I’ve tested more than 20 robotic lawn mowers this year, installed them for friends and family, and rescued a few from difficult setups. After using the Navimow i105 for several weeks, I’m convinced it deserves attention. It removes the hassle of perimeter wires, maps complex lawns fast, and delivers systematic, predictable cuts thanks to satellite guidance and smart vision. Here’s a practical, hands-on guide to what it does, how it sets up, and whether it’s the right pick for your lawn.
What comes in the box and first impressions
The kit is refreshingly complete: a charging station, the mower, an RTK base station with a pole, a 10-meter power lead, a 10-meter extension cable for the RTK antenna, pegs for tidying cables, and helpful markers for winter storage so you can replace the charging station in exactly the same spot next season.
What stands out immediately is that this system is wire-free. There’s no perimeter cable to bury. Instead, the mower relies on GPS enhanced by RTK and a camera for accurate positioning and obstacle awareness. Physically setting the charging station and RTK post takes minutes: four screws to secure the dock, plug in two leads, and place the RTK pole where it has a clear view of the sky. If you prefer, you can locate the station off the grass to avoid any trimming around it later.
Global Positioning alone is not precise enough for robotic mowing. The Navimow i105 combines standard GPS with RTK, a satellite-guided correction system that improves accuracy dramatically. The result is systematic mowing—straight lines and predictable passes rather than random ping-pong movements.
On top of satellite guidance, the mower uses a wide-angle camera to detect obstacles and build a 3D awareness of the yard. This camera recognizes over 140 types of objects—balls, pets, garden furniture, trampolines—and steers the mower around them while still trying to cut as much grass as possible. That camera also doubles as a backup navigator: if RTK signal is temporarily lost, the mower relies on its visual map to continue until the satellite fix returns.
Set up in under 15 minutes: a step-by-step mapping walkthrough
One of the most impressive things is how fast the mapping process is. I timed a complete setup for a split-site layout: a large rear lawn, a smaller side patch, and a front yard with a ramp access. From screwing the dock down and deploying the RTK post to creating three mapped zones and the connecting channels, the process was smooth and intuitive.
Mapping is driven by the mobile app. The app walks you through a short checklist, asks you to place the mower on the dock for calibration, then guides you as you steer the mower around the perimeter to define zones. Calibration is automatic—place the mower on the charging station, hit calibrate, and the mower moves itself through its checks.
Zones are simple to create. I mapped the main lawn in less than five minutes, drove the mower to the side lawn to define that zone, and then mapped the front yard. Once zones exist, creating channels is straightforward: select “add channel,” start the mower in one mapped zone, and guide it along the narrow path you want it to take. The app draws the channel in real time and saves it as a connection between zones.
There’s an elegant ride-on-boundary mode for edges that are level with a pathway. Switch modes briefly, guide the mower so it straddles an edge, and it will cut right up to the hard surface without leaving a strip to trim. If you make a mistake while mapping, the app provides an eraser tool to reverse the last steps and remap a small section rather than redoing the whole map.
App, configuration, and smart features
The app is the glue that makes everything easy. It offers step-by-step visuals, labelled connections, and clear prompts during mapping and configuration. After setup, here are the features you’ll find most useful:
- Zone scheduling — create independent mowing schedules for each zone or run all zones together.
- ELS camera-assisted positioning — lets the mower continue using visual cues if GPS falters.
- Vision fence — sophisticated obstacle detection with an optional animal-friendly sensitivity setting.
- Weather-adaptive sensors — detect rain, frost, or extreme heat and adapt behavior accordingly.
- Traction control — helpful in wet or muddy conditions to prevent slipping and getting stuck.
- Night mowing — the mower can operate after dark using its front LED if you enable that option.
- Smart home integration — works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for voice control.
- Shareable access and security — easily share control with family or hand over the map; the mower is bound to an account so it’s unusable by others unless unbound.
- Over-the-air updates — firmware updates are delivered via Wi-Fi, bringing fixes and improvements.
- Optional 4G module — adds cellular connectivity, remote monitoring, and geo-fencing/anti-theft features like a stronger geofence.
Most initial mapping steps use a Bluetooth connection, so Wi-Fi is not required right away. However, Wi-Fi is useful for remote configuration and receiving updates. The optional 4G module is worth considering if you need full remote monitoring or anti-theft geofencing.
In daily use, the Navimow i105 mows systematically, favoring straight parallel passes. You can even change the mowing direction to optimize coverage or create patterns. The result is a neat, consistent cut and the option to create lawn art or shapes—think subtle diagonal stripes or a heart for a special occasion.
Obstacle avoidance is convincing. The mower slows and re-routes around objects it recognizes. If a ball rolls into its path or a garden chair sits near the boundary, the camera classifies and navigates around them while still cutting nearby grass. Because it builds a visual map, it learns the environment and returns to expected routes even after temporary signal issues.
Channels make multi-area lawns practical. The mower follows the channel between zones to access isolated patches, climbs small ramps, and negotiates short steps if the grade is modest. On my mixed site of just over 500 square meters, it handled all three zones without intervention and returned to the dock for charging automatically.
Sizing, models, and where the i105 fits
The i105 is aimed at lawns up to roughly 500 square meters and can extend to 600 square meters in ideal conditions. If your property is closer to 1000 square meters, consider the i110 model. Both models share the same core tech: RTK satellite guidance, vision-based obstacle avoidance, and the smart app ecosystem.
Pros, limits, and practical considerations
- Pros
- Truly wire-free operation: no buried perimeter wires.
- Quick, guided setup—mapping a typical zone can take under five minutes.
- Systematic mowing with RTK accuracy for tidy, straight cuts.
- Smart camera avoids many obstacles and builds a 3D local map.
- Weather-adaptive logic and traction control improve reliability in wet conditions.
- Extensive app control including scheduling, zone management, and OTA updates.
- Practical limits
- RTK and the RTK station both need a clear view of the sky; place them away from heavy tree cover or eaves.
- Wi-Fi is required for remote monitoring and some app features; the unit still maps over Bluetooth.
- The 4G module is optional but needed for advanced geofencing/anti-theft features.
- Extreme slopes and very narrow, twisty passages can still challenge any mower. Assess your terrain before buying.
“If I was going to recommend a lawn mower to my mother, for example, this would be it because of how simple it is to set up and how well it works as well.”
How I use it day-to-day
Once scheduled, the mower handles itself. I set a weekly pattern for the main lawn and lighter passes for smaller zones. It cuts quietly enough that noise is not an issue during daytime, and the LED plus night mode make nocturnal mowing feasible if you prefer odd-hour runs. Traction control has been useful through wet November conditions; it prevents excessive slipping and keeps the machine moving reliably.
Because the app allows granular control, I can pause mowing, change cutting height, or run a manual mow on demand. The share function lets me set up the mower for someone else and transfer control when I’m finished—the new owner gets the same map and schedules without starting from scratch.
Black Friday deals and buying advice
There are two practical moments to buy: when you need it right away, or during seasonal sales. From November 20 through December 1, Navimow runs a Black Friday sale with significant discounts—up to several hundred dollars off. If you’re ready to invest, I recommend taking advantage of this window. There’s also an exclusive extra 5% off code that stacks with the sale price; look for the code MARK5 when you’re checking out.
If you plan to store the mower for winter in cooler climates, the included markers let you place the charging station back in the exact same position next spring so you don’t need to remap your lawn. That convenience is a small but valuable design detail.
Choose the i105 if your lawn is under 600 square meters, you want a wire-free setup, and you value predictable, straight-line mowing. It’s ideal for homeowners who want low-maintenance, reliable mowing and who prefer an app-driven experience. If your property is larger or has more complex access needs, consider the larger i110 model.
No. The Navimow i105 is designed to operate wire-free using GPS combined with RTK satellite corrections and camera-assisted vision to map and navigate your lawn.
How long does it take to set up and map a typical lawn?
Most lawns can be mapped in under 15 minutes once the charging station and RTK post are in place. A single main zone often takes less than five minutes. The app guides you step by step through calibration and mapping.
What happens if the RTK signal is lost?
The mower uses its camera and visual positioning system to maintain awareness of its surroundings. It builds a 3D map during operation, so temporary loss of RTK does not immediately stop operation; the mower continues until the satellite fix returns.
Do I need Wi-Fi or 4G?
Wi-Fi is recommended for receiving updates and full remote monitoring. The initial mapping uses Bluetooth, so Wi-Fi is not essential just to map the lawn. A 4G module is optional and unlocks enhanced anti-theft features and full remote access without relying on local Wi-Fi.
Yes. The app allows you to create multiple zones and carve connecting channels. The mower will follow those channels to reach isolated areas and can handle modest ramps and level transitions between lawn areas.
Is it suitable for wet or muddy conditions?
Navimow includes traction control, which helps in wet or soft ground. While it performs well, extreme conditions can affect any mower, so monitor soil conditions and adjust schedules accordingly.
Final thoughts
The Navimow i105 brings wire-free, RTK-accurate mowing to mainstream homeowners with a strong emphasis on intuitive setup and day-to-day reliability. Its combination of satellite precision and camera intelligence reduces the common frustrations of earlier robotic mowers—lost signals, constant rescues, and tedious perimeter wiring.
If you want an automated mowing solution that installs quickly, learns your yard, and handles obstacles with finesse, the i105 is a compelling choice. Take advantage of seasonal discounts where available, especially if you can combine a manufacturer sale with an extra promotional code for additional savings.
For most suburban lawns up to 600 square meters, the Navimow i105 delivers a tidy, low-maintenance approach to lawn care with modern smart features that pay back time and hassle.
