Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD Flex review: Running up that hill

8.5

I have been running a Mova robot lawn mower at my parents-in-law’s house for 12 months now, and it hasn’t missed a beat. When the chance to take a look at the latest from Mova came up, I was keen to see how much more advanced a robot lawn mower has become in a year. This new model is designed to go places others will not.

So, how much of an advancement is the Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD?

Features

Designed for larger lawns, the Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD is built to handle slopes and rough terrain. Its AWD (all-wheel drive) system means the robot is less likely to get stuck, for example, in a boggy patch, and if it does, it has a better chance of getting out.

The mower can climb and descend slopes up to 38 degrees and drive over tree roots or rocks protruding up to 6cm. You probably will not have these obstacles on a standard home lawn, but this model is built for a more challenging front or backyard.

As the 1200 in its model name suggests, it’s meant to cover areas up to 1200m², or 30m by 40m of grass. The mower’s battery lasts about 180m², and it returns to charge until it completes the defined mowing area. I have a large suburban block in Sydney with about 150 square metres, and the lawn is completed in one charge. Recharge time is 45 minutes.

Image: Angus Jones.

Under the mower, you will find two disks, each with six blades, which is far more than smaller robot mowers. This provides a cutting width of 20cm, so the lawn cuts much faster than smaller models. The cutting height can be adjusted electronically between 3 and 10cm. Once you find your preferred height, you will most likely never change this height again.

Keep in mind, though, that when you first start using the mower, it’s best to start on a higher setting and work your way down. These mowers are designed to cut lawn growth of around 5mm.

To navigate your lawn and avoid obstacles, the mower uses a 360-degree LiDAR sensor (which has a 70m range) and a camera. Unlike some other models, this mower doesn’t need GPS position-improvement data from a separate base station or the internet. This means it doesn’t need Wi-Fi coverage or cellular data to work.

For a suburban-sized lawn, I am a big fan of LiDAR technology and its accuracy. LiDAR also means this mower can mow at night without headlights. Don’t worry about waking up the neighbours; it makes about the same noise as your dishwasher while mowing.

The front wheels have a clever design that lets them travel forward or sideways. They do not turn; rather, because they can travel sideways, the rear wheels can turn in opposite directions to allow the robot mower to swerve (or turn) in the direction that is needed for travel.

Front wheels can move straight or sideways. Image: Angus Jones.

Grass grows at different rates at different times of the year, so cutting frequency should change between summer and winter. A seasonal schedule lets you vary how often and when the grass is cut. If you want to get super creative, the Mova can even cut designs into your lawn. Although you will most likely set a mowing schedule, you can also intervene manually from your phone, as well as via Alexa and Google Home. For example, you could ask Alexa to stop mowing if friends’ kids show up unexpectedly to play.

If you’re hesitant about going down the robot mower route, Mova offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but once you see how this chore no longer needs doing, you’re unlikely to use it.

Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 specifications and price

Mowing area	Up to 1200 m square
Battery life	160- 180 m² for up to 90 minutes (5Ah)
Sound level	60db
Dimensions	66 x 44 x 29 cm 17 kg
Price (RRP)	$3,299
Website	Mova Australia
Warranty	3 year

Using the Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200

The Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 is pretty simple to set up, except that you need access to mains power for the charging dock, which you will permanently locate in your garden. The app takes you through the various steps. Part of the process is mapping your mowing area. This can be done automatically or manually. I tried automatic mapping twice, and both times the results were unsatisfactory. It produced a map with squiggly edges, even though my lawn is bordered by a dead-straight brick wall.

Instead, I recommend the manual approach, which lets you use your smartphone to control the mower like a remote-controlled car as you drive it around the perimeter of your mowing zone. This process takes 5 to 10 minutes depending on how large your area is.

With more blades and a wider cutting width, it mows twice as fast as smaller models. The cutting system uses a floating mechanism, so if your lawn is uneven, the Ultra 1200 can compensate and keep it looking great. The mower also has an ‘UltraTrim’ feature that Mova claims lets it get within 3cm of the edge. Unfortunately, the mower can’t completely do your edges, so whipper snipping is still required, making the close edge cutting irrelevant.

Floating cutting mechanism. Image: Angus Jones.

The mower supports use on two different properties, but you will need to buy a second charging station and move the mower itself. Each location can have up to 150 instructions. These include a mapped mowing zone, a no-go zone and a travel path between zones.

The Ultra 1200, with its all-wheel drive and navigation tech, lets the mower travel, for example, between the front and back lawn as long as the path is wider than 60cm. This is better than other models, which require one-metre-wide paths. I am also impressed that this mower can travel up wet, slippery, steep brick paths and driveways. Again, other mowers I have tested haven’t been able to do this.

The Mova app shows obstructions. In this case, a person and a hose. Image: Angus Jones.

In the above diagram, you will see tiny images that look like snakes in my garden. These are images that match one of 300 obstacles the mower is designed to avoid. In this case, they are a green garden hose I laid across the lawn to test if this mower would avoid it. This is one of the hardest common items to avoid, and it did. Apparently, the Mova is even designed to recognise kangaroos.

If you do spend up to buy this model, it has several security features designed to help protect it. These include Real-Time Tracking via an optional module, Off-Map Alarm, Lift-Up Alerts, AirTag/Tile Storage (tag not included), and a PIN Code. The mower will be no use if someone steals it, but I like the idea of adding an inexpensive Tile or Apple AirTag so you can help the police find it if it is stolen.

The mower can also provide security with its camera, which can be used for surveillance. It can even be programmed to follow a surveillance pattern and alert you to movement. If detected, you can use a two-way talk feature to let the intruders know you know they are there.

Who is the Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD Flex for?

If I had to pick one model for my place versus the many units I am testing, the Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 would be my choice so far. It’s AWD, and the navigation system means I don’t need separate base stations or wires, and this lawn mower has proven it can get around my sloped block with no issues.

This model is more expensive and more capable, so it will suit larger blocks with difficult terrain, whether uneven lawn or sloping sections. Newer technology means it doesn’t get stuck as easily, is easier to operate, and can better avoid obstacles.

I don’t have a pet name for this mower yet, but as I don’t have to mow my lawn, I have more time to come up with one.

Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD Flex

Ideal for larger lawns with slopes, the Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD Flex is a great premium robot mower that's tougher than most.

Features

9

Value for money

7.5

Performance

9

Ease of use

8

Design

9

Positives

Can go where other robot mowers can't

Quality cut from floating blade deck

Excellent obstacle avoidance

Negatives

Auto mapping failed on two different attempts

8.5

The post Mova LiDAX Ultra 1200 AWD Flex review: Running up that hill appeared first on GadgetGuy.

Read More

Revisiting our reviews: How long does tech last?

Whenever you read the review of some tech gear, you may notice one thing in common with every single item reviewed: the item under review is brand new.

Will that device fall apart after a few months of use? Will it last? Will long-term problems arise?

I’m going to do something a little different in this article. I’m going to go through several of the items I’ve reviewed in years past on these pages, and report on how they did in the years after I wrote the review.

The great majority of the things I’ve reviewed over the years have, after the review period, gone back to the distributor or manufacturer. Some less expensive items – or more personal things – I have been allowed to retain. Very occasionally, I’ve purchased items. Sometimes, the reviews are of items I’d purchased anyway. That’s why I still have – and use – the following devices.

Fujifilm X-T4 interchangeable lens camera

Reviewed November 2020.

I loved this camera. When it had to go back to Fujifilm I mourned its departure.

So much so, I eventually bought one from a retailer. Most of the photos you see on my reviews from the last couple of years were taken with this camera.

Unfortunately, when I was overseas in 2023 something in it broke. It has some kind of device that detects its horizontal or vertical level. That allows the camera to show a level-line in the viewfinder so you can make sure the camera isn’t tilted. And if it is put in portrait orientation, this device informs the camera so it the relevant entry is put into the photo’s EXIF data, and the photo displays the right way around.

Back in Australia, I found that the warranty had expired, and I’ve never gotten around to sending it for repair.

It’s a great camera, and still works fine, except for that disappointment.

Rode NT-USB Mini USB microphone

Reviewed February 2020.

It was extremely fortuitous receiving this microphone at the time that I did. It was just before COVID.

I don’t know how many times, since, that I’ve fumed as I’ve watched TV interviews with people, professional prognosticators and technical experts, who are remote, and whose voices are being delivered tinnily and echoey via the tiny microphones of their laptops. Surely they could afford to fork out a couple of hundred bucks (it’s currently $189 at JB) for this microphone? I’ve used it regularly over the years for zoom calls – often with overseas vendors – and more recently for conversing with one or the other AIs.

It is still available. Its firmware has been updated quite a bit since I wrote my review. You can just plug-and-play it, or expand its capabilities by installed some of Rode’s software.

And it’s compact. I’d be happy to take it with me for use wherever I might be with one of my laptops.

Epson WorkForce ET-4750

Reviewed November 2017.

This was one of the early printer entries into the low-cost-consumables space. In the years leading up to that point, printers were extremely cheap (profit-less I’d guess), but the ink was expensive. This printer cost more up front, but the ink was relatively cheap.

Instead of ink cartridges, you’d fill tanks from ink bottles. A set of four costs less than $100 and lasted for six thousand pages.

I’m not a heavy printer user, but in the nine years since getting this printer – I’m still using it – I’ve used perhaps two-and-a-half sets of ink bottles. That means I’ve printed around 15,000 pages over that time.

The moveable panel on the front has lost the friction that holds it in place, so it droops. But still the printer soldiers on, wirelessly accepting documents.

Fitbit Aria 2 Smart Scales

Reviewed May 2018.

When we moved house in the early 2020s, and through the subsequent network changes, I intentionally kept the network SSID the same to avoid reconfiguring an awful lot of connected devices. So my Fitbit Aria 2 smart scales continued to work with nary a wobble.

They still work, but the associated software and support has become very wobbly indeed. Google bought Fitbit. Quite recently – this year I think – Google retired the Fitbit software and replaced it with Google Health. A whole lot of features were jettisoned. You can no longer check out recent weigh-ins. Your weight “history” only goes back a few days, and misses quite a few weigh-ins.

My triumphant weight loss journey back around 2018 has disappeared completely.

These days, I keep an Excel spreadsheet, which I update daily, to track my weight. Happily, the scales themselves keep on keeping on!

Amazon eero Wi-Fi 5 system 3-pack (2020)

Reviewed July 2020.

The eero mesh system is still very much around. My review was early in the product cycle. The current models are more capable, at least according to the specifications. Anyway, after writing that review I moved and installed the system in my new place. After a couple of network changes, I ended up on FTTP NBN. I used the Telstra-supplied, and later Aussie Broadband-supplied, routers to ensure I’d have support, and connected two of the three eeros to it via ethernet, with the third one connected purely by Wi-Fi.

They simply kept on working. But one day I wanted to check something in the eero app, and found that while I was logged on, and the eero devices were still working well, the app seemed to be unaware of their existence.

I procrastinated for a couple of years, but only a few weeks ago, after resolving some other network issues, I decided to call eero support. It turned out that I was speaking, after almost no waiting in a queue, to a pleasant chap in the United States. He texted me a code, I repeated it back, he did something at his end and thereupon the app resumed working properly with the devices.

They still work. The app works. The support is excellent.

Braun S3 Shave & Style

Reviewed April 2017.

I assumed that this shaver was long-since gone, since I haven’t seen it in shops in recent years. And, indeed, I bought another couple on special a few years back, since they were not much more expensive than replacement shaving heads, and it’s convenient to have one in my office. But I see that you can still indeed buy new ones.

I still use the S3 I originally reviewed nearly a decade ago. I’ve changed the head a couple of times. The NiMH battery finally got tired enough for me to replace it. YouTube guided me through the process of dismantling the shaver. It’s basically as good as new again with the insertion of $15 worth of batteries from Jaycar.

Schiit Audio Vidar stereo/mono power amplifier

Reviewed June 2020.

My original review was of a unit I had purchased. It was the power amplifier for my main stereo sound system and it performed well there.

A couple of years later, I replaced it with a much more expensive power amplifier. But I didn’t get rid of the Vidar. It changed roles, and became the powerhouse for my desktop computer’s sound system. The Windows desktop feeds a Topping E30 DAC (which still works superbly, reviewed January 2021), which in turn feeds a Schiit Audio Saga preamplifier, which feeds the Vidar, which drives a pair of Dynaudio Emit 10 speaker on IsoAcoustic stands on my desk.

Sure beats your regular computer speakers!

The Vidar doesn’t have a standby mode, so for the most part it has been switched on continuously for the last five years. And yet it persists, as though it were brand new.

Oral-B Genius AI electric toothbrush

Reviewed December 2020.

My wife and I have now been using this toothbrush a couple of times a day for almost six years. Perhaps the battery is tired, but we wouldn’t know because it always goes back onto its charging stand.

I will confess, though I haven’t used all that fancy Bluetooth connectivity even once since writing the review.

Scratch that!

By complete coincidence, the toothbrush died a couple of days after I wrote this section! It’s the battery. Apparently once they drop below a certain voltage, the motor protection system kicks in and switches it off. Which seems kind of silly, seeing as how the battery is not intended to be replaced.

These days, to get a similarly-capable Oral-B toothbrush, you need one of its newer IO models. Seeing as how the very cheapest I’ve seen its replacement heads – in a ‘value’ pack – is about $8 each, I’m going to say, “no thanks!”

Logitech Slim Folio iPad case and keyboard

Reviewed October 2019.

I was very impressed with this unit. In addition to protecting my iPad, it had a very usable keyboard. This connected via Bluetooth, and worked very well … for about four years. Then it became very flaky. I could usually get it going again by pulling the batteries and reinserting them, effectively rebooting the unit. But then the next time I went to use it, I had the same problem. Which is a pity. Because it used replaceable batteries, there were never any worries about the tired rechargeables, so it ought to have lasted as long as that iPad lasted.

Logitech G512 Carbon gaming keyboard

Reviewed July 2020.

I’m not a gamer, but as a typer – I’ve published three or four million words over the years – I’ve always far preferred mechanical keyboards. I used the G512 for some years, but it died. No, it wasn’t its fault. I accidentally poured a beverage into it. Unlike the Slim Folio, it may have kept going for many years.

So I went to Officeworks and bought another one. (I’m typing on it now.) That surely is a solid recommendation.

Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad

Reviewed February 2017.

Back in those days, only premium phones supported wireless charging. And this pad worked with them then.

Today? It still sits on my work desk, and my Samsung Galaxy S25 it sitting on it, happily charging away. In my review, I tested it with a Samsung Galaxy S7, which shows how long I’ve been using it.

Belkin USB 3.1 Express Dock HD

Reviewed December 2017.

I loved this dock. I could plug my phone into it, and it would charge the phone, while turning it into a computer. I plugged in a Logitech G413 keyboard, and a mouse and a monitor and an SSD hard drive. Who needed a computer? Well I did, so I’d also use it with my Windows notebook.

So, it was a sad day for me in the early 2020s when it just up and died. But I still use its excellent USB-C to USB-C power cable.

Logitech Brio 4K Pro Webcam

Reviewed July 2017.

These days I have two screens for my Windows desktop computer: a 32-inch 4K screen right in front of me, and a 27-inch full screen off to the side. Atop the 4K display is the Brio. 4K models were rare back then, and it provides a lot of flexibility. During COVID, it got a very good workout, and never once failed to do its job. So, nine years later, there it sits, still doing the job whenever I call upon it.

The post Revisiting our reviews: How long does tech last? appeared first on GadgetGuy.

Read More

iGulu’s smart brewer uses tech to make DIY beer even easier

I was pretty excited when the iGulu F1 smart home brewer turned up at my place. But I had to wait as I was going on holiday. When I returned, I set the brewer up and again had to wait while the beer brewed. Cutting to the chase, I am now enjoying the beer, but once it runs out, I am going to have to wait for the next batch.

Let’s go back in time for a moment: the year is 1989, and my girlfriend and I (now wife) bought a homebrew kit. Since then, I have never stopped brewing, which has involved a fermentation tub and a lot of 750ml glass bottles. Today, the iGulu F1 is a temperature-controlled, carbon dioxide-fed brewing machine that brews five litres of beer and delivers it perfectly chilled via a pub-style beer tap.

Brew kit ingredients. Image: Angus Jones.

The machine requires 240 volts and measures 33 x 46 x 51cm, so you need space for it to work its magic. To make beer, you buy a kit which contains all the ingredients. I was surprised to find the main ingredient is a powder after so many years of using syrup from a beer kit. The reverse is true for hops, which come as a liquid essence, while I use hop pellets. After you mix your ingredients with water in a removable plastic keg, return the keg to the main machine, connect the gas and dispensing tube, and shut the lid.

Image: Angus Jones.

Each brew kit comes with an RFID tag which you hold against the iGulu logo on the brewer. A small screen on the front then recognises the beer style you’ve just added and sets up a brewing process specific to that beer. I started with a pilsner, which required a cooler, slower brew, meaning a three-week brew. As I waited, I could hear the regular discharge of gas as the sugars turned to alcohol.

Enjoying the fruits of my labour

The big day arrived, and it just happened to coincide with some dinner guests, one of whom only ever drinks VB, nothing else. Good news: he went back for a second glass. It tasted light and creamy, with a lot of foam (I need to work on my pouring skills).

I enjoy a pilsner, and this batch was one most would enjoy, but beer types and personal tastes do vary, so there will always be some experimentation to find what you like best. Once the beer is ready, you can keep pouring for the next 30 days, but with only the capacity of 15 beers, I doubt I will ever get to that point, especially when you have thirsty friends. For comparison, my traditional brew kit brews 23 litres at a time but must be decanted into bottles.

Pouring needs improving… Image: Angus Jones.

I next plan to brew a pale ale, which takes only 10 days to brew. At the time of writing, 12 different flavours of beer and cider were available. iGulu kits are around $30 each, and the brewer itself sells for $1,099. My traditional brewing is very economical compared to a case of store-bought beer, but the iGulu comes in at a very similar price per store-bought.

More than just homebrew beer

iGulu also sells a Master Mode upgrade for $149 that, when activated, lets you use the brewer for your own recipes, including kombucha. This way, you can brew to your own tastes and save money on ingredients.

Another use for the iGulu is as a dispenser. You could dispense a soft drink from the keg through to your own separately brewed homebrew, or even take the keg to your local bar and ask them to fill it with five litres of your favourite beer from their tap. At home, the unit chills the beer and delivers the draft-beer experience. If you want to take the iGulu beer on a picnic, you can purchase a set of homebrew pressure bottles that, once filled, will preserve the flavour.

Image: Angus Jones.

The world of homebrewing can get pretty complicated and expensive for some. For me, I have kept it simple for almost 40 years. The iGulu F1 may seem like an expensive novelty, but for those who want a true draft beer experience at home with a simple process, it is a bit of fun.  You may, however, get a bit thirsty waiting for your next batch to be ready.

The post iGulu’s smart brewer uses tech to make DIY beer even easier appeared first on GadgetGuy.

Read More

Win an eero 7 router pack to turbocharge your home internet!

Back by popular demand, GadgetGuy is giving one lucky winner a three-pack of eero 7 routers for a big home Wi-Fi upgrade!

It wasn’t that long ago that setting up the perfect home network felt like a complicated chore. Thankfully, those days are long gone; eero routers are beautifully simple to set up and use. Best of all, they do all the complex optimisation for you.

If you’ve always struggled to get a consistently reliable internet connection at home, you need a high-quality mesh network. Combining the strength of multiple routers, a mesh Wi-Fi system ensures that internet reaches upstairs, downstairs, and wherever you need a connection.

An eero 7 is a great starting point. It supports up to 120 Wi-Fi-connected devices at any given time, and covers up to 560m² when three units are set up.

As its name suggests, the eero 7 uses the fast and reliable Wi-Fi 7 technology. You get wireless speeds of up to 1.8Gbps, and wired speeds up to 2.5Gbps via Ethernet. Even if your internet plan doesn’t reach those speeds, the added bandwidth helps ensure multiple devices get their fair share of the internet.

If you want to take your home Wi-Fi to the next level, eero routers connect with different models in the range, which is a great future-proofing measure. For the Wi-Fi-maxxers, it makes setting up the optimal network even easier.

How to win an eero 7 three-pack

GadgetGuy has one eero 7 three-pack to give away, valued at $749.99, thanks to eero. Keen to win a free Wi-Fi upgrade? Keep reading for all the important info.

Start by filling in your details using the form below. Included in the form are various entry methods using different social media platforms. The more entry methods you complete, the greater your chance of winning.

If you can’t see the entry form below, you can visit the entry page directly and fill in all the details there.

GadgetGuy & eero 7 three-pack giveaway

Entries are open now until 10:30 AM AEDT on November 17 2026. Eligible entrants include Australian residents aged 18 and over. For the full eligibility criteria, check out the entry form, which lists all the terms and conditions.

Get your entries in now and share the giveaway to spread the gift of good Wi-Fi. Good luck!

The post Win an eero 7 router pack to turbocharge your home internet! appeared first on GadgetGuy.

Read More

Wybot S3 robot pool cleaner review: Premium hands-free cleaning

8.5

Having a pool is wonderful when you want to use it, but not so great when you have to maintain it. Vacuuming the leaves and scrubbing the sides is a chore that can consume hundreds of hours a year. Robot pool cleaners have solved this time drain, but there’s still a bit of work involved.

Most robot pool cleaners still need to be manually lifted out of the water. Especially when waterlogged, they can be quite heavy. They also need recharging, and the waste basket emptied, so it’s not an entirely hands-off process.

I recently tested the Wybot S3 robot pool cleaner to see how much of this process can be automated.

Wybot S3 features

The Wybot S3 is a robot pool cleaner that self-docks, charges, and transfers its waste basket contents to outside the pool. When you first open the box, it is a little daunting, but once you start assembling it, it’s like a small Lego set that comes together easily.

Image: Angus Jones.

Lifting a pool cleaner in and out of your pool to charge, especially when it may be full of water, is heavy, and you’ll likely get wet. The Wybot S3 solves this by docking itself underwater in a wall-mounted cradle.

From this cradle, it charges its battery and empties its waste basket contents into the docking station’s storage cassette at the edge of the pool. Wybot claims that between the 10-litre cassette and 3-litre waste basket, you won’t have to manually empty anything for up to a month. This, of course, depends on how much leaf litter and debris falls into your pool.

Either way, this robot is self-sufficient for a period when other robots would need charging and waste emptying after every clean.

Waste transfer to base station. Images: Angus Jones, Wybot.

Running a power cord to your robot pool cleaner is, honestly, a hazard. A cord lying on the ground with running kids sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. In theory, the Wybot S3 is self-sufficient with its solar panel if you clean your pool only once a week. With full sun, the solar panel will recharge the batteries in both the base station and robot in about three days. This will take longer if the panel is shaded for part of the day or the weather is cloudy.

I like the idea that if the base doesn’t get enough sun, you can temporarily run a cable to boost the unit. A removable cord also improves the aesthetics, removes the trip hazard and saves you from making cosmetic changes around your pool.

The internal battery lets the robot run for up to 2.5 hours and supports pools up to 300 square metres (about a 15m pool), which is more than enough for the average Australian pool. Charging the robot from the mains takes about three hours. Whilst working, the robot will suck 14,000 litres per hour.

Cleaning pool step. Image: Angus Jones.

The Wybot uses technology it calls AI Vision on the pool floor. This allows the robot to target areas of your pool that need cleaning using 36 sensors. In simple terms, it can chase leaves and save power by not cleaning every square centimetre in AI Vision mode.

You can select five cleaning modes: Floor, Wall, Wall then floor, Advanced Full, Turbo Floor. The AI mode can be switched on and off but only works with the Floor modes and not Advanced Full. Advanced will reach every spot, ensuring any fine grit is removed.

Wybot S3 specifications and price

Cleaning area	Up to 300 square metres
Battery life	2.5 hours
Basket capacity	3 + 10 litres
Dimensions	76 cm x 48 cm x 74 cm 21kg
Price (RRP)	$4,999
Website	Wybot Australia
Warranty	Two years

Using the Wybot S3

When you first commission the robot, it will create a 3D map of your pool to help it navigate. With each additional clean, it refines that map and its navigation techniques to ensure it reaches all underwater spots, including steps.

App with 3D image of pool. Screenshot: Angus Jones.

The docking station also enables underwater communication, something most robot pool cleaners can’t do. You can change cleaning modes on the go in the app. The app lets you see real-time progress and manually steer your robot to areas of the pool that may need special attention.

In the app, you can also schedule cleans over seven days and use different modes on different days. For example, on Monday you could clean the pool floor, on Wednesday the walls, and on Saturday do a complete clean. A key feature of the wall cleaning is that the robot lifts itself above the water line. This is an area where water, air, and sunlight combine to grow algae. This cleaning motion removes that algae and keeps your pool looking nice.

Scheduling. Screenshot: Angus Jones.

Whilst the robot pool cleaner seems maintenance-free and doesn’t need to be removed from the pool, that is not actually the case. The robot comes with three filter screen levels. The first is the standard 380 microns, which is the size of the holes in the basket. This is great for catching leaves, which are easily transferred to the base station waste drawer. 180-micron inserts allow finer particles to be captured in the basket, and a separate 10-micron filter can also be added into the unit to capture fine silt and pollen.

These finer filters don’t clean properly with the automatic water waste transfer to the dock. To clean them, remove the robot from the pool and flush the basket and filters with a good-pressure garden hose. Wybot recommends doing this every two weeks. If your pool starts dirty, add the filters after every few cleans to avoid the fine filters getting blocked immediately.

The standout negative of this pool robot is its price. With an RRP of $4,999, that puts the Wybot S3 at the super premium end. Other robots in this price bracket will also clean the surface, but the S3 has self-docking and basket cleaning.

Wybot does offer specials, though; at the time of publication, it listed the S3 for $3,799.99. In the past, Wybot has also done bundles with a solar-powered pool skimmer that collects leaves from the surface of the pool. I’m a big fan of pool skimmers because they catch debris before it sinks to the bottom.

Who is the Wybot S3 for?

The Wybot S3 is for people prepared to pay for extra convenience. If you have a robot pool cleaner, it saves you from cleaning your pool by hand. The Wybot S3 also saves you from removing the cleaner from the pool to charge and emptying the waste basket every time. This model is also suitable for people who would struggle to remove a robot pool cleaner from the pool.

If you have good sunlight to charge the dock, you may get away with not running a permanent power cord, which suits those with access issues, aesthetics, and safety.

Wybot S3

The Wybot S3 robot pool cleaner does more than most robots; it automatically exits the water and empties its waste, but it's quite pricey.

Features

9

Value for money

6

Performance

9

Ease of use

9.5

Design

9

Positives

Can charge without removing from pool

Waste is transfered to a surface storage tray

Can be powered by solar making it wireless

Negatives

Very expensive

8.5

The post Wybot S3 robot pool cleaner review: Premium hands-free cleaning appeared first on GadgetGuy.

Read More

Cheapest NBN plans: Compare Australia’s fastest internet prices

Keen to find a better deal on your home internet? We’ve compared the cheapest NBN plans from many of the biggest telcos to find the best deals for you in each speed category.

One of the best ways to save money on your internet bill is to shop around frequently. Many internet service providers (ISPs) offer introductory deals, including generous discounts for the first six months. Afterwards, it’s always worth comparing providers so you’re not left paying more than you should. Most ISPs don’t use lock-in contracts, making it relatively easy to swap to a better-value plan.

After the big NBN speed upgrade, it’s now easier than ever to enjoy fast internet at decent prices. Some older NBN plans got five times faster for the same price. Not a bad deal for those eligible.

Image: Jay Marshall.

But there’s not much point in paying for speeds you don’t need. Make sure you regularly assess whether your current internet plan serves your needs, as recommended by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

With that in mind, here are the current cheapest NBN plans in Australia from a wide range of telcos. We also have some affordable tips and tricks on how to maximise your current internet speeds. Looking for a new phone plan, too? Compare the cheapest SIM plans to save even more money.

Cheapest overall NBN plans

Right now, SpinTel sells the cheapest NBN plan; its 25Mbps plan costs $41 per month for the first six months. After discounts, $69.95 per month is the ongoing price. Dodo and Moose NBN also sell some of the cheapest plans, offering discounted rates of $45 or less per month.

Take a look at the widget below for more of the cheapest NBN plans. We update this article monthly, but the widget updates automatically, giving you up-to-date and accurate information.

Many of the retailers display promotional prices aimed at new and returning customers. These offers generally involve paying a discounted rate for six months before reverting to a standard price. To view the details of promotional offers, click on the green text labelled ‘deal’, which will also show the standard price.

Each plan featured here includes unlimited data. Some providers let you save a few dollars every month by choosing a plan with a data cap. If you know you don’t need much data, use this search tool to find plans with monthly data allowances.

NBN 25 plans

Suited for streaming videos in HD and basic online tasks, an NBN 25 plan gives you a bit more flexibility and much more value for money.

As above, SpinTel’s NBN 25 plan is the cheapest, costing $41 per month for the first six months. Once the discounted period ends, the plan costs $69.95 per month ongoing. Other cheap NBN 25 plans come from Dodo ($43.99) and Moose NBN ($44.80). Once their six-month discounts end, Dodo charges $73.99 per month, while Moose costs a reasonably priced $64.80 per month.

Without discounts, most of the cheapest NBN 25 plans cost between $65 and $70 per month, so it’s a relatively cost-effective speed tier.

NBN 50 plans

Once Australia’s most popular internet plan, NBN 50 balances value with performance. These plans support 4K video streaming and can sustain multiple simultaneous users.

At the moment, Belong sells the cheapest NBN 50 plan, priced at $55 per month for the first six months, and then $91 per month thereafter. Dodo and Moose NBN also sell NBN 50 plans below $60 at the time of writing, at $57.99 and $59.90 per month for the first six months, respectively. After discounts, they’re a bit cheaper than Belong, with Dodo’s ($87.99) and Moose NBN’s ($83.80) full pricing sitting below $90.

Most full-priced NBN 50 plans start at around $85 per month, so it’s worth shopping around.

NBN 100 and NBN 500 plans

This is where the NBN speed upgrade starts to kick in. For customers with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connections, the NBN 100 tier becomes NBN 500 plans at no extra cost.

Both sets of speeds are ideal for streaming multiple 4K videos and downloading files quickly. If you get 500Mbps speeds, those downloads will be five times quicker. Only slightly more expensive than the 50Mbps tier, NBN 100 plans are still good value for most people; NBN 500 is even better value, given the small gap in pricing.

To start with, let’s look at the cheapest NBN 100 plans — these speeds apply to those with Fibre to the Node (FTTN), Fibre to the Building (FTTB), and Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) connections:

You can currently choose from four discounted NBN 100 plans priced at $65 or less per month, including Belong ($59), Origin ($59), Dodo ($62.99), and Moose NBN ($63.80). Each telco’s discount lasts six months before the full price kicks in. Origin is the most expensive of the lot, at $114 per month, while Dodo costs $92.99 at full price, and Moose $86.80.

There are a few sub-$90 NBN 100 plans going around, but the majority start at $90 per month without discounts.

If you have a direct fibre connection, here are the cheapest NBN 500 plans:

As you can see, the prices are more or less the same as NBN 100, which makes it pretty good value for those who can get NBN 500 plans.

As long as you have the technology to support faster speeds, the prices for NBN 500 plans are no more expensive than the slower NBN 100 tier.

NBN 750 plans

500Mbps download speeds aren’t fast enough for you? For even faster speeds, you could try NBN 750, which was NBN 250 before last year’s wholesale speed upgrade. This is the tier you consider when you want to download the latest video game or save a whole bunch of media for offline viewing.

SpinTel and Dodo currently sell the cheapest NBN 750 plans at discounted monthly rates of $69 and $69.99 apiece. Afterwards, SpinTel’s ongoing cost is $94.95, while Dodo costs $99.99.

Without factoring in discounts, expect to pay between $100 and $110 per month for most NBN 750 plans.

NBN 1000 plans

NBN 1000 plans also come with 100Mbps upload speeds, giving you fast downloads and a strong upload rate. Consider these plans if you regularly work with large files, like content creators, and don’t want to waste time waiting for downloads or uploads to finish.

You’ll notice that not every telco promises 1,000Mbps download speeds during peak times. That’s because the NBN speed upgrade is still relatively new, so the industry is still collecting real-world performance data. Rest assured, though, that these plans are fast.

Of all the NBN 1000 plans, Amaysim is currently the cheapest, with its plan at $70 per month for the first six months as part of an early Black Friday deal. After the discount, Amaysim’s plan costs $100 per month.

Belong’s NBN 1000 plan costs $75 per month, while SpinTel is only a dollar extra at $76, with each plan costing $110 and $104.95 per month, respectively, after discounts. Another option is Dodo’s $79.99 monthly plan for the first six months, which costs $109.99 afterwards.

Elsewhere, most NBN 1000 plans cost upwards of $110 per month.

NBN 2000 plans

One of the new additions following the speed upgrade, NBN 2000 plans, also known as ‘Hyperfast’, is for absolute power users. Capable of handling multiple 8K video streams and downloading large files in the blink of an eye, it’s much faster than anything previously available to the wider Australian public.

Because it’s new and a bit on the pricier side, not many ISPs sell NBN 2000 plans just yet. Still, there are some discounts available, with prices already varying between telcos.

Mate currently has the cheapest and fastest NBN 2000 plan, selling it for $141 per month for the first six months, and $166 thereafter. Superloop is close behind, with a $148 monthly NBN 2000 plan. That price lasts for six months before increasing to $168 per month.

With not as much competition as other speed tiers, some NBN 2000 plans are as expensive as $194 per month.

What you need to know

If you want broadband internet in Australia, your main and most reliable choice is via the National Broadband Network (NBN). Although the NBN provides the internet backbone, it does not sell plans directly to the public. Instead, telecommunication vendors package up retail and business plans, which include different features and levels of customer support.

NBN availability

The NBN is available to all Australians, but the way you access the NBN may be different. This might include a fixed cable into your home, wireless access via an antenna on your roof or a satellite dish.

To see what technology is available to you, start by visiting the NBN getting connected page. After entering your address, you will be shown the technology available at your address. You will also see which providers or NBN retailers sell access in your area. In Sydney alone, we were presented with 123 different retailers.

Speed and reliability

It is important to understand that the speed and reliability of your NBN plan can differ by retailer. Each buys internet capacity from the NBN. This capacity is then shared with a certain number of the retailer’s customers. This means that a retailer may have faster speeds in one suburb versus another based on how many customers are accessing the overall capacity. It’s always good to ask your neighbours who they are with and their experience with a particular NBN retailer.

It’s also worth checking the ACCC website regularly. They publish quarterly broadband performance results, measuring how well telcos deliver on advertised internet speeds. You want to be certain that you’ll get the speeds you pay for, so this is a good starting point.

For those customers looking for an NBN alternative, we suggest the following GadgetGuy guides: How does 5G fixed-wireless stack up as an NBN alternative and Caravanner’s guide to connecting to the internet anywhere.

Having good internet speed is more than just a fast broadband connection. For more, be sure to check out GadgetGuy’s guide to improving your internet for more information.

Which NBN plan?

When evaluating an NBN plan, consider the following criteria:

• Data Limits – Is there a monthly download limit of data, or is the plan unlimited?
• Download Speed – Best measured at its busiest in megabits per second (Mbps) typical evening speed. Is it enough to watch Netflix? (Netflix requires 10-25Mbps depending on resolution quality.) Larger households with members using the internet simultaneously will require higher download speeds.
• Cost – How much do you pay each month, and is there a connection fee?
• Contract – Are you locking yourself to a retailer for a period, or is it month-to-month?
• Telephone – Is a fixed-line telephone service bundled into the plan?
• Customer service – What hours are supported, and is it an Australian-located call centre?
• Upload speed – Important for people who save large files online, like photos and videos.

Changing providers

If you wish to change internet providers, the process involves signing up with the new retailer in-store or online. You may receive a new Wi-Fi router, and you may have to return your old router to your previous retailer. The retailer-provided router is generally low quality but provides a fixed-line telephone connection if selected.

Your retailer might offer you an email address. Still, we recommend using a non-telco-specific email address, such as Gmail or Hotmail, allowing you to easily change NBN retailers.

The NBN changeover process can take less than an hour, but depending on the location and NBN technology, it could take a few days. To take advantage of introductory offers, you could swap your provider every six months.

Suppose you do not wish to leave your existing provider. In that case, you may be able to negotiate a better rate by comparing it to cheaper offerings.

GadgetGuy occasionally uses affiliate links and may receive a small commission from purchased products.

The post Cheapest NBN plans: Compare Australia’s fastest internet prices appeared first on GadgetGuy.

Read More