My autonomous lawn mower thread/blog

Speaking of luba 1 experience as the vision system negates some of these issues, especially while out mowing. RTK directly above the base station is fine as long as the rtk has a clear view of the sky, all around in a 45 degree direction (think of it like an inverted cone). The rtk and luba have to see 20 of the same satellites to get a location fix, so the more the rtk can see, the better luba will work as it moves around getting shaded by obstacles.

As for placing it close to a tall wall, it's generally advised against that, but if you have a 180 degree view of the sky at the base, it might be OK. The problem with restricted view locations though is that it works sometimes - you might have enough satellites in view one day, but the next you don't and the schedule will not start.

If I were you, I'd try it - especially if it's the ideal location all other things considered, but I'd also be prepared for a plan B if it doesn't work. Moving the base is straightforward since you can do it without remapping. Moving the rtk is a pain in the arse though.

One word of advice is to definitely get a fixed permanent location for the rtk that can be remounted between seasons. If mammotion shut their servers and the app becomes inoperable at least you will be able to cut your existing maps with the mower mounted buttons. That's really the big risk with the mower - the company doesn't make it and closes the servers.

Hi folks,

I bought the Worx Landroid L2000 1.5 years ago in anticipation for my new lawn. The lawn was very delayed but it should be ready in about a month. Thing is, I see some more advancement has been made in robot mowers since I first bought it, especially with the Luba 2. The Landroid is completely new in the box so I can hopefully recoup most of what it originally cost me. If it was you, would you keep the Landroid, or take the opportunity to get the Luba 2 instead and sell the Landroid?

Thats great lad. Best of luck with it.

It should be OK. I have mine mounted on the pole it came with so it's quite low to the ground (location still has a perfect sky view). When luba is mowing the front lawn, the signal has to penetrate a long low bungalow. No issues with the rtk signal to date.

Can't guarantee success for you, but I think you'll be OK. If it's not, you always have the option of putting an Eir sim in it and using RTKn (assuming you have WiFi reception at the rtk) . You'll get massive range with that.

They are just my own experiences and opinions and should be taken as that - my view. Luba 1 did have a lot of problems with water ingress, the original rtk had a manufacturing oversight that resulted in water leaking through a led light lens - my own one had to be replaced (under warranty and no quibble has to be said) as a result. Others had issue with the button the top of the mower leaking. As a result of the problem mammotion issued a free custom cover for both the rtk and a rubber cover for the mower buttons. As I had kept my luba in a "garage" the button sealing didn't get tested on mine. It got sent out in all weathers though.

Mammotion have learned a lot from the Luba 1 experience, the rtk and the top of the mower has been redesigned to be better sealed. It's early days yet but I'm not seeing any water ingress issue with the 2 like I had with the 1 at this point. I'd be quite confident in the weather sealing now, but I'd still have it parked under cover if possible.

Worth knowing that lidl have a robot garage in stock this week. I've seen on FB that luba fits under it. It's only €40, which is much better value than the flimsy OEM one which is like €140.

Much more for an RTK/GPS mower. Since it cuts in a pattern it only comes out once every three days for every 1000m2 of cutting area.

My own one has 700m2 to maintain and it's out for 4 hours every 3-4 days. It spends the rest of its time in its house.

Don't know about Luba 2, but KS Luba 1 has a relatively high parasitic draw of 14W while on charger but not actively charging.

Typically yes that's the way it works. It bounces around like a drunk all day every day and eventually over enough time it will have whole area covered. This can cause problems if you have areas separated by narrow channels so a guide wire is needed to help it get to where it needs to go.

As for your other question - I can only speak of luba but the tech is similar in the kress. Yes there is a learning curve and potentially baby sitting, trial and error at the start however the mower doesn't "learn". If you are losing signal you need to do something to address that - it might be trim back trees or remove a metal fence or not send it between two tall structures at all. It really depends where it is getting stuck. Sadly there might be no solution if the problem is signal shading caused by the house for example. That's where vision augmented rtk systems like what luba 2 have really come into their own.

Certain times of the day there will be more satellites available but the annoying thing is that it won't occur at exactly the same time every day.

Quick update about my LUBA order lads!

I just received my LUBA 2 AWD 5000 that I purchased earlier this week from Mowers.ie. Great customer service and fast delivery, reliable website lads. I'm Looking forward to giving this beauty a go tomorrow!

lads 3 yrs in I’m done went down to dust off the mower after winter hibernation. Another control panel fried. So much it can stay out all winter. I have a house for the charging station and the mower came in for winter. Red light on the charger battery near flat on the mower. I’ll be looking to get a ride on by next year. For all its convenience these robot mowers are more work and just not suited to Irish climates.

apologies rant over.