1. What are the main differences between the HM-5 (2nd gen) and HM-6 (3rd gen) hive monitors?
A.) The HM-6 is WiFi-enabled meaning that it can be connected to a WiFi router for automatic and regular daily data uploads to the Cloud.
B.) When communicating between the HM-6 and your Smartphone (needed for WiFi setup or local functionality), the Smartphone wakes up the HM-6 via NFC but the data flow is via Bluetooth.
C.) Live Data on the HM-6 works like on the HM-20... the scale is continuously sending the data to smartphone as long as Live Data is on, i.e. it is giving continuous, dynamic readings as opposed to just one data read.
2. What is the upload frequency of the HM-6?
The upload frequency defaulted to once per day at 21:00 (9pm) Eastern Standard Time. The upload schedule can be changed to up to a maximum of hourly (24x per day). Keep in mind that uploads consume the HM-6 internal battery so the less uploads per day the less quickly your battery will deplete.
3. Is the HM-6 battery replaceable? Is it the same as the HM-5 battery?
The HM-6 battery and HM-5 battery are not the same. The HM-6 battery is also replaceable. Please contact Solutionbee for additional batteries.
4. Do I have to have WiFi in order to use the HM-6?
No, the HM-6 can be read with a smartphone so the HM-6 can also be installed in locations without WiFi coverage. However, the full remote capability of the HM-6 is not enjoyed unless connected to a WiFi router.
5. Can my HM-6 connect to my home router?
If your hives are close enough to your home router, i.e. in your backyard, then you can use your home router.
If they are in your backyard but just outside your home router's range, you can maybe use a commercially available WiFi extender to extend your WiFi to your beeyard.
If your router is even further out than a WiFi extender can reach, then you can consider a Solutionbee HiveHub™ for supporting your HM-6.
6. Can my HM-6 automatically upload to the Cloud if I don't have WiFi but do have cellular coverage?
In this case you can upload to the Cloud if you also have a Solutionbee HiveHub™ in your apiary. The HiveHub™ take the cellular signal and creates a WiFi hotspot in your beeyard to which your HM-6's can connect. See the information about the HiveHub™ in this Knowledge Base to learn more about this option.
7. Can I convert my existing HM-5 to an HM-6?
We are working on this possibility but it is currently not an option.
8. The HM-5 and HM-6 look very similar? Are they the same?
The mechanical design of the HM-5 is very popular and therefore the engineers kept the same design when planning the HM-6. The difference between both models is large in the electronics and internal software. Changes to the smartphone apps were made in order to accommodate the additional HM-6 features (such as the WiFi router setup).
9. What smartphones support the HM-6?
Androids: Androids that are Android version 4 and above and that have the NFC feature support the HM-6 in the latest version of the Android B-Ware app.
iPhones: iPhones that are version 8 or newer can read the data from the HM-6. The iPhone B-Ware app can now setup the WiFi router and Upload Schedule of the HM-6.
10. What is the price difference between the HM-5 and HM-6?
In the US, the price of the HM-5 is $290. The price of the HM-6 is $319.
11. What are the specifications of the HM-6? Can I see a datasheet of the HM-6?
Yes, a datasheet is available here.
12. How cool is the HM-6?
Very!