3 ms·

Yes I agree, I had EXACTLY the same problem a couple of weeks ago when I decided to get a Roomba. The website told me "e series", "600 series", "i series", "s

by dvcrn 6y ago

Yes I agree, I had EXACTLY the same problem a couple of weeks ago when I decided to get a Roomba. The website told me "e series", "600 series", "i series", "s series", "900 series" - then even though they are called "series", most of them have only one product in them. I wanted something mid-range to get started and the product picker tool they have recommended me the e5 because I have a pet. I went through dozens of reviews to finally learn that it doesn't have a camera and vSlam, so it just slams into everything and doesn't map my place over time. I went with the next higher model that has a camera, the 960 and it has been doing a good job. As a techie I was a bit disappointed that I picked a model from 2016 and that they kept the smarter features like keep-out zones for the higher ones. Eventually returned it and got an i7 for a similar price and it's a pretty fantastic product, though I ended up paying much more for my experiment than I anticipated... The product comparison page ([0]) is doing an ok job but I wish they'd make product selection a bit easier. [0]: https://www.irobot.com/roomba/compare-products https://www.irobot.com/roomba/compare-products

woriuweflksdncn 6y ago
The 600 series is actually a relatively mature product line; there are only two models in this series currently, but there were many before them. The 900 series used to have the 980 and 985 in addition to the 960, but iRobot shifted its focus to the "e", "i", and "s" series. These are all brand new product lines, and I don't doubt that the e5, i7 and s9 won't be the last models in each one. Furthermore, I suspect the 600 and 900 series will be discontinued altogether in the next year or two. You just happened to be shopping for a Roomba while iRobot was changing their product naming scheme.
sytelus 6y ago
When you are faced with tons of badly named products page without any good comparison tool, its sign of internal disorganization and specifically that CEO is memely a fiannce/account guy. In such companies, you will have marketting department which is clueless about products, PR department which is clueless about marketting, sales department which only functions because of personal relationships with few thousand ton gorillas. For reference, check out virtually any computer manufacturer's website except Apple.
aphexairlines 6y ago
The e5 also doesn't have the sensor that tells it when the bin is full, which the i7 does. iRobot's marketing material doesn't make that clear. It's terrible when you have a pet -- the e5 gets full, doesn't realize it, and just keeps dragging hair balls around the house until you stop it.

by dvcrn 6y ago

woriuweflksdncn 6y ago

The 600 series is actually a relatively mature product line; there are only two models in this series currently, but there were many before them. The 900 series used to have the 980 and 985 in addition to the 960, but iRobot shifted its focus to the "e", "i", and "s" series. These are all brand new product lines, and I don't doubt that the e5, i7 and s9 won't be the last models in each one. Furthermore, I suspect the 600 and 900 series will be discontinued altogether in the next year or two. You just happened to be shopping for a Roomba while iRobot was changing their product naming scheme.

sytelus 6y ago

When you are faced with tons of badly named products page without any good comparison tool, its sign of internal disorganization and specifically that CEO is memely a fiannce/account guy. In such companies, you will have marketting department which is clueless about products, PR department which is clueless about marketting, sales department which only functions because of personal relationships with few thousand ton gorillas. For reference, check out virtually any computer manufacturer's website except Apple.

aphexairlines 6y ago

The e5 also doesn't have the sensor that tells it when the bin is full, which the i7 does. iRobot's marketing material doesn't make that clear. It's terrible when you have a pet -- the e5 gets full, doesn't realize it, and just keeps dragging hair balls around the house until you stop it.