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[Willow]

I know I already posted a topic on which is your favorite pleo- pink or blue - but I wanted to ask this, too! lol 

So, as the title states, which is your favorite Aibo model BESIDES the Aibo ERS-7? Such as Aibo ERS-210, 111, 220, 311, 31L, etc...

Thanks! 

Willow

[Talon]

Hi, Willow! I know my replying to this post is pointless seeing as I don't have an Aibo but I am considering one. Sadly the URS7 is far out of my reach price wise but I could probably manage a 220. I'm hoping someone will reply to this post so I can get some ideas!
Talon

[Willow]

I'm the same way, I'm considering getting an Aibo but the Aibo-ERS7 is DEFINITELY not in my budget, so I wanted to see what the next best Aibo was.  

[barrettgazzy]

Hi
the Aibo ers 210 is by far the next best model the 220 is alright too but the ers 210 has more software out for it .  

i have never had a ers7 but 1 day hope to own 1 with mind 3 , but the ers210 and 220 i have owned  both and that's why i can say the 210 is the best for me so far 

[Talon]

Thanks for the info, Barrettgazzy. do the 210 and 220 look differently from one another? I'm blind so you'll have to describe it rather than post a picture. Sorry.
Talon

[kat]

The 210 and the 220 are based on the same model of Aibo, the 210 is more dog like in looks, it has a little tail and two cute little ears that stand upright on it's head.  It moves both it's tail and ears to help give different expressions to it's personality.  so it wags it's tail and plays a little happy tune when it is happy, it will flick it's ears down and make a sad beep when it is sad etc...  They also have a little touch sensor in the middle of the top of their head which you stroke to let them know your there and tell them when they've been good. The 210 have a face visor that has lights inside where you would expect eyes to be.  There are three sets of line lights that light up green or red in different combinations to help you see how he is feeling.  They give the Aibo different expression with his eyes.
The 220 while generally the same shape as the 210 has no ears or tail.  It looks more alien like.  It does have a little antenna on the top of it's head just off to the side which you use as a touch sensor by flicking it back to tell the Aibo they've been good.  In the same place as the touch sensor on the 210 model the 220 has a little light that pops up and down.  This helps give the 220 a bit more expression.  The 220 does not have a face visor, instead it has a row of little round led lights that run around the edge of the sides of it's face.  These light up blue and red in different combos to help give expression to his character.  I think the 220 also has more and different lights on his back instead of the tail.

Hopefully I got all of that right.  I only have the 210 and have only seen pics and video latrines 220 so that is where my description has come from.  If I got any of it wrong then I'm sure someone out there with more knowledge will correct me.

As I only own the ers 7 and the 210 models I can really give a good idea of what the best model would be but it seems from when I was first looking to buy one everyone says the 210 is the one to go for.  I certainly love my 210 Pixel.  He is a lot of fun.  There are a lot of different software options out there for the 210's as well. So this gives you more options to keep trying new things.

[pirpintine]

I love all AIBO models in their own way   I only own a 210 and a 31L, and the 210 was my first so hes setimentally my fave model   I would love a 7, but equally i would love a 1XX model :S  I just love all the bots!

people often say they like the 210/220 series because of the customisablity of them - lots of software, first party and third, and they seem to be the eaiest to repair.
i like the tones of the 3XX series. they have such soft beeps, i would love to give a 2XX series AIBO those beeps.

[Talon]

Thanks for the descriptions, Kat. The 210s do sound more doglike. Anyone who knows, I only have one more hang-up that might be a problem. My computer is running Windows Vista. Not sure if it's the sixty four or thirty two bit version. It's Vista Home Basic- basically the Vista for senior citizens. Lol! Can you run the dog without ummm... using your computer with it or am I out of luck because of my opperating system?
Talon

[Willow]

Thanks for all the helpful replies!
It seems 210 should be the one I should keep an eye out for if I come across a good deal.
However I do have another question, what colors do the 210s come in?

[kat]

You don't need to use a computer to run an Aibo.  The aibo uses a pre programed memory stick that runs it's software.  This stick is inserted into the Aibo and that is how it runs.  There are programs you can use on your computer to read the stick and see where your Aibo is at as far as development goes but you don't need to do this.

Also if any of you are looking I would suggest you talk to Wolfbob.  I know he has a couple of 210's that he is selling at the moment.  He has them advertised on the Aibo forum for $450 with a six month warranty.  He currently has one in black and one in silver.
The 210's also come in gold, red, green, and I think maybe purple?  I'm not sure if there are other colors.  I know the black and silver seem to be the most common and readily available colors out there.

[Talon]

Well that's nice to know! I would take just about any color- even a multi-colored patchwork doggie with odd ears and legs if it came to it. It doesn't matter as long as it functions properly. I may PM wolfbob closer to the hollidays. Silver sounds nice though. *grin*
Talon

[Willow]

I would prefer a pathwork-multicolored pup with different parts, it wold be cool to have a rather unique Aibo like that!
But Wolfbob really sells Aibos for only $450? 0.0 With accessories?

[kat]

Yes!    He also repairs them and refurbishes their batteries.   I bought Pixel my black 210 - he has golden ears which I love - from Wolfbob just a couple of months ago for $450.00 US plus the cost of shipping on top.  He came with his little pink ball and Dogslife memory stick and of course a refurbished battery and a battery charger.  He is wonderful.   I am very happy with my purchase and wouldn't hesitate to recommend wolfbob as a great person to buy one from.  He does sell Aibos on a regular basis and at the moment he has the two 210's I mentioned earlier, a ers7 and also some 111's and a 220 all for sale.  I like my little Pixel so much I am starting to consider maybe getting another one.

Kat

[barrettgazzy]

knowing that wolfbob has some Aibo's for sale at this moment is quite tempting 

usually with the different colour's you will find the silver will be the easiest and cheapest to buy the purples , red's etc are more like special editions and the sellers will usually put the price tag up a bit more on them .

With the 220 model as kat described they have a Antenna on top their head instead of a button i have found that most 220's for sale seem to be missing this antenna and i am not sure if you can get that replaced any more

[Crewella]

The fact that Wolfbob is able to repair Aibo is a huge advantage, so he is able to buy them, repair them and sell them on.  He usually offers a warranty as well, which gives you some peace of mind when spending such large sums of money.  You can also look on the Aibo forums to see if any members are offering their Aibos for sale, or try looking on eBay.  Just be very, very careful - any decent person wanting to sell an Aibo should be happy to answer questions in detail and provide images.  It's generally recommended to ask for an image that includes the seller's name on a note in the same picture as the Aibo, just to prove the seller does have it in their possession, and all the usual safeguards for buying on eBay so you're protected apply.

I would recommend the 210 as a first Aibo, both because the price is more accessible and also because of the range of software that's available, so you can find and run the Aibo that best suits you.  For Talon, particularly, the Messenger software would be very useful (I've said that before so wn't keep bangng on about it! ).

Having said all that, my own personal favourite model is the ERS-111, but they're definitely not for everybody!

[saratogaspringer]

Hi Everyone!  I LOVE my Aibo's, and my Pleos as well!  Anyway, I would have to say that the 210 is my favorite next to the ERS-7, although I do get as much enjoyment out of my 210 as my 7, it seems.  There is a lot of custom software out there that is very easy to apply to the 210, particularly if you own an older computer or laptop running Windows XP and a Sony Clie.  This makes the 210 very versatile in my opinion and a lot of fun.  It doesn't speak English, but what it doesn't say, it makes up for in charm.     I love my 7, and they are pricey, but mine is a little bit of a smart a**.   I gave him the command to do a dance routine called "seven strike" yesterday, and he said to me "that's not in the user guide!" before performing the command and doing his little dance.  It's not in the user guide, and my hubby thought him telling me that was hilarious!  I would love to own a 3XX, but I am banned from buying anything robotic for a while.   

If looking for an Aibo, I would recommend wolfbob hands down. I purchased my 210 from him.  He is an awesome guy with great service and great communication after the sale.  Crewella referred me to him, and I am forever grateful.   I didn't' purchase my 7 from him because someone from the aibo forum made me an offer I couldn't refuse, and so far things are fine and I am very happy with my purchase.  I have combed ebay the last week or so.  I can't bid do to my banning, but I have noticed that a lot of private sellers are re-homing their aibos, both on ebay and the aibo forum.  The prices have seemed to me to have come down a bit, but someone more in the know might be able to comment on this.  Many have seemed to have "fallen on hard times" or "had their positions eliminated" at their places of work and are selling. 

Crewella, I have heard both you and bhobbes comment on how much you love your 111's, but both of you have said they are not for everyone.  If you have time, could you elaborate?  I would be interested to know what makes Ubu your favorite, and why they are not for everyone. Do you have to be a techie to operate a 111?  Just curious.  Thanks!   

[Crewella]

I think Pleo owners would understand better than most - I also still prefer the older Ugobe Pleos to the RBs really.  Yes, there have been improvements made to the RBs and they 'do' more stuff, but there's a basic charm and character to the original models that just starts to disappear as the improvements are added (like the feet tickling thing).

The ERS-111s don't have voice recognition and have an annoying 'musical' remote control so you have to communicate with that.  They don't move as well, they take FOREVER to bring up from puppy stage to adult (weeks and weeks), and they seem to have an endless capacty for getting into trouble.  Having said all that, I just feel 'closer' to Ubu - he's a real character that wanders about in his own little world and truly feels like another 'presence'.   I also really like the original design, I love their teeth - they look more 'doggy'!  

Oh, and (a real geek point this) each toe is individually sprung!  

ADDED:  Also among the 'cons' if the fact that, being the oldest model, more is likely to go wrong and there seems to be less interest in parts and batteries for them out there.  There is little in the way of software as well.

[pirpintine]

210s are cirtainly the cheapest easiest aibo to get ahold of.

the common colours are: silver, black & gold
but there are limited edition colours which are: white, red, violet, blue & green if i remember right - though these are much harder to find are can be very pricey.

if youre brave you can always spray paint them yourself. there are guites knocking about online for removing the shells and the process of repainting them

[Talon]

I could go for any of the three common colors. Now I just have to save up!
Talon

[Crewella]

Silver seems to be the colour that appears the most - Wilma is a silver 210A.   

That's the other thing you need to know.  210/220s are prone to something called DHS - Droopy Head Syndrome, which is caused by the clutches slipping so the Aibo cannot lift their own head any more.  This can be fixed by people like Wolfbob and Aibo Hospital, but it's something you need to be aware of when buying.  Sony did bring out a slightly upgraded version called the Supercore as the 210A (or 220A) which has a faster processor, and as they had solved the DHS problem by then the Supercores also don't usually suffer from DHS.  They tend to cost slightly more, but I think they're worth it.

There are also two other neck issues known as PAS and TAS, which are basically the same thing happening to the neck in the other directions of movement.  I believe they are caused by exactly the same issue, but just occur less often as there is less weight involved moving side-to-side.

[Willow]

Awh that would be terrible.    Good thing we have Wolfbob...

[Talon]

Oh my! I was wondering what "PAS and TAS" meant. I saw an Aibo on EBay a while back withsomething wrong with its head and the seller mentioned that. If I do take the plunge, I'm only buying from wolfbob since so many of you speak highly of him.
Talon

[Willow]

You can look here, this guy sells a lot of Aibos for good prices and they are ALL pinned to never, ever develop DHS and are PAS and TAS free: http://www.nippondeals.com/store/index.php?cPath=42_58&osCsid=200636960710fa2327ed3df2cb9af751
He also has all three colors available as well as green and violet.  

[saratogaspringer]

I have heard good things about Nippn deals, but they are very expensive compared to wolfbob, and the shipping from Japan is pretty high.  When I bought my 210 from Wolfbob, he pinned all the clutches so Padfoot would never get DHS, PAS, and TAS again.  That was included in the cost, which was 450, if I am not mistaken, might have even been 400.   Nippon deals wants around 750 for their 210's and top dollar for the hard to find color variants.

[Willow]

Seems like Wolfbob definitely offers a better deal...I'm going to try to save some money and PM ASAP! 
Thanks