I took the MOVA LiDAX Ultra 2000 out for a spin yesterday while we had a few days of nice weather.
I haven’t found a permanent location for the charging station yet, so I just set it out near our back porch. I even moved the station five or six feet while the unit was mowing, and it was still able to dock without issue after the job was complete.
If you were worried about the power supply and cord being too short, don’t be. The cord is long, easily 30 feet, reaching from my house to almost the middle of my backyard.
My previous robotic mower relied solely on vision, but the MOVA LiDAX Ultra 2000 is the first one I've owned that navigates using both 3D LiDAR and a 1080p camera. MOVA calls UltraView 2.0.
The fact that the unit can operate during the early morning, late evening and even at night will fit well with people who have varying schedules.
Mapping was straightforward, with the app walking you through each step. You are presented with two separate mapping options: manual mode, where you walk behind and direct the mower using the onscreen joystick, and AI-assisted mode.
I chose the AI-assisted mode, which was mostly hands-off as expected. However, I did have a slight issue getting the backyard’s map exactly right near my wooden gate. I’m still fine-tuning that area, and it may take more than one mow to get it right.
The app offers customizable settings for obstacle avoidance, including approach distance and object detection height.
In addition to the main 2D map, you can view a 3D spatial map created using the LiDAR sensor, which is not only cool but gives you a simulated bird’s-eye view of your yard, including trees, plants and other large obstacles.
The setup process recommends setting the blade to 6 cm or higher during your first use. I followed those guidelines and didn’t have any issues. While my yard is mostly covered in clover and weeds this time of year, it mowed them well and left crisp, narrow mow similar to other mowers of this size.
The MOVA LiDAX Ultra 2000 saves edging for last.
With both the automatic edge mowing and UltraTrim 1.0 options activated, the mower performs the bulk of its mowing task before returning to the edge for two laps. The first lap mows the edges normally, while the second utilizes the movable blade feature with a blade height of 3 cm. However, you can also initiate an edge-only mow within the app. This is an ideal option if your grass tends to grow faster at the edges than in the rest of the yard.
MOVA claims the LiDAX Ultra 2000 can operate within two inches of obstacles like walls and fences. While I didn't verify the exact measurement, it visibly cuts much closer to the edge in real-world testing than my other robotic mower. However, since I have mostly wood fencing with the pickets out, I chose to use the safe edge mowing option which left a small buffer between the edge to avoid potential scratching.
In my case, manual trimming will still be required. (Maybe just not every week? wink wink)
Setting up the MOVA LiDAX Ultra 2000 is quick and easy. If you handle the firmware updates first, you can be ready to map your lawn in just 10 minutes. It’s quiet, adaptable and meets or exceeds the first run experience I’ve had with my other mower.
The true test will come this summer.
Disclosure: MOVA provided this review unit as part of their Reddit Collaboration Initiative. I wasn’t paid for this post, nor was I required to post. My thoughts are my own.
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