Wifi Plant Sensor? Over The Top?

[DGoulston]

Over The Top?

Koubachi WiFi Plant Sensor takes your cactii's temperature, sends it to your iPhone -- Engadget

[redser]

I suppose if you have a great passion for something in particular like exotics or orchids then why not

[David_richards]

Wow that seems a little extreme, wonder if I can find an app that makes my tomatoes bigger!

[veggiechicken]

No good to me - no iphone.
Whatever happened to touching the soil with your finger?

[veggiechicken]

Wow that seems a little extreme, wonder if I can find an app that makes my tomatoes bigger!

Try using a magnifying glass!

[Peas'n'Kews]

Me, I'm an old fashioned kinda gel (despite working in IT for umpteen years) so, no, NOT a good idea!

Go with VC - use a finger! Or at worst an auto-opening thingy on yer greenhouse....

[growyourowngrub]

Im for this. I think technology and growing needs to be fully embraced, specially with the world food supplies how they are. Maybe not for hobbyists but im sure things like this could be great.

[veggiechicken]

Im for this. I think technology and growing needs to be fully embraced, specially with the world food supplies how they are. Maybe not for hobbyists but im sure things like this could be great.

Could you explain what benefit it would be please?

[woody21]

it will get the ball rolling on products like this if others come out with competing cheaper products.

its features are very basic for the high cost but its a nice idea if it were £5 per sensor.

ashame it only monitors one plant pot, if they made it as a base station with 10 wired sensors they maybe it would be worth it money.

its been out a while and still no android app or even a mention of android in the works, there have been many updates of the iphone app though. if it were any good they would want to market it to android phone users too.

this product is marketed towards the apple customers that have money to waste which means its cheap junk in a pretty casing imo. no mention of accuracy just sales blurb about 'best-in-class, high-precision soil moisture sensor providing unmatched accuracy' but no info or datasheets on the sensor they use.

if theres a market for something like it cheaper and/or better things will come before long.

[growyourowngrub]

What i mean, is that if products like this can be made on large industrial scales for fields etc, then maybe it could save the over use of water. also save crops if its too dry. Data used over time could then help determine the best of the land with the historical data.

[VirginVegGrower]

it will get the ball rolling on products like this if others come out with competing cheaper products.

its features are very basic for the high cost but its a nice idea if it were £5 per sensor.

ashame it only monitors one plant pot, if they made it as a base station with 10 wired sensors they maybe it would be worth it money.

its been out a while and still no android app or even a mention of android in the works, there have been many updates of the iphone app though. if it were any good they would want to market it to android phone users too.

this product is marketed towards the apple customers that have money to waste which means its cheap junk in a pretty casing imo. no mention of accuracy just sales blurb about 'best-in-class, high-precision soil moisture sensor providing unmatched accuracy' but no info or datasheets on the sensor they use.

if theres a market for something like it cheaper and/or better things will come before long.

Crikey that's a sweeping statement.

[woody21]

What i mean, is that if products like this can be made on large industrial scales for fields etc, then maybe it could save the over use of water. also save crops if its too dry. Data used over time could then help determine the best of the land with the historical data.

the technology already exists and is in use but the data is collected from the harvest rather than sensors in the ground.
while harvesting the machinery inpects and logs quality and quantity of the harvested crop and logs all the data using gps locations to make up a map or the fields production in each area showing in great detail the soil structure and moisture content.

its worth a watch if its shown again.

[woody21]

Crikey that's a sweeping statement.

i should have put more details about why i think its junk.

light sensor and temperature sensor in one unit wont be very usefull, if you put it in direct light you will get abnormally high temperature readings.
put it in the shade for good temperature readings then the light sensors gonna give junk readings.
only good for indoors, not even much good on the windowsil.

cant be used outdoors! (stated on the website). unless its hermetically sealed it wont last too long in humid places like a greenhouse so only good for houseplants imo.
from the faq -
The Koubachi system (iPhone App, Web App) is optimized for indoor plants. You may also use Koubachi for your outdoor or balcony plants. Just keep in mind that the timing of the care instructions does not yet account for local weather conditions such as recent rain or heat waves. For the moment, also the Koubachi Wi-Fi Plant Sensor is certified for indoor uses only.
meaning use it outdoors if you want but kiss ya warranty goodbye!

soil probe is 'best in class' not the best you can get.. marketing way of saying it does something at least, it doesnt appear to be replaceable, and you have to calibrate it too.

in the FAQ on the website,

How do I correctly calibrate a plant?

Calibration is done in three easy steps:

1. Water your plant and make sure it is fully wet.
2. Koubachi will then ask you to check the soil moisture once a day.
3. The cycle is established once the soil is dry.

It is important that you thoroughly check the soil moisture and only report dry soil when the substrate is truly dry.

When is the soil dry?

The easiest way to determine the soil moisture is to use your finger or a pencil.

1. Insert your finger about 2 inches into the soil.
2. The soil is dry, when the soil particles don't stick together anymore.

this made me laugh. whats the point!
so you have to check the plant yourself every day to calibrate it by manually checking the moisture with a pencil or your finger.

all the plant care data that the database uses to help you care for your houseplants was data taken from tests done in greenhouses in zurich.
my house doesnt get hot like a greenhouse! and im in a different part of the world with a different climate.
cant see how this thing can get even close to reliable.

[woody21]

The easiest way to determine the soil moisture is to use your finger or a pencil.

nuff said.

[Feral007]

Apart from the fact I don't have an iphone - I live in a mobile blackspot! So I'd have to borrow someone's iphone and drive 10 k's down the road to see how much water was needed!
I don't mind a little technology but if I can do it a more direct way then I would. I have given a bit of thought to one of those wireless thermometers tho - that way I don't have to go outside to read the thermometer and see if it's -3 or -10C. That's the sort of thing I'd think about buying. I just wouldn't get around to it, since I eventually have to go out no matter how cold it is.

If I needed a wifi thingy to go with an automatic watering system because I didn't have much time at home then it might work. But then I'd rather work less, buy less, and turn me own taps on and off.