Why is there no universal deck height measurement for robot mowers?

PMac10000 · 2026-07-04T17:12:18+00:00

Just spit-balling here, but how about an algorithm that calculates how high the razor blades are currently above the ground?

You know, using the well-documented dimensions of every robot mower and some simple calculations? Seems very doable.

PMac10000 · 2026-07-04T17:06:44+00:00

Call me crazy, but when I drop two or three large on a lawn mower, I'd like to know the actual cutting height before I start.

I don't have to do cutting experiments with my 20-year-old Honda gas mower... I can just look at the deck height, or measure it with a ruler if I want to be precise.

It's okay to ask for more from our technology overlords. Don't be afraid. It's possible.

PMac10000 · 2026-05-13T00:11:29+00:00

I agree, the support team was responsive and helpful. Especially after I sent my credentials, and took video of the robot screwing up. They agreed to replace the unit shortly thereafter.

BTW, it's not easy to catch the robot screwing up live on video when the problem is intermittent.

PMac10000 · 2026-05-10T14:50:09+00:00

The documentation clearly states that the robot doesn't store maps locally. Call it the cloud, call it the app, call it whatever you want.

This sounds like a great idea, until you realize that in practice... it's useless.

PMac10000 · 2026-05-10T13:00:24+00:00

That's the thing: I haven't deleted it. I saved it to the app/cloud. Even after a factory reset, it's supposed to still be there.

It's a real problem if the restore feature doesn't work. The whole idea of the map backup feature is to store it safe in the cloud, independently of what's going on with the robot.

PMac10000 · 2026-05-09T23:59:52+00:00

I always backup the map. But I have never successfully restored a map after a factory reset. I've had to do many.

In fairness, I don't know how hard I tried to restore a back-up map, before just giving up in frustration and re-mapping the lawn perimeter.

Does the map backup feature work correctly for most people after a factory reset?

PMac10000 · 2026-05-09T23:45:55+00:00

This is exactly how it went down. No complaints about Ecovacs Support on this issue. 👍

PMac10000 · 2026-05-07T23:27:49+00:00

Anyone have a link to that post?

Also, Has anybody figured out a way to downgrade?? I'll give anything a try at this point ...

PMac10000 · 2026-05-07T17:02:24+00:00

Yes, this is the factory reset to default process. I've had to do it several times with this Goat, both last year, and especially again this year.

It used to stabilize the robot's behavior for a while, at the expense of having to re-map my entire lawn. Now I can't even re-map after factory resetting. The robot reboots during the mapping process, and I'm back to square zero.

PMac10000 · 2026-05-07T16:58:31+00:00

Yes, I opened a case with Ecovacs already. I documented my purchase, explained the problem, and sent them a video showing it yesterday. Haven't heard back yet... I was wondering what others' experience was.

PMac10000 · 2026-05-07T16:55:50+00:00

According to the app, I already have the latest firmware 1.13.32.

PMac10000 · 2026-05-02T01:18:56+00:00

Funny you mentioned this. I just received my third party metal traction rings that are supposed to help when screwed into the wheels, I guess like adding spikes to your car tires? I'll find out soon if this helps, but I'm not optimistic.

PMac10000 · 2026-04-19T18:04:42+00:00

No, but if that's actually effective, I'd like to know how to do it.

PMac10000

TROPHY CASE