Done. Sold.

I am a big fan of iRobot Roomba, I have two 5250 Discovery series at home, one for upstairs and one downstairs. Unfortunately that’s the only downfall of Roomba, he can’t climb up or down stairs. Ha! Anyhow, today I have word from iRobot USA that my brand new, stunning black iRobot Roomba 570 is on its way. So in a few short weeks, I should have a full review of the new iRobot Roomba 500 series for you.

I wanted to tell you a little bit more about the new range of Roombas, or should the collective term be Roombii? Anyway, there are basically 4 new models in the 500 series.

• iRobot Roomba 510 (White)
• iRobot Roomba 530 (White)
• iRobot Roomba 560 (Silver/Black)
• iRobot Roomba 570 (All Black)

Most people who know me could look at this model line up and tell you instantly what I have ordered. That’s right, I couldn’t help myself, I got the top-of-the-line model with little respect to price or features. Why? Well ..

1. It’s black. My two favourite colours are black and silver.
2. I love technology and I love to be the first to have something.
3. I love Roomba and I haven’t vacuumed for 8 months.
4. I am a sucker for “the best”, regardless of what the model line up really means.

So I decided I would help you out and outline just what the model differences are between the Roomba 500 series, especially in Australia. For starters, in Australia, the Roomba 500 series isn’t a series. The distributor here only imports 1 model, the Roomba 530. I guess this is for several reasons, the first being that they won’t sell many Roombii in Australia altogether, let alone enough to warrant a “model line” with 4 options. Secondly, the 530 series is about the right price point for this market, they sell for $499 here.

Here’s the break down of the full Roomba 500 series model line up:

Roomba 510: This is your basic, starter Roomba pack, it only comes with the Roomba itself and 1 “Virtual Wall” that blocks the robot vacuum from entering or leaving a specific zone by creating an invisible “wall” that Roomba will not penetrate. This pack really is a waste. It does not even include the dock, so you have to plug Roomba in to charge.

Roomba 530: As I said, this is the model that is sold in Australia. It includes the same items that the Discovery series (5250 etc) Roomba came with. You get the Roomba robotic vacuum unit (in refreshing white), the self-charging home base and two virtual walls. The self-charge home base is really where the Roomba experience begins. Roomba automatically returns to its charging dock between cleaning cycles.

The 500 series introduces a new technology, over and above the “Virtual Wall”. The new improvement is called “Virtual Wall Lighthouse Technology” which in general has the same feature of the regular wall, to contain Roomba. However it adds the ability to automatically switch on and off to let Roomba through to the next room once the first contained area is completely clean. The Lighthouse technology is only available on Roomba 560 and Roomba 570. So Australia misses out on this advancement immediately, as the option only comes with the two top models, which are:

Roomba 560: This is a silver and black model Roomba. For me, this is where you really start to appreciate Roomba’s features. The Roomba 560 has all the features of the lower models with the addition of the lighthouse technology and on-board scheduling. The Roomba schedule is the best feature. At home here, I have my robots work Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I occasionally send them out on “one off” missions on the weekend if I have a particularly messy poker night on a Friday. I honestly believe scheduling is the key to ultimate Roomba happiness, and completes the Roomba experience.

Roomba 570: The iRobot vacuum piece de resistance, the all black model. The iRobot Roomba 570 has all the features of the 560, but for an extra few bucks you score yourself a “wireless command center” which allows you to control Roomba from your armchair, and also schedule a 7 day cleaning routine. Now I am not sure what the deal is here. Both the 560 and 570 have “on-board scheduling” ability, so maybe the command center just gives you the ability to do it remotely and not directly on the unit. Which doesn’t really matter anyway, because once you set it up, you will rarely change it. So sitting with Roomba for 5 minutes can’t be that bad. Unless! It actually adds the ability to do 7 different times, maybe the on-board schedule only lets you choose a time of day or something? With the Roomba 570, you also get a replacement brush kit, which includes a replacement bristle brush and extra flexible beater brush.

So there you have it. The iRobot Roomba 500 series model line up. There are a few more features I want to discuss, but I will wait until my 570 arrives and I will do a full review. This includes the new voice demonstration, faster charging, longer battery life (up to 4 rooms on the 560/570 models) and interchangeable coloured face plates.

The self-charging home base for Roomba 500 series, which includes a power supply (model 80701) is model number 82101. The home base by itself (without power adapter) is model number 80301. Replace your dead battery with a new Advanced Power System (APS) battery for Roomba 500 series, model 80501. Those Roomba 500 series interchangeable coloured faceplates I mentioned are item number 84301.

Other iRobot Roomba 500 Accessories
These accessories and replacement parts can be purchased at any time in addition to whatever Roomba you purchase.

• Bristle Brush 3-pack for Roomba 500 Series (81701)
• Wireless Command Center for Roomba 500 Series (80401)
• Flexible Brushes for Roomba 500 Series (3-pack) (81801)
• Maintenance Kit for Roomba 500 Series (81401)
• Side Brush 3-pack for Roomba 500 Series (81901)
• Brush Cleaning Tool for Roomba 500 Series (80901)
• Virtual Wall Lighthouse for Roomba 500 Series (80201)
• Virtual Wall for Roomba 500 Series (80101)
• Filter 3-pack for Roomba 500 Series (81501)

Update: The iRobot Roomba 530 is now in stock in Australia. If you want to buy one of the new Roomba 530, the retail price is $499. Would you like to place an order? DoneSold is organising an Australian group buy to get a discount! Put your name down and we will get back to you with the current price and order details, email us now roomba@donesold.com.au and let us know your name, state and contact phone number.

Don’t forget to enter our competition to win a Roomba 530, the Australian model. We are giving away one just in time for Christmas. Enter your name and email address on the right.

Posted by: tron

500 series, gadgets, irobot, roomba, vacuum

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