Edit of Recommended BroodMinder Configurations - Sep 2021
We offer a wide variety of devices so you may ask, "How do I get started?" Here are a couple of configurations that we recommend.
Dip Your Toe
If you are still deciding whether you want to go down the monitoring road, then we suggest purchasing a single BroodMinder-T2SM device ($29.99). With that, you will get a clear understanding of what you can learn from your hive. You will monitor brood stability, swarming, and track winter survival.
Note that all BroodMinder devices are read using your cell phone and our free app.
Basic Apiary Setup
Once you decide to take the plunge, there are many ways to configure your apiary. As you add sensors, you will probably want an automated way to upload data. That is the SubHub's function. Here is an economical four-hive setup.
2 BroodMinder-T2SM ($29.99)
1 BroodMinder-CS(T2/T2) ($224.99)
1 BroodMinder-SubHub ($99.99)
1 Old Cell Phone or Tablet ($0.00)
1 MyBroodMinder.com Subscription ($54.00)
Total Cost $439, Cost per hive = $110
With this minimal configuration (4 -T2SMs) you will be able to keep an eye on all of your hives. We recommend one scale under your most ambitious hive so that you can observe nectar flows. With the Apiary-App and your old cell phone or tablet running in "hub mode," all of your data transfers automatically to MyBroodMinder.com. With a couple of simple configuration steps, you will get real-time alerts when one of your hives is about to swarm.
Please note that the SubHub can monitor >120 individual devices, covering an entire apiary.
All In
Some of us love data and love the opportunity to understand our bees to the fullest extent. In that case we would configure the apiary like this.
4 BroodMinder-CS(TH/T2) ($249.99)
1 BroodMinder-SubHub ($99.99)
1 Old Cell Phone or Tablet ($0.00)
1 MyBroodMinder.com Subscription ($54.00)
Each of the Citizen Science kits comes with a hive scale, temperature sensor, and temperature/humidity sensor. You would install the -T2SM above the lower brood box and the -TH2SM above the upper brood box. You could also consider a BroodMinder-WIFI for real time data. If this were a remote apiary, we would replace the cell phone with a BroodMinder-Cell unit.
Total Cost $1,154, Cost per hive = $288
Do It Yourself
For those who enjoy fabrication the BroodMinder-DIY is a great way to save some money. With the DIY kit, some lumber, and little effort you can create four hive scales. You can find more information here.
4 BroodMinder-TH2SM ($59.99)
4 BroodMinder-T2SM ($29.99)
1 BroodMinder-DIY ($99.99)
4 200 KG load cells ($29.99)
1 BroodMinder-SubHub ($99.99)
1 Old Cell Phone or Tablet ($0.00)
1 MyBroodMinder.com Subscription ($54.00)
Total Cost $734, Cost per hive = $184
Honeybee Research
This takes the "All In" configuration above and turns the dial up to "11." Until we develop our next couple of advances, this is our most comprehensive sensor package.
4 BroodMinder-TH2SM ($59.99)
4 BroodMinder-T2SM ($29.99)
4 BroodMinder-W2 ($279.99)
1 BroodMinder-SubHub ($99.99)
1 Old Cell Phone or Tablet ($0.00)
1 MyBroodMinder.com Subscription ($54.00)
In this scenario we would install the -T2SM above the lower brood box and the -TH2SM above the upper brood box. The -W2 is our whole hive scale which is more accurate than the -W which measures half the hive and doubles it.
Total Cost $1634, Cost per hive = $409
We have designed our products for a wide range of situations. Feel free to contact us with your particular needs at Support@BroodMinder.com