HIve Size requirement

The HM-5 hive monitor can be used with either a 10-frame or 8-frame hive.  Other hives are also supported as long as they fit within the dimensions of the HM-5 platform, roughly 22" x 17" (55cm x 43cm)


Smartphone requirement

More importantly, the smartphone you use to download the data from the HM-5 must be either:


an iPhone 7 or newer (such as an iPhone 8 or iPhone X)

an Android 

            a.) supporting Android 6 operating system or newer AND 

            b.) supports NFC


If you are looking for an Android that supports both requirements above, one inexpensive, approx $100 option, is the Motorola X4  (the 4 stands for 4th generation).  See the attached manual.  There is no need to purchase a phone plan with this phone.  Simply buy it without a phone plan and use it as a WiFi device only.


Note: Solutionbee no longer recommends the LG Phoenix 2.



How to know if your iPhone supports NFC


All iPhones, iPhone 7 and newer support NFC.  The iPhone SE does not support NFC.


How to know if your Android supports NFC


1. Tap on the Android settings icon in the Android desktop.



2. Search for "Connections".




3.  Search for "NFC".  If you find it, then the phone supports NFC.  Make sure it is turned on.




4.  If your Android has the Android Beam feature, make sure it is turned off.  We have found the Android Beam to prevent the phone from communicating with the HM-5.