Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#223773 16-Oct-2017 22:14

A thread for owners and prospective owners. Check YouTube for reviews and comparisons, this model compares very well with the high end Roombas but at a fraction of the price.

I purchased mine from www.geekbuying.com.

They retail there for US$399, but use the code MIROBOTD for US$159 off (code still works, not sure when it expires). Add ~US$40 for shipping (choose TNT), that gets you to about US$280. Add shipping insurance if you want (I did but it’s probably not needed). I paid in USD with PayPal to keep it all in USD (see below).

When mine entered the country the official NZ Customs FX rate (Google it) was 0.71, which worked out to about NZ$397, just under the GST threshold so all good.

The issue now is that the Customs FX rate is going down to 0.69 next week (they fix the rate in advance), so that will push the converted price just over NZ$400. I suspect you will be OK, but it’s a risk.

I ordered on 8 Oct, it shipped on 11 Oct and was delivered today. Full tracking all the way with TNT, final delivery by NZ Couriers.

The iOS app is excellent and works better than I expected. Let me know if you have any questions, I’m very impressed so far.

[Mod: Murf - Updated URL as no HTTP to HTTPS redirect]

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meow
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#1884658 16-Oct-2017 22:53

Thanks for that! Would be very interested in your opinions so keep us updated. I've been pretty keen on grabbing one except not sure if I need one for my small 2 bedroom home :)

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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SumnerBoy

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#1884662 16-Oct-2017 23:00

Which warehouse did you purchase from? I can only see entries on Geekbuying.com with discounts and specials already applied. Sorry I am probably just being dense!

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1884665 16-Oct-2017 23:06

Choose CN warehouse (I don’t know if it matters).

There are discounts already applied to the RRP, but when you add the coupon code in the checkout process they get superseded with the better one.

michaelmurfy

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#1884667 16-Oct-2017 23:12

Bugger - looks like it doesn't work with me:

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1884668 16-Oct-2017 23:15

Power supply tip: It comes with a Chinese plug, but this is a perfect replacement:

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/CABDNX9009/DYNAMIX-2M-Figure-8-Power-Cord---2-pin-plug-to-fig

App setup tips:
- the app is called Mi Home (iOS and Android). Search for “Xiaomi” in the App Store, it’s a green icon and the name is in Chinese characters (the app is in English though)
- set the app region to mainland China so you can add the vacuum and update the firmware
- install the English language pack so the vac speaks to you in English, not Chinese

michaelmurfy

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#1884669 16-Oct-2017 23:16

Actually found one:

Use the HK shipping one and apply the discount code "OKYXFUKD" - this gives $165.00US off bringing it down to $234.99US

Edit: Shipping is a killer this method. Updated the OP's post.

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1884670 16-Oct-2017 23:20

michaelmurfy:
Bugger - looks like it doesn't work with me:

Sorry, wrong Code!!

MIROBOTD

Just checked and it still works.

I can’t edit my OP, would you mind?

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1884672 16-Oct-2017 23:22

michaelmurfy:
Actually found one:

Use the HK shipping one and apply the discount code "OKYXFUKD" - this gives $165.00US off bringing it down to $234.99US

Wow that’s an even better deal. Nice.

That might squeeze you under NZ$400 even after the upcoming exchange rate change. Not sure if the TNT shipping is an option from HK though

sonyxperiageek

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#1884677 16-Oct-2017 23:28

This looks almost identical to the iRobot Roomba 980!

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michaelmurfy

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#1884678 16-Oct-2017 23:29

ashtonaut:
That might squeeze you under NZ$400 even after the upcoming exchange rate change. Not sure if the TNT shipping is an option from HK though

Yeah works out at the same price in the end after shipping but the shipping is via EMS. I think the China one is better due to faster shipping. The discount code is valid until the end of October so got a bit of time to decide if I want one :)

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1884679 16-Oct-2017 23:30

sonyxperiageek:
This looks almost identical to the iRobot Roomba 980!

Yeah, it gets better reviews in some areas, not quite as good in others (primarily suction power IIRC), but the side by side reviews I’ve read generally put the Xiaomi slightly ahead (and that’s not factoring the huge price gap).

sonyxperiageek

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#1884683 16-Oct-2017 23:34

ashtonaut:
sonyxperiageek:

This looks almost identical to the iRobot Roomba 980!

Yeah, it gets better reviews in some areas, not quite as good in others (primarily suction power IIRC), but the side by side reviews I’ve read generally put the Xiaomi slightly ahead (and that’s not factoring the huge price gap).

For that price tag, I could buy 3 of the Xiaomi vacuums to vacuum the house all at the same time, while still having a bit left than if I bought one Roomba 980! :P

Sony

shim99

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#1884750 17-Oct-2017 08:00

I too have taken the plunge and bought one of these with the helpful insights from @ashtonaut.
Am hoping that with shipping times I sneak in under the current customs exchange rates.
Even with GST these seem really well priced compared to similarly spec’d cleaners.

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1884751 17-Oct-2017 08:03

shim99: I too have taken the plunge and bought one of these with the helpful insights from @ashtonaut.
Am hoping that with shipping times I sneak in under the current customs exchange rates.
Even with GST these seem really well priced compared to similarly spec’d cleaners.

Yes, even if you have to pay the circa $100 GST and handling fee, at $500 it’s still an absolute bargain for the features you get. At $400 it’s even better 😀

Dulouz

877 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1884756 17-Oct-2017 08:23

I have a large two-storey house with a mixture of carpet, slate and tile floors. Would one of these units be useful?

Amanon

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