Interesting characteristics
The Goat O1200 RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) is part of the new range of ecovacs mowing robots, alongside the small O500 “Panorama” and the largest A1600 RTK model. In the first contact, the Goat O1200 RTK inspires confidence. The design is modern and compact, with sober lines, a solid shell and well thought out ergonomics.
It is specifically designed for surfaces up to 1200 m², with a relatively compact chassis (around 60 X 40 x 26 cm) and a controlled weight to facilitate its manipulation (15 kg). Its cutting width is 22 cm, using a tray provided with three swivel blades. The cutting height is adjustable between 30 and 80 mm to adapt to different types of lawns. The “Mulche” cutting engine finely the grass, which is redesigned on the ground by naturally fertilizing the lawn (mulching principle).
Under the hood, the Goat O1200 RTK has a lithium-ion battery of 5,200 mAh offering it an autonomy of around 1:45 a.m. In practice, this allows it to cover up to 180 m² per hour by progressing at 0.5 m/s, the capacity to maintain a lawn of 1200 m² perfectly mowed with regular returns at its base to recharge. Complete recharging takes approximately 2 hours, which remains in the high average of the market. The robot is as silent as it is announced: with a sound level measured around 57-59 dB (A) in operation, it is much more discreet than a thermal mower, even if a slight rolling noise remains perceptible when it moves.
The device is IPX6 certified, which makes it perfectly resistant to rain and water cleaning. This greatly simplifies the maintenance, especially since it is a robot supposed to remain outside most of the year. It is also equipped with multiple sensors, including a wide angle front camera and a Lidar rangefinder, at the heart of its navigation and obstacle detection system. Besides, rain is no longer an obstacle because a rain sensor is integrated to break the mowing if necessary, but the device itself does not fear humidity.
Finally, an anti -theft system is present, a must on this type of expensive product! The Goat O1200 RTK requires an association to your account via the application and has a GPS location, making it unusable by a third party in the event of theft, in addition to a possible PIN or alarm code (depending on the settings) to dissuade any attempt.
An installation simplified by RTK technology
One of the major arguments of this model is the total absence of peripheral cable. Instead, Ecovacs relies on an RTK mast, to be installed in the garden. This mast, which connects to the mains, plays the role of reference station for the GPS navigation of the robot. Thanks to this technology, combined with on -board sensors, the mower is capable of locating the nearest centimeter, even in partially shaded areas.
The installation is fast, especially in comparison with the models requiring a perimeter wire. The mast must be positioned in a clear location to optimize the satellite reception, connect the recharge base also in a clear space, then let the mower perform a first exploration of the garden. This initial location can be guided via the application (Bluetooth) or left in automatic mode, but the result is far from optimal (do not expect the mower magically to guess every corner of the first stroke without intervention on your part). In any case, the cartography is recorded in a few minutes, and can then be refined by hand. We can define prohibited areas, differentiated mowing areas, and adjust the limits very easily without ever touching a tool. The process is generally intuitive, but requires a little concentration during the first handling.
Compared to tag systems or cables, this approach considerably lightens the installation and makes it much cleaner visually. No accessory is cluttering the garden. The only point of attention remains the location of the RTK mast, which must be well chosen to guarantee good GPS coverage. But once this constraint is taken into account, the rest is done without a hitch. However, it is important to specify that the base but also the RTK mast must be connected to the sector permanently (only one socket for both), which still forces not to put them anywhere!
Intelligent navigation and daily use
Once the cartography is carried out, the mower can start working. And there again, the “waouh” effect is very real. Thanks to the RTK positioning, the LIDAR and the camera, the Goat O1200 RTK moves in a fluid, efficient and perfectly organized way. Unlike conventional robots that advance randomly, it mowed in parallel strips, as an experienced gardener would do. The result is clean, homogeneous, and gives the lawn a good regular look. However, he can forget about small areas. Also note that from the application you can choose in which direction the mower will start and therefore optimize its mowing.
The robot is also very reactive in the face of obstacles. Toys, forgotten tools, animals, branches: everything is detected, bypassed, or avoided thanks to real -time analysis of on -board sensors. The AIVI 3D system (visual recognition AI) makes the difference here. The collisions are extremely rare, and security is reinforced by an immediate stop of the blades in the event of an uprising.
This navigation clarification is also verified in complex areas. The robot can go through narrow corridors (up to 70 cm wide), manage slopes up to 45 %, and return to its base without getting lost. Even under trees, where the satellite signal can weaken, positioning remains reliable thanks to the combination of the different sensors.
Finally, in addition to its autonomous functions, the Goat O1200 RTK also has a manual mode, accessible from the Ecovacs Home application. This mode allows you to directly control the mower like a small radio -controlled vehicle, using directional commands on smartphone.
This mode is very useful for making a quick and targeted mowing on a precise area without launching a complete cycle, correcting a punctual forgetting, maintaining a small freshly cleared surface or even easily move the mower without having to wear it.
The handling is simple: via the mobile interface, just slide your finger to orient the robot in real time (connected in Bluetooth). The speed is moderate to keep a precise control, and of course, the safety systems remain active (stopping blades in the event of an uprising or significant obstacle).
A quality of mowing at the rendezvous?
Over the weeks, the Goat O1200 RTK has proven that it was not only intelligent, but also effective. The mowing is fine, clear, and regular. The grass is well mulching, which avoids the accumulation of residues on the ground. The frequency of passages makes it possible to maintain a constant lawn height, with a beautiful visual rendering.
The robot is also able to adjust its cutting height in several passages if it detects an area where the grass is higher than expected. This progressive behavior makes it possible to manage occasional regrowth without forcing or damaging the engine. On the other hand, like all robots of this type, it is not designed to mow a 30 cm meadow left abandoned. He excels in regular maintenance, not in brushcutting!
Regarding the borders, the results are more mixed. Thanks to its camera and its sensors, the mower manages to approach closer than the previous models, but there is always a fine line of grass which continues to push and which you will have to cut with a-storey cut, except for the places where the edges are flat (like between your lawn and a terrace at the same height) because in this case, the mower allows itself to overcome them.
After passing mower
After passing mower +-edge cutter
Finally, it should be noted that the mower can go into places from 70 cm wide and that it attacks slopes up to 45%.
A complete mobile application
All robot management is done via the Ecovacs Home application, well known to brand robot vacuum cleaners. It allows you to consult the garden card, launch or program mowing, modify areas, change the cutting height, or even follow the history of interventions.
The interface is clear, fluid, and regularly updated. Functions such as mowing differentiated by zone, rain detection, or notification in the event of an anomaly, strengthen the autonomy of the system. The robot can work completely alone after the initial configuration, or be checked punctually if necessary.
One of the only criticisms that could be formulated concerns the limitation to a single memory card. If you want to use the mower on two separate terrains (in front and behind an unconnected house, or on two properties), it will be necessary to reconfigure the cartography each time. On the other hand, multi-zone management within the same field is very well thought out.
Finally, it is also that we access the “security” function. The mower has an alarm if it is raised, but can also serve as a “guardian”. You can, as on some robot vacuum cleaner, have access to your camera to visualize what is happening in your garden, and move the mower accordingly. A real little snow!
Maintenance and autonomy
The Goat O1200 RTK is designed to stay outside all year round. Its IPX6 index allows water jet cleaning, which facilitates the maintenance of the chassis. The blades will have to be changed several times a year depending on the frequency of use, but their replacement is simple and the spare parts are easy to find, in addition to those provided in the box.
The autonomy of approximately 1h45 is enough to effectively maintain an area of 1,200 m² in several passages spread over the week. The robot recharges alone and resumes where it stopped, without intervention. The whole is therefore very fluid in a continuous mowing cycle. For my 500m² plot, the mower manages it at once without worry.
Price and availability
The Goat O1200 RTK from Ecovacs is already available at a price of 1299 euros. A price that may seem high but not that much compared to others, especially since it can be justified by its performance and on -board technology.
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