What is LoRaWAN?

LoRaWAN is short for “Long Range Wide Area Network” and is a radio communications specification which allows cost effective sensors to be connected to the cloud. The benefits of LoRaWAN are significantly reduced battery consumption, very long range and low cost radio units. LoRaWAN devices can communicate at distances up to 10 miles and last up to 10 years on a single battery.

Do I need to buy anything else for the sensors to work?

No. All of our devices are preconfigured to connect to a global LoRaWAN network, so you only need the sensors. If you have questions about our coverage, let us know your location in the support page and we can evaluate the quality of coverage in your area.

Are these sensors easy to install?

We pride ourselves on the ease of installation. A single person can install a Flora Instruments sensor in less than 15 minutes. Installation is so simple, you can do it yourself.

How many sensors do I need?

We recommend 1 to 3 sensors for each irrigation block for soil sensors. Climate sensors should be installed for each climate zone you want to monitor. Water pressure sensors are recommended along irrigation pipelines, before and after valves, and before and after filters.

What is the warranty and return policy?

All of our sensors are covered under our manufacturer defects warranty for 2 years after connection to the Flora Cloud. Our sensors have an expected field life of 5 years. Please note that the manufacture defects warranty only applies to defects due to manufacturing. Weed whacker, pest and other physical damages are not covered. If our product isn’t a good fit for you, please return it in original condition within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.

Visit our policies page for more information.

What if my device lasts longer than the 5 year Flora Cloud subscription?

Your device has lived a very long life in the field going through the hot and cold and UV exposure. Some of them get wet frequently. If your device has some more quality life in it, you can purchase another year of service for $10 (less than $1/month) on the Flora Instruments webstore. Alternatively, you can also return the sensor back for a 15% of purchase price discount towards a replacement sensor of the same type.

How do I tell if my sensor is connected to the Flora Cloud?

First, check the Flora Cloud to see if your sensor has submitted any data points to your dashboard. If your device hasn’t submitted any data points after 4 hours of activation, please ensure that the device is powered on by quickly pressing the button on the bottom of the device. If the device flashes on, it is powered on. The LED should light for 5 seconds as it attempts to connect to the network. After 5 seconds, it will quickly flash for 2 seconds if it has made a connection. If it fails to connect, it will not flash. In the event that it does not flash, please try placing the sensor in a higher spot or reach out to us about hosting a gateway for your own location to ensure quality coverage.

What if I need more help?

Please reach out to us on our support page.