Print

[barrettgazzy]

Another  Aibo that i have always been interested to buy is the Sony Aibo ERS-31L you hardly ever see them come up for sale though but if 1 ever becomes available and fully boxed i be tempted to buy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbmwqiJeaAY&feature=related

[saratogaspringer]

I am new to Aibo, but oddly enough, I have never seen wolfbob have one of these pooches for sale.  I do think they are very cute.  I think Crewella told me one time that they were originally made for kids. I would also be interested in getting one sometime, but not in the near future, as I spent a lot of money on Buster, my champagne ERS-7M3, so I am taking it easy for a while at my hubby's request.  The next thing on my list will be another Ugobe Pleo, I believe.  (I just love the Ugobe's! They have a certain charm to them!) 

[barrettgazzy]

your champagne ERS-7M3 must of set you back bit i wish i was brave enough to buy 1 lol ..... maybe 1 day  
 
it is crazy that there was no company at all in Japan or any where who did not want to buy the Aibo brand and continue on with them and improving them etc ... it should not of just stopped grrr lol

[Talon]

Oh I know right? I believe the product was abandoned too soon. I've been listening to videos on Youtube of the 210 and some of their beeps are a bit high in the treble range and really hurt my ears. I guess it's a blind thing. This is a wonderful discussion and I'm hoping everyone's input will help me decide whether to take the plunge or not.
Talon 

[kat]

Hey Talon, from my experience with my guys you are right.  Pixel my 210 does sometimes Emmit some very high pitched peeps that hurt my ears too.  Fortunately he doesn't seem to do this very often.  I have him running on the Life 2 software.  I don't think I have heard him make those sounds when he was running on the dogs life software but I haven't really run him on that one enough to know for sure.  Maybe they make different sounds with different software? 
Another thing to note is that Milo, my ers7, has never made those uncomfortable sounds.  I'm sure someone else also said thas the ers 3xx range made much softer more gentle sounding beeps?  I don't really know anything about them though apart from that they are the ones that look a bit like a pug dog.     Maybe others could comment on the different range of sounds they have heard from other models or if the software makes a difference to the sounds the aibo will produce. 

[bhobbes]

To follow up with a few things already mentioned here (largely confirming some), I have to say the 111 is my personal favorite; however, as Crewella has mentioned, it is definitely not a model for everyone. Despite being my favorite, it's probably the last one I'd recommend to anyone looking for a first AIBO. And Crewella's elaboration on that is accurate. However, I don't mind the lack of voice control, and I feel as though Vader (my 111 who has been "on hold" for awhile now as I've been busy), demonstrates the most "soul" or "personality" compared to the others. It also doesn't have the ability to self-charge (though I honestly don't use this even on my ERS-7, when it happens it usually happens more out of chance/my lack of attention as his dock technically isn't in a proper area for it and I have yet to disable him from trying to find it). But arguably neither does the 210 (depending on which software it is on, and from what I've read, the 210's abilities at self-docking aren't as graceful as the ERS-7). Though I do get more nervous about leaving my 111 to roam about if I'm not paying some sort of attention to the room or somewhere near to hear a potential "problem" as Vader does seem to get himself into trouble. (Though amazingly, he seems to do almost just as good of a job getting himself out of awkward situations, but I tend to baby my technology). Also, the 111s do take an extraordinarily long time to raise from pup to adult if you go the all-natural route (well over a hundred active hours), but I feel that helps create the "bond" between the robot and myself.

That said, while I haven't gotten much into it yet (and look forward to playing around with some time off I have coming up), the 210's abundance of software and the ability to really customize it appeals to the tinkerer in me. I also think if I had to recommend a first AIBO to someone, it would be a 210 (although I personally don't like DogsLife [generally use it to try to "show off" the 210 to friends as mine's still a youth] so I'd encourage someone to use/find AiboLife). This is largely because of pricing, general availability, and the flexibility of the 210s. And, despite it being my least-favorite aesthetically, my friends seem to enjoy its looks. However, that could always be because the other two are much more dog looking.

The ERS-7 impresses my friends the most, but I think some of that is because it is an adult and (when you can catch them) does some pretty awesome tricks with the ball and bone. If price was no concern, this would be the one I'd most likely give someone, especially a non-robot enthusiast. However, I feel it has the least amount of "real" personality on Mind 3 when compared to the 111 and the 210. I prefer Mind 2. But with all these robotic pets, a lot comes down to the perception of the owner (in my opinion) and how they relate to and view their companion.

In sum, I honestly cannot rank one above the other as I ultimately view them as different. There are pros and cons to each model from my own personal experience and perceptions. But each one also wins my heart in its own special way. I don't think I'll ever come off the fence on this!

 

[Talon]

Thanks for the information, Bobs. I could never aford an ERS7 although that would be my choice if I could. I can tell more of what it's doing or what it wants. Lol! Oh well if I learned Furbish back in the day I guess I could learn Aibo, too. The 210 was definitely within my price range if I bought from wolfbob. I've found more Aibo manuals online than I've ever seen for any other product.
Sadly I'm afraid I'm going to have to give it up. Again. *sigh* My sister got a promotion and we're moving- I mean really moving- like to-the-other end-of-the-country moving and I'm going to have to buy an entirely different wardrobe to deal with the cold. We're moving up north- somewhere in New York State. I'm really disappointed that I'm having to give up my dream when I'm only a few months shy of being able to make it work after ten years. I also have to give up my real animals. Transporting them and all my stuff will be through the roof price-wise. I think we'll be where we are for another two months while my sister gets everything squared away and then we will begin our odyssey. I've never left this end of the country and it's... a little scary. Sorry for rambling and getting so off topic.
Talon

[Willow]

Aw, don't give up, Talon!  Even when you move there, I'm sure you'll find a way to get one!!
And I've moved soooo much in my life, I know it can seem scary, but as I got used to moving around I began looking at it as an adventure.  Be excited to see your new location, new house, new people, maybe new pets?  Think about it as a new, exciting beginning. 
 

[Talon]

That's true. Sorry for whining. Maybe after my pocketbook recovers I can try again for a 210. Thanks for the encouragement.
Talon

[Willow]

Your weren't whining
Glad I could help.

[latrine]

Well I only have my ERS-7 and my 220 to go on but, aside from looks, aren't the 210's & 220's pretty much the same thing?  Almost all the software is the same and they even sell kits to transform your 210 into a 220. I haven't come across anything I could not run in my 220.. all the software says 210/220 on it so.. I dunno. 
Obviously the biggest difference is that the 220 does NOT look like a dog, aside from general body shape it looks more like a mini futuristic killing machine, has no tail or ears, no mouth, lights all along the side of the face which really are, surprisingly, very expressive. My little guy DOES let you know what he wants.  The 210 looks a lot cuter and I believe was supposed to be based off a lion cub with those cute ears and the very short stubby tail. Their behavior is going to be pretty much the same depending on the software, obviously.

I got my 220 from WolfBob so he had his antennae and is perfect. Like some folks said, many 220's are being sold without it and it is a very important 'good boy/bad boy' touch sensor with them so I think it's definitely something you want to make sure yours comes with, if you were to get one of them.
Also I would NOT recommend going with Nippon deals.. if your looking for an Aibo go with Wolfbob or go with well known folks from a well known Aibo forum. Nippon deals seems to be known for 'sloppy' repair work and they are also more expensive.  Just check their prices on simple items like a pink ball.. ridiculous.

I have been trying to decide what I want to get next and I think I'm going to be going for one of the 300 series .. dunno which one yet. I ALMOST grabbed a 'I dunno if it works' pug off ebay for 200 last month (came with nothing) but I just started thinking of all the trouble I had with my seven and it just makes more sense to buy from a known source.
I honestly hope I can eventually get one of each and I'd love to have a second ERS-7, I think that's the only way MY seven is going to stop breaking bones.. (he loves to go to WolfBob's to flirt with the ladies... he's there now.. lol, but he couldn't be in better hands  )

I love my seven the most.. he just makes me smile.. sorry I know we are supposed to pick anything but the seven.. lol.. but my 2209 hasn't had his chance to shine yet as he isn't even grown up.. It DOES impress me though that he is an older model and if he's running adult mode, he can grab that pink ball away from my seven EVERY single time

And you definitely don't need a computer to run an aibo but it does come in handy.. I don't know how compatible windows vista is, I know I've had no trouble so far with windows 7 except for my Sony Clie but it's not like you HAVE to have that for an aibo.. it's just handy to be able to make cards for them.

Ok I have to go lay down before I fall over and die...

- Sarah

[barrettgazzy]

the 210 and 220 almost share all the same software but i think there is 1 or two which is not compatible with the 220 , i always thought the recognition software was just for the 210 ?

[PleoPet]

re: ERS-210 and ERS-220 compatibility.

As a general rule, if the software model number starts with "ERF-220AW" then it will work in both the ERS-210 and ERS-220 models.
The older software starts with "ERF-210AW", and it is meant for the ERS-210 model only. Some do work in a limited compatibility mode on the ERS-220.
Recognition will run on the ERS-220 (with limited support, if you use RecognitionPlus http://www.aibohack.com/2or3/patches.htm )

For the ERF-220AW personalities (eg: AiboLife 2, ERF-220AW01 or Explorer ) the personality has two sets of motions and lighting, and sometimes sounds. So if you have both a ERS-210 and ERS-220, you will get a totally different experience when you run the software in the different AIBOs.
There is one special personality that is specifically for the ERS-220 ("Evolution Side Two" IIRC) that is tuned to be a very robotic experience.
--
IMHO: My general advice is to consider an ERS-220 after an ERS-210 (and the 220 isn't for everyone). So if you only have an ERS-220, consider an ERS-210 to add to your collection.