Anyone receive their new Geodrop yet? Install it? Feedback? Mine is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
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Hi @kredmore ,
How did you find the installation process if you had a chance to install it already? There are numerous folks in the U.S. installing the Launch Edition devices over the past few days.
Stanley
Marketing PM
Team GeoDrops
Mine is arriving today via UPS so will post back after install. Perhaps some of the others who have installed their new Geodrops already can share.
My GeoDrops arrived yesterday, on the date expected. I will install as soon as we get some rain.
Installed my new GeoDrop today, easy as usual, I noticed the battery top O-ring seal seemed tighter, so that’s good. Now it’s learning, and I’ll have to calibrate. Good to have a working GeoDrop again, look forward to the advanced features too.
Good to hear @kredmore . Were the instructions okay in terms of removing the o-ring before applying the accompanied silicone grease?
Stanley
Marketing PM
Team GeoDrops
There were no o-ring instructions in the box or as part of the install process, but I have seen the information provided elsewhere (this community for example). I checked the o-ring when I inserted the batteries and there was a light grease coating already.
I received mine last week and installed 2 of them. Installation was easy. Accuracy is spot on on one of them the other is about 20% low on moisture but is just now going through the maximum moisture part of the installation which should remedy it.
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Hi @kredmore ,
Having installed devices recently, I saw the o-ring instruction below. What version of the app was used?
If this screenshot didn’t catch your attention, I would love to understand why.
Stanley
Marketing PM
Team GeoDrops
Sure, understood. App is version 2.0.1, see attached screen shot, plus install screenshots, do not get the clean o-ring install screen shot.
Hi @kredmore,
That screen appears later on in the process. This is however useful feedback.
Stanley
Marketing PM
Team GeoDrops
That doesn’t make sense. Why would you install the batteries and close the cap, then re-open it to clean the o-ring later in the process? Maybe you are referring to a maintenance procedure?
Hi @kredmore ,
The O-ring instructions are intentionally placed at a later stage. Similar to how an underwater camera is prepared, grease should be applied just before closing the cap and inserting the device into the soil to ensure a watertight seal.
Applying the grease too early can cause it to wear off during the connection process due to repeated opening and closing, especially if errors occur during setup.
Hopefully, this makes sense.
Thanks,
Leon
Engineering
Agree on the general process. You said “grease should be applied just before closing the cap”. My app and the screenshots show that the batteries are inserted and the closing of the cap, but there is no mention of the grease. Perhaps you could post a simple video showing the app add a device process including the grease process to clarify?
Hi @kredmore ,
Apologies for the delay. Thanks for sharing the screenshot.
It looks like you might be using an earlier version of the GeoDrops app where that specific screen looked a bit different.
Please make sure your GeoDrops app is fully up-to-date:
- Open your phone’s app store:
- Apple App Store (for iOS devices)
- Google Play Store (for Android devices)
- Search for “GeoDrops.”
- If an update is available, tap Update.
Many phones are set to update apps automatically, but sometimes it helps to manually check.
Once your app is updated to the latest version, you should see the screen you’re looking for. If you’re still not seeing it, or have any other questions, please reply here in this thread!
Thanks,
Stanley
Marketing PM
Team GeoDrops
I have 2.0.6 from the Apple App store, and see the same sequence of screens where it says take the batteries out, enter wifi info, then close the cap. Again, no mention of cleaning/greasing the o-ring. Is there a full Geodrop install video that shows the install process with the soil, app and greasing? I can’t find one online.
Hi @kredmore ,
Apologies for the late response. Regarding the video on the o-ring, we’re working on it and it will be shared as part of the upcoming app release.
In terms of the installation into the soil, this video covers most scenarios:
Here are other videos in case you have a raised/elevated bed or compost/sandy/potting soil.
Hope this helps,
Stanley
Marketing PM
Team GeoDrops
I installed all 4 droplets - one never came out of soil sensing so I had to reinll it.
There seems to be a large and variable lag for the devices to update, and inconsistencies in last status update timestamp and last read from the device. For instance, the last update a minute ago is still not showing up as I type this. Here are some screenshots, hoping it helps support. Including some snapshots from my firewalla router to show the pings from the device.
