I've had my Luba 2 1000 for about 3 weeks now and I watched loads of reviews here before purchasing, but many of those were in the USA and Australia so it's nice to see such an honest and comprehensive UK review. I don't disagree with any of your comments and observations, I think you did a really good job. Yes, it's expensive but I'm a gadget freak and my time is precious and I just love watching 'Robbie the robot' go about his work. In fact I've spent so much time watching it, I probably haven't saved that much time at all :)
Really great video, thank you! No BS, no sponsored “opinion”, just straight info from a smart dude. I’m looking to replace my 30 yrs old Deere 18hp gas guzzler. I have an 1850s cottage with about 0.75 acre to mow. 40 degree slopes in spots and lots of beds, trees, etc. This video addressed my concerns in a real way and as an aspiring smart dude I think I can handle this! Bravo, you got a new sub here - keep it going!
So glad you posted this! I’ve just purchased a Yuka and having very similar issues to what you describe. I’ll try the firmware update inside the house now! Fingers crossed.
I have a 3000 model and, although early days, very pleased with it. Couple of comments which may be obvious to many. I agree it hardly touches leaves which is a bit disappointing. I run mine on "No touch" obstacle avoidance to be cautious and found on a test occasion it treated the leaf as an obstacle! It doesn't generally do that. On another occasion it tried to run over a tree stump. Perimeter cuts can be quite slow as it seems to be constantly adjusting it's position. It could be my mapping but suspect some of it is overhanging foliage from a border. Mine has stopped twice moving from one zone to another through a gap. The gap was quite wide but I think the obstacle avoidance can be sensitive. It was easily rectified by trimming the hedge. My charging station is on paving slabs and held in place with silicon. My grass area is quite complex but contiguous. I have created 6 zones. It's best to create the zone closest to the charging station first then add a channel. All the other zones should then slightly overlap the adjacent zone so you don't need channels. When mapping an adjacent zone you must start the process away from its neighbour. Overall, very pleased with it. I need to improve my mapping. Perhaps get the grandchildren on it!
I have Luba and Luba 2, both 5000 models. The model size impacts how long it can mow before it returns to charge and also the amount of memory for number of lawns and their perimeter complexity. I think you also get extra accessories with the 5000 models, such as a power lead extension. I have several very complex lawns with lots of slopes and embedded features, so I got the Luba 2 because I had to send the early Luba for repair and as it was a very early model it did not have the omni front wheels so was damaging my lawns. Essentially because it is so accurate it always turns in the same place, especially on a perimeter lap, and it only takes a small rut for it to dig in. So far, the Luba 2, because of the omni front wheels, has been much better. When the early Luba returns from repair, I will use it for the orchard which is relatively flat and with straight edges so less turning required when doing the perimeter. I have had no problems mowing at night, apart from the dew which makes the grass wet and clogs the deck. I generally have to clean the deck every couple of days. It does however not like the yew trees so spends ages locked up under them until it gets a satellite lock. For expediency I have set a wide perimeter round areas where it frequently locks up. To be fair they tend to be low light so grass growth there is minimal anyway.
Sounds like your garden is similar to ours. Yeah the front wheel change seems to be an important change. I noted the EcoFlow mower had same wheels for ease of movement and also lesss friction on the grass, causing less damage. Good to see they have at least changed the front wheels (and I think the rear allow a lot more traction and without that more traditional design it would get stuck more. Length of time before recharge I am not overly concerned about as it doesn’t affect me (unless I am stood there watching it) - but of course more returns to charge is more wear on the channels to get to charger. The main benefit is the memory. Are leaves a concern for you?
@@RealLifeGadgetReviews Oh I so wish it would randomise its return path. It cannot handle heavy leaf fall, so I avoid those areas under trees in autumn. However, it does do sufficient damage to a light leaf fall and blown in leaves to stop them blowing around.
Great honnest video. I was a bit afraid when you started talking that the bottom line was going to be: throw it in the bin. But it was not. Rather good tips and tricks, things to think of when bying one. Furthermore, it seems you do not really have the most common garden, but a rather complex puzzle (understated?) to make. Thanks a lot.
Just bought one for my holiday home because they were "in stock with one week delivery". Turns out they are around a month in Europe for delivery. I suspect a bit of over-trading as the customer support phone number in Europe is not picked up and email support very slow. I did try to cancel the order as I was worried about customer service and I would have left my home by then. However they charge a 3.6% penalty as soon as order placed. Hopefully it will never go wrong, ever.
Yes I have seen that, it looks a little underpowered for what I might require…and a little to expensive to take a punt and see if it would work. I have been looking at the Yarbo with leaf blower….but that thing is EXPENSIVE (Of course it can do several different jobs…but I am only wanting a robot a leaf blower or collector).
It's strange it stops under trees, it's supposed to use the vision during the day at least... good thing it'll resume during the day, that's still not too bad. I wouldn't mow at night anyway. I saw another video where someone managed to make it go through a building to see how far it'll go on vision... not sure why it's not working as advertised then. To be fair, I was reading a Husqvarna 450 review and they said it' cannot handle anything that doesn't have free sky view... so at least the Luba 2 will resume during the day it seems. Hopefully they'll improve it with software updates.
Day time is pretty much set it and leave it thankfully. Today, lovely sunshine, its done all 3 large complicated areas...only one snag, I went out and it was making a terrible noise - a pine cone was stuck in the desk between the guard and blades. Other than that lovely looking lawns.
Great review. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. How close to the edge of a boarder will it cut? Do you need to strip the edges or can it leave so little thats not needed? Cheers
You will need to strim / mow around the border edge in almost all cases from my experience. If it does get close enough to the border edge… then it inevitably drops a wheel or two into said border and causes some damage (sometimes substantial!). Secondly It usually gets out if it drops in..but again, in the process causes choas!
@@RealLifeGadgetReviews Interesting. Thanks for the quick reply. Strange that given it has two cutting decks and fairly wide wheels they didnt engineer it to cut right up to the edge.
The issue is not with the design rather accuracy of where it cuts at the perimeter consistently. Its this that can cause an issue, if you map it to close to border edge you will encounter issues (unless totally flat and on open ground)
My daily check of the 'tubes for Luba2 wisdom and... "Hey, I think I know that guy?" Possible trick for a "stuck" zone channel, if that's not resolved - delete it, and make that route into a zone that you never schedule. For me, Luba2 happily navigates between zones with them, and it happily drives around any crud that's in the way. For you, hopefully that'll provide a little more latitude to deal with obstructions since it won't be restricted to an infinitely thin breadcrumb trail. It'll have room to try a K-turn or two to get around the stuck-point, and will hopefully do so. I figured this out because my neighbor's dog absolutely wants to play with this mower, because it occasionally pushes her tennis balls around instead of running them over. And of course she always does this in the middle of a channel. Bonus quest: "One zone to connect them all, overlap be damned." Just remember that as of FW 511.432, no-gos are ignored when Luba is traversing, it'll only use collision avoidance. Night mowing can work fine in some areas, but you lose the vision-based navigation if the GPS gets blocked. If a Luba-1 can mow it without screwing up, Luba-2 can do it at night since it's basically a Luba-1 at that point. If a Luba-1 can't, the 2 can't either. You can test a zone during the day by simply covering the camera module. If the robot stops the task because you lose POS, you know not to mow that zone in the dark. If it completes the zone, you're probably good. I'm curious if a bunch of 12v or even solar landscape lighting could provide enough landmarks for the vision module to stay oriented. I do know that the pathing must give Luba2 a clear sky-shot for at least a second every 30-50 meters or so, so be sure to game your mowing angle if needed, and disable any perimeter or no-go laps if they're an issue. Will expect a 1000km review and a range test by the end of next month. Especially if Mammotion adds support for multiple chargers, lol. Cheers
I've had my Luba 2 1000 for about 3 weeks now and I watched loads of reviews here before purchasing, but many of those were in the USA and Australia so it's nice to see such an honest and comprehensive UK review. I don't disagree with any of your comments and observations, I think you did a really good job. Yes, it's expensive but I'm a gadget freak and my time is precious and I just love watching 'Robbie the robot' go about his work. In fact I've spent so much time watching it, I probably haven't saved that much time at all :)
Congrats on the purchase. Mesmerising isnt it!
Really great video, thank you! No BS, no sponsored “opinion”, just straight info from a smart dude. I’m looking to replace my 30 yrs old Deere 18hp gas guzzler. I have an 1850s cottage with about 0.75 acre to mow. 40 degree slopes in spots and lots of beds, trees, etc. This video addressed my concerns in a real way and as an aspiring smart dude I think I can handle this! Bravo, you got a new sub here - keep it going!
Glad it helped, thanks for following along!
Amazing video. I’ve just bought a mark 1 Luba 5000 for a great price, can’t wait to try it…
Hope you enjoy it!
Superb info, was looking for a comparison between the luba 2 and the Kress and this was really helpful. Nothing beats real world experience 👍
Glad it helped!
So glad you posted this! I’ve just purchased a Yuka and having very similar issues to what you describe. I’ll try the firmware update inside the house now! Fingers crossed.
Glad it helped!
I have a 3000 model and, although early days, very pleased with it. Couple of comments which may be obvious to many. I agree it hardly touches leaves which is a bit disappointing. I run mine on "No touch" obstacle avoidance to be cautious and found on a test occasion it treated the leaf as an obstacle! It doesn't generally do that. On another occasion it tried to run over a tree stump. Perimeter cuts can be quite slow as it seems to be constantly adjusting it's position. It could be my mapping but suspect some of it is overhanging foliage from a border. Mine has stopped twice moving from one zone to another through a gap. The gap was quite wide but I think the obstacle avoidance can be sensitive. It was easily rectified by trimming the hedge. My charging station is on paving slabs and held in place with silicon. My grass area is quite complex but contiguous. I have created 6 zones. It's best to create the zone closest to the charging station first then add a channel. All the other zones should then slightly overlap the adjacent zone so you don't need channels. When mapping an adjacent zone you must start the process away from its neighbour. Overall, very pleased with it. I need to improve my mapping. Perhaps get the grandchildren on it!
Interesting feedback and congratulations on the 3000!
I have Luba and Luba 2, both 5000 models. The model size impacts how long it can mow before it returns to charge and also the amount of memory for number of lawns and their perimeter complexity. I think you also get extra accessories with the 5000 models, such as a power lead extension. I have several very complex lawns with lots of slopes and embedded features, so I got the Luba 2 because I had to send the early Luba for repair and as it was a very early model it did not have the omni front wheels so was damaging my lawns. Essentially because it is so accurate it always turns in the same place, especially on a perimeter lap, and it only takes a small rut for it to dig in. So far, the Luba 2, because of the omni front wheels, has been much better. When the early Luba returns from repair, I will use it for the orchard which is relatively flat and with straight edges so less turning required when doing the perimeter.
I have had no problems mowing at night, apart from the dew which makes the grass wet and clogs the deck. I generally have to clean the deck every couple of days. It does however not like the yew trees so spends ages locked up under them until it gets a satellite lock. For expediency I have set a wide perimeter round areas where it frequently locks up. To be fair they tend to be low light so grass growth there is minimal anyway.
Sounds like your garden is similar to ours. Yeah the front wheel change seems to be an important change. I noted the EcoFlow mower had same wheels for ease of movement and also lesss friction on the grass, causing less damage. Good to see they have at least changed the front wheels (and I think the rear allow a lot more traction and without that more traditional design it would get stuck more.
Length of time before recharge I am not overly concerned about as it doesn’t affect me (unless I am stood there watching it) - but of course more returns to charge is more wear on the channels to get to charger. The main benefit is the memory.
Are leaves a concern for you?
@@RealLifeGadgetReviews Oh I so wish it would randomise its return path. It cannot handle heavy leaf fall, so I avoid those areas under trees in autumn. However, it does do sufficient damage to a light leaf fall and blown in leaves to stop them blowing around.
Brilliant video... only one I've seen that isn't selling outright. :) Thank you.
Yeah it seems that way!
Totally excellent review. Thanks :)
Glad it was insightful
Amazing review, looks awesome!!
Thanks!
Great honnest video. I was a bit afraid when you started talking that the bottom line was going to be: throw it in the bin. But it was not. Rather good tips and tricks, things to think of when bying one. Furthermore, it seems you do not really have the most common garden, but a rather complex puzzle (understated?) to make. Thanks a lot.
Glad it helped.
Yes our garden is very complex so it does surprisingly well.
Just bought one for my holiday home because they were "in stock with one week delivery". Turns out they are around a month in Europe for delivery. I suspect a bit of over-trading as the customer support phone number in Europe is not picked up and email support very slow. I did try to cancel the order as I was worried about customer service and I would have left my home by then. However they charge a 3.6% penalty as soon as order placed. Hopefully it will never go wrong, ever.
Not a great experience, I think reviews like mine and others may have bumped up interest perhaps. 🤔
Hopefully it arrives soon!
So glad you post brilliant video
I will forget to *chop the leaves up
Glad it helped
If you're concerned about the leaf-fall, have you seen the Yuka model from the same people with the leaf/grass collecting bin?
Yes I have seen that, it looks a little underpowered for what I might require…and a little to expensive to take a punt and see if it would work.
I have been looking at the Yarbo with leaf blower….but that thing is EXPENSIVE (Of course it can do several different jobs…but I am only wanting a robot a leaf blower or collector).
Great review. Well thought through. Addressed issues not covered by others.
@@markjemmett323cheers!
It's strange it stops under trees, it's supposed to use the vision during the day at least... good thing it'll resume during the day, that's still not too bad. I wouldn't mow at night anyway. I saw another video where someone managed to make it go through a building to see how far it'll go on vision... not sure why it's not working as advertised then. To be fair, I was reading a Husqvarna 450 review and they said it' cannot handle anything that doesn't have free sky view... so at least the Luba 2 will resume during the day it seems. Hopefully they'll improve it with software updates.
Day time is pretty much set it and leave it thankfully. Today, lovely sunshine, its done all 3 large complicated areas...only one snag, I went out and it was making a terrible noise - a pine cone was stuck in the desk between the guard and blades.
Other than that lovely looking lawns.
New model Yuka cut under trees normally
Great review. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. How close to the edge of a boarder will it cut? Do you need to strip the edges or can it leave so little thats not needed? Cheers
You will need to strim / mow around the border edge in almost all cases from my experience. If it does get close enough to the border edge… then it inevitably drops a wheel or two into said border and causes some damage (sometimes substantial!). Secondly It usually gets out if it drops in..but again, in the process causes choas!
@@RealLifeGadgetReviews Interesting. Thanks for the quick reply. Strange that given it has two cutting decks and fairly wide wheels they didnt engineer it to cut right up to the edge.
The issue is not with the design rather accuracy of where it cuts at the perimeter consistently. Its this that can cause an issue, if you map it to close to border edge you will encounter issues (unless totally flat and on open ground)
@@RealLifeGadgetReviewsok understood. Thanks again
My daily check of the 'tubes for Luba2 wisdom and... "Hey, I think I know that guy?"
Possible trick for a "stuck" zone channel, if that's not resolved - delete it, and make that route into a zone that you never schedule. For me, Luba2 happily navigates between zones with them, and it happily drives around any crud that's in the way. For you, hopefully that'll provide a little more latitude to deal with obstructions since it won't be restricted to an infinitely thin breadcrumb trail. It'll have room to try a K-turn or two to get around the stuck-point, and will hopefully do so. I figured this out because my neighbor's dog absolutely wants to play with this mower, because it occasionally pushes her tennis balls around instead of running them over. And of course she always does this in the middle of a channel. Bonus quest: "One zone to connect them all, overlap be damned." Just remember that as of FW 511.432, no-gos are ignored when Luba is traversing, it'll only use collision avoidance.
Night mowing can work fine in some areas, but you lose the vision-based navigation if the GPS gets blocked. If a Luba-1 can mow it without screwing up, Luba-2 can do it at night since it's basically a Luba-1 at that point. If a Luba-1 can't, the 2 can't either. You can test a zone during the day by simply covering the camera module. If the robot stops the task because you lose POS, you know not to mow that zone in the dark. If it completes the zone, you're probably good.
I'm curious if a bunch of 12v or even solar landscape lighting could provide enough landmarks for the vision module to stay oriented. I do know that the pathing must give Luba2 a clear sky-shot for at least a second every 30-50 meters or so, so be sure to game your mowing angle if needed, and disable any perimeter or no-go laps if they're an issue.
Will expect a 1000km review and a range test by the end of next month. Especially if Mammotion adds support for multiple chargers, lol.
Cheers
Ha ha 1000 mile range test. Maybe 1000 hours?
Regards your bunker fslling off. Its supposed to be fastnade with two screws. Check the instruction for advice. At last my Luba 2 had screws.
Should be bumper
@@magnusboiardt6435 yes those are screwed down tight. As per video, it needed a good old smack to get it to fit in fully…since then no issues
brilliant as always....... mow your carpet ...lol
Thanks! ☺️