Mi Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Discussion Group

bemybubble on 31/07/2017 - 09:50
Last edited 07/08/2017 - 15:43

Hi Guys,

Thought i'd put through a discussion group for people who own this vacuum. Noticed repeat questions to would be good to centralise everything.

On a personal note I bought this puppy last week and all I can say is i'm VERY IMPRESSED!

Accessories

Cheapest listed were found at AliExpressfor approx $25 AUD

Can also be found on ShoppingSquare for similar price for those wanting to deal 'locally'

It was noted by Deviner that extra life can be gained out of the filters by simply washing them. I've yet to test but willing to give it a go to try and squeeze some life outta it.

Accessory Hack

One user noted that you can hack your robot vac to allow use of cheaper accessories but I personally am not game to try. For those interested heres the Link

For those looking for Decals to make your vacs look fully sick, simply have a look here. Ended up investing in a captain america shield!

Common Questions

I have a shaggy rug, will this work on that?

Short answer is yes but depends on the rug. Unfortunately mine is a bit too thick but depends on the rug.

Following on from this JLHC mentions that cliff sensors can have trouble with black rugs. White tape might hold the solution to this.

I have a security system. Will this set it off?

I have a security system at home and it does not set it off. My security system however is heat sensored and not motion. A lot of security systems will have 2 lights on their sensors. One light indicating motion (green or yellow usually) and one indicating heat (usually red). I simply sat on the couch and saw mine turn green when the robot moved but didn't turn red. But if you want to be sure simply set your alarm and robot vac on, go for a walk nearby and suss out whether it will work or not.

How does this go with pet hair?

Majority say it works well. comments here and here

Would love to hear from others any tips, tricks or traps so I can add to this list

Can I extend the life of the filter using toilet paper?

According to this Amazon review you can. Use 2ply over the inside of the filter makes a world of difference.

Home & Garden Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Xiaomi

Comments

  • PJC on 31/07/2017 - 10:23
    +11

    If you need another one do not purchase from Roboguy.

    • spriggan43 on 01/08/2017 - 10:43
      +2

      I got my vacuuum for Gearbite eBay - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/316212

      Are we all collectively not buying from Roboguy again? If this is the case should we just ban Roboguy from Ozbargains?

      This is just my opinion, I would expect if there was a new deal from Roboguy, he/she would not make the same mistakes.

      • bemybubble on 01/08/2017 - 11:45
        +3

        You could argue that about any supplier that has failed to deliver. Unfortunately it's the old case of 'Buyer Beware'. People bought off him knowing his was a new player with no reputation. Not saying Roboguy isn't to blame as he is, but people made the choice knowing full well he was green.

        And I got the same deal as you too btw and haven't looked back…!

  • JLHC on 31/07/2017 - 10:26
    +3

    It doesn't work on black carpet as that'll set off the cliff sensor (which happens to almost every robot vacuum).

    If you don't need the cliff sensor (for example if you live in a single storey home), you can tape the cliff sensors with two layers of masking tape (I put one layer of paper and one layer of masking tape) and it'll work on black carpets. You may need to try a few times to get it right though (the robot may say that the cliff sensor is dirty if you aren't successful).

    • bemybubble on 31/07/2017 - 10:42

      I might try that…!

  • dasher86 on 31/07/2017 - 11:20

    Be careful of furniture that it can fit under that gives clearance to the main body of the vacuum but not the actual sensor itself.
    It will get stuck even scratch the finish on the bot as it tries to free itself.
    Also the side brushes can scratch furniture legs over time.

    • bemybubble on 31/07/2017 - 11:46

      Good to know. However how can the side brushes scratch furniture? Saw mine go around my whole table setting and it seemed ok…?

      • dasher86 on 31/07/2017 - 12:51

        think of the side brush like a fine piece of sand paper rotating away at a wooden chair leg. over time going over and over the same area with affect the finish / scratch it.

  • salem on 31/07/2017 - 12:54

    I'd like to see the comments you're linking to quoted on this post, to truly make this a one stop shop. Keep the links and references for if people want to see the discussion around them though.

    • bemybubble on 31/07/2017 - 12:58
      +1

      Fair point, will update accordingly.

      Was only trying to not clutter and get to the point in summary.

  • bemybubble on 01/08/2017 - 15:49

    I wonder if theres a way I can remotely get it to clean just one room only without going through a whole cycle…anyone know the answer to this?

    • altomic on 01/08/2017 - 16:31
      +8

      put robot in room and shut the door.

      • soupiejr on 04/08/2017 - 21:59

        How do you get 4 elephants into the same room?

  • jayzee on 04/08/2017 - 11:59

    Has anybody thought about attaching xiaomi xiaofang on top of xiaomi robot cleaner? haha

    • soupiejr on 04/08/2017 - 22:00

      With a xiaomi 20,000 mAH USB portable charger on it? BRILLIANT IDEA!

  • spal on 06/08/2017 - 08:00
    +1

    I have two questions:
    Will this set off IR sensor based security systems.
    I have a single level house. However, carpets were removed and the boards underneath were polished. So now the areas which were previously carpeted are around couple of inches lower than the kitchen and the corridors.
    So, will this climb down two inches drop, or do I will have to manually put it down and up as and when needed.
    Thank you.

  • wazza23 on 06/08/2017 - 15:38

    Mine isn't updating to the new firmware. Keeps saying I'm up to date which I know it isn't. Also how long does it charge for before setting off again?

    • bemybubble on 06/08/2017 - 16:48

      Is your location set to mainland china?

      • wazza23 on 06/08/2017 - 16:58

        Yep sure is

        • wazza23 on 06/08/2017 - 17:39

          Keeps giving me an error that there isn't 20% charge even though there is

        • bemybubble on 06/08/2017 - 20:15

          @wazza23:

          Sounds like a warranty issue to me

        • wazza23 on 06/08/2017 - 21:14

          @bemybubble:
          finally worked.

          That thing cleans amazingly! So impressed

        • bemybubble on 06/08/2017 - 21:18

          @wazza23:

          What did you do that fixed it?

        • wazza23 on 06/08/2017 - 22:37

          @bemybubble:
          Kept trying. I don't think it helped that I was trying it while it was vacuuming.

  • jamba on 07/08/2017 - 15:14

    http://shoppingsquare.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9e6…

    Shopping square are also selling spare parts. Although a bit dearer than AliExpress .

    • bemybubble on 07/08/2017 - 15:43

      Cheers Jamba,

      Have updated accordingly.

  • barguy on 07/08/2017 - 20:37

    found a video showing it in action: vacuum. very impressive suction power!!!! and seems to fit a lot in the dust bin.

  • draistlin on 08/08/2017 - 08:43
    +2

    Sorry if this is a stupid question but where exactly should the toilet paper go in the filter?

    • bemybubble on 08/08/2017 - 09:37
      +1

      Inside the dust bin

  • BellaWii on 08/08/2017 - 21:48

    Has anyone tried the different modes available: Quiet, Balanced, Turbo and Full Speed? Any feedback?

    • bemybubble on 09/08/2017 - 06:54

      All work as described. I did max but it drained the hell out of my battery…

  • Tr0jan on 09/08/2017 - 10:28

    I'm getting a harsh vibrating type noise when my unit is on tiles. Very similar to this - https://youtu.be/37OdP8HJvRk?t=9s

    This forum post (http://en.miui.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=702414&page=…) recommends applying silicone grease to the rubber parts underneath however I'm not keen on doing that.

    Anyone else had the same issue and if so, have you managed to resolve?

    • bemybubble on 09/08/2017 - 10:37

      Yea I have the same issue. But just let it keep doing it's thing. Don't believe it's damaging the unit in doing so…

      • Tr0jan on 09/08/2017 - 10:58

        Are you sure about that? The unit vibrates rather harshly when it's happening, I can't see it helping the longevity of it.

        Will try a few things see if I can stop it.

    • Prickles on 29/11/2017 - 11:24

      I get the same issue. Haven't tried anything yet to fix it though..

  • BellaWii on 09/08/2017 - 12:18

    This morning on turbo mode it vacuumed for 114 minutes before going back to base low on battery (18%). My floors are tiled but did not experience this vibrating noise. Only got my unit yesterday though.

    Post your findings as those with tile floors will eventually want to know the solution.

    • bemybubble on 09/08/2017 - 12:53

      Mine is tile and carpet. Tile infrequently makes that noise. However checked the unit and doesn't seem to be any damage. Can't attest for the longevity of it but hoping it will be fine…

  • blamesociety on 09/08/2017 - 19:20
    +2

    Virtual wall tape:

    I ordered two rolls from two different retailers:

    http://www.geekbuying.com/item/Xiaomi-Mi-Robot-Virtual-Wall-…
    Ordered 14/07/17 for AU$16.08 with free shipping and it arrived 09/08/17.

    https://www.zapals.com/xiaomi-mi-robot-vacuum-virtual-wall.h…
    Ordered 07/07/17 for AU$10.69 + $7.33 shipping = AU$18.03 total and it hasn't yet arrived.

    So, based on total price and shipping speed, get it from Geek Buying.

    I unrolled the full 2m of tape and placed it in the path that I knew the vacuum was going to take after I started a clean. It did not need to run over the tape - as soon as the "nose" of the vac got to it, it turned away and then snaked along the tape like it does with walls. However, after that, it got really confused - it was as though it really wanted to find a way around the virtual wall, so it spent ages doing slow circles looking for escape. Once it realised there was no way around, it was like the original plan it had mapped out from the normal wall sensors was still confusing it, because it kept going around the same areas again and again until I put it out of its misery by sending it back to the dock.

    I then placed the tape on top of the base of a bar stool that has a metal base the vac likes to try to climb (but can't, then spins its wheels, then gets confused). The tape stopped it climbing the base. When I placed the wall tape under the metal base though, it didn't seem to detect it. I also placed the tape under a horizontal metal leg of a side table that it can climb over but then gets all kinds of stuck under the table, and it detected it fine and avoided the tbale

    I tried flat fridge magnets but the vac ran straight over them, so it needs this tape (or maybe much thicker / stronger fridge magnets).

    Conclusion: the tape works when laid out on the floor, on certain objects you don't want it to climb, under thin metal, but not thick metal, however it seems to confuse it. I don't think it's worth the price and hassle. I will just go back to putting the stools up on the bench, moving the side tables, and closing the doors of rooms I don't want done.

    • Tr0jan on 11/08/2017 - 09:39

      I need to do something for one of the beds, it's high enough to let most of the unit underneath but not high enough so that the laser top doesn't catch. Unfortunately this means it keeps getting stuck. Was looking at the tape as a solution, but I might just put some cardboard in the way or something

      • blamesociety on 11/08/2017 - 23:53
        +1

        I have the exact same problem with a chest of drawers in my bedroom - vac can get under, but can't get out again. My current solution is to sit a large plastic container lid in front of them. These drawers will be my next test for the tape, but I think a better solution is to put the chest of drawers on some rubber feet which will raise it up the couple of mm it needs for clearance (plus then it will get vacuumed under). Could you stick rubber feet on your bed?

        • salem on 12/08/2017 - 12:43

          on my couch i needed a fair bit of extra height, so cut up a few small wood blocks from scrap 4x2 for each foot. as an added bonus it then raised it to the same height as my ottoman. :)

    • Fitzy777 on 23/08/2017 - 10:32

      Do ya reckon something like this would work ? https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/otto-magne…

      • blamesociety on 23/08/2017 - 16:40
        +1

        I think it depends how magnetic it actually is. As a flat fridge magnet didn't work, I don't think that stuff will work either, but if you give it a go, please report back!

      • coxjon on 24/11/2017 - 12:13

        I tried this - two rows, side by side, the vacuum did not detect it

    • shagaroo on 23/08/2017 - 16:14
      +1

      Bunnings has lots of floor protection products that will raise the height of your furniture:

      https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?q=floor%20protec…

      I used something like this:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ble2MtwdeCE

      Cheaper than a virtual wall and let's it clean under the furniture too.

  • limucat on 18/08/2017 - 13:13

    Hi guys

    Taobao now ships to Australia but shipping fees kills it.

    I saw all the xiaomi vac parts are RMB39 (AUD7.4) each except for a pair of the side brushes (RMB29~AUD$5.5).

    Would it be cheaper if a bunch of us gets it together to save on shipping?

    thoughts?>

    • bemybubble on 18/08/2017 - 14:26

      Could be dangerous…perhaps you could try to directly negotiate with gearbite to buy in bulk?

  • Gauntlet on 18/08/2017 - 14:36
    +1

    I've had one for a couple of months and I love it! Just have to be wary when leaving home there is no cables or stray socks on the floor. It has always found its way back to the dock. I had a mini panic attack at work because I realized I left the bathroom door open with water on the floor, got home and it didn't seem to have harmed the vac. Lucky… I schedule it to clean in the afternoon because I have low windows and I've noticed when it runs in the morning the sun screws with the laser scanning the room and I end up with a weird looking map of that spot.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2017 - 22:46

    I'm hanging out for AU stock under $350 that isn't Roboguy. Come on Ozbargain, deliver for me.

    • tryagain on 28/08/2017 - 08:34

      I said to my self I was hanging out for $300 thinking I wouldn't be buying for quite a while, if at all, but got lucky with the Shopmonk deal.

      Having said that, now having it and experiencing having a good robot vac, I wouldn't bother waiting to save a few 10's of dollars if I were buying again, I'd happily buy it for the few more $$$ to have it doing its thing straight away. Well worth it in my opinion.

  • tryagain on 28/08/2017 - 09:21

    In regards to the filter, I were going to try the toilet paper but found the 2-3 ply seemed to have a fair bit more resistance to a "blow test" than the filter did splitting a single ply off was closer but if you are covering over filter that is pleated and is designed to allow air through with something that isn't there will likely be some reduction in its suction force.

    What did work well for me was using an air compressor the blow against the back side of the filter. This is generally how similar filters in petrol engines are cleaned. I first gave it a number of hard taps like they recommend which may have cleaned 50% of the ingrained dirt, hitting it with the air compressor from the back side probably removed an additional 45 of the 50% remaining dirt.

    Washing paper based filters (assuming this is similar) generally isn't recommended as it can weaken and or change the pore sizes in the filter, having said that if you are going to replace it any way you don't really have a lot to lose.

  • matt-e on 11/09/2017 - 23:15

    Has anyone successfully managed to setup 'share this device' on thiswith te Mi App? I'm on iOS and the wife on Android. I'm trying to share it with her but the request just doesn't come through. Pretty sure we're both on Mainland as the region.

    • tryagain on 12/09/2017 - 09:02

      Wife and I are both on android so may differ, but I didn't go down the "share the device" route, just paired my phone with it, and then hers, worked fine.

      • matt-e on 12/09/2017 - 12:43

        Ok, I'll try that. I thought if I paired a new phone with it then it would un-pair the previous one. I'll have a go tonight. Cheers.

        • tryagain on 12/09/2017 - 12:59

          I thought that might be the case given the "share the device" option but gave it a try anyway and it worked.

        • matt-e on 15/09/2017 - 10:50

          @tryagain:
          Ok, so I tried to pair my wife's phone but to do this I had to reset the wifi on the vac. After setting her phone up I found that mine could no longer see it. I then tried to share it to myself from her phone and this time the share invitation came through. I accepted and all is good now. Don't know why it wouldn't work the other way around trying to share it from my phone.

        • tryagain on 15/09/2017 - 19:15

          @matt-e: Good to hear you got it sorted

          Don't know why it wouldn't work the other way around

          Because Android>iOS. :)

  • ashtonaut on 13/09/2017 - 17:38

    I'm trying to find somewhere where I can get one of these delivered to NZ for less than NZ$400 / AU$360 / US$290. Unfortunately NZ has a much lower import threshold than Oz, so I will get stung for NZ$100 of GST and import fees if the price including shipping is more than NZ$400.

    Do any of the Aussie eBay sellers who have done deals recently offer shipping to NZ? I can't find any that do.

    A number of non-eBay stores sell the vac for circa US$255, but shipping is always up around US$60-100, which puts the total above the threshold. I can't find any where with a cheaper shipping option (I'm happy to wait for slow shipping as long as it's properly tracked).

    Anyone got any bright ideas or suggestions for eBay stores that will ship to NZ?

    Cheers

  • [Deactivated] on 18/09/2017 - 21:17

    Has anyone got the Amazon Alexa skill to work? I've tried mine and although it registers, I can't find it when I search for devices.

  • DeWalt on 21/09/2017 - 07:20

    Thanks op!

    I was thinking this thread could help potential customers too.

    Can you please list approximate running costs. Eg. Brushes supposedly last 3-6 months. There's also filters and batteries. Anything else? I'm assuming it's about $10/month (filter kit).

    Can you please list limitations, eg. Wet floor and sticky floor. Somebody also mentioned a chest the robot can get under, but it can't get back out. Somebody also mentioned scratching of furniture. Somebody also mentioned patches of sunlight confusing it. If it's in sunlight, does that overheat the unit?

    How noisy is it? Is the plastic fragile (eg. polystyrene)?

    Are there any worthwhile comparisons to other robot vacuum cleaners? Somebody said it's comparable to the Roomba. Is that reasonsble?

    • bemybubble on 21/09/2017 - 09:06
      +1

      I paid $23 for a bursh and filter kit. I use it 3 - 4 times a week and have used it for 3 months now. All I know is that using their care guide i've got 69% before they recommend replacing things. So i think it's fair to say if you were to stick to the guide it costs $23 every 9 months based on my usage…

      Wet/sticky floor you'd be asking for trouble even with a normal vac…

      I've got tiled and carpeted floors and it works great. No furniture or edging has been scratched in my place and my house is 7 years old. No overheating from sunlight in my experience either.

      Plastic is robust. I've put decals on mine to stop scuff marks but that's it.

      It runs rings around a roomba. I suspect those at iRobot would be concerned over better tech for less than a quarter of their RRP…

      • DeWalt on 21/09/2017 - 12:25

        Good feedback. Thanks.

  • Brus1er on 25/09/2017 - 07:35

    Has anyone experienced issues regarding a Sensor Error?

    I've had mine for about two months and started to have issues over the weekend. Basically the unit would run for 5 - 20 mins but then stop and advise there was a number 1 error and I should try to turn the sensor with a pencil as it may be blocked (app points to Orange Sensor on top of unit)

    I tried this multiple times and the sensor seemed to be spinning freely with no signs of any blockage.

    Eventually I got it going for just enough time to finish the job but wondered if anyone else had come across this and had a way to resolve on a more permanent basis?

    • Dobs on 04/12/2017 - 16:34

      I had to return mine to Gearbite as it kept getting 'Error 2 - Clean and tap the bumper lightly'.
      YouTube example - similar to what I experienced - very frustrating!

      It first gave me this error about 20 minutes into it's first run… then had to continuously press the button to keep it going. Not very automatic for a robot.

      Fortunately Gearbite refunded me - I returned it in person.

      Just my experience… hope it helps.

  • rev0 on 26/09/2017 - 13:00

    Can anyone share a link / instructions for setting up the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum in Australia?

    I.e. how to setup the app in English, choosing the right mode etc.

    • Gerbud on 30/09/2017 - 15:21

      You can set the language to English on the MiHome App when you add the vacuum. There are instruction within the app on how to use the vac. Hope that helps.

  • Gerbud on 30/09/2017 - 15:20

    Anyone having trouble with the MiHome App? It won't open for me…it's up to date and have restarted iPhone and re-installed app but still no joy :(

    • Skrambled on 30/09/2017 - 19:46

      yep latest app has busted it for me too. seems to be a few threads on other internet forums about this.

      • bemybubble on 03/10/2017 - 07:08

        Fix in the comments below

  • smashed on 30/09/2017 - 15:41

    Does anybody else have a squeaking robot? I think it may be the wheel from a quick Google.

    It is an intermittent issue though.

    • salem on 30/09/2017 - 17:19

      on carpet, or only on tiles/floorboards? If the latter, could be the rubber pads underneath touching uneven bits on the floor.

      • smashed on 30/09/2017 - 17:57

        On solid wood flooring that it didn't squeak on for the first 2 months.. Definitely something that has developed

    • BellaWii on 08/10/2017 - 10:32

      Have the same squeaking on my tiled floor. There was no squeak for the first month.

      Anyone have a solution?

    • looks on 14/10/2017 - 23:33

      Mines developed squeaking on carpet. Did anyone find a solution?

  • denlife on 30/09/2017 - 22:18

    Does anyone know how to erase the map from memory? Just had our robot do his first clean, and he got confused and our floorplan is all wrong. Do I have to delete the robot from the app or do I need to reset the robot? If so, does anyone know how to do it? Or can I just leave the map as it is and the robot will resolve the map next run?
    My wife couldn't believe I spent $320 on a vacuum cleaner, but one clean with the robot and she is asking why we didn't get him sooner..

    • bemybubble on 01/10/2017 - 09:01
      +1

      The map deletes itself each and every new clean

  • bemybubble on 01/10/2017 - 12:36

    My app isn’t working either!

  • Gerbud on 13/10/2017 - 23:47
    +1

    Anyone know a clever way to stop vac going up on rugs aside from removing the rug? It can get up on some of my shaggy rugs but then gets stuck. I looked a tape but seems like quite a dear option as would need many metres to surround the rug…

    • bemybubble on 14/10/2017 - 14:46

      I tape white paper over my cliff sensors and that seems to fix it for me. Just make sure you fold the paper as if it’s see through it won’t work

      • zooter on 28/10/2017 - 09:26

        how does taping the sensor prevent it from going onto a rug?

        • bemybubble on 28/10/2017 - 13:04

          It doesn’t. It stops it from getting stuck

        • zooter on 30/10/2017 - 13:47

          @bemybubble:

          well, I dont' actually want it to go to a specific carpeted area without spending a ton on virtual walls…it doesn't get stuck, it's just my kid's playarea and don't want dirty wheels from other places on that

        • bemybubble on 30/10/2017 - 16:57

          @zooter:

          Fair call, then unfortunately it's virtual walls or bust :(

        • samfisher5986 on 30/11/2017 - 14:22

          @bemybubble:

          How does it stop it from getting stuck, I don't' get it.

        • bemybubble on 30/11/2017 - 15:56

          @samfisher5986:

          Stops mistaking black carpet for a cliff or ledge. So keeps moving forward

        • samfisher5986 on 30/11/2017 - 16:06

          @bemybubble:

          Oh right mine is blue so shouldn't make a difference.

          Thanks

        • bemybubble on 30/11/2017 - 16:09

          @samfisher5986:

          Give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose

  • zooter on 03/11/2017 - 17:24

    Even though my previous comment was about the bathroom, ironically my comment is that it doesn't enter the bathroom…2 times the same thing happened. As per the app, the robot clearly sees that there is a room, but somehow missed it. What could be the cause? There isn't too much of a step up (similar to kitchen which it could enter). Otherwise, I would think this is the best purchase of the year, heck probably the best purchase in the past 10 years…super impressed!

    • blamesociety on 03/11/2017 - 20:50

      What colour is the bathroom floor?

      • zooter on 04/11/2017 - 19:04

        White…i think it's not going in because it is slightly higher than the other rooms?

  • treeman on 17/11/2017 - 14:35

    Have been using mine for a week. Thanks for the extra details that could become useful.

  • uncompressed on 20/11/2017 - 14:23
    +1

    I've got a 2 story house and was wondering if I can just bring the unit alone upstairs and set it to work while leaving the dock downstairs?

  • samfisher5986 on 30/11/2017 - 14:23

    Has anyone found that their robot gets really confused by the virtual wall?

    My robot reaches the wall, then spins around for 5 minutes, sometimes claiming to be stuck when its clearly not.

    • blamesociety on 30/11/2017 - 18:07

      Yes

      • samfisher5986 on 30/11/2017 - 18:58

        Thats unfortunate, thanks for the reply.

        Without a virtual wall I'm kind of forced to buy the upgraded version…

        • blamesociety on 30/11/2017 - 21:47

          Is the new version better at virtual walls?

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