Viking iMow Robotic Lawn Mowers: A Review of Current Models

Viking, the manufacturer, was founded in 1981 in Austria and has since specialized in the production of garden grass shredders. Later, the company became part of the large STIHL group, which produced tools primarily for forestry professionals, including high-quality and innovative chainsaws. STIHL boasts a rich, century-long history and Swiss roots, but is currently a German company. However, the Viking factory and design bureau remain located in Tyrol, Austria. The iMow robotic lawn mower lineup includes three models in several modifications. The entry-level model is the MI 422, designed for mowing small lawns of approximately 300-500 square meters. The mid-range model is the MI 422 P, designed for areas of approximately 600-1000 square meters. And the most advanced robot is the MI 632, designed for larger areas of 2000-4000 square meters. Next, we will conduct a detailed comparative review of the three presented robotic lawn mowers.

Equipment

In this section, we'll look at the differences in the features of the Viking iMow MI 422, MI 422 P, and MI 632 robotic lawn mowers. There's also an updated MI 632 PC model, which differs from the MI 632 in that it features the added feature of being controlled via a proprietary mobile app.

The MI 422 and MI 422 P models have identical equipment, the delivery set is as follows:

1. The robot itself.
2. Charging station with power supply.
3. Boundary wire.
4. Integrated anti-theft system.
5. iProtect sun and heat protection as an optional extra.

The MI 632 model also comes standard with a removable control console, which features a control unit with an LCD display that can be easily removed from the mower. This allows for manual operation without having to bend over to program the mower. However, since it's connected to the mower body via a cable, it can't be carried far away and controlled remotely. This feature is especially useful for older users who find it difficult to bend over to program the mower.

The included accessories include an iProtect sunshade for the charging base, a set of connecting cables (10 pcs.) and clamp plugs/connectors (10 pcs.).

Appearance

Regarding the design of the Viking iMow robotic lawn mower, the manufacturer chose a bright green color for the body, which evokes the image of a fresh lawn, as if after rain. An orange color is also available. The body is made of impact-resistant polymer and features smooth contours, giving the robot the appearance of a large frog or turtle.

I'd especially like to highlight the powerful undercarriage—large wheels with high-quality tread and a self-cleaning function. This allows the mowers to confidently navigate slopes and difficult terrain, as well as wet grass.

So, what do we see when examining the body from different angles? The top of the MI 422 and MI 422 P lawn mowers features obstacle avoidance sensors, a weather sensor, a manual stop button, a rotary knob for selecting one of fifteen cutting height settings (from 20 to 60 millimeters), and a control panel with an LCD display.

The front part contains a charging contact for docking with the base station, and the rear part has a convenient ergonomic handle, which may be useful when transporting from one mowing area to another if you have several.

The MI 632 model also has a removable control console at the top, which we talked about earlier.

Technical specifications

Let's compare the main performance characteristics of three Viking iMow robotic lawn mowers:

Model	MI 422	MI 422 P	MI 632
Battery type	Li-Ion 18V	Li-Ion 18V	Li-Ion 29V
Working area	300-500 sq.m.	600-1000 sq.m.	2000-4000 sq.m.
Opening hours	150 min.	150 min.	150 min.
Charging time	70 min.	70 min.	70 min.
Mowing height	20-60 mm	20-60 mm	20-60 mm
Cutting width	20 cm	20 cm	28 cm
Maximum tilt level	40%	40%	45%
Dimensions	60*43*27 cm	60*43*27 cm	73*54*27 cm
Weight	9 kg	9 kg	13 kg
Noise level (sound pressure)	49 dB (A)	49 dB (A)	48 dB (A)
Error coefficient	2 dB (A)	2 dB (A)	3 dB (A)
Price	$1,100	$1,200	$1,950

As a review of the three Viking iMow robotic lawn mowers reveals, the MI 632 offers superior performance compared to the other two models: a wider cutting width, the ability to handle steeper slopes, and a slightly lower noise level. However, the MI 632's most distinctive feature is its significantly larger working area: 2,000-4,000 square meters versus 300-500 for the MI 422 and 600-1,000 for the MI 422 P.

The overall dimensions, on the contrary, are more compact for the MI 422 and MI 422 P. The same applies to the weight of the robots.

Functional capabilities

The design features of the Viking iMow robotic lawn mowers are similar to those of Husqvarna, Gardena and Bosch, their operating principle Basically, it's no different. The kit includes a charging station and a boundary wire that defines the lawn mowing perimeter.

The Austrian manufacturer has equipped its robotic lawn mowers with high-quality, high-capacity batteries, ensuring long-lasting battery life.

In addition, the MI 422, MI 422 P, and MI 632 models have a built-in weather sensor that detects rain. If rain starts, the mower will either automatically return to the charging station or continue mowing, depending on how the user has programmed it.

Mowing boundaries are marked with a boundary wire. This wire allows the charging station to transmit a signal that allows the Viking iMow robotic lawn mower to navigate. When installed, the wire is either dug into a trench up to 10 centimeters deep or secured to the ground with stakes. In the latter case, the wire will eventually grow into the lawn, becoming invisible.

The cutting tool consists of metal blades sharpened on both sides. It operates at 3,150 rpm. This, combined with the adjustable cutting height, ensures a smooth lawn cut. Additionally, the mower mulches the grass clippings into tiny particles, which are retained on the lawn as valuable fertilizer. The durable mulching blade stays sharp for a long time because it reverses direction when stopped, ensuring even wear of the cutting mechanism.

Results

Viking iMow robotic lawn mowers are capable of competing well with other manufacturers' devices on the market. Of the models reviewed today, the MI 632 (PC) is the most advanced, though its price is several times higher than the other two models. However, the MI 422 and MI 422 P aren't significantly different from each other, as you can see from comparing their specifications. The choice between these models should be based on the intended use and the size of the area being treated.

Finally, we recommend watching a short video review of the older model: