Tag: Garden Robots

The Robomow RX20 can be seen as the baby brother of the RS612 and RS630 models. It is a small and compact robotic lawn mower capable of handling around 1/20 acres of land area. It features autonomous mowing and a 7-inch cutting width which is more than enough for many layouts. Not only that, but it is also highly portable and lightweight, making maintenance an easy task. Around the internet, many individuals are curious whether the Robomow RX20 robotic lawn mower is worth the try. In this article, we will glance at its capabilities, drawbacks, pros, cons, performance, and reliability to help you get to know this small but powerful robot. Quick Comparison 1-Minute Review The Robomow RX20 can be seen as a mini version of the Robomow RS series. It sacrifices area coverage to make way for mobility and portability. When it comes to handling its designated area, it performs well, is also easy to maintain, and can be set with a weekly mowing schedule. The integrated rain sensor means you do not need to worry about the elements and the child lock is a welcome, onboard safety feature. Any user can expect freshly cut grass in each mowing session that this robot executes. Its low price point is also rare knowing that many robot mowers out there can reach up to $2500 in cost. Highly MobileSmall and Easy to carryOne of the easiest devices to set-upReal-time alerts Very specific usesLimited pet compatibilityLead-acid batteryLimited cutting height and width As seen in the advantages and disadvantages, the Robomow RX20 can be a really beneficial home companion if you have a small yard providing an efficient and effective cut. The cons are mainly concerned about specific garden layouts, but users should bear in mind that this was designed to maximize movement in tight spaces thanks to its high mobility. I like that the robot can send me alerts regarding its status, as it means that I do not need to approach it for monitoring purposes. While certainly not perfect, I recommend the Robomow RX20 for small lawn owners who want to save time but can't afford some of the more premium options. Let's take a closer look https://www.youtube.com/embed/HF9x_I_7MC8 How it works The device is divided into three main components and works like other robotic lawn mowers out there. It has a docking station, bounding wires, and the main robot unit. The bounding wire acts as the main limiter of the robot, as it restricts the Robomow RX20 from going out of the designated area. It works as a low-voltage barrier that the Robomow RX20 can detect, and the robot quickly changes direction when the signal is recognized. The main robot has a simple interface that involves a one-button operation for easy usage. Despite this, it also has several features such as remote control and app monitoring. The Robomow RX20 uses a single blade located underneath it to cut the grass that it meets. Despite its size, it is also quite effective when it comes to mulching. The final main component of the robot is the docking station. This helps in the recharging process of the robot as well as the central point of the bounding wire. I like the fact that it has a self-docking feature since it means that I do not need to take it out every time that it needs battery replenishment. Here are some advanced perks that the Robomow RX20 robot lawn mower offers: Different Modes The Robomow RX20 is not a one-mode-fits-robot device. In fact, it has two modes to choose from, and these are the Edge and Eco. Eco mode significantly reduces the energy consumption of the robot, but it sacrifices speed in the process. I like this feature since it means that I need not worry about heavy electrical bills in the future. On the other hand, the Edge mode is a very beneficial tool that helps the Robomow RX20 follow the guiding wire to make sure that the boundary of your lawn is taken care of. This enables even mowing for every area restricted by the imaginary fence. Advanced Sensors Detection of areas that should not be mowed is not limited to the guiding wire. The Robomow RX20 mower also has several sensors to help detect the presence of hard obstacles in front of it. The bump sensors help in protecting your potted plants or trees, as the robot immediately backs up and turns around once collision is detected. Not only that, but the blades also automatically stop, The same feature happens when the robot tilts or is lifted by anyone. This helps in safety features and management that reduce the risks of accidents. There is even a handle that you can safely grab at the backside of the mower that is far from the blades. Floating deck One feature that I like about the robot is that it has a floating deck. This means that the blades will remain untouched to the ground even if it faces bumps or humps during operation. This also allows for a more efficient slope mowing, but I do not rely on the robot for slope operations. Performance of the Robotic Mower This robot has one of the best cost-to-performance ratios in the market. It has an application that you can use for monitoring and control, and this can be installed on any android or iOS device. It even has a GSM module to text you with updates in case that you are not connected through the application. Build The sturdy and tough build of the robot helps maintain its integrity. Even if it bumps into hard obstacles, it will not be a problem since the design is built for minor collisions. Furthermore, the blade is very effective in cutting and even mulching the grass to promote better growth. Even if it has a single cutter embedded, it is more than enough to deal with your lawn surface. Mobility The best feature that the Robomow RX20 has is its mobility. Thanks to its compact design, it can pass through narrow spaces without damaging the surroundings. Not only that, but it also masterfully handles tight angles that cannot be touched by Robomow’s bigger models. This feature can also be attributed to the robot’s two-wheel design paired with a back-side glider. This gives it superior movement and better versatility compared to most robotic mowers available in the market. The wheels of the unit compared to its body is huge, and this helps in preventing it from slipping and causing damage to the lawn. Energy Efficiency Another good thing about the robot’s performance is that it does not need much energy to function. It takes up to 5 kWh on average and this will not be a huge burden on your electricity bills. The self-docking feature also ensures that you do not overcharge the unit during usage. Issues One issue that should not be overlooked with regards to performance is its poor handling of fast-growing grass. This can be attributed to the lack of automatic season detecting mode that can greatly help in determining whether the yard needs some extra effort. Overall, it is a very competent robot despite its size. The Lawn Mowers' Limitations Any Robomow RX20 guide will never be complete without the statement of the robot’s drawbacks and restrictions. The first limitation that I noticed with the robotic lawn mower is that it is not suitable for many types of yards out there. Coverage There are various problems that this RX20 can not handle, and these include sloped yards and large lawn areas. You are better off with other models if you have such layouts. Surprisingly, the robot lawn mower does well in handling complicated lawn designs. This can be attributed to its size since it can move even if tight corners or narrow paths are involved. I never experienced any problem in using the lawn mower even if my yard was not in the regular square shape. Battery Design Another limitation that can break the deal in considering this robot is its battery composition. Most modern lawn mowers in today’s world make use of lithium-ion batteries or Li-ion as an energy source. However, this is not the case for the RX20 since it has lead-acid batteries that need more time to charge. This makes full battery charging a hassle since it might require 20-24 hours just to complete a replenishment cycle. When compared to the 90 minutes of the robot’s run time, it can be a real issue. Size While the robot lawn mower’s size can be considered as its strong point, this can also be a double-edged sword. Due to its compactness, the cutting width and height are limited to 7 inches and 1.7 inches, respectively. Compare this to the massive 22 inches that the RS612 has, and you got yourself a difficult choice to make. Bear in mind that the dimensions that a lawn mower can cover are related to the time it takes to finish one mowing round. Another drawback that the robot has is its incapability to deal with sloped yards. Commonly, robot lawn mowers should be able to handle around 25 degrees of incline, but this tiny bot can only be used for 9 degrees. This can make steep mowing a difficult task since the robot mower might be prone to turning itself over its back. To see other benefits of lawn mowers, check out Are robotic mowers and good? Ease of set up and use Set-up of the device involves taking out of the components outside the box. You need to check whether all parts are present, and there should be 4 cardboards in total. The base station, robot, wire pegs, guidewire, dock head, extension wire, guide, ruler, and stakes must be present since you need all of these to start using the robot. You will need a hammer, pliers, and a wire cutter to initiate the process. The first step of the set-up is choosing a location for the base docking station. It is recommended to find a corner spot. Remember that it should be 33 feet away from a wall socket and 3.3 feet away from any water source or sprinkler. An even surface free from bumps is also necessary. Laying the wire comes next, and there is a need to use the RoboRuler included in the package to determine the distance of the perimeter from the edge of your yard. Different spots such as walls and fall zones need different distances, and the RoboRuler comes in handy in marking points. Unwind the wire in a counterclockwise manner and protect soft obstacles if necessary. Soft obstacles include pots, flowers, or organic materials that may be cut by the mower. Circularly use the wire to protect these spots. Once every inch of the yard is covered, connect both ends of the wire to create a full loop. Then, you can proceed to set the base over the central point of the wire loop. Connect the wire to the base station head, as well as the power cord. Once this is finished, you can plug the cord into a wall socket, and then press Go! Button on the robot. Make sure to place the bot in the center of the lawn. If you want to gain remote control of the unit, there is a need to install the Robomow RX20 app on your iOS or Android device. To do this, go to the app store and download it. Some sign-up might be needed. After this, you can connect your phone through Bluetooth and assert command on the robot. Set-up of the Robomow RX20 might require a little bit of effort, but it is better than relying on professionals to do the job for you as this can come at a high cost. When it comes to ease of use, you only really need one push to get the robot going, so the learning curve is not that high. However, you can try to master the application for added functionality in the long run. Reliability The device has some issues when it comes to reliability. Let us tackle each one of them. The first problem that comes into mind is that there should be no obstacle blocking the return path of the robot towards its docking station. If any kind of blockage or hindrance exists, the robot may choose to not charge itself. This can cause the need for human intervention to bring the robotic mower back to its base. Another reliability issue is that it can not handle fast-growing grass efficiently. This can be due to the low clearance of the robot as it can only handle heights from 0.5 to 1.7 inches. Thus, it does not do well in seasons where grass grows faster than usual. Despite such problems, it can be said that the robot is reliable in terms of pricing. With an average price of around $850, the unit is not a huge tear on your finances. However, bear in mind that it can only handle very small areas and it is not suitable for large lawns. Ongoing Maintenance Maintenance of the robot is not a hassle, since the size and weight help in portability and carrying the device. It should be regularly checked for accumulated grass at least once a month to make sure that the overall operation of the device is not affected. To do this, turn the robot off and flip it. You can use any type of hard and long object such as wooden sticks to scrape out the gunk. Another maintenance procedure that you should watch out for is checking the pegs of the guidewire. Make sure that every line is secured and fastened to not prevent the robot from returning to its base. You can even add pegs to ensure efficient operation. The blade must be examined to see whether it is still suitable for mowing. In case of wearing out, it must be replaced immediately. Remember to turn the power off before this operation. Then, remove the disabling device to make sure that it does not spin in any way. Using heavy gloves, place the RoboTool over the blade to cover it. An Allen tool is included in the package to help with unscrewing the blade. After this, you can proceed to the replacement of the blade. Remember to secure it tightly afterward. There needs to be an extra effort in maintaining the device during winter, and you must store it in a dry, indoor location to prevent it from deteriorating. The docking station, on the other hand, does not need to be stored. Just make sure that the power cord is unplugged, and you are good to go. Remember to keep water off the charging station as this can increase the risk of electrical problems especially during the mowing process. You can choose to clean the base with any type of cloth so that it remains in pristine condition. You may even replace the battery inside the robotic mower if you feel that it is not working properly. Extra Purchases and ongoing costs Extra purchases to keep the robot from functioning properly are not necessary since everything that you need is included in the package. However, you can choose to buy some accessories to make the user experience more productive. These include the RoboHome, BladeKit, PlotConnectors, and additional power supply. Prices of these products range from $30 to £230. For the ongoing costs, there is no need to spend so much as the robot has good energy-saving capabilities. It can easily take care of electricity bills thanks to its very low energy consumption. I like the fact that I do not need to worry about ongoing expenses since it does not take much to power. I can even make use of eco mode for better efficiency. if you ever feel the need to purchase accessories or replacement parts, you can do their official website. Yes, these parts can also be bought from other sources, but it is better to rely on the official store so that you will get the best value out of your money. FAQs My yard is fenced and has a barrier. Do I still need the guidewire to make the robot mower run?Yes, even if your yard has a physical boundary, there is still a need to install the boundary wire. The bounding wire provides an electrical loop around your yard to help the robot from determining the location of the base station as well as the limits to where it can go.Simply put, it will not be able to run properly without the guidewire.Can it travel through concrete?Yes, it can travel through concrete. Thanks to the floating deck feature, the blades will not touch the cement underneath it. You can configure the guide wires in such a way that they can pass through certain areas.Does it do well on hills?Unfortunately, no is the answer. The robot can only handle up to 8 degrees of slope and climbing steep slopes can drastically reduce its mowing efficiency.It will either topple itself or proceed to redirection.Can I use it for areas exceeding 1/20 acres?Yes, this is possible by running another cycle on the same day. However, I do not recommend this as it might cause problems in the long run.What can I see on the smart phone app?The smart phone app can help in monitoring the condition of the RX20. It also allows manual remote control and access to several features such as theft protection and mowing schedules. Robomow RX20: Conclusion When it comes to mobility, navigating through tight spaces and angles, as well as dealing with complex yard layouts, few robot lawn mowers can match the greatness of the Robomow RX20. Thus, if you have a small yard cutting path not exceeding 1/20 acres, I recommend this robot for you. It has all the software and hardware capabilities to deal with your mowing needs. However, if you want to clean larger areas, you are better off dealing with other Robomow models such as the RS612 and RS630. They will provide you with better efficiency in the long run. Overall, the RX20 is a reliable companion given that your yard meets its specific conditions. Once you get your hand on this tiny innovation, you will appreciate its functionality and effectiveness.

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