iRobot's Looj is a Dud

A short clip of the new iRobot Looj trying to remove some pine needles from my house gutters. I believe the product does not do what it is advertised to do and is misrepresented as a "robot" when it is really a remote-controlled device. iRobot has never responded to numerous requests for a return authorization (RMA). Incidentally, it makes no difference which way the auger turns or how much debris there is. Even a small twig stops the Looj cold. Do not waste your money on this piece of crap.

[UPDATE] I have received numerous nasty emails from people associated with iRobot, yet the company never bothered to even acknowledge my request for an RMA. iRobot has the worst customer service of any company I have ever dealt with (in my opinion). It is literally impossible to get a human on the phone. Oh, and for those who have accused me of subjecting this crappy device to a too difficult task, all I have to say is nonsense. The purpose of this device is to clean gutters, If it can't even remove a tiny twig or an ounce of pine needles, what good is it? I repeat my earlier statement: It is easier to climb in the roof and use your hand than to fiddle with this remote-control toy. One more thing -- if you buy one, be ready with a screw driver just to charge the battery. It is an annoying pain. 3 thumbs down for the Looj.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• looj
• irobot
• product
• gutter
• cleaner
• home
• yard
• garden

[BandAidUK]

Why don't you just get your hands in there and clear it out?

[nvpatentlawyer]

@BandAidUK That is exactly the point. It is easier to clean the gutter by hand than deal with this piece of junk.

[ray3rd]

If it does not work AT ALL, then:

1) why are there amateur videos on here showing it working?

2) why don't you post a video showing it spinning THE RIGHT DIRECTION instead of showing improper usage and claiming "you tried the other way too"?

[nvpatentlawyer]

The piece of junk does not remove debris no matter which way it turns. Other videos show a few dry loose leaves. It is easier to remove them with a leaf blower. Put a tiny twig or small clump of wet leaves in its way and it is stopped cold. Consumer Reports has a review this month completely agreeing with me. Read it.

[infralord]

Not standard gutter sizes. The operator is attempting to make the looj look bad. Proper operation would probably yield satisfactory results. If you have a beaver dam in the gutter, perhaps you should clear the compacted part to let the robot get to the looser stuff.

[skier210is]

so do they make another robot for removing the loojes that get stuck in your gutter?

[elghian]

I can find dozens of faults with this gadget apart from what is illustrated. Numerous ladder climbs to reposition the thing for forward and backward function. Come to a corner, reposition again . Jamming against internal support brackets that are too low in the gutter. Shakes protuding into the gutter making access impossible. Cascading

crap all over the place. Back up batteries (need a few here). Jamming against immovable debris. Been doing gutter cleaning 30 years qualifies my comment.

[nvpatentlawyer]

@Misha331 Well, duh. Isn't this device supposed to CLEAN a gutter, not polish a clean gutter? Besides, it only takes a tiny twig to stop the Looj in it tracks.

[vroze]

Thx for showing the video -

[ScottC125]

I'm with nvpatentlawyer on this one..the iRobot Looj is a piece of crap and a waste of money. I've owned one for about a year now and after using it about four times, the cleaning job it performs can best be described as "epic fail". Better off cleaning gutters the old fashioned labor-intensive way. Interestingly enough, I wrote a customer comment (albeit negative) on their website and they have yet to post it. Hmm....

[ScottC125]

I'm with nvpatentlawyer on this one. The iRobot Looj is a piece of crap and a waste of money. I've owned one for a year now, and its cleaning job on my gutters can best be described as "epic fail". Much easier to do it the old-fashioned labor-intensive way. And yes, their customer service is crap as well. Interestingly enough, I wrote a customer review (albeit negative) on their website several months ago and they have yet to post it. Hmmm.

[nvpatentlawyer]

It doesn't matter which wy it spins. It cannot clear a minor obstruction like a twig.