Imagine sitting by your pool, cocktail in hand, soaking up the sun without worrying about floating leaves and debris. Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? Well, thanks to the Dolphin Skimmi from Maytronics, this dream is now a reality! This little jewel of solar technology is here to revolutionize pool maintenance. Say goodbye to chores and hello to peace of mind! Following on from the Dolphin M550 model, which cleans the bottom and sides of the pool, I'd like to introduce you to this new model, which cleans the surface of all impurities!
Unpacking the Dolphin Skimmi pool cleaner
The Dolphin Skimmi arrives in a rather light and unobtrusive box.
Inside, we simply find the robot and an instruction manual.
No need for anything more, since this robot is solar-powered, which makes it not only ecological and economical, but also very easy to use! No cables or power supply required. As you can see, the entire upper surface is a solar panel, the same type as the flexible panels we've already seen from Ecoflow or Sunology, for example, which are therefore very resistant.
A hole in the center makes it easy to carry.
On both sides, paddlewheels like those found on Mississippi riverboats propel the robot along the water's surface.
Another, much larger wheel at the front of the robot is responsible for pushing water and dirt into the basket beneath the robot:
This basket has very fine filter walls, which let the water through, but retain all the dirt in the basket, thanks in particular to an anti-return valve:
It's easy to remove, like a drawer under the robot.
On the front, there are status indicators showing the Dolphin Skimmi's charge status, Bluetooth connection and operating mode.
And let's not forget the various infrared sensors above and below the water surface, enabling the surface robot to detect obstacles, such as the pool wall, to slow down as it approaches and turn around automatically.
The Dolphin Skimmi's robust design and top-quality materials guarantee unfailing durability. What's more, with its compact dimensions (50x44x15 cm), it's easy to handle and store when not in use, unlike large, bulky bottom cleaners.
So let's get down to business!
Dolphin Skimmi: in use
Let's get down to business: how does the Dolphin Skimmi perform in action? Once in the water, this little robot immediately gets to work.
It scours the surface of your pool with surprising agility, catching anything that floats in its path. Leaves, insects, pollen… nothing escapes it! You can really relax while it does all the work for you. From time to time, you'll simply have to remove its drawer and hose it down.
What's really impressive is its efficiency. In just a few hours, your pool's surface will be spotless. The water is clear and limpid, as if it had just been professionally cleaned.
Another strong point of the Dolphin Skimmi is its ease of use. You don't need to be a technical expert to operate it. Simply place it on the water and it takes care of the rest. Its autonomy is remarkable, thanks to a high-performance solar panel and a sun-sensing algorithm that keeps it charged at all times. It works without interruption as long as there's daylight. And even on cloudy days, it continues to do its job efficiently.
In fact, it can also work at night, with longer pauses in between.
The basic Dolphin Skimmi already works perfectly. But it's also a connected robot, with a mobile application, “MyDolphin Skimmi”. We only regret that it's not the same app as the manufacturer's other robots, which would allow you to group everything in the same place when you also have the background robot, for example.
Once installed, this application is used exclusively in landscape mode. You have to rotate the robot's central wheel by hand to “wake up” the robot and activate its Bluetooth connection. The Dolphin Skimmi is then automatically detected by the application:
You can then launch automatic cleaning, or control it manually. The app also displays battery status and water temperature in the top right-hand corner.
In manual mode, we have two joysticks to pilot the robot like any other remote-controlled boat :)
The app also gives access to various settings, such as automatic start-up as soon as the robot detects that it's on the water. You can also set the speed, the cleaning mode, and so on.
As a lot of dirt tends to float close to the edges, you can specifically ask the robot to clean the edges. In this case, it will methodically run along them and suck up any floating dirt.
It can also detect cables and obstacles. This is particularly useful when working in conjunction with a deep-sea robot, such as the M550, which has a floating connecting cable that can interfere with the Skimmi's operation.
Above all, you can set the operating schedule: the robot's operating time, its pause time, whether for the day or even the night. As the robot is very quiet, it can continue its work even after dark, so you'll always have a perfect pool.
Here's a video preview:
The robot is ultra-simple to use, and highly efficient. There's no need to recharge it thanks to solar power, so it can operate 24/24. And it's very easy to remove from the water when you want to enjoy a swim, thanks to the central handle and its very light weight (only 4kg). Personally, I love it!
Conclusion
Skeptical at first about the benefits of such a robot, I have to admit that this Dolphin Skimmi from Maytronics is a real revolution in pool maintenance. Its solar-powered operation, ease of use and efficiency make it a truly valuable ally for all pool owners. No more cleaning chores, no more need to pass the net, you can finally enjoy your pool to the full without worry. It's an investment(€599 all the same), but well worth it, both for your comfort and for the upkeep of your pool. The only detail to bear in mind: many pool owners have either a bubble cover for warmth, or a cover for safety (and warmth too). In this case, of course, the Dolphin Skimmi won't work 24 hours a day. But if your pool is uncovered most of the time, this robot is extremely practical!
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