The “Smart” designation of this robotic lawnmower only corresponds to its connectivity, its operating mode being identical to that of other Sileno models. It therefore always uses a principle of random navigation, without mapping the terrain and only changing direction when it reaches the perimeter wire or comes up against an obstacle. Although we can at first express some doubts about the effectiveness of such an unintelligent operating mode, it must be recognized that it works perfectly well for a robotic lawnmower whose operating constraints are very different from those of ” a robot vacuum cleaner having to evolve indoors, for example. Indeed, it is a question here of ensuring a uniform mowing, without mark of the passage of the wheels, and with a significant frequency so that the lawn remains permanently at the same height. Under these conditions, random mowing therefore does not pose any particular problem, except that of adjusting the mowing frequency of the different zones.
–
However, the mowing time is necessarily higher compared to a methodically functioning robot and care must therefore be taken to choose the right model according to the area to be mowed and the mowing times authorized. According to the indications given by Gardena in his manual, this Smart Sileno Life 1250 is capable of mowing 60 m² / h with its cutting width of 22 cm. It is therefore necessary to plan for 8.5 hours / day, 7 days a week to be sure of mowing a 500 m² lawn perfectly. Useless however to buy this model if the lawn is only 500 m², a Sileno Life 750 will not take longer to mow (62 m² / h, according to Gardena), the different models of the series being technically identical and simply restrained electronically (like those in the City series, by the way). This is why it is regrettable that there are such price differences from one model to another in the series.
With its three small pivoting blades, the Smart Sileno Life ensures a clean cut of the lawn. Since it mows regularly, the blades of grass cut are very fine, ensuring a mowing type mulching. And it is better to keep a high frequency if you want a good quality mowing result, because the motors of the Smart Sileno Life are not of exceptional power, which can make mowing tall grass difficult. Do not expect to start it at the start of the season without first having mowed it manually – which most manufacturers recommend anyway. Depending on the flatness of the lawn, it can also be tricky to mow fairly close if some tufts of grass are too dense. Despite everything, our test lawn – which is nothing like an English lawn – remains perfectly mowed if we do not have fun spacing the mowing for several days or mowing within 3 cm. Blockages are nevertheless quite rare, the robot being able to extricate itself from delicate situations, according to our observations.
–
Question consumption, our wattmeter recorded an average of 0.031 kWh per charge cycle of 60 minutes. The mower can then mow for approximately 65 minutes, which means that it can, at best, perform 11.5 cycles per day. At this maximum rate, consumption can therefore reach 0.356 kWh per day, or approximately 98 kWh over a mowing season (from March to October = 275 days). At 15.46 cents / kWh, this gives us a maximum cost of € 15 per year. When the mower is charged and does not mow, the docking station consumes nothing when in economy mode.
–
