Your Gardner for 6,458 Square Feet: The Segway Navimow i105E Review
Imagine coming home after a long day at work to a perfectly mowed lawn – without having to lift a finger. This is exactly the promise of the Segway Navimow i105E, a robotic lawn mower that operates without boundary wires and, thanks to state-of-the-art navigation technology, is designed to efficiently and precisely spruce up your lawn. In our review, we examined whether the Navimow i105E can keep this promise and whether it is truly the smart helper many garden owners desire.
First Impressions & Scope of Delivery
Even when unboxing the Segway Navimow i105E, it's clear that a focus was placed on quality. The device is solidly packaged, and the individual parts appear robust. In addition to the robotic mower itself, the scope of delivery includes the charging station, the appropriate power supply, replacement blades, and a detailed instruction manual. A positive aspect is the inclusion of an antenna for RTK positioning, which is crucial for high navigation accuracy. The first impression is consistently good. The hardware setup was largely intuitive, though careful positioning of the RTK antenna is required.
For optimal performance of the Navimow i105E's boundary-wire-free navigation, ensure the RTK antenna has a clear, unobstructed view of the sky. Poor placement can affect mapping accuracy.
Ensure the RTK antenna is placed in an open area with a clear sky view to maximize navigation accuracy. Obstructions can hinder its performance.
Design & Build Quality
The design of the Navimow i105E is modern and functional. With its compact shape and unobtrusive coloring, it blends well into most garden environments. The dimensions and weight of 22.5 lbs are chosen so that it sits stably on the lawn but doesn't appear too bulky and is easy to maneuver. The workmanship is convincing: all gaps are small and even, and the materials appear high-quality and resistant to weather influences. Even after several weeks of outdoor use, we found no signs of material fatigue or wear. The housing is UV-resistant and reliably protects the internal electronics.
The UV-resistant housing and robust build quality mean the Navimow i105E can be left outdoors without concern for material degradation from sun exposure or light weather.
Technical Data & Capacity
The Segway Navimow i105E is designed for lawn areas of up to 6,458 sq ft. A battery life of 180 minutes promises efficient processing of even larger gardens without constant charging breaks. The cutting height is flexibly adjustable between 0.8 and 2.4 inches, allowing for individual adaptation to the grass type and desired length. With a cutting width of 8.7 inches, it completes the work quickly.
The climbing ability of up to 30% *(17°)* is remarkable and allows for use on lawns with a slight incline. The low noise level of 58 dB(A) for a robotic lawn mower is noteworthy. For comparison: normal conversation takes place at about 60 dB. This means the Navimow i105E operates very quietly and won't disturb you or your neighbors during gardening or relaxation.
A noise level of 58 dB(A) is comparable to that of a quiet refrigerator or a whisper from about 3 feet away. This is significantly quieter than many other robotic lawn mowers or a conventional lawn mower, which often reaches over 90 dB(A).
Navigation & Precision
The heart of the Navimow i105E is the EFLS 2.0 navigation system, which enables centimeter-accurate positioning. This is achieved through a combination of Network RTK and AI-assisted mapping. Unlike many other wired robotic lawn mowers, there is no need to lay a boundary wire, which significantly simplifies and makes the installation more flexible. The garden is initially mapped via the app, with the robot traversing the area and creating a precise map. The precision of the navigation is impressive in our test. The robot mows in parallel paths and leaves a uniform cutting pattern. Even more complex areas and narrow passages are reliably mastered thanks to passage detection.
Obstacle detection is based on the VisionFence Sensor, a type of camera that recognizes obstacles such as branches, garden furniture, or toys and navigates around them. In the test, this worked reliably, although very small or flat obstacles were occasionally overlooked. Nevertheless, VisionFence technology is a big plus for the safety and protection of the device and objects in the garden.
While the VisionFence Sensor provides excellent obstacle detection, it can occasionally overlook very small or flat objects. Always check your lawn for hazards like small rocks, thin wires, or low-lying toys before starting a mowing session to prevent potential damage.
Practical Test
The actual practical test is the be-all and end-all for a robotic lawn mower, and here the Segway Navimow i105E convinced us. After virtually mapping the garden via the app (which was quick thanks to the intuitive user guidance), we started the first mowing process. The robot systematically began and worked its way through the lawn strip by strip.
The cutting pattern was consistently excellent. Whether dry or slightly damp grass, the Navimow i105E always delivered a uniform cutting height. The edge mowing function was particularly impressive. The robot drives very close to the lawn edge, which minimizes manual trimming. In some areas, we even observed it driving over the edge with one wheel to truly catch the last blade of grass.
Even tackling inclines of up to 30% was no problem for the robot. The rear-wheel drive provided sufficient traction, even on slightly damp surfaces.
The 180 minutes of battery life proved sufficient for our test area of just under 5,382 sq ft. The robot reliably returned to the charging station when the battery was low and seamlessly resumed its work after charging.
For an optimal cutting pattern and to protect the lawn, the robotic lawn mower should mow regularly and at short intervals. Daily or every other day mowing alternating with automatic charging is often ideal.
Smart Features & App
The Navimow i105E is conveniently controlled via a clear app. Here, you can not only set mowing times and zones but also adjust the cutting height and check the current status of the robot. The zone management function is particularly practical if you want to treat different areas in the garden differently. For example, you can have the ornamental lawn mowed more often than a less used area. Setting up and managing zones was very easy in the app.
AI-assisted mapping works excellently in conjunction with the app. You can easily set up exclusion zones or define no-go areas that the robot should avoid. This is particularly useful for protecting flower beds or delicate shrubs. Communication between the robot and the app was stable and reliable throughout the entire test period.
The "zone management function" and "exclusion zones" are key features for gardens with diverse needs, allowing precise control over where and when the Navimow i105E operates, safeguarding delicate areas.
Comparison with the Competition
Compared to other robotic lawn mowers in its price range, the Segway Navimow i105E offers some decisive advantages. Many competing products still require the laborious installation of a boundary wire, which is eliminated with the Navimow i105E thanks to EFLS 2.0 and Network RTK. This wireless setup is a real game-changer and saves not only time but also frustration. The centimeter-accurate precision of the navigation is also a unique selling point that is rare in this price range.
Some robotic lawn mowers also offer app control, but the combination of comprehensive zone management and precise obstacle detection through the VisionFence Sensor sets the Navimow i105E apart from many competitors. While other robots fail at simple obstacles, the Segway masters these challenges confidently.
The noise level of 58 dB(A) is also a point where the Navimow i105E outperforms many competitors, which are often much louder and can disturb the peace in the garden.
Although the Navimow i105E impresses with its navigation and obstacle detection technology, it is advisable to check the garden for smaller, flat objects such as small stones or loose branches before mowing, as these could potentially be overlooked.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Segway Navimow i105E
How large of a lawn can the Navimow i105E cover?The Segway Navimow i105E is designed for lawn areas up to 6,458 square feet, with a battery life of 180 minutes to efficiently cover larger gardens without frequent charging.
Does the Navimow i105E require a boundary wire for operation?No, the Navimow i105E operates entirely without boundary wires, thanks to its EFLS 2.0 navigation system and Network RTK technology, which simplifies installation and offers greater flexibility.
How quiet is the Navimow i105E during operation?The robotic lawn mower operates at a low noise level of 58 dB(A), which is comparable to a quiet refrigerator. This makes it significantly quieter than many other robotic or conventional lawn mowers.
Can the Navimow i105E handle sloped lawns?Yes, the Navimow i105E has a remarkable climbing ability of up to 30% (17 degrees), making it suitable for lawns with a slight incline thanks to its rear-wheel drive.
What kind of obstacle detection does the Navimow i105E use?It uses a VisionFence Sensor, which is a camera-based system that recognizes obstacles like branches, furniture, or toys and navigates around them. While effective, very small or flat obstacles might occasionally be overlooked.
Related Reads
- Mammotion 1-Year Extended Warranty for LUBA 3 AWD 3000/3000H review
- Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD Robot Mower review
- Segway-Ninebot brand page
Pros
- Operates without boundary wire
- High navigation accuracy (RTK)
- Robust, high-quality, weatherproof
- Covers areas up to 6,458 sq ft, long battery life
- Very quiet (58 dB)
- Handles 30% incline (17°)
Cons
- RTK antenna positioning requires attention
- No other disadvantages found during testing
Verdict
Ideal for homeowners with up to 6,458 sq ft of lawn. The wireless navigation is its greatest strength. A clear recommendation for anyone who values comfort and precision.