RoboReel

[Worsedog]

I have this kind:

$8.99 ($4.99 on sale)

Me too.

Look at the scene where they make abig deal about it shutting the power off. The pilot lights at the end of the plug go off when the cord is cut. Well no duh................you cut it off

 

[Steevo]

Me too.

Look at the scene where they make abig deal about it shutting the power off. The pilot lights at the end of the plug go off when the cord is cut. Well no duh................you cut it off

Hey, I have done that! Multiple times. My 100' extension cord is a damn sight short of 100' these days, since I have quite efficiently severed it with my hedge trimmer on more than one occasion while wrestling my way through and around large hedges/vines/etc..

 

[clkimmel]

That's got some cool ideas in it.

A lifetime warranty would make their 'great stuff' boasts more credible. A four-year warranty makes me assume that that's how long it's going to last. And at $330, four years goes by awfully quickly.

At $310 less, the $20 Wonder Winder seems pretty elegant in its simplicity.

I have one of these and they work great.

 

[Bronson]

One of My favorite things about My shop is tripping over the extension cord, or jerking on it and having it fly up and nick the paint on My Indian. I love it! And it WILL snag on something, gauranteed. If I ever fall out of an airplane, I hope I have a hold of the end of an extension cord, cause it WILL catch on something.......

 

[cort]

If I ever fall out of an airplane, I hope I have a hold of the end of an extension cord, cause it WILL catch on something.......

Hilarious!!!

There is a lot of negativity towards the RoboReel, but I would certainly consider buying it if it can demonstrate a track record of reliability. Electronic and plastic devices can be quite durable and long lasting if they are engineered correctly and manufactured from high quality materials. I notice that the device is assembled in Mexico from components sourced globally. The makers of RoboReel need to do a better job explaining why their device costs so much. If they said something like, made from ABS plastic, mil-spec circuits, and motors with 300,000 hour MTBF then I would have a lot more confidence in the product. Instead we have a 4 year or 4000 wind warranty (is there a counter on the board?), which I don't find very reassuring. My young son could easily retract the RoboReel 100 times per day just playing in the garage with it. That warranty would be up pretty quick at my house.

 

[49ratfink]

$300.00? maybe if it was made of aluminum or steel, like items were made back in the old days. big whoop it has a GFI in it. couple of bucks at the hardware store will get you a GFI outlet.

so 300 bucks, and once the chinese rewind motor goes out you are screwed.

the wonder winder shown above is the way to go. they will last a life time unless you back into it with your car and break it like I did. could have glued it back together but they are cheap so I just bought another and mounted it in a better spot.

those are for guys who don't actually do anything, but fix up thier garage with tools and other manly items.

 

[DHCrocks]

looks pretty easy to use but bulky.

side note, did anyone see their water hose? that danm thing cost $849 and it's out of stock? who in the hell would spend $849 for a hose reel?
http://roboreel.com/hose-reel/overview/

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

looks pretty easy to use but bulky.

side note, did anyone see their water hose? that danm thing cost $849 and it's out of stock? who in the hell would spend $849 for a hose reel?...http://roboreel.com/hose-reel/overview/

The same person who would buy the RoboReel

That hose unit would work in suburbia/HOA locations but not in urban areas, wheels are too small.

Neat gadgets but definitely over-priced.

Oh, BTW, the infomercial is way too long! 6+ minutes, really? I only got through 2.5 minutes, got what I needed to know, and turned it off.

 

[bimmerZ5]

not sure why everyone is so negative? I for one like it and I might order a couple of them.

 

[bobemmerich]

To quote 49ratfink-"those are for guys who don't actually do anything, but fix up thier garage with tools and other manly items."

Yep. While I like the concept and everything, 350 is a long shot. I understand it cost money for patents and all, but at that price it should at least be made in the U.S.

 

[Graymills - Craig]

That's got some cool ideas in it.

A lifetime warranty would make their 'great stuff' boasts more credible. A four-year warranty makes me assume that that's how long it's going to last. And at $330, four years goes by awfully quickly.

At $310 less, the $20 Wonder Winder seems pretty elegant in its simplicity.

Sweet! Just bought one.

 

[swimbody]

We are dropping the price guys. I've asked Ryan if he wanted to demo and review an actual reel, he said yes, but then I've not heard back from him since. We both are in Austin so it'd be no big deal. Ryan, are you game still?

 

[McKay]

I bought one and love it. I am not a professional but easily have 250K worth of tools in my garage so what's another $350. I don't find it gimmicky. Does just what I want with a push of a button it is put away nicely. Seams to be made of very high quality materials. my only complaint is the color. Makes it stand out too much for my taste.

 

[Mickey O]

I'm a huge fan of retractable cords and have had many of the bad experiences they talk about in the video but I still like 'em. That RoboReel is well thought out with great features but a bit out of the range I'd pay plus I'd have to know what the COO is on it.

 

[Mickey O]

We are dropping the price guys. I've asked Ryan if he wanted to demo and review an actual reel, he said yes, but then I've not heard back from him since. We both are in Austin so it'd be no big deal. Ryan, are you game still?

I'm pretty sure Ryan would want you to send the demo reel to me.

 

[RalphInCA]

The old "wind the cord around my arm" technique has worked just fine for me for over 40 years. My arm was free.

 

[bams50]

It's a cute little thing. Kind of like a little orange alien! But you see in the video where it's intended- pristine suburbia wuss garages where no one ever does any work I can picture it after a week in my working shop- right after I pulled the engine out of a car starting restoration, and that little motor dragging in the cord covered in old grease, sand, and stale trans. fluid <GG>

Maybe, stripe it like a basketball. That will look even more manly in the Birkenstock wearers' garages:supergay:

No offense to the sellers, but it's just not realistic in an actual working, industrial-type setting. I can't picture those little electronic boards taking very kindly to cutting torch sparks or bondo dust....

 

[kyles974]

at that kinda price.....I'm sure in the heck wouldn't be worried about cutting the cord, like they show, with a saw........because I would be afraid to use it around anything with teeth, LOL

....heck, my kids would hate me for yelling at them...."DON'T RUN OVER THAT CORD WITH YOUR BIKES!" "IT"S OVER $300!"

 

[swimbody]

Well these guys aren't complaining too much but then again Ryan has some pretty deep pockets. The reels are now $279 and $299 online. Get some.

 

[swimbody]

Hmmm, "not industrial in nature" yet every shop that owns one of these has said it simply buries the other reels in that it can handle the loads put upon it. We've seen these reels run chop saws and welding tools, run battery chargers, run tools on all sorts of vehicles in all sorts of heavy traffic car repair facilities. I've had grease covered mechanics say they love the reels and say when other cords have failed the RoboReel keeps on ticking. You can buy all the $50 reels you want, we make these reels for professionals.

 

[Rocket1]

I think it's a great idea and well thought out. I do mobile detailing and I think it would be nice to have something like this that doesn't get caught when winding it up and winding up the cord manually can be the pits after spending a lot of time bent over working on a car. The lower price does make it much more tempting.

Can it handle more than 15A? If so please send me one

 

[swimbody]

We appreciate the confidence. We gave one of these in the beginning to a mobile detailer...one of the best in the country...and he can't stop raving about it. At $279 you'd save enough time that you'd make up for the cost in a few weeks. And it can handle 15 amps, no more. Most reels don't give you the 20amp option. You could probably get to 16 amps before tripping the breaker. This reel will protect you and your house as it is fireproof.

 

[Rocket1]

I thought I was one of the best detailers in the country?



Can this handle more than 15A? One of my tools pulls 20A MAX. I dont think it normally pulls that much unless I turn on both motors at once but I haven't stopped to test.

 

[swimbody]

Nope, 15A is the limit. It's due to heat and the coil inside the ball. It's a very tight wind in there so we were limited to the length and amperage. Did I mention our reels are $279 and $299? I'm sure you are one of the best detailers in the country...so you should own one of the best tools on the planet for your business. I promise that once you stop having to coil your cords you will be sold on the idea. It's a fabulous product. We have not had one negative thing said about it aside from price objections. But seriously, I'm frankly tired of buying crummy Chinese made **** that breaks in a year or two. If you were lucky enough to have products around that were made in the 70s or early 80s those products are still working fine because they were made with care and intelligence. Anyone can put together a product and force thousands of underpaid laborers to put it together. What sort of love went into that process? None. We care about this country and where it needs to go and that's why we care enough about our customers to make a top shelf product. Sure it costs a little more but you will have a product that lasts a lifetime...like things used to be made. Nothing lasts anymore. We are a disposable society. You can buy 4 $70 reels and throw them into the landfills every year. Or you can spend $280 and own a reel for life. It's a commitment.

 

[Steves32]

What a waste of time & money.
Anyone in construction knows how to store extension cords. Better yet- have outlets installed closer to your work station!
For those who don't know how to braid a cord- here's how we do it.
You will never have a tangled cord again. Cost? Free!

 

[Displaced Hokie]

The thing looks useful, especially the overhead mount versions.

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

...
For those who don't know how to braid a cord- here's how we do it.
You will never have a tangled cord again. Cost? Free!

So that's how to do it!! Thank you!

 

[maddog1949]

6 years and my Wonder Winder is still working great.

 

[swimbody]

Well I will give y'all a little update. We are going to be on FSN as they will taping us while we are at SEMA. If you are going to SEMA we will be in booth 10686. Feel free to go on our Facebook page and "like" us if you want to. We will be on Performance TV and Motorhead Garage have asked us for reels to put in their studio garage. Paul Yaffe Originals bought one of our reels and loves it as does Rick Fairless at Strokers Dallas, oh yeah Brian Klock of Klockwerks too, Mike Holmes of "Holmes on Homes" on HGTV has ordered 10 units and West Coast Customs has asked for 10 reels to outfit their brand new garage that they are building. We will be on "Street Customs" all next year. Ryan should be getting his reel today or tomorrow. Ask him how he likes it after I get it to him.

Peace

 

[swimbody]

RoboReel won one of the Popular Mechanics 2012 SEMA Editor's Choice awards this year. The booth was swamped everyday. We were on Outlaw Garage tonight on Discovery as the reels are installed in the Austin Speed Shop.

 

[91bronc300]

RoboReel won one of the Popular Mechanics 2012 SEMA Editor's Choice awards this year. The booth was swamped everyday. We were on Outlaw Garage tonight on Discovery as the reels are installed in the Austin Speed Shop.

Well I don't think I'll be getting one, but I do like how this dude ^^^^ comes around and defends his stuff. I'm glad you are finding success with your target customers.

I might try one of those wonder winders though.

 

[swimbody]

Thank Bronc. The reels aren't for everyone and we understand that. We just installed 10 at Custom Car Crafters here in Austin, its Richard Wood's place. He builds for Jesse James and Foose. We are finding our niche in the professional market.

 

[swimbody]

We've sold over 300 since November 1. I guess the Popular Mechanics award is helping us out. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

 

[KPSquared]

What a waste of time & money.
Anyone in construction knows how to store extension cords. Better yet- have outlets installed closer to your work station!
For those who don't know how to braid a cord- here's how we do it.
You will never have a tangled cord again. Cost? FREE

That's how I store everything from cords to ropes. Learned that technique when I was a framing houses. My climbing buddies wrap a lot of rope like that as well.

No overpriced, gimmicky, robo-junk for this cat. Maybe if they are still working rock solid in 15 or 20 years I'll pick a used one up from Craigslist and rave about the quality of Chinese gimmick tools from the past. . .but I seriously doubt it.

 

[blackgold]

If you're looking for a local demo, I'm 45 minutes up I35 in Killeen. I'd be more than happy to demo and post up here .
Brian

 

[lortech]

the rich will buy into this system

 

[Capt Chrysler]

RoboReel won one of the Popular Mechanics 2012 SEMA Editor's Choice awards this year. The booth was swamped everyday. We were on Outlaw Garage tonight on Discovery as the reels are installed in the Austin Speed Shop.

A few questions for swimbody.

1, Where are the parts made?

2, Where is it assembled?

3, If your employed for or by RoboReel. Why the screen name (swimbody) and not your name @ RoboReel?


Capt. Chrysler

(Why Capt. Chrysler and not my given name. I'm not selling or promoting products here!)

 

[swimbody]

It's just my login name at the time. Sorry about that. We make everything in Mexico. Proprietary cord is manufactured in China and that is it. All assembly is overseen by us 327 miles to the south of us. Thanks for the interest.

 

[bdamico]

I just saw the video for the roboreel water and have to say it looks pretty cool (having just bought a tuffguard hose and rapid reel for about 250 total) but the price is out of control--$650? And it looks like you may not be able to use your own nozzles. The reality is that these products look innovative and may work really well, but the pricing is double where it needs to be to have a truly successful product.

 

[383 240z]

A few quotes by swimbody

"We care about this country and where it needs to go"

Then a few posts later:
"We make everything in Mexico. Proprietary cord is manufactured in China" Keith