The Mk II adds a third ring to the robot's patch. Everything else matches the Mk I: the robot sweeps every hex in its area by itself, returns to the dock, and the dock sends the dust out as capsules on a belt toward the hub or a Pressure chamber. It shows no power need, and like the Mk I it stops for good once its area is clean.
The dock puts its capsules on a conveyor belt to the hub
Robot vacuum Mk I or Mk II
- Mk I: $250 for 19 hexes in two rings.
- Mk II: $500 for 37 hexes in three rings.
The Mk II cleans 18 more hexes, almost twice the area for twice the price, so per dollar the two are close. Buy the Mk II where three full rings of untouched ground surround the dock; where only the inner two are dirty, the cheaper Mk I cleans the same dust.
Is the Mk II worth buying before J.O.O.N.A.S.?
Only as early income. A robot vacuum cleans a fixed patch and then stands idle, while J.O.O.N.A.S. keeps finding dusty ground across the whole Moon. One Steam guide calls robot vacuums a waste of money and says to save for J.O.O.N.A.S. ($20,000 plus a $1,500 Capsule catcher) instead. If that is still far off, a Mk II on fresh ground gives you income while you save.