Quick Summary of the Orion X7 Robot Mower Standout Features:
- Using both RTK and Vslam technologies, it ensures precise boundary and route planning for flawless results on any terrain
- AWD allows the mower to cut slopes up to 70% effortlessly. The larger wheels are engineered for superior traction and stability on any terrain
- 4 inch cutting height
- Vision AI System – Orion X7’s advanced vision algorithms effortlessly navigate obstacles for impeccable lawn care, delivering pristine results with precision.
If you’re in the market for a robot lawnmower, you probably noticed there’s a new choice popping up just about every week.
Well, you would be right as there is no shortage of new models and even new manufacturers popping up all the time. This makes for a fairly competitive marketplace that keeps costs inching lower. But on the downside, it’s harder to keep up with every new release when you’re shopping for that perfect mower.
One of the more recent releases is the Sunseeker Orion X7. This mower promises to offer big tech features for a budget-friendly price. It’s autonomous and doesn’t rely on any ground wire, so setup can be done in less than an hour with minimal effort.
But how does it perform?
Below, we’ll review the Sunseeker Orion X7 and let you know how it performs compared to other mowers in this price range.
Who Is Sunseeker?
Sunseeker has a headquarters in North Carolina, but they are a Chinese manufacturing firm that specializes in robotic and cordless lawn and garden equipment.
Sunseeker has one previous robot lawnmower model, the L22 series which is mostly a predecessor to the Orion X7. The L22 is still for sale but is discounted and being replaced by the X7.
The X7 And The Current Robot Lawnmower Market
Many mowers today are using off-the-shelf parts. This means many of their navigation systems share technologies and even components across different brands. However, this isn’t a bad thing.
You can think of it like your iPhone or other smartphone. Most phone brands use existing components made by other manufacturers. For example, the screen is made by one company, and the chips inside are made by another.
When you buy a new phone, you essentially get the latest versions of each of those components.
Robot mowers like the X7 are essentially just like that. You’re getting the latest industry-standard navigation components such as Visual simultaneous localization and mapping (vSLAM).
So while brands like Sunseeker may not be that large, newer models generally have the latest available tech, such as the X7.
The Orion X7 Mower
On the surface, the X7 looks a lot like the previous L22 series of mowers. The real difference is under the hood and has to do with the navigation system.
Inside is a vSLAM system that uses cameras to create a 3D map of the environment. This map adjusts in real-time and can adapt to changing conditions or obstacles that pop up.
There is also an RTK system included which does require a base unit to be placed somewhere in open view. The RTK system allows for more accurate edge-cutting and an overall boost in mapping and performance.
As we mentioned earlier, these systems are common, but with the X7, you are getting the latest versions of this technology.
The X7 comes in two variants and differs by their range. The less expensive model is good for up to .75 acre lawns and the more expensive version covers 1.5 acres. Both mowers have identical specs and the only difference is the battery.
A nice touch is that both X7 models go up to 4 inches in cutting height. This is a newer trend we’re seeing with the latest robot mowers having an extended cutting height range. It’s a welcome change and the X7 should work with virtually any grass type or climate you may have.
The X7 is also an all-wheel drive for great climbing performance and there is a dual-blade cutting system on a fully-floating head to provide an even cut on uneven terrain.
Overall, the X7 packs all the latest features you would expect in a robot mower and does so in a stylish package.
Setting Up The Orion X7
Setting up a robot mower has become standardized across the industry. The Orion X7 is no different and the procedure is rather simple.
The first step is to find a suitable location for the base station. You’ll want an area on flat ground with space on all sides so the mower can maneuver into and out of the base unit.
After that, you will need to find a location for the RTK base station. This may take some trial and error as moving it around can solve many issues with poor RTK signal reception.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to map out your lawn. The X7 is paired with the Sunseeker app to perform the mapping process.
You start by setting an origin point, and then you guide the mower using the app’s remote control. You want to ride along the perimeter of your lawn (or zone) until you make a complete loop.
The mapped area will show up on the app and you can tell the mower when it’s complete.
Overall, the X7 setup was almost identical to most modern robot mowers. The app was a little finicky and we felt there were way too many confirmations needed during the setup. Essentially, every step felt like it had two or three confirmation boxes we had to tap.
It didn’t interfere with the setup, but it was somewhat annoying. We would like it if Sunseeker could streamline that process as newer users may be confused by the all confirmation boxes that keep popping up.
Orion X7 Performance
Once set up, we turned the mower loose on our test lawn and were impressed with the performance.
The mowing speed was fast and the cut was uniform, even around raised areas like the base of trees. We had no navigation issues once we set up the perimeter and the mower simply determined its own route and kept going until finished.
Obstacle detection was spot on and we noticed that the X7 cut a nice, tight path around obstacles like trees or fences. Some mowers tend to leave a large area around the obstacles, but the X7’s refined navigation does a good job of leaving very little grass to clean up after it navigates around obstacles.
Overall, navigation was on par with the top-ranking robot mowers currently on the market. We had no significant issues if you have a good or even just a decent RTK signal, you should have no problem getting accurate mowing with the X7
The Orion X7 App
As is usually the case, the X7 app was a little disappointing. It works perfectly fine and you can create your zones relatively easily, it just doesn’t quite feel as polished as it needs to be.
This is a common issue with newer mowers we test, but it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. The app still performed all the functions needed, it just feels a little outdated and could use a refresh.
Sunseeker Orion X7 Final Review
If you’re looking for a mower with the latest technology, the X7 is definitely one to consider. The price is really competitive given the options that you get and performance is about as good as the current generation of mowers gets.
One downside was the pricing on the 1.5-acre model. The mower is technically identical to the smaller model, just with a larger battery. So you’re essentially paying almost $500 more for a beefier battery. That makes the 1.5-acre option a lesser value than the smaller version.
The app was another area we found lacking, but not so much that it hindered performance.
If you already have a relatively new robot mower, don’t expect any groundbreaking changes from the X7. However, if you have an older generation model from any of the large manufacturers, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what the X7 can do.
Overall, the X7 is a solid performer for the price and as long as you can get a relatively good RTK signal on your property, you should be able to set it up in less than an hour.
