Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267 
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Post by Shawn on Mar 25, 2021 9:56:41 GMT -5
Knowing what you do about Aerogardens and the units they have, what features do you wish they had?
Please list the machine and feature(s) you would want on it. If you could create a machine, what would that unit have?
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Mar 25, 2021 10:17:02 GMT -5
I still prefer the countertop models. I alternate between liking the Harvests and the Bountys best. Right now it's the Bounty because I want to grow taller plants.
The one thing I wish they had was the older pebbled surface instead of the smooth finish that scratches so visibly when you clean it.
Wifi is not important to me. What is important to me are uncomplicated systems that would not be difficult to repair.
That's probably not a majority viewpoint!
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
Posts: 1,610
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Post by maskedsonnet on Mar 25, 2021 11:00:42 GMT -5
Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I'd like to see them branch out into outdoor models that you can hook up to an outside watersource so it's watered automatically! Because I COULD make my own, but right now it's too big of a project with my current workload :| Someday maybe I'll be less busy!
Really though I like their current models the way they are, my only gripe is that the smaller/more basic models don't have Wifi. The app really helps me a lot keeping up with the watering/feeding.
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Mar 25, 2021 11:13:52 GMT -5
I'll 2nd the wifi stuff! I guess, I would wish for some way to "sync" machines with regard to schedules. If I could start them and then sync them later, that would be great for me. I love, love, love, my Bounty Elite Artisan. My first AG. I love the ceramic bowl, but it would be great if they came in more colors...actual colors. Alternatively, I would like AG to offer "wraps"! It would be cool to change up things from time to time. So, something less permanent that Contact Paper, as I've seen some folks do. Maybe think more like a sleeve...and maybe seasonal or re-usable? Now, not so much for me, but for those who have to sleep in close proximity to their AGs, maybe a model that is more friendly for that. I've seen some folks use a literal lamp shade to dampen the light. Looks nicer than my windshield sunscreen...LOL. |
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
Posts: 1,610
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Post by maskedsonnet on Mar 25, 2021 12:21:23 GMT -5
I'll 2nd the wifi stuff! I guess, I would wish for some way to "sync" machines with regard to schedules. If I could start them and then sync them later, that would be great for me. For some of the machines you can synch the feeding schedule, like for the basic non-WiFi Bounty you can go to "plant food" and change the number of days left in the current feeding cycle to synch them up, and in the app-connected AGs you can change it either on the app or using the menu on the AG itself |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Mar 25, 2021 12:22:50 GMT -5
I'll 2nd the wifi stuff! I guess, I would wish for some way to "sync" machines with regard to schedules. If I could start them and then sync them later, that would be great for me. For some of the machines you can synch the feeding schedule, like for the basic non-WiFi Bounty you can go to "plant food" and change the number of days left in the current feeding cycle to synch them up, and in the app-connected AGs you can change it either on the app or using the menu on the AG itself Cool! Thanks for that info!!! Very helpful! |
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Mar 30, 2021 15:13:36 GMT -5
Ooo, ooo!!! I thought of a really helpful feature! At least for me, or anyone less than 7 feet tall... For the Farms, when you stack them, it would be so totally cool if the LED screen was able to tilt. In other words, it would be hinged & pull away from the main unit so you would tilt in downward for viewing...and just leave it that way, when you have them stacked. Pretty please!?  |
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
Posts: 1,610
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Post by maskedsonnet on Mar 30, 2021 15:30:36 GMT -5
That would be nice!! I have to get out my stand stool anytime I have to use the screen on the top unit!
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Mar 30, 2021 15:55:50 GMT -5
I get out the stepstool too, speaking only for myself, AG help save old folks from falling off our stepstools!!!  |
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hakaku
AGA Sprout
Never enough plants!
Posts: 121 
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Post by hakaku on Apr 1, 2021 9:58:34 GMT -5
After a little over a year of growing plants in AG units, my wishlist would be this:
For the Harvest (Elite): - A better fit for the pump connector at the back (I can never seem to plug it without turning the whole unit around to see what's happening).
- Something to cover the seams between the lid and the basin, since water evaporates from the gaps, nutrients build up there and algae grows there very readily. (The farm basin lid is better designed in this regard.)
- Remembering the last set time. I find it really annoying that it just flips back to midnight, as I'd rather deal with a unit that's a few minutes off than half a day off (especially since my units don't have wifi, so it's not like I can reset the time from my phone).
- Rust-proof screws on the back of the unit. Not sure why this isn't the case, but they started rusting after just 1 or 2 times in the dishwasher.
For the farms: - A cover for the water port (although I believe this is now the case with newer models).
- A more efficient way to do a complete water dump (not a fan of the existing tube method -- I've gotten water everywhere too many times)
- More parts being available on their site for purchase in case you need to replace them.
- Fix the form of the farm 'legs' or size of stacking bracket. I had to purchase bar clamps to get everything close enough to be able to fit the stacking bracket, and even then it was still excessively difficult. Almost felt like I was gonna break everything. (Maybe I'm the only one who's had this issue though...)
- An easier way to pry open the lid for cleaning. I can't seem to get it opened compared to the Harvest which is very easy.
Phone app: - Portrait mode instead of landscape only.
- Push notifications for when to add nutrients, when water is low, etc.
- A better design for mobile use.
- A way to set the time on multiple units all at once.
- A way to set the on/off times on multiple units all at once.
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Apr 1, 2021 11:30:31 GMT -5
hakaku, that is a well thought out and comprehensive list.
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
Posts: 1,610
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Post by maskedsonnet on Apr 1, 2021 20:19:03 GMT -5
While working on my plants, I got to thinking - ports where you could put plant stakes would be really nice, to tie taller plants to. I think individual, straight stakes that you can put next to each plant would work better than the trellis that goes all the way around the machine
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Post by lizbleu on Apr 4, 2021 2:00:11 GMT -5
Being pretty new to AGs, I can only offer 1 thing that’s crossed my mind- replacement lights. Since I bought several units in the same year, it occurred to me, they will all lose their lights in the same time frame. I can understand the harvest models are cheap enough to replace, but the Farm and even the Bounty are significant investments that ought to survive. Also, ecological considerations- that’s a lot of plastic waste and renewable resource utilization to produce.
Wifi is irrelevant to me either. I prefer simplicity.
Not sure how long pumps last either or if there are replacements for that.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Apr 4, 2021 5:08:41 GMT -5
Being pretty new to AGs, I can only offer 1 thing that’s crossed my mind- replacement lights. Since I bought several units in the same year, it occurred to me, they will all lose their lights in the same time frame. I can understand the harvest models are cheap enough to replace, but the Farm and even the Bounty are significant investments that ought to survive. Also, ecological considerations- that’s a lot of plastic waste and renewable resource utilization to produce. Wifi is irrelevant to me either. I prefer simplicity. Not sure how long pumps last either or if there are replacements for that.
lizbleu, pumps are easily found and are pretty cheap. As long as you care for them and clean them out they should last awhile. Some machines I have had over the years I have never had to change the pump. On those projects that the pump and filter were really bad and I never looked or changed a couple have died out. But I say more live then have stopped working. |
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Post by chadtexas on Dec 29, 2021 20:25:53 GMT -5
I was thinking today it would be great if AeroGarden offered a kit to add a wire shelf, or bamboo, etc. to the top of the Farm models. They offer the kit that you can stack Farm models on top of each other - but it would also be cool to add a shelf or two on top of them of which to place Harvest/Bounty models, etc.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Dec 30, 2021 6:54:34 GMT -5
I was thinking today it would be great if AeroGarden offered a kit to add a wire shelf, or bamboo, etc. to the top of the Farm models. They offer the kit that you can stack Farm models on top of each other - but it would also be cool to add a shelf or two on top of them of which to place Harvest/Bounty models, etc.
Great Idea! I will let the Powers that Be at Aerogarden know it was suggested.
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judib
AGA Sprout
Posts: 113
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Post by judib on Jan 11, 2022 15:25:32 GMT -5
I just got started, so grain of salt here... But I would like to be able to set the time off for the lamp as well as the time on. That way it would be automatic to my family movie time/sleep schedule. So far I love the harvest elites I just set up 4 of them. I will have to see if there are better sponges for growing your own seed, I bought some that are compatible to the AG, but not the brand. They are thinner and a little shorter, and not really tapered. I'm wondering if the little hole at the top is too deep for the seed as well. Guess I'll find out, as I planted one of the units with these sponges and my seed. Hoping to be able to find stick on labels somewhere too, as I'm OCD a little and want them all to look the same... LOL...  |
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gsaxon
AGA Sprout
Outdoor gardener forever, recent Aerogarden addict!
Posts: 225
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Post by gsaxon on Jan 11, 2022 16:04:15 GMT -5
I simply wish that the Harvest models would have a longer extension. I think the light is powerful enough for another 6-8 inches, at least.
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Post by lynnee on Jan 11, 2022 17:05:14 GMT -5
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Post by lynnee on Jan 11, 2022 17:42:08 GMT -5
My wish is for all the AGs to be app-enabled. I love being able to do the extra things you can do with the app, like check days planted and change the light schedule.
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