Ljudi iz Elecrowa^(Elecrow) pokreću Kickstarter za svoj najnoviji proizvod, GrowCube . GrowCube je “pametni komplet za automatsko zalijevanje” koji koristi senzore vlage spojene na aplikaciju GrowCube koji vas upozoravaju kada vaša biljka treba vodu. GrowCube će automatski zalijevati^(GrowCube) do četiri vaše biljke.

Možda se sjećate Elecrowa^(Elecrow) iz naše recenzije CrowPi2^{(review of the CrowPi2)} , Raspberry Pi prijenosnog računala koji uključuje zbunjujući niz značajki za igranje igara, kodiranje i stvaranje interaktivnih elektroničkih objekata. Elecrow očito ima neke kreativne inženjere koji rade za njih, a oni su smislili još jedan inovativni proizvod^{(innovative product)} .

Imali smo priliku isprobati GrowCube kako bismo vidjeli odgovara li hypeu. Provest ćemo vas kroz što GrowCube radi, što ćete dobiti ako ga kupite i naša razmišljanja o njegovoj kvaliteti i performansama.

Što dolazi u kutiji GrowCube?

Unutar paketa GrowCube pronaći ćete:

• 1 GrowCube
• 4 senzora vlažnosti tla
• 4 mlaznice
• 1 cijev za vodu dužine 10m
• 1 glava filtera
• 12 zagrada
• 1 rezač cijevi za vodu
• 1 strujni adapter
• 1 korisnički priručnik

Sam GrowCube je 180x170x100 mm i ima napajanje^{(power supply)} od 12V/2A . Spremnik za vodu može primiti do 1,5 litara, što Elecrow kaže da bi trebalo biti dovoljno za 15 dana za četiri posude s biljkama.

Također ćete htjeti preuzeti aplikaciju GrowCube , dostupnu za iOS i Android .

Što radi GrowCube?

U svijetu u kojem su uređaji Interneta stvari^{(Internet of Things)} sve češći, stalno se pitamo: "Treba li ovaj objekt stvarno^(really) biti povezan s internetom?" Za GrowCube , odgovor je glasno: "Da!" Iako GrowCube^(GrowCube) možete koristiti bez internetske veze, htjet ćete ga spojiti na internet kako biste izvukli maksimum iz ovog proizvoda.

GrowCube u biti^(GrowCube) radi četiri stvari:

1. Pruža^(Provides) podatke o razini vlage tla vaših biljaka.
2. Automatski zalijeva biljke odgovarajućom količinom.
3. Bilježi podatke o vlažnosti tla, operacijama zalijevanja i temperaturi okoliša u biljni dnevnik.
4. Omogućuje vam pristup ogromnoj bazi podataka o biljkama i održavanju postrojenja.

Kako koristiti GrowCube 

Početno postavljanje za GrowCube je brzo i jednostavno. Nakon ugradnje filtera u spremnik, spojite jedan od senzora vlage u tlu na stražnju stranu GrowCubea^(GrowCube) . Stavite drugi kraj u zemlju. Korisnički priručnik daje nekoliko savjeta i trikova za najbolje postavljanje senzora vlage u tlu.

Zatim izrežite cijev za vodu na pravu duljinu. Trebao bi doseći od biljke do GrowCube . Zatim spojite mlaznicu na cijev za vodu i postavite mlaznicu na podnožje biljke. Htjet ćete da voda koja izlazi iz mlaznice dođe do korijena vaše biljke, stoga je postavite na razinu tla blizu stabljike. Provjerite^(Make) jesu li male rupe u mlaznici okrenute prema dolje, u tlo. Inače će voda prskati iz lonca. Možete koristiti nosače za pomoć pri pozicioniranju mlaznice.

Nakon što su senzori i mlaznice postavljeni, napunite GrowCube spremnik vodom i uključite napajanje. Vidjet ćete kako crvena i plava svjetla trepere naizmjenično. To znači da GrowCube čeka da konfigurirate mrežu.

Instalirajte aplikaciju^(App) i odaberite^(Choose) način povezivanja^{(Connection Mode)}

Sljedeći korak je instaliranje aplikacije GrowCube na vaš iOS ili Android uređaj. GrowCube ima dva načina rada: Direct Connection Mode i Networking Mode . Preporučuju mrežni način rada^{(Networking Mode)} koji se povezuje s vašom wifi mrežom. Ako koristite mrežni način rada^{(Networking Mode)} , moći ćete dodati više GrowCubes i sve ih pratiti putem aplikacije. 

Ako nemate WiFi , možete koristiti način izravne veze^{(Connection Mode)} , koji omogućuje da se telefon izravno poveže s GrowCube . Međutim, ako koristite način izravne veze^{(Connection Mode)} , vaš telefon neće biti povezan s internetom preko WiFi -a . Zato smo odabrali Mrežni način rada^{(Networking Mode)} .

Nismo imali problema s postavljanjem mrežnog načina rada^(Mode) putem aplikacije GrowCube . Jednako je jednostavno bilo dodati biljke u aplikaciju. Možete dati nadimak svakoj biljci povezanoj s GrowCube . Unesite^(Enter) podatke o svakoj biljci u aplikaciju, a GrowCube će automatski dodati informacije iz svoje baze podataka o biljci, poput optimalne razine vlage u tlu. Ako ne može pronaći biljku u svojoj bazi podataka, možete ručno unijeti željeni raspon vlažnosti tla. 

Nakon što dodate svoje biljke u aplikaciju GrowCube , možete se opustiti, uvjereni da će vaše biljke biti zalijevane odgovarajućom količinom. Kada razina vode padne, aplikacija će prikazati podsjetnik za ponovno punjenje spremnika. Aplikacija će vas također upozoriti ako je bilo koja od cijevi za vodu blokirana ili ako je neki od senzora isključen.

Dodajte vanjski dovod vode

GrowCube uključuje^(GrowCube) nekoliko naprednih značajki za koje mislimo da će biti stvarno korisne. Ako spremnik za vodu nije dovoljno velik za vaše biljke, GrowCube možete spojiti na vanjski dovod vode.

Kako radi GrowCube?

Općenito, čini se da je GrowCube kvalitetan proizvod, posebno cijevi, što je dobro jer je to najvjerojatnije mjesto za kvar cijelog sustava. Sumnjamo da je cijev napravljena od silikona. S cijevima manje kvalitete, morali biste je zagrijati kako ne bi procurila. Nema potrebe za tim s GrowCube . Nadalje^{(Furthermore)} , rezač cijevi za vodu radi jako dobro. 

Najteža stvar kod postavljanja GrowCubea^(GrowCube) je osigurati da male rupe na mlaznici budu okrenute prema tlu. 

Priključci na stražnjoj strani GrowCubea^(GrowCube) su magnetski utikači. Na konektoru postoji urez pa radi samo u jednom smjeru. Odmah ćete znati ako ga pogrešno postavite. Magnetni konektor također znači da ako se kabel izvuče, GrowCube se neće prevrnuti i proliti vodu. 

Automatski sustav za zalijevanje učinio je točno ono što kaže da će učiniti, a nakon tjedan dana korištenja, naša je biljka izgledala zdravije nego ikad. Sasvim je moguće da ga prije nismo dovoljno zalijevali, a GrowCube je to ispravio. 

Općenito, sviđa nam se GrowCube . U najmanju ruku, koristit ćemo ga za zalijevanje nekoliko biljaka dok smo izvan grada. Neće svatko htjeti da se sve te cijevi i senzorski kabeli vide među njihovim biljkama, a da ne spominjemo sam GrowCube , ali ako vam to ne smeta, nabavite ovaj proizvod.

Review of GrowCube: Smart Plant Watering

Thе folks over at Elecrow are launching a Kickstarter for their newest product, the GrowCube. GrowCube is a “smart automatic watering kit” that uses moisture sensors connected to the GrowCube app that alert you when your plant needs water. The GrowCube will water up to four of your plants automatically.

You might remember Elecrow from our review of the CrowPi2, a Raspberry Pi laptop that includes a bewildering array of features for gaming, coding, and creating interactive electronic objects. Elecrow clearly has some creative engineers working for them, and they’ve come up with another innovative product.

We had the opportunity to try the GrowCube to see if it measures up to the hype. We’ll walk you through what the GrowCube does, what you’ll get if you buy one, and our thoughts on its quality and performance.

What Comes in the GrowCube Box?

Inside the GrowCube package, you’ll find:

• 1 GrowCube
• 4 soil moisture sensors
• 4 nozzles
• 1 water tube 10m in length
• 1 filter head
• 12 brackets
• 1 water tube cutter
• 1 power adapter
• 1 user manual

The GrowCube itself is 180x170x100 mm and takes a 12V/2A power supply. The water tank can hold up to 1.5 liters, which Elecrow says should be enough for 15 days for four pots of plants.

You’ll also want to download the GrowCube app, available for both iOS and Android.

What Does the GrowCube Do?

In a world where Internet of Things devices are becoming increasingly common, we constantly ask ourselves, “Does this object really need to be connected to the internet?” For the GrowCube, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” While you can use the GrowCube without an internet connection, you’ll want to connect it to the internet to get the most out of this product.

The GrowCube essentially does four things:

1. Provides data on the moisture level of your plants’ soil.
2. Automatically waters plants with the appropriate amount.
3. Records data on soil humidity, watering operations, and environmental temperature in a plant diary.
4. Gives you access to a massive database of information on plants and plant maintenance.

How to Use the GrowCube 

The initial setup for the GrowCube is fast and easy. After installing the filter inside the tank, connect one of the soil moisture sensors to the back of the GrowCube. Put the other end into the soil. The user manual gives some tips and tricks for the best placement of the soil moisture sensors.

Next, cut the water tube to the right length. It should reach from the plant to the GrowCube. Then connect the nozzle to the water tube and place the nozzle at the base of the plant. You’ll want the water that comes out of the nozzle to reach your plant’s roots, so place it at soil level near the stem. Make sure the tiny holes in the nozzle are facing downward, into the soil. Otherwise, the water will spray out of the pot. You can use the brackets to help position the nozzle.

Once the sensors and nozzles are placed, fill the GrowCube tank with water and turn on the power supply. You’ll see red and blue lights flashing alternately. That means the GrowCube is waiting for you to configure the network.

Install the App and Choose a Connection Mode

The next step is to install the GrowCube app on your iOS or Android device. GrowCube has two modes: Direct Connection Mode and Networking Mode. They recommend Networking Mode which connects to your wifi network. If you use Networking Mode, you’ll be able to add multiple GrowCubes and monitor them all via the app. 

If you don’t have WiFi, you can use Direct Connection Mode, which allows the phone to connect directly to the GrowCube. If you use Direct Connection Mode, though, your phone won’t be connected to the internet over WiFi. That’s why we chose Networking Mode.

We didn’t have any trouble setting up Networking Mode via the GrowCube app. It was equally easy to add plants to the app. You can give a nickname to each plant connected to the GrowCube. Enter information about each plant into the app, and GrowCube will automatically add information from its database about the plant, like the optimal soil moisture level. If it can’t find the plant in its database, you can manually enter the desired soil moisture range. 

Once you’ve added your plants to the GrowCube app, you can sit back, confident that your plants will be watered the correct amount. When the water level gets low, the app will display a reminder to refill the tank. The app will also alert you if any of the water tubes are blocked or if any of the sensors are disconnected.

Add an External Water Supply

The GrowCube includes a few advanced features we think will be really useful. If the water tank isn’t big enough for your plants, you can connect the GrowCube to an external water supply.

How Does the GrowCube Perform?

Overall, the GrowCube appears to be a quality product, especially the tubing, which is good because that’s the most likely place for the whole system to fail. We suspect the tubing is made of silicone. With lesser-quality tubing, you’d have to heat it up to ensure it wouldn’t leak. There’s no need for that with the GrowCube. Furthermore, the water tube cutter works really well. 

The hardest thing about setting up the GrowCube is making sure the tiny holes on the nozzle are facing into the soil. 

The connectors on the back of the GrowCube are magnetic plugs. There is a notch on the connector so it only works one way. You’ll know immediately if you put it in the wrong way. The magnetic connector also means that if the cord gets yanked out, the GrowCube itself won’t fall over, spilling water. 

The automatic watering system did exactly what it says it’ll do, and after using it for a week, our plant looked healthier than ever. It’s quite possible that we weren’t watering it enough before, and GrowCube has corrected that. 

Overall, we like the GrowCube. At the very least, we’ll use it to keep a few plants watered while we’re out of town. Not everyone will want all those tubes and sensor cords to be visible among their plants, not to mention the GrowCube itself, but if you don’t mind that, get this product.

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