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There are several different technologies available for remote monitoring. Each comes with its own strengths and limitations. In this section we’ll look at tank sensor systems, but the same applies to all types of sensors.
1. Satellite (e.g. farmbot, agbot)
Satellite-based systems measure tank levels, transmit the data to a satellite and then to your phone. These systems come with high hardware costs and require significant power—meaning you’ll need a solar panel and battery. Additionally, they involve a subscription fee for every tank. To keep subscription costs manageable, readings are typically limited to just 2–3 per day, with alerts if the tank level falls outside User defined limits. The high cost of these systems means that they are best suited to very remote locations where there is no mobile reception and where the tanks to be monitored are at more than 10km apart. Otherwise, other technologies are more attractive (see beow).
2. Mobile Phone (e.g. Tank Mate)
These systems operate similarly to satellite-based setups but rely on mobile network coverage. You’ll still need to pay a subscription fee for each tank but the cost of the units and the subscription fee is less than satelite systems. If you have multiple tanks to monitor and the tanks are within 10km of each other then other technologies will be lower cost and provide more detailed information (see below)
3. LoRaWAN (e.g. sensemyfarm)
LoRaWAN systems transmit data from each sensor to a central gateway, which then uploads the information via satellite or mobile networks. The gateway must be installed at the highest point on your property and must have a clear line of sight to each tank sensor—if not, communication fails. If the gateway isn’t at your house, you will also need to pay a separate subscription for the gateway. The advantage of this system is there is only one subscription fee and you’re not limited to 2 to 3 readings/day. However, if you have multiple tanks that are not within line of sight of each other then other technologies would be better suited (see below)
5. Mesh Network (farmIT)
Mesh networks are the most advanced technology. They work similarly to LoRaWAN but with two important differences. The gateway (also called a CloudLink) can be located inside your house, it doesn’t need to be at the highest point on your farm on a pole. If your home has internet access, the gateway can connect there directly, so there are no subscription fees. Secondly, tank sensors can relay data through one another in a daisy-chain fashion. This means that you can monitor tanks no matter where they are on your property. In addition, the mesh network allows you to get as many readings per day as you want. Finally, the farmIT mesh technology is the lowest cost solution on the market.
Our Commitment to Ethical Manufacturing
At farmIT, our dedication extends beyond just technology, ethical manufacturing isn’t just a policy—it’s a core value that influences every decision we make. We are proud to offer products that are not only high-quality and reliable but also ethically sourced and responsibly made.
- Australian-Made: Our design, manufacturing, sales and backend software development is based in Sydney, Australia. Front end software development is based in New Zealand.
- Ethical Considerations: Given the human rights issues associated with the Chinese regime, we do not source components from China. Instead, we choose components from countries with strong ethical track records, such as Europe, the USA, Japan, and Taiwan, known for their commitment to fair labour practices, environmental sustainability, and human rights.
Our Guarantee
Our sensors are built to perform exceptionally well in tough agricultural environments. They come with a 1-year warranty, ensuring you can trust our technology to provide accurate and timely data for your farm. Click to see farmIT in action.
