SEGWAY vs SUNSEEKER Robot Mowers: An Introduction and Comparative Guide

Navimow X315 and Sunseeker X7

Introduction

Robot mowers have made leaps and bounds towards improving how lawn care is done, providing a more convenient and efficient method for both homeowners and businesses alike. Here at Garden Machinery (Glos) Ltd, we are licenced providers for both Segway and Sunseeker mowers. Both are both Excellent robot mowers, and we have selected these only after vigorous testing against countless other brands.  But which brand is right for you? In this article we will compare differences between the two to help you decide which is the best fit for your lawn.

Although in this article we will only be comparing the newest X series of segway, do note that there are cheaper options available if you are on a budget or don’t have the need to cover such a wide area as the newer X series models.

Comparison: SEGWAY vs SUNSEEKER X Series

Feature	SEGWAY X Series	SUNSEEKER X Series
Price	£2,199 (1,500M2) up to £4,299 (10,000M2 ) (i-series starts from £949 but doesn’t cover the same area as the X-series) Small yearly fee of around £26 for anti-theft and 4G (Anti-theft module is pre-built into all X models). Free for first year	£1,199(800M2 ) up to £2,699(6,000M2 ) Optional anti-theft and 4G upgrade for £179 plus around £40 per year
Navigation Technology	- EFLS (Exact Fusion Location System) 3.0 Precision positioning supporting 3-frequency RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) and providing major upgrades to VSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Localization and mapping) and VIO (Visual Inertial Odometry) technology - GNSS antenna inside and outside of the mower to improve positioning accuracy - 300° camera system - Uses 4 cameras (2 on the front and one on both sides) for obstacle detection and avoidance. One being 3D and equipped with a TOF (time of flight) sensor. - Uses 2 wheel drive	- AONavi (Always On Navigation) For precise positioning accuracy whilst avoiding signal loss in any outdoor environment. Utilises RTK and VSLAM - 3D Vision from a single Binocular Camera (Visual simultaneous localization and mapping or VSLAM) - Uses All wheel drive which allows it to handle slopes more easily (Though it is not available on the X3 model)
App Integration	Navimow app. We have found it to be generally more user friendly than the Sunseeker app.	Sunseeker robot app
Cutting Performance	Gives a tidy cut using a fixed blade disk	Floating cut system built to adapt to dense grass and uneven terrain
Battery Life	Run time of 120min (X315) Up to 240 minutes (X390) Battery capacity from 6Ah to 12.8Ah	Run time of up to 80 minutes Battery capacity ranges from 4Ah (X3) to 10Ah (X7)
Charge Time	Varies from 60 min (X315)-100min (X390)	Around 1 hr (X3) – 2 hr (X7)
Multi-Zones	No limit to the number of zones that can be set up with pathways between zones and areas where mowing is not permitted	From 6 (X3)-15 (X7) cutting zones can be set up with pathways between zones and areas where mowing is not permitted
Maintenance	Needs servicing once a year which involves cleaning and blade replacement but generally no other maintenance required.	Needs servicing once a year which involves cleaning and blade replacement but generally no other maintenance required.
Distance Covered	From 1,500 m² to 10,000 m²	From 800m2 to 6000m2
Max. Slope	27° (Up to 50%)	From 17°  (30%) on X3 up to 35°  (70%) on the X7
Speed	0.8m/s (X315) up to 1.0m/s (X390)	0.35m/s but has options for slow or fast speed up to 0.45m/s
Cutting width	23.7cm	20cm(X3)-35cm(X7)
Waterproof Protection Level	IPX6	IPX5
Noise	60dB (equivalent to home air conditioning)	60dB (equivalent to home air conditioning)
Rain detection	Can detect rain and has options to avoid cutting when it is raining. Also uses live weather forecast to predict future rain or other weather that might affect performance.	Can detect rain and has options to avoid cutting when it is raining.
Cutting height	20-70mm	20-60mm (X3 & 5) to 20-100mm (X7)
Run Time	Up to 240 minutes	Up to 80 minutes
Anti Theft	Theft Alarms and GPS tracking including an out-of-boundary alarm and lift alerts. On all X series models but is available as an optional add-on for the i-series.	X7 comes with inbuilt anti theft technology but optional add-on for other models. Uses GPS tracking and 4G
Weight	19.6kg-19.9kg (X315-X390) Built to withstand, but heavier and less portable	8.9kg-14kg (X3-X7) Built to be portable and minimalist
Safety	-Emergency stop button on top of robot -You can enable 'Animal friendly' mode so the mower will stay far away from pets and small animals in its vicinity by adjusting its path in real-time.	-Emergency stop button on top of robot
Other Features	-Comes with Alexa and Google Home voice control. -Visual display shows updates on operational status -Can be programmed to act differently in different types of weather -Headlight and EFLS tracking allows it to mow more easily at night	-Comes with Alexa and Google Home voice control. -Always On Navigation -Vision AI -All Wheel Drive (not on X3) -Floating Cut System
Setup	-Has the option for intelligent site selection to help find the best spot for the charging dock and antenna base and lowering the chance of signal issues. -Also has option for AI mapping which automatically scans and maps your garden -Requires mapping by walking around the boundary of the mowing zone	-Requires manually controlling the mower around the desired mowing zone. -Also has option for AI mapping which automatically scans and maps your garden
Warranty	36 month warranty for manufacturer defects	36-month warranty for manufacturer defects if you register at www.sunseekertech.com within 30 days of purchase, otherwise 24 month warranty.

Which Is Better for You?

Both Sunseeker and Segway are excellent, capable robot mowers which should be capable of mowing all sizes of lawn. As such, much of the decision about which one is better for you comes down to personal preference. That said, there are a few reasons why one might be better than the other depending on the layout and size of your lawn. Here are a few questions which might help you in deciding:

Does your lawn have steep inclines?

One big difference between the two is the incline they are built to deal with. The Sunseeker, with it’s all wheel drive is built to deal with slopes up to 35° on the X7 series whereas Segway is only designed to deal with slopes up to 27°.

Are you looking for the cheapest option?

The Segway i-series is the cheapest model we sell at £949, with the caveat that it only covers an area up to 500m² compared to the newer X series models which start at 1500m^2. So as long you don’t require a large area covered this can be the most cost-efficient option. For something slightly more expensive, the Sunseeker X3 comes in at £1,199 and covers an area of up to 800m².

Is your lawn undulating or uneven?

The Sunseeker floating cut system allows the blade disc to move up and down and is designed to adapt to uneven terrain and give a more even cut when compared to other robot mowers.

Do you need a large area covered?

The Segway can cover an area of up to 10,000m² and you are also able to buy a separate signal enhancement antenna to improve signal and distance if necessary. On the contrary, Sunseeker is limited to 6000m² and does not have the option to buy additional antenna for improved coverage.

Do you value more advanced technology and obstacle avoidance?

The Segway features two cameras on the front and one camera on each side as well as a TOF sensor, which improves its ability to detect obstacles in the way and correctly navigate around them. The EFLS(Exact Fusion Location System) is able to pinpoint the mowers location down to a few centimetres giving a consistent and reliable map of the mowers position in your garden. Whilst the Sunseeker’s VSLAM system is clever, using cameras to build a map of surroundings based on visual landmarks, it can become unreliable under certain conditions such as if it is foggy or a visual landmark is moved. Segway also has features such as looking at the forecast to adjust its schedule, having the flexibility of setting up unlimited zones thanks to its RTK technology, and having options such as animal friendly mode and whilst none of these are necessary, they all contribute towards improved performance and efficiency.

Navimow X-series at night

Conclusion

In the SEGWAY vs. SUNSEEKER debate, there is no single "best" mower—only the best mower for your specific lawn and priorities. The ideal choice will vary based on what you need and value most. If your priority is a robot mower that handles rough or uneven terrain with ease, then Sunseeker may be the best fit. However, if you are looking for large scale performance or seeking cutting-edge technological features, then Segway may be the ideal choice. Regardless of what you are looking for, both brands offer all the core benefits of robotic lawn care: Time saved, convenience, increased lawn health, lower maintenance among others.

Before using your robot mower for the first time, it's important to know that these machines work best on regularly maintained lawns. If your grass is overgrown, you should first cut it to a normal height with a traditional lawnmower. Whichever you select, you are investing in a premium automated solution that will provide a beautifully manicured lawn with minimal effort for years to come.

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