Aiper Scuba S1 Review

[HermanTX]

Mine gets warm but not hot. Are you charging it in the shade?

It is in my garage - door open - so total shade.

 

[XSaint]

I just purchased a Scuba S1 from Amazon after purchasing the Smorobot Tank C1 last week. My pool is all tile and has an irregular shape which caused the C1 to struggle when navigating the walls in standard (floor + walls) mode.

Hopefully I can provide a side-by-side comparison this week.

Results are in. The Scuba S1 is the clear winner between these two bots for my pool. Happy to share more details if anyone is interested, but I will be returning the Smorobot.

 

[Belo]

To be clear my bot has no problems going straight up and down the incline either (length wise) but what it's not doing is traversing the incline running sideways (perpendicular). It gets 3/4 up the incline and can't seem to advance beyond that point. I posted a video in this thread.

We're not talking about a super deep end or steep incline, my pool goes from 6'6" to 3'6"

this was my issue as well. It went up and down just fine (although it did wheelies on the way down haha). But when it tried to go sideways on the incline it just slipped and would end up getting stuck in a kind of endless loop.

 

[fre1102]

I tried but my phone wouldn’t pair with the S-1. Didn’t even recognize it as a device. I held the button down for 10+ seconds and then connected to the Aiper Wi-fi successfully. Then went to the Aiper app and it said no devices found.

Don't connect to the Scuba via wifi first.

First go to the app, the support section. Then Select the Scuba S1. Then the app will tell you to hold down the power button to connect to the Scuba's wifi and it will update the Scuba.

The app wants to connect to devices via Bluetooth or QR code, which isn't supported for the Scuba, apparently.

 

[cssnms]

Now Aiper is telling me that because my bot is past the 3 mo return window and even though I raised this issue prior to that window expiring, that it is now technically too late to return it, but they would be willing to make an exception if I wanted to return it now. My bot is only 4 mo old.

Alternatively they said if I wouldn't mind waiting for the next firmware update I could do that, BUT if that hasn't come out in the next few weeks that if I wanted to return my bot they may only be able to issue a partial refund???? This despite the bot being under warranty with an obvious programming deficiency that prevents it from operating as intended, a functional problem that Aiper recognizes but hasn't resolved.

If Aiper is not able to solve the issue under warranty and they cannot offer a replacement product of the same model, then they should buy the unit back.

 

[Agrabah]

Now Aiper is telling me that because my bot is past the 3 mo return window and even though I raised this issue prior to that window expiring, that it is now technically too late to return it, but they would be willing to make an exception if I wanted to return it now. My bot is only 4 mo old.

Alternatively they said if I wouldn't mind waiting for the next firmware update I could do that, BUT if that hasn't come out in the next few weeks that if I wanted to return my bot they may only be able to issue a partial refund???? This despite the bot being under warranty with an obvious programming deficiency that prevents it from operating as intended, a functional problem that Aiper recognizes but hasn't resolved.

If Aiper is not able to solve the issue under warranty and they cannot offer a replacement product of the same model, then they should buy the unit back.

Never trust a company's promises. If they said you can return it now, do it. You can always repurchase later if the issues you had are resolved.

 

[cssnms]

So what I noticed today while running the bot in floor only mode is that while running in it's N pattern side to side, is that it would hit the wall curve, go up a little, then stop and drop back down to start it's turn around.

The problem seems to be while doing this on the incline, when the robot hits the wall curve and goes up slightly, because of the incline and the curvature on the wall, that when the robot goes up the wall slightly is when it starts it's lean down the incline. And when it backs down at that point it is actually lower on the incline, which puts it lower than the previous track, but when it turns around and advances slightly it puts it back on the same previous track, hence it never gets beyond this point. Then it's wash rinse repeat...

The problem in my view is how far up the curved wall it is allowed to advance. It probably works better in a pool with more square angled walls?

 

[Agrabah]

So what I noticed today while running the bot in floor only mode is that while running in it's N pattern side to side, is that it would hit the wall curve, go up a little, then stop and drop back down to start it's turn around.

The problem seems to be while doing this on the incline, when the robot hits the wall curve and goes up slightly, because of the incline and the curvature on the wall, that when the robot goes up the wall slightly is when it starts it's lean down the incline. And when it backs down at that point it is actually lower on the incline, which puts it lower than the previous track, but when it turns around and advances slightly it puts it back on the same previous track, hence it never gets beyond this point. Then it's wash rinse repeat...

The problem in my view is how far up the curved wall it is allowed to advance. It probably works better in a pool with more square angled walls?

Assumption but if it’s using a gyro it might be thinking it is being tilted more than it actually is and then doing what you described. That would be able to be fixed in software. If they are using a sensor that is only on and off for detecting walls (unlikely but possible) it wouldn’t be fixable because it’s getting triggered at the incline thinking it is going into a wall.

 

[XSaint]

So what I noticed today while running the bot in floor only mode is that while running in it's N pattern side to side, is that it would hit the wall curve, go up a little, then stop and drop back down to start it's turn around.

The problem seems to be while doing this on the incline, when the robot hits the wall curve and goes up slightly, because of the incline and the curvature on the wall, that when the robot goes up the wall slightly is when it starts it's lean down the incline. And when it backs down at that point it is actually lower on the incline, which puts it lower than the previous track, but when it turns around and advances slightly it puts it back on the same previous track, hence it never gets beyond this point. Then it's wash rinse repeat...

The problem in my view is how far up the curved wall it is allowed to advance. It probably works better in a pool with more square angled walls?

Mine is doing the same thing as you described. When moving across the width of the pool across the incline, it "slides" or "drifts" towards the deep end and never really maintains a true side-to-side path. My pool is relatively small, however, so it does end up covering the missed areas when it gets into a different pattern going across the length of the pool.

I'm curious to hear what others are experiencing and if Aiper is providing any response to this issue.

 

[cssnms]

Mine is doing the same thing as you described. When moving across the width of the pool across the incline, it "slides" or "drifts" towards the deep end and never really maintains a true side-to-side path. My pool is relatively small, however, so it does end up covering the missed areas when it gets into a different pattern going across the length of the pool.

I'm curious to hear what others are experiencing and if Aiper is providing any response to this issue.

I've shared my recent feedback and observations with Aiper. I suggested they increase the turn "advancement" to 6" to 8" vs what looks like 3 or 4". That I think the turn tolerance is too tight and the advancement exceeded the "slippage" it should result in advancement up and past the incline.

Aiper replied thanking me for the feedback and stated they are working on another firmware update to take my feedback into account.

 

[XSaint]

I've shared my recent feedback and observations with Aiper. I suggested they increase the turn "advancement" to 6" to 8" vs what looks like 3 or 4". That I think the turn tolerance is too tight and the advancement exceeded the "slippage" it should result in advancement up and past the incline.

Aiper replied thanking me for the feedback and stated they are working on another firmware update to take my feedback into account.

That seems promising.

I reached out to Aiper separately about how to update the firmware, and I was told that the Scuba S1 cannot be upgraded. Clearly that is not the case as others here have posted their experience completing the upgrade process. When I pressed the support rep about that, I was told that the Scuba S1 upgrade was "under experimentation". I took that to mean that they aren't prepared to support it fully, and I am not sure what they would do if the "backdoor" upgrade process bricked the device.

 

[cssnms]

That seems promising.

I reached out to Aiper separately about how to update the firmware, and I was told that the Scuba S1 cannot be upgraded. Clearly that is not the case as others here have posted their experience completing the upgrade process. When I pressed the support rep about that, I was told that the Scuba S1 upgrade was "under experimentation". I took that to mean that they aren't prepared to support it fully, and I am not sure what they would do if the "backdoor" upgrade process bricked the device.

I posted the pdf instructions in this thread, it's back a few pages.

 

[XSaint]

I posted the pdf instructions in this thread, it's back a few pages.

Yes, thats what I followed. I just found it interesting that Aiper didn't seem to want to acknowledge that process.

 

[FlyingScot]

That seems promising.

I reached out to Aiper separately about how to update the firmware, and I was told that the Scuba S1 cannot be upgraded. Clearly that is not the case as others here have posted their experience completing the upgrade process. When I pressed the support rep about that, I was told that the Scuba S1 upgrade was "under experimentation". I took that to mean that they aren't prepared to support it fully, and I am not sure what they would do if the "backdoor" upgrade process bricked the device.

Nothing “backdoor” about the upgrade. You use their app, you pair, app does the rest and upgrades. They even provide a link in app to “update” the S1. You got hold of an ignorant support rep - the rule not the exception.

 

[cssnms]

Yes, thats what I followed. I just found it interesting that Aiper didn't seem to want to acknowledge that process.

The person I am communicating with seems very plugged in over at Aiper and seemingly has a line of communication w/the programming peeps.

 

[Bbp]

My Pro won't charge. The light on the charger is on, but no beep or lights when plugged into the S1. The charging port gets pretty hot and so does the plug that's in the port. Almost made it a month.

 

[cssnms]

My Pro won't charge. The light on the charger is on, but no beep or lights when plugged into the S1. The charging port gets pretty hot and so does the plug that's in the port. Almost made it a month.

It's still under warranty

 

[piezon]

So what I noticed today while running the bot in floor only mode is that while running in it's N pattern side to side, is that it would hit the wall curve, go up a little, then stop and drop back down to start it's turn around.

The problem seems to be while doing this on the incline, when the robot hits the wall curve and goes up slightly, because of the incline and the curvature on the wall, that when the robot goes up the wall slightly is when it starts it's lean down the incline. And when it backs down at that point it is actually lower on the incline, which puts it lower than the previous track, but when it turns around and advances slightly it puts it back on the same previous track, hence it never gets beyond this point. Then it's wash rinse repeat...

The problem in my view is how far up the curved wall it is allowed to advance. It probably works better in a

So what I noticed today while running the bot in floor only mode is that while running in it's N pattern side to side, is that it would hit the wall curve, go up a little, then stop and drop back down to start it's turn around.

The problem seems to be while doing this on the incline, when the robot hits the wall curve and goes up slightly, because of the incline and the curvature on the wall, that when the robot goes up the wall slightly is when it starts it's lean down the incline. And when it backs down at that point it is actually lower on the incline, which puts it lower than the previous track, but when it turns around and advances slightly it puts it back on the same previous track, hence it never gets beyond this point. Then it's wash rinse repeat...

The problem in my view is how far up the curved wall it is allowed to advance. It probably works better in a pool with more

 

[Bbp]

I can't decide, money back or replacement? It cleaned really well.

 

[piezon]

I can't decide, money back or replacement? It cleaned really well.

I noticed my charging plug got pretty hot last night and I only had it plugged in for 2.5 hours. Not sure what it would feel like if you left it plugged in all night. Once it’s fully charged, I’m assuming it would power down so the charger wouldn’t be generating any more heat.
Anyway, good luck with your decision. The beauty about the warranty, is it gets you a replacement. The bad news is that you need to use it after just 1 month.