If you’re in the market for a robot lawnmower, you may be wondering whether to opt for a model with RTK satellite or a wire boundary. Both options have their benefits and drawbacks, and your choice will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and requirements. In this blog, we’ll compare the two options to help you make an informed decision.
RTK Satellite
RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) satellite technology is relatively new in robot lawnmowers, entering the market in 2021 with some incredible new features. It uses satellite signals to accurately determine the mower’s position and allows it to create an accurate map of the lawn. With RTK technology, the robot mower can mow your lawn more efficiently, reducing the amount of time it takes to complete the task. The mower can also be programmed to work in specific areas, making it ideal for larger and more complex lawns.
One of the main advantages of RTK robot mowers is that it does not require a physical boundary wire to be installed around the lawn. This is a benefit if you have a complex lawn with multiple areas. What you should consider however is the area of your garden which is sheltered by trees. Whilst boundary-free mowers are great in wide open spaces, in the typical domestic garden where there are large trees and hedges, there are likely going to be black spots where the robot cannot pick up signal. If you compare this to wired options on the other hand, these robots can get right under trees and hedges, leaving much less manual tidying up.
Wire Boundary
A wire boundary, on the other hand, is a physical boundary wire that is installed around the perimeter of your lawn. This wire boundary acts as a guide for the robot lawnmower, ensuring that it does not stray beyond the intended mowing area. One of the benefits of wire boundary is that it is a more reliable and accurate method for guiding the robot lawnmower, especially in areas where satellite signals may be weak or inconsistent.
Another benefit of wire boundary is that it can be installed using heavy duty or armoured cable, meaning cable breaks are a thing of the past. Wired models often also comes with all the features found in RTK models too. Even though it is wired you are still able to program virtual no-zone and set different cutting areas at different heights.
Cost-wise, wiring a robot mower tends to offer a bigger saving as although you are paying for the wire and installation of the boundary, the RTK satellite reference station costs significantly more on top of the purchase price of the mower. With professional robot mower installation, we use a cable laying machine specially designed for installing automowers. Which means the process is extremely easy and you dont have to lift a finger.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the choice between a robot lawnmower with RTK satellite or a wire boundary will depend on your your budget, layout of your lawn, and the number of trees in your garden. While there are many benefits to RTK, if the robot mower is unable to operate in key areas of your lawn due to tree shadow, then a wired boundary may be preferable. With RTK you also will need a suitable position to place the reference station, usually somewhere on the side of the house. If your lawn is small and straightforward, a wire boundary may be the more cost-effective and reliable choice. If you have a wide open lawn and a larger budget, RTK satellite technology provides more flexibility and efficiency. Either way, the performance of the cut is the same regardless of your choice.
In conclusion, both RTK satellite and wire boundary technology have their upsides and downsides. Before making your purchase, be sure to speak to a robot mower specialist, like ourselves so we can assess your lawn and install the correct model for your garden. Otherwise you risk wasting thousands of pounds investing in something which ultimately may not live up to your expectations. Remember, the most expensive isn’t always best, but with the right robot lawnmower, you can achieve the perfect lawn with minimal effort and time.
