Aiper Scuba S1 Review

[cssnms]

Well my S1 woke up this morning in Eco mode where it last stopped stuck on the incline. And today it never left the incline as it repeatedly went back and forth over the same line for its entire cleaning cycle.

So not only did the shallow end not get cleaned, neither did the deep end.

Here is my filthy pool after the S1 came to a rest at the end of its cleaning cycle in my shallow end, which is the only time it made it to my shallow end.

 

[cssnms]

I thought I'd double up the cleaning effort today so I recharged the S1 and dropped it in the pool on floor/wall mode to see if it would pick up the rest of the leaves...


That would be a big NO. It left half of the leaves seen above behind after running randomly for 3+ hours. Interestingly it did something today I haven't seen it do before. It ran in a diagnosis pattern length wise so while it traversed up the incline to the shallow end, it inexplicably ran over the same path over and over again until the batter ran out, which probably explains why it didn't do a better job at cleaning.

Unfortunately Aiper customer service doesn't seem interested anymore so I am not holding out any hope they are going to come out with a 3rd firmware update to try and resolve the problem.

I give this bot a big thumbs down.

 

[setsailsoon]

My Aiper S1 isn't dead after all! Sorry for the delay in getting back. Don't know what happened exactly but I have a short extension plugged into an exterior receptacle and I had contacted support getting ready to send it for a replacement and I noticed the extension cord wasn't plugged in all the way. I thought I had checked this before but either I did or somehow the extension cord got pulled out partially. I did have a punch list crew here working on the enclosure. Anyway it's working and has done 4 cycles just like before. So I'm happy again.

Also learned a little about the warranty process. You call a number that's answered in Hong Kong. Not the best English but it is workable. If you've had the unit less than 30 days you can return on amazon. Mine was 3 days over. So they send emails back and forth to you and each one is answered next day. I was right up to having to send it back and they were going to send me a prepaid shipping label. Said the process would take 5-7 days. Glad I didn't have to go this route but it did seem like it would work... wish they had stock in the US for warranty work.

Chris

 

[grunky_peep]

Are you finding that the acorns get stuck in the Aiper's throat? I'm entering acorn season too and I'm having to pull at least one out for the past week or so.

I've been in acorn season for 4-5 weeks now and it's done an amazing job at cleaning them up. No issues of getting stuck or anything.

 

[beezar]

Where do you all store your Aiper Scuba S1? Pulled the trigger on one because I got a really good deal ($375), but didn't even think about how heat will kill the battery. I live in Texas, and previously stored a corded Dolphin robot in the garage (can probably get over 110 degrees in the garage peak summer), but that is not ideal for a battery. I may have to find space inside the house which is not ideal at all, in addition to the drawback of bringing something inside that is wet vs. having to wait til it dries before bringing it in. Any ideas?

 

[grunky_peep]

Where do you all store your Aiper Scuba S1? Pulled the trigger on one because I got a really good deal ($375), but didn't even think about how heat will kill the battery. I live in Texas, and previously stored a corded Dolphin robot in the garage (can probably get over 110 degrees in the garage peak summer), but that is not ideal for a battery. I may have to find space inside the house which is not ideal at all, in addition to the drawback of bringing something inside that is wet vs. having to wait til it dries before bringing it in. Any ideas?

When I pull it out of the pool, I let it dry on the pool deck for an hour or two. I have a towel inside my kitchen slider that I put it on and charge it overnight. I'd rather be able to charge it outside, but I don't have any convenient 120s without me lugging it around the side of the house or something.

 

[creameryon9th]

Where do you all store your Aiper Scuba S1? Pulled the trigger on one because I got a really good deal ($375), but didn't even think about how heat will kill the battery. I live in Texas, and previously stored a corded Dolphin robot in the garage (can probably get over 110 degrees in the garage peak summer), but that is not ideal for a battery. I may have to find space inside the house which is not ideal at all, in addition to the drawback of bringing something inside that is wet vs. having to wait til it dries before bringing it in. Any ideas?

Where did you find a deal for $375? I'm seeing Costco @ 499 or direct from Aiper site with ASAP15 code for 472. Would love to pick one up for $375!

 

[cssnms]

I wouldn't buy it for even $375

 

[HermanTX]

This is a link for a review of the sister Aiper Surfer if anyone has interest

Aiper Surfer S1 Reveiw

Well, the dolphin E30 finally quit on me, 2 1/2 years is all I got out of her. Emailed Margaret @ Marina, never heard back from her so I just chalked it up to a loss. Really always hated that cord anyways. Decided to jumper on the Aiper discount combo for the Surfer S1 and the Scuba S1. Surfer...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[TexasBR]

Friends,
I am in the market for a new pool cleaner, and saw that Costco is advertising the Aiper Scuba N1 for $499.

1. Is this any good?
2. Any insight on this model vs the Scuba S1?
3. Is there a better device that I should be buying?

Many Thanks!

 

[HermanTX]

Any insight on this model vs the Scuba S1?

The N1 is supposed to be the same device just a marketing model for Costco. I know the same is done for iRobot rumba as well.

 

[HermanTX]

Is there a better device that I should be buying?

I have the Scuba 1 and have been very pleased with it. It cleans my kidney shaped pool very well.

 

[cssnms]

Friends,
I am in the market for a new pool cleaner, and saw that Costco is advertising the Aiper Scuba N1 for $499.

1. Is this any good?
2. Any insight on this model vs the Scuba S1?
3. Is there a better device that I should be buying?

Many Thanks!

It is not any good if your pool has a deep end. It will get stuck on the incline and not finish cleaning your pool.

It wonders in nonsensical patters esp in wall and floor mode, missing lots of areas so it misses lots of areas leaving debris behind.

Read this thread, lots of information and user experiences.

The better device is Dolphin but it comes with a price tag.

 

[beezar]

Where did you find a deal for $375? I'm seeing Costco @ 499 or direct from Aiper site with ASAP15 code for 472. Would love to pick one up for $375!

It was complete blind luck to be honest. Amazon had the "limited time deal" (not really limited because it's basically all the time) priced at $525. But it also had a coupon (click a check box next to the Add to Cart button) for $150 off. I jumped on it and bought it. I checked the next day and the coupon was no longer there. I've been burnt in the past with Amazon when they offered coupons for large amounts off that I didn't jump on right away that vanished very quickly, so I pulled the trigger right away.

 

[Katodude]

I leave it outside in the Florida heat. It is under the cover of my deck but still outside. There is no way I am bringing this thing inside my house. If the battery dies early so be it.

 

[JC707]

I have a 3.5-8' recantagular pool, pretty decent incline. So far it hasn't got stuck and does a good job...perhaps I am lucky.

I haven't even upgraded any firmware as I'm scared if I do it will screw up a good thing so holding off on that.

 

[JC707]

I do like the idea of buying from Costco if they sell it due to their awesome return policy.

 

[Phantomfisho]

Pool: 50Kl, 8x4.5m, pebblecrete.
I have had the Scuba N1 for a few months. It does a good job picking up dirt and debris from the floor of our pool. It charges quite quickly and manages two or more rounds of the walls and the floor on a single charge.
Sadly, it does not sweep the walls thoroughly enough to disturb algae. I purchased it because it sweeps AND vacuums. As we know, if you disturb the surface of algae and keep your water in balance, with adequate sanitization, algaesides aren't needed.
I'm very disappointed that this machine does not disturb algae like my old vacuums (eg. Barracuda). I now have to sweep my pool regularly as well as run the Aiper. It has not made my pool maintenance life any easier…which was the reason for purchasing it.
Aiper have been no help. They just told me to use algaesides. As I am over the 30 warranty return period, I am stuck with it.

 

[Holydoc]

Phantomfisho,

Welcome to the forum. I suggest you stay around and read the Pool School area and all the posts of people asking about their pools. I am confident you will learn how to take care of your Pebbletech without the use of algaecides or any other expensive chemicals. I have had my new Pebbletech pool for over two years and have NEVER had algae or ever used algaecide. I live in Florida with 90+ constant heat and full sunshine. No problems at all with my pool or keeping it clean.

Welcome aboard.

 

[setsailsoon]

Tech support is all via email... but it's great!

The Aiper S1 works great but as you read from my previous post it died suddenly. Long story short I did the customer support route since I was a few days past the automatic replace or refund time. I thought "here I go on the never ending unresponsive company that never works...". Boy was I wrong! Emails were always responded within 24 hours (weekdays). Quickly went through the questions from technical people about what colors were the blinking lights, try again to charge etc. I think it was two email cycles and they diagnosed it needs replacement. Next step was wait for shipping label. While waiting I tried it one last time. It worked! Great I thought so I ran it a few more days in a row. Then got another email from CS asking if I got the label and still wanted to return. Explained I thought it was working and I didn't want to go without it while I waited for a new one. The reply was not expected "Keep using it but we think it's faulty so we're sending a new one, when it gets there please return the old one using our label." Wow, that's great!! So I'm pumped again about this robot. They sent me a tracking number for the replacement so I can see when it gets here (Fedex). Turns out they believe the motor has some water intrusion and that's indicated by a red blinking light when I plug in the charger. They want to get the old unit to see what happened. I wish I could just call and talk to someone but the only time that happens is when you first report the issue. Then they do all the rest via 24 hr cycles of emails. But all in all this is really almost as good as a CS agent on the phone so I'm OK with it. This is a great price for a robot that has no cord and my wife likes it. What more could I ask!

Chris