Lewis Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 Omlet asked me to preview and review the Qute, so a bit of an early look at it for the forum... When I first saw it I wasn't very convinced but now I absolutely love it Its like a contemporary piece of furniture that doubles as a functioning small animal house! Looks great next to my bed and is perfect height as a bed-side table to put an alarm clock on! It seems well built and robust like the Classic and Cube are, really chunky piece of furniture, well thought out and the gerbils seem to like it! Nowhere for them to gnaw at edges like some cages either so it should last ages – even the tube has a metal rim so they can’t chew it! Its easy to keep the pets in the top or bottom with the “Lift ‘n’ Twist” tube to be able to clean out the bottom drawer, or to fill up food and water. I added a couple of tubes into the bottom draw so they were running though those and making tunnels. One thing with it being solid on top is how dark it is inside the top ... good with nocturnal animals! Only bad things are – its really heavy! I struggled to carry it upstairs so a child would have no chance moving it. The tube is a bit wide but the gerbils seem to manage it - also need to be careful opening the top door that you don't drop it as it could scratch the clear plastic. They can easily use it to take small furries out and to clean out though. For the "1-Minute-Clean" you just pull out the tray, empty it all into a bag/compost bin and refill it. You do need a big deep sink to put it under the tap like their photos show with a massive double sink! Its easy to take the top apart and give it all a wipe down too, just 2 clips at the top and it slides out. I do think it could do with being a bit taller as they like to climb which they can’t really do, so if the top section was taller you could put in shelves, hang in hammocks and wooden ladders – could be used for degu then too! The storage is also a really clever idea but could be a bit bigger to fit a hamster ball or bigger bag of food in. As great as it is, I do think its a steep price tag. Have seen a few people comment to say similar, I paid around £50 for my Gerbilarium which is similar and thought that was expensive. So... I’d definitely get one, would look great, be easy to use and the gerbils would love it ... just not on my Student budget! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 At least with it being heavy it isn't going to get knocked over. I wonder if they are planning to market it overseas? I have two little granddaughters in Australia who would love it. Mum isn't keen on mess but is keen on stylish so I guess this would convince even her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 I like the look of it but I'm not amazed by it. So no way could I justify spending that kind of money. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Thanks for posting It looks really good - I think it would fit in well in our living room (and many others!). I think it would be difficult for older hamsters to use the tunnel that connects the two areas, and also the price is a bit high Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 I still can't reconcile the style over content Apart from the cabinet it really doesn't offer much for the small furries and it is so expensive compared to what you have already pictured in your post Here I would rather have more for the occupants to do and as mentioned previously the tube that locks to shut the bottom off from the top could mistakenly be left locked by a child cutting the food and water supply off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 How on earth did you get to get one of those on a preview / road test? Shame they don't want anyone to test eglus for them - I'd do it & my girls would willingly oblige! I like the Qute. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Also, why doesn't Omlet ask someone to trial test products before launching them? That way the customers opinions will be gathered and the product adjusted accordingly. It seems like common sense to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 The day they make a piglu for porky pigs - I'll order 10 !!!! I did think the hamster house was going to be like a mini eglu in cool colours! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Emma - you need one of these then....... Carbery pig ark.....available in green.....and green...... and green..... Sorry - off topic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Also, why doesn't Omlet ask someone to trial test products before launching them? That way the customers opinions will be gathered and the product adjusted accordingly. It seems like common sense to me. we've been saying that for the last few years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Also, why doesn't Omlet ask someone to trial test products before launching them? That way the customers opinions will be gathered and the product adjusted accordingly. It seems like common sense to me. we've been saying that for the last few years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 With a forum of experienced animal owners, they have an in ideal test-bed for any product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Also, why doesn't Omlet ask someone to trial test products before launching them? That way the customers opinions will be gathered and the product adjusted accordingly. It seems like common sense to me. we've been saying that for the last few years With a forum of experienced animal owners, they have an in ideal test-bed for any product. Be fair, they did ask us about the name...and then...ignored us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 A similar thing happened when they launched the cube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Personally, one thought keeps recurring. I can't help imagining those poor gerbils each morning when the alarm clock goes off whilst standing on their roof. The whole shebang looks really sturdy like a speaker cabinet, but surely that'll resonate well and transmit (perhaps even amplify) the alarm . Actually, that's a thought; I wonder if they'll ever make a child-sized Qute.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Lesley - got my eye on those, don't wory I can always jazz up with sticker graphics! Saw a sweet gerbil today, but it was the Degu's I was taken with. But apparently the Qute isn't suitable for them? Is it actually only suitable for gerbils then - not hamsters too? Wonder if Omlet will do it in different coloured cabinets? I was surprised that it's just plain white, a bit boring for Omlet really. Always thought of them as whacky & alternative. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Be fair, they did ask us about the name...and then...ignored us And does this new animal house even look 'Qute'? I don't think so. Oh Omlet, Omlet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 I think the new house looks Qute The Qute is good for hamsters, think it could be a bit taller with more climbing space for the degu - they were cute! There is going to be a version with a more solid floor to make it more suitable for mice and dwarf hamsters ... not sure if the tube witll have to be smaller or have a divide down the middle though? Really don't think an alarm clock would bother the gerbils that much for the 20 seconds its on but its hardly ever used as alarm, use my phone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omlet Staff hanns Posted November 17, 2011 Omlet Staff Share Posted November 17, 2011 Hi Everyone, please see my sticky post inviting you all to preview Qute too - we only have one product available for this so I can't promise everyone will get a chance but we'll do our best! Hanns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I've offered the services of Ophelia the chocolate brown hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
