Blossom Smart Watering Controller Review
by Ganesh T S on August 28, 2015 8:10 AM ESTMiscellaneous Aspects and Concluding Remarks
Power consumption is an important aspect of home automation equipment. We hooked up the Blossom Smart Watering Controller to a Kill-a-Watt meter and recorded 4.3W as the power consumption at the wall during operation. The unit itself gets a little warm to touch, but nothing too worrisome, as the thermal photograph below shows. When the zones are in operation, there is an audible whine from the unit. Given that the unit is going to either be installed in a garage or outdoors, it is not much of an issue.
The following table summarizes the various home automation aspects / consumer checklist for the Blossom Smart Watering Controller and how it compares with the other systems that we have evaluated before.
| Home Automation Device Aspects - Summary Table | ||
| Aspect | ||
| Evaluated Devices | Blossom Irrigation Controller | mPower mPower Pro InWall Outlet InWall Dimmer Switch |
| Communication Technology | Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) Powerline Communication (PLC) |
Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) |
| Platform | Marvell 88MC200 MCU Marvell Avastar 88W8782 1x1 802.11n Wi-Fi SoC Qualcomm Atheros QCA7000 HomePlug Green PHY PLC |
Qualcomm Atheros AR9331 1x1 802.11n Wi-Fi SoC Host CPU: MIPS 24Kc, DRAM: 32MB |
| Power Source | AC Powered | AC Powered |
| Hub / Bridge Requirement | No | No |
| Control Center | Cloud (for setup and configuration) Local Device (stores backup schedule) |
Local Device (basic access, rules and scenes) Local Server (comprehensive access, rules and scenes) |
| User Control Interface | Mobile Apps | Web Browser Mobile Apps (basic control) |
| Open APIs | None | Yes (uPnP, HTTP, SSH) |
| Third-party / Hub Compatibility | None | None advertised |
| Cloud Reliance | Optional (compulsory only for initial setup and configuration) | None |
| Security Notes | Username / Password authentication at app level | Username / Password Authentication LAN Access Only |
| User Support / Discussion Forums | Blossom on Twitter | Ubiquiti Networks Community - mFi Forums |
| Street Price | USD 199 | USD 60 (mPower) USD 95 (mPower Pro) USD 59 (InWall Outlet) USD 59 (InWall Switch / Dimmer) |
Coming to the business end of the review, we have to say that Blossom has managed to bring out a unique home automation device. In our opinion, the inclusion of powerline communication (PLC) as an alternative path to the network in case Wi-Fi is not up to the task is a very good decision. This is something other home automation device manufacturers need to evaluate. In our opinion, consumer IP cameras (which rely on Wi-Fi right now) can also benefit from this dual approach. The IP54 rating allows users to install the unit wherever they see fit. The cloud-based 'Xona' intelligence seems to be effective in altering pre-set schedules based on weather conditions. We see no issues with the unique points set marketed by Blossom. There are multiple options in the market for automated gardening, and Blossom manages to stand out in the crowd.
Our main issue is with the cloud reliance aspect. While the Blossom does have a fail-safe schedule to fall back upon in case the Internet connection goes down, there is really no way to alter the schedule without going through the cloud. One of the main benefits of having smartphone control for the irrigation controller is the ability to turn a zone on or off immediately, even during operation. In the case of the Internet or Blossom's servers being down, this is simply not possible right now. Fortunately, Blossom recognizes the need for users to be able to configure the unit locally. I have heard that local browser access and control over the schedule is definitely in the roadmap. Till this feature comes about, we will not be able to recommend the Blossom Smart Watering Controller without reservation. To a lesser extent, we are also not comfortable with some alerts not being sent to the e-mail address associated with the unit. E-mail could also be used to inform the user about updates to the smart watering schedules.
Users not paranoid about being reliant on the cloud will find the Blossom Smart Watering Controller to be a great way to add automation to their irrigation needs. Ease of setup, usage and the 'it just works' aspects are the positives. We hope that Blossom will address the open APIs and local control capabilities as soon as possible.
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Shadow7037932 - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
If it's so easy, why aren't you doing it and making huge profits then?Mondozai - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
Shadow, are you implying that arm-chair heroes on the internet actually could back up even 1% of their words for once?/s
sonny73n - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
@Shadow&MondozaiDo you think it's easy to have an idea implemented? Have you ever had an idea but not interested in making it because it isn't what you loved to do? Have you ever bought or seen a product that you think it's not worth the money and you could make it better yourself? Do you think every product in this world is great or none of them deserves any criticism?....
I went to the mall last week and saw a bunch of clothes I think I could design way better and cheaper. That doesn't mean I should change my career to clothes designing.
It's a good thing when people can openly criticize company products but it's really absurd when those voice their criticism get attacked. Unless you're working for this company, otherwise you both are stupid assholes with foul mouths who love to attack others online.
Shadow7037932 - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
Lmao. Actually, I have a good idea of what's involved in implementing an idea esp. as I've done it for companies as a PM. What you and ddriver are implying is that YOU could do it better yet don't show anything to back it up except some words. Words are cheap, action speaks volumes.Have a better idea? How about giving a BOM, rough schematic, alpha code, proof of concept,etc instead of saying "This can be done better".
V900 - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
You do realize, that what you just wrote is the adult geek equivalent of the good ol' middle school challenge of: "Oh yeah!?! Well if you think its so easy, then let's see YOU do one!"And it's still as lame today as it was in middle school.
The idea that one can't voice a criticism or critique without investing an hour of their time into "BOM, rough schematic, alpha code, etc." Is of course preposterous.
V900 - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
Next time I see somebody ridiculing Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton proposed policies, I'll make sure to point out that they shouldn't have an opinion on the subject, until I see their proposed budget/draft of foreign policy in the Middle East/proposed gun legislation...ddriver - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
Because as unimaginable as it may sound, some people are above the encouragement and exploitation of mediocre intellect. That also causes those people to have a problem with others doing that. Much like you have a problem with those, who know there is a better way, but the opposite ;)Shadow7037932 - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
How about you actually prove you can do what you are impleying?close - Friday, September 11, 2015 - link
Nobody has a problem with you "doing" something. The problem is when you just "talk". As said before, words are cheap. I bet I could be a better *ddriver* than you. Also, I would have written you comment better than you did. Or any other comment.So maybe you should just follow your own advice and take at face value my words that I have a better way of doing anything you might do. Given this I see no reason why you would attempt anything else, since I have better ways to do it.
Ryan Smith - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
In the interest of transparency, two comments have been deleted for violating our rules.sonny73n and other posters: we do not allow profanity here, and we especially do not allow profanity hurled at other users.