After traversing the same path several times, the bot has not been programmed to recognize that it is not advancing. A quarter of the way across its path it stopped and spun 90 degrees facing up the slope. After doing so the bot traveled about 24" up and over the top of the transition, then stopped. It then spun 90 the other way and continued on it N pattern side-to-side cleaning cycle.

Dare I say Aiper seems to have listened and solved the issue. Granted it left a stretch that did not get cleaned but I'd venture to guess it will get that area when it does it's N cleaning cycle length-wise.

I ran the bot in floor only mode, I still want to test in Eco mode which theoretically should yield the same result.

Sounds like doing the firmware update right out of the box might have saved me some frustration. If they were smart they would let you pick the firmware updates based on pool type. The Wybot C1 essentially does this. Even still, my only knock on this thing so far is the lack of an ultra fine filter.

 

[Brant]

So is the Scuba S1 a good bot?

 

[Orion7319]

So is the Scuba S1 a good bot?

So far so good for me. Can’t complain about the price really for what you get. Sounds like everyone who hasn’t should update the firmware.

 

[JayZed]

Even still, my only knock on this thing so far is the lack of an ultra fine filter.

It appears that all the battery operated pool robots have the same issue. They are just not powerful enough to have an ultra fine filter without degrading their performance or price point.
Perhaps, as these robots evolve, they will build an extra powerful one that can still perform well with an ultra fine filter, but probably be significantly heavier.

Or... the battery technology may still improve, but it seems like it might be a few years.