Smorobot X10 review

[tcat]

First day with this, so far, like it! Seems to find the entire bottom. The X11 does walls and waterline, I didn't care about that. Took about 2 hours to charge, probably had some from store. So far it's been running 1.5 hours, supposed to make it 2.5 hours. I'll add picture following once I pull out. I had run my Aquabot 2 days ago, bottom looked fairly clean, will be interesting what this added.

Amazon here:

https://a.co/d/jftLRVd

Short YT video:

 

[tcat]

Very impressed so far. There's a standard and fast mode, just finished standard (actually I got impatient and stopped at 3 hours 20 minutes!). Thought pool was clean... Will try the fast mode tomorrow. If this does full charge in 3 hours and runs 2-3 hours, WOW! It probably covered the 380 sq ft pool 3 times, so fast mode will be adequate. It did get stuck on drain cover twice, it had to really try. No cable!!!

 

[maggiesfan]

My X11 will do 4 hours on full charge using standard mode, I usually only do the floor so l charge it until 6 solid green lights then unplug it, mine also gets stuck on the main drain, l wish they had made the fast mode as floor only on the X11, then you wouldn’t have to watch the charging lights to unplug it, you can use fast mode but that does two circuits of the pool, walls and floor(X11).
So far I like it, but in hindsight I should have got the X10, as l tend to only do the floor and brush the walls myself, l know nothing gets missed then.
l also got one of those nylon clip thingys, that fit in the pool brush and stuck it in the hook that comes with the robot, then it just clips into the pole.

 

[tcat]

My X11 will do 4 hours on full charge using standard mode, I usually only do the floor so l charge it until 6 solid green lights then unplug it, mine also gets stuck on the main drain, l wish they had made the fast mode as floor only on the X11, then you wouldn’t have to watch the charging lights to unplug it, you can use fast mode but that does two circuits of the pool, walls and floor(X11).
So far I like it, but in hindsight I should have got the X10, as l tend to only do the floor and brush the walls myself, l know nothing gets missed then.
l also got one of those nylon clip thingys, that fit in the pool brush and stuck it in the hook that comes with the robot, then it just clips into the pole.

Yeah, decided you use the hook rather than string thing. Didn't want the Betta2 eating it. I stuck the hook on an old piece of 1/2" PVC with 2 screws so I didn't have to use the brush pole. I think fast mode from full charge will be good for me. Seems to have lots of suction, although I don't see gallons per hour advertised anywhere. The X10 does take longer to charge, took 3hrs 20 minutes (pretty much same time it ran). I don't care about charge time since I doubt I'll run it more than once a day (probably once a week unless acorns are dropping).

Does your charger get REAL hot? I charged it outside (90 degrees) and I could barely touch it after 3+ hour charge.

 

[maggiesfan]

Yes, it does, it gets really hot, the light on the charger is supposed to turn green when fully charged, but not that l have seen, the only time it turns green is when l unplug it from the power outlet.

 

[tcat]

Yes, it does, it gets really hot, the light on the charger is supposed to turn green when fully charged, but not that l have seen, the only time it turns green is when l unplug it from the power outlet.

Yep, exactly how mine works. They need a better manual!

 

[tcat]

Well my opinion just went down. Decided to try Fast mode today. Got stuck on drain after 20 minutes and after 5 minutes treads stopped. I pulled it out, turned it off, 6 blue lights remain on. Tried S mode, nothing. Plugged into charger, nothing. 6 blue lights just stay on.

 

[ghall6292]

Let us know how you make out with it. Up until the last post, I was beginning to...

"Oh, no honey! I wasn't looking at any new toys to buy."

 

[maggiesfan]

So far l haven’t had any problems(now I’ve gone and jinxed it), and I’ve ran it in all possible options, I’ve had it for just over a month now
so hopefully it’s going to continue to behave, hope Ginny gets it sorted for you in a hurry, l believe their warehouse is somewhere in Texas.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Nice updates. Keep us appraised on the battery and power supply issues.

Does the X11 actually have a split track and does zero-radius turns?

 

[maggiesfan]

Nice updates. Keep us appraised on the battery and power supply issues.

Does the X11 actually have a split track and does zero-radius turns?

Yes, it follows the same pattern as the X10, I haven’t seen it scrub sideways along the waterline, like S300i would do occasionally,
it does get up on the lagoon and sometimes will run along the wall, just like ” The Wall of Death”

 

[maggiesfan]

I knew I had jinxed it, I put it in the pool this morning switched it to standard, after a few minutes I got 7 solid green lights and 2 solid red lights at both ends, gave it 5 minutes to see if it would sort itself out, it didn’t so I pulled it out of the pool, turned it off, moved the switch to fast mode, waited for the correct light sequence, then switched it back to standard mode and dropped it into the pool with fingers crossed, thankfully it started to work.
I reckon the switch on these robots will cause problems eventually, it’s very stiff to move which is probably down to it needing to be waterproof.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Yikes, sliding mechanical switches. Yeah, there's definitely a failure-mode in that design choice ...

 

[maggiesfan]

The robot did both walls and floor no problem after the startup glitch, it ran for a tad under 4 hour, and picked up a lot of grit and leaves.

 

[tcat]

Haven't heard from Smo yet. My lights are still blue (with power off). They asked for a video, but I sent a picture. No point in video if nothing is happening! I really want it fixed, because it's so much nicer cordless!

 

[HyzerFlip519]

Interested in these. Do they actually map out the floor, knowing where it hasn't been similar to robot vacuums? Are they using cameras to accomplish this or some other method? Are there other robots out there that perform similar functions?

Is the cord in your video just so you can easily grab it? The amazon page doesn't mention it going toward the wall when it's low on battery compared to other cordless robots.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Interested in these. Do they actually map out the floor, knowing where it hasn't been similar to robot vacuums? Are they using cameras to accomplish this or some other method? Are there other robots out there that perform similar functions?

Is the cord in your video just so you can easily grab it? The amazon page doesn't mention it going toward the wall when it's low on battery compared to other cordless robots.

No robots on the market map out anything. They are not as “smart” as the manufacturers like to claim in their sales literature. All of the major robot makers simply have different drive functions (forward, backwards, turns, climb wall, etc) and then execute a random walk process with constraints (eg, number of CW and CCW turns must be equal in a given cleaner cycle, etc) to achieve the desired coverage. There is no position feedback other than if the robot is horizontal or vertical and some sensing of motor currents to determine when a robot may be stuck or up at the water line.

 

[tcat]

Interested in these. Do they actually map out the floor, knowing where it hasn't been similar to robot vacuums? Are they using cameras to accomplish this or some other method? Are there other robots out there that perform similar functions?

Is the cord in your video just so you can easily grab it? The amazon page doesn't mention it going toward the wall when it's low on battery compared to other cordless robots.

Maybe if your pool was rectangular and perfectly flat it might be smart enough to clean in a pre mapped out manner. Not my pool! But does seem to hit all spots eventually (when it moves).

The cord is attached to a floating handle to pull it out. It also comes with a hook that goes on the end of a pool pole or any pole you mount it to, to pull it out.

Hopefully they stand behind their warranty. If not fixed by week end, it's going back to Amazon.

 

[heckofagator]

I was so close to pulling the trigger on this over Prime day with their $100 coupon, but I just couldn't do it. I keep seeing posts of people have to drill holes in them to work right and other issues on the Facebook group. But then I look at the Dolphin cleaners and they look so antiquated with their big power line. Decisions...

 

[tcat]

Drilling holes? Haven't heard that one.