Lidl Parkside 20V 1000M2 robot mower review

mhairt

I got a replacement mower sent out but it won't charge and I get abnormal battery function message. The issue is not with the charger as it charges my old one. Anyone any suggested fixes?

mcauleydjm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123450805#Comment_123450805

Swap the battery from old mower?

Aras64

Hi. Maybe this will help someone, or maybe someone will advise me on what to do about connecting the robot to the internet and Lidl Home. The robot is a PMRDA B1, purchased in 2024, but it has never been used before.

First of all, the robot has a strange algorithm—it cannot access the menu until it detects the boundary wire signal. This can be a significant obstacle if someone wants to set it up indoors.

When I brought it home along with the charging station, luckily, the robot accepted a coiled spare boundary cable connected next to the station as its reference point. However, this cable had to be placed to the right of the charging station from the robot's perspective. If placed on the left, I received a message that the robot was out of bounds.

Next, I personally encountered issues when trying to connect it to the internet.

First, Lidl Home required location access to be enabled.

Then, I disconnected all devices from my router—but that didn’t help. After that, I set my router to the least secure WiFi algorithm available today, WEP. This actually worked, and the robot finally connected.

However, another issue arose. To update Lidl Home, there is a small icon in the top Right corner. If the robot is connected to the internet, I navigated to the menu and found the required update section. But instead of updating, the robot displayed a message saying it couldn’t proceed with the update. There was an option for automatic updates, though. I enabled it and left the robot running overnight.

During the night, I accidentally pressed the start button on my phone, and the robot eagerly followed the command, leaving the station and preparing to mow the grass.

By morning, I found that the firmware had been updated to version 4.8 from August 12 2024. I don’t know if this is the latest version or not.

After that, I tried connecting the robot to my mobile internet through a phone hotspot. I enabled WiFi, hotspot, and location services, but the robot still refused to connect. Remembering the router’s WEP setting issue. I completely disabled all security settings on the phone WIFI hotspot. No security option. After doing that, the robot finally connected.

However, keeping a phone outside overnight just for the robot to update is not an ideal solution.

My opinion: If the robot could connect to the home router while outdoors, keeping the router permanently set to WEP—a highly outdated security protocol—would be a terrible idea.

If the robot only updates automatically instead of manually, and internet connectivity issues persist, the manufacturer could at least announce the latest firmware version and release date online.

Alternatively, kind people on this forum could post comments sharing the latest firmware version and date once an update is completed.

Apologies if my writing is unclear. I am not a native English speaker, and my English is poor. If the text is incomprehensible, administrators may delete it. :)

________________________________________________________________

I conducted a test with firmware version 4.8. I deleted the robot from Lidl Home and attempted to connect it to the router using the WPA2 security protocol. It was difficult, but after several attempts, the robot finally connected to the router and registered in the system.

I enabled automatic updates in the Lidl Home app. However, how the robot will connect to the router while being outdoors remains uncertain.

68508224

I'm looking for replacement blades and screws. I see blades available widely online but have read the screws don't match the original Parkside ones. Does anyone know the name/size or type of the originals so I can order them separately?

Sami23

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123464975#Comment_123464975

https://lawnmowerpartsonline.ie/product/9-titanium-blades-for-lidl-parkside-prma-and-prmda-robot-mowers-92000041-2?_gl=1*1y1gwfm*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwravBBhBjEiwAIr30VB_kyZFr_tMLIis_xDaaC5MCUXoA_UimIb0ehsZ5FwgP2be9V95iPBoCWooQAvD_BwE

Raoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123457123#Comment_123457123

I have never updated mine that I got a few years ago. Is it worth it? I don't even know how to connect it to anything. I don't see any options in the menu to connect to wireless or Bluetooth

gkp1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123412251#Comment_123412251

I have this problem with the 500m version. Fine for a few days but then switches off and doesn't go out when scheduled.

Aras64

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123466303#Comment_123466303

If the robot’s functioning satisfies the unwritten rules of software, don’t meddle with what’s already working well :). And yes, first of all, the robot must be the 1000‑square‑meter version because the 500 version does not have an internet connectivity function.

Secondly, the robot must be able to reach your router’s signal when it is located at the base charging station. Otherwise, you will have to carry the robot to the router at home along with the entire base station. Plus, when connecting to the charging station, there is a slight limitation on the cable length.

Next, depending on your phone—whether it runs on Android or iOS—download the Lidl Home app (for Android, from Google Play). Install it and grant any permissions it requests.

Then follow these steps: In the robot’s menu, select “Settings” and then “WiFi Set.” In older versions, it might have a different name for WiFi Set, but something similar. On your phone, enable location services (GPS), Bluetooth, and WiFi. Launch the Lidl Home app. It will start searching for devices and display a menu of devices. Select “Others.” If you scroll down, you will see the robot’s icon. Tap on it. If everything goes well, the next step in the app will be to input your router’s wireless network name and password. You should know these details in advance and enter them in the appropriate fields. Press “Next.” If all goes well, the app will connect the robot to your home internet router. If it does not connect, repeat the steps. Remember that the robot’s WiFi Set mode may be active for about 3 minutes. If everything goes well, you can later disable Bluetooth and location services as well—provided the robot has successfully connected to the router. If it has not connected, the menu will show the robot’s icon, and tapping it in an attempt to enter the robot’s menu on your phone will result in the app displaying a message that the robot did not connect.

One added bonus of the robot connecting to your home router is that you can control it from anywhere in the world via your phone—as long as you have internet access.

To update the robot’s firmware, launch the Lidl Home app on your phone. It must have internet access. Tap the robot’s icon. If it connects successfully, tap the small icon in the upper-right corner. Once in the menu, there will be an option at the bottom to view the robot’s version and update it. When pressing it, I was not able to update the robot’s firmware manually. However, there is a slider for automatic updates; slide it to the right. After some time, you can exit the menu and the Lidl Home app. If the robot is connected to your home router, it will usually update its firmware automatically at night. You will know this if, when turning on the robot in the morning, it asks you to re-enter the language, date, and time settings.

I have outlined how everything should generally proceed. However, there can be plenty of nuances and errors. The point is that when connecting, it is always unclear what is happening with the robot, because error handling is minimal. There are practically no notifications—it either connects or it doesn’t.

———————————————

P.S. The robot uses WiFi 2.4 GHz. Your router must operate on the same frequency—new routers that use only 5 GHz may not be suitable. Bluetooth also uses that same frequency. I believe that in the initial stage, when the robot is controlled via Bluetooth while simultaneously connecting to WiFi on the same frequency, connection issues may arise. I’m not sure whether this is a coincidence or if it actually helps; when the phone switched to pairing mode—which it does slowly and is clearly noticeable—I simply placed the phone on top of the robot’s cover.

SeanF

Hi all, I've just bought Lidl Parkside mower. I've opened the box, but I haven't set it up yet. I have a fairly small back garden which would probably be ideal for this mower. However, we have a pathway that cuts off one section of the garden. I really don't want the boundary wire to cross over on each end of the pathway. Is there a workaround I can do? I've read about secondary areas in the manual, but I'm not sure how to apply this to my garden without boundary wires crossing over the path. Any ideas/suggestions welcome.

jacool

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123471278#Comment_123471278

My garden is like that. I thought the wires were going to look terrible, but truth is, after a week I don't even see/notice them anymore. Probably not the actual answer you wanted, but Plan B if no one has a better idea.

darragh o meara

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123471278#Comment_123471278

Worst case you could chase some of the concrete between the slabs and bury the wire in the cracks and concrete over it. The mower will detect it up to 5cm deep as far as I remember. I have a new edging spade on route to bury mine in the grass as my mower decided to cut the wire twice on a tight spot near the base station.

Irish TuneR

1000sqm model back on 29th, still at €350. Looks like the base station wire connection looks different along with the button panel. Will try for the little house again.

TheSunIsShining

Just wondering, as a potential newcomer to buying this, if you can have two separate areas that the machine will cut?

ongarite

Generally, no. If the 2 sections were separated by narrow path, you could run the perimeter wire over the path & loop back to charging station.

If not a second charging station & wire would be required.

Sami23

Out of curiosity and it's probably been asked before but how many days a week on average are people send their mowers out cutting.

I put mine out about 3 times per week and never out in the rain.

Entonces

Would it cut a second zone if you lifted it to that zone and started it?

ongarite

The zone has to be powered by the charging station to complete the circuit & mower to detect the boundaries.

Sami23

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123477263#Comment_123477263

Anyone ?

cuculainn

Same as that. Will up to 4 days when growth gets too much. I generally let it mow from 12 to 6

cruel

Few hours every day when it don't rain. Don't care if the mower wears down faster, will buy maybe Mammotion or Husqvarna to cover the whole yard at some point. No turning back from robot mowers now. :)

shelly24

Hi

I received a replacement mower for the one that like many others here bought last summer and didn't work this year. It appears to be different from the one that lidl had for a sale a few weeks ago and unfortunately it came with no manual. Can anyone who received a replacement mower last month confirm what model it is and then I can try look up the manual

cruel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123481642#Comment_123481642

I bought this two weeks ago, its the new version. I think not much changes, maybe the display part holds rainwater better. I have the manual. PAMR 500 A1

gaming_needs90

I bought the 500m2 version a couple of weeks ago - that was 200.

The 1000m2 version is coming in for 350. Does anyone know if it actually is worth the upgrade? The old one is still in the box and I can bring it back!

Previously a poster said the 500m2 version can do 1000m2 just wiht more passes. So what is the upside to this version?

darragh o meara

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123483183#Comment_123483183

I had a look and from what I could tell, the 100m2 one has the app control which the 500m2 doesnt ( or at least neither of mine did anyway ) I would imagine it has a bigger battery too.

Fighting Tao

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123421500#Comment_123421500

I meant to reply earlier. The issue was extra wire under the base. It crossed over too. Thank you for your help.

ShaunC

I got mine a few weeks ago and set it up to go out for 4 hours every day in 2 hour stints. I might reduce it at a later date but the lawn is big enough that it won't complete the job in 2 or 3 hours.

All going well so far, except for the odd suicidal fall over a kerb and going crooked into the docking station. Both my own fault for not being more careful when laying the wires.

gaming_needs90

No sign of these in two shops this morning in cork. Apparently delayed. This is becoming a common theme for Lidl, wonder what the issue is

Schorpio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123495643#Comment_123495643

Yep, I was also looking for one but no sign of them in either Churchfield or Ballyvolane. Lots of the 500m2 version still in both stores, wonder if that had anything to do with it.

gaming_needs90

Contacted customer service and they are definiteyl delayed across the board. Issue is they don't give any date for restock.

rojito

Picked one up from a Lidl in southwest Dublin yesterday at 8.30am, they had 5-6 more in stock at that point. The cashier was bemused by it, she said a few had been bought already and they only opened at 8.