Air purifier?

[orangeman]

Still comtemplating btw xiaomi n ax40

Just buy both

 

[cc2mss5]

Just buy both

Got ax40, a40, a50 already.
Nx buy is standby

 

[orangeman]

Got ax40, a40, a50 already.
Nx buy is standby

LOLLL you live landed ah that's why need so big AP, I considering xm also

 

[autumni76]

does anyone knows where the Whirlpool AP 628W Air Purifier is made in?

TIA

 

[Shahmatt]

Metro (closing down sale at CS mall) is selling Bionair AP BAP600 for $188.

Is this AP worth the money?

 

[mindgamey]

Introduction

Air cube is an portable air monitor by SK Telecom (Yes South Korea Telecom). It comes in 2 variant, SN-100T and SN100C. The T model provides discomfort level (to be discussed later) while the C model provides CO2 levels. T model cost about S$85 (I paid S$80 after coupons) while C costs about $135.

Why do you need a portable Air monitor?

Yes, a lot of people asked me why I need to carry an air monitor when there are NEA 3-hour PSI, Fuzzyview 1 hour readings and our nose and eyes to see the haze. Here are reasons why you need an air monitor:
1. NEA 3-hour PSI can report poor air quality up to 3 hours late. Short term spikes can be hidden from the reading due to averaging.
2. Fuzzyview 1 hour (based on NEA 1 hour PM2.5) can be up to 1 hour late.
By having your own air monitor, you can spot immediately and react immediately without having to wait for official readings from the authorities.
3. Your eyes cannot differentiate between mist or haze.
4. Your eyes cannot judge air quality in your house.
5. Your eyes and nose cannot judge whether your Air purifier is effective and suitably sized.
6. Aircon does not equal to good air, some shopping centres have very poor air quality either due to poor filtration or very big entrance/exit like Orchard Gateway and 313@Somerset. In such cases air quality inside vs outside is almost of similar level.

At look at the Air cube

The air cube is 52 x 52 x 50mm like a cube. It weight surprisingly light at 80g. The design is very simple and professional unlike the samoairs from Taobao. It has just 1 operational button at the centre.
It comes packed in a very elegant packing with usb charging cable and multi-language instruction booklet inside.

Operation

To turn on and off the air cube, just press and hold the centre button for a few seconds. All the LED indicators will light up when it is taking reading. Frequency of reading can be setting in the app in intervals 15, 30 or 60 seconds. You can also shake the air cube for it take reading immediately. The LED indicators are also bright enough under sunlight so you have no issue using outdoor.

The left side shows the discomfort level with is an index based on temperature and humidity levels. I personally don’t find it useful because if it’s hot, I can feel it.

The right side shows the dusty level, 1 bar for good, 2 for moderate, 3 for poor, 4 for unhealthy, 5 for hazardous. We will discuss how it gets these level later.

There are 2 LED indicators at the centre, 1 for Bluetooth connection and the other for low battery/battery charging.

As the air cube comes with LED display indicators, the air cube can work standalone without a phone unlike other air monitor like the airburg.

It also come with a beeper when discomfort and dusty level reaches high level. The beeping sound can be pretty loud.

Using the App

The app is available for both iOS and android, just search “Aircube” and will get the English app.

Pairing in android is straight forward, just go to Bluetooth settings to pair and then go to the app to register and connect the air cube.

Pairing in iOS is different from android, you don’t pair at the Bluetooth setting, rather you can use the app to pair them straight away.

Do note that the air cube uses Bluetooth 4.0 which is not compatible with older phones.

The main page of app shows the dust level at ug/m3 and the advisory. After using it for a week, I find that ug/m3 level is about 2 times the NEA official figures, similar to samoairs.

 

[mindgamey]

The advisory level scales pretty well with AQI advisory see table 2. Side scrolling will give the discomfort level.

This is the part when the app comes alive at the second and third tab of app. This is the portion where data logging is available, changes in air quality of time, in 10 minutes interval at the monitoring tab or in day intervals at the reporting tab. However, data logging only works when the air cube is connected to the phone. It will not data log in standalone mode(EDIT: phone will pull older data once connected to air cube). Also unfortunately, I haven’t find a direct way to export the data to another place.

The fourth tab includes some generic information, operating manuals and the advisory breakout points.

The final tab is the settings area to let you set sampling intervals (15,30,60 seconds), beeping warnings and push notification to phone. It is also the only place to see the device battery level.

You can also set the air quality standard (USA, China, HK, Korea, Taiwan). I recommend USA due to its more stringent standard. By changing the country, you will change the advisory breakout points(and also LED display), measurements by ug/m3 remains the same.

Battery level and life

The air cube comes with a built in 600mAh, looks small compared to phone’s battery capacity but the manual states that it last 24 hours. Based on my usage of 5 hours outside, Bluetooth on and 60 seconds sampling, battery level dropped 10%. So battery life here is not an issue.

Battery level indications can only be found through app setting page. The device itself will only show low battery warning. Could be better if they will one of the bar to show battery level when you press the button.

Conclusion

I like the air cube due to the size and weight, it looks presentable compared to samoair. The air cube is something that I don’t need to worry if I were to carry it to board a plane. And because it that small, I can bring it around different part of my 4 room flat to measure the air quality level which allows me to decide whether to move my air purifier.

In terms of accuracy, after using 1 week, using the air cube, I can somewhat predict fuzzyview ug/m3 level (divided by 2 of course). It is sensitive enough to detect cigarette smoke 2-3m away as well road smog by heavy vehicles.
I do notice that under very static condition, whereby there is no air moment, air cube will not detect changes in air quality. This is because the air cube does not come with a self-venting fan to draw air from its surroundings. Giving it a good shake or placing a fan will solve this issue.

Still I would recommend it to people who wants an air monitor but find the samoair too clunky or the lack of indication on emo airburg.
The price is not cheap when compared with samoair but given the design and engineering gone into it, I find the pricing reasonable.

 

[kandinsky]

Metro (closing down sale at CS mall) is selling Bionair AP BAP600 for $188.

Is this AP worth the money?

For the price, it seems pretty weak. Looks like it's for a very small space (10sqm). The 'Permanent' filter is marketed as a feature, but also feels like they designed this to be a 'disposable' unit that lasts 1-2 years max. Doesn't make sense to me if you're looking at operating a unit beyond 1-2 years. Imagine the filter is black by then and you can't replace it, will you still want to use it?

 

[mindgamey]

The only thing i wish foobot could do is using laser instead of light scattering. It really isn't that much more expensive. some taobao sellers combine all the parts together (VOC + pm2.5) also doesn't reach 200 USD.

At such price without particle count down to 0.3 is quite a let down. The only thing I see useful is the history and graph logging, which I have yet to find any seller doing it easily.

IMO, the perfect AQM must have
-laser
-particle count
-VOC,CO2
-software logging

You need to pay for app development as well. Not so straight forward even with the hardware there.

 

[WussRedXLi]

In Singapore, with quite a constant pm2.5 and pm10 ratio...2015 season, footbot and Sharp IR sensors operates great...

But if you go indonesia, due to fire proximity, you might get screwy readings.

CNY period we will go FIL place. Measure hotspots, fireworks and incence/kim zhua/sugar cane burning.

 

[cnotsniw]

The advisory level scales pretty well with AQI advisory see table 2. Side scrolling will give the discomfort level.

This is the part when the app comes alive at the second and third tab of app. This is the portion where data logging is available, changes in air quality of time, in 10 minutes interval at the monitoring tab or in day intervals at the reporting tab. However, data logging only works when the air cube is connected to the phone. It will not data log in standalone mode. Also unfortunately, I haven’t find a direct way to export the data to another place.

The fourth tab includes some generic information, operating manuals and the advisory breakout points.

The final tab is the settings area to let you set sampling intervals (15,30,60 seconds), beeping warnings and push notification to phone. It is also the only place to see the device battery level.

You can also set the air quality standard (USA, China, HK, Korea, Taiwan). I recommend USA due to its more stringent standard. By changing the country, you will change the advisory breakout points(and also LED display), measurements by ug/m3 remains the same.

Battery level and life

The air cube comes with a built in 600mAh, looks small compared to phone’s battery capacity but the manual states that it last 24 hours. Based on my usage of 5 hours outside, Bluetooth on and 60 seconds sampling, battery level dropped 10%. So battery life here is not an issue.

Battery level indications can only be found through app setting page. The device itself will only show low battery warning. Could be better if they will one of the bar to show battery level when you press the button.

Conclusion

I like the air cube due to the size and weight, it looks presentable compared to samoair. The air cube is something that I don’t need to worry if I were to carry it to board a plane. And because it that small, I can bring it around different part of my 4 room flat to measure the air quality level which allows me to decide whether to move my air purifier.

In terms of accuracy, after using 1 week, using the air cube, I can somewhat predict fuzzyview ug/m3 level (divided by 2 of course). It is sensitive enough to detect cigarette smoke 2-3m away as well road smog by heavy vehicles.
I do notice that under very static condition, whereby there is no air moment, air cube will not detect changes in air quality. This is because the air cube does not come with a self-venting fan to draw air from its surroundings. Giving it a good shake or placing a fan will solve this issue.

Still I would recommend it to people who wants an air monitor but find the samoair too clunky or the lack of indication on emo airburg.
The price is not cheap when compared with samoair but given the design and engineering gone into it, I find the pricing reasonable.

Thanks for the review. Looks good.

 

[chuanz]

use the SPOILER tag when quoting image heavy posts... pretty please?

 

[mindgamey]

In Singapore, with quite a constant pm2.5 and pm10 ratio...2015 season, footbot and Sharp IR sensors operates great...

But if you go indonesia, due to fire proximity, you might get screwy readings.

CNY period we will go FIL place. Measure hotspots, fireworks and incence/kim zhua/sugar cane burning.

I compared my Air cube values to my Xiaomi Sharp sensor.

Basically my air cube values is 2x the sharp sensor.

I put my head out and say:

So sharp sensor = nea value

 

[WussRedXLi]

I compared my Air cube values to my Xiaomi Sharp sensor.

Basically my air cube values is 2x the sharp sensor.

I put my head out and say:

So sharp sensor = nea value

I see i see.

Tonight i see how my Sharp sensor in M8088A does.

I actually have a Sharp sensor based meter since March 2014, but that one the decoding electronics screwed up liao

Other than the laser light scattering portion, the main diff is that the readout from the laser module is 24 or 32-bit digital
While the sharp is analogue voltage based.

 

[WussRedXLi]

Woe...look at west and south

 

[mindgamey]

Woe...look at west and south

West side near jurong island raw is 290

 

[gregtan]

I see i see.

Tonight i see how my Sharp sensor in M8088A does.

Bro WRX! Your M8088A come liao..???

 

[Nintendou]

I compared my Air cube values to my Xiaomi Sharp sensor.

Basically my air cube values is 2x the sharp sensor.

I put my head out and say:

So sharp sensor = nea value

Nice review on the aircube, I would like to add on some of my own observations.

I think normalising the aircube by 2 could be too much.

I observed that the aircube readings recorded under the monitoring page seems to increase when concentrations are higher. Usually it records a value every 10minutes which then contributes to the 1 hour group.

I'm in the north side, my readings are corresponding with apaq quite closely (hovering 200ug). The general thread (rising/falling) is in accordance with fuzzy but my peaks and dips are not, I'm actually quite confused. haha.

If anyone is interested, the discomfort index is actually the relative humidity and temperature after applying a formula, these information can also be displayed individually.

Occasionally will get outlier readings.

I placed it at my air purifier vent and didn't get single digits though.

Hopefully I can get a laser particular sensor soon then I'll be able to verify the readings further.

 

[chuanz]

I'm in the north side, my readings are corresponding with apaq quite closely (hovering 200ug). The general thread (rising/falling) is in accordance with fuzzy but my peaks and dips are not, I'm actually quite confused. haha.

NEA North is comprise of three (iirc) stations averaged, so it may not match up under dynamic conditions.

Since you North, you can reference my meter also @ Sembawang http://bit.ly/fuzzyg1 I'm not saying mine is 1000% correct, but just another data point for you (which may or may not confuse you further ).

Also, NEA's sampling station used to calculate air quality are usually placed on roof top to reduce disturbance from human activities. At "road/floor level", you'd expect more stirring up of previously settled particulate matter/dust, giving a higher reading than the "true" reading.

 

[mindgamey]

Nice review on the aircube, I would like to add on some of my own observations.

I think normalising the aircube by 2 could be too much.

I observed that the aircube readings recorded under the monitoring page seems to increase when concentrations are higher. Usually it records a value every 10minutes which then contributes to the 1 hour group.

I'm in the north side, my readings are corresponding with apaq quite closely (hovering 200ug). The general thread (rising/falling) is in accordance with fuzzy but my peaks and dips are not, I'm actually quite confused. haha.

If anyone is interested, the discomfort index is actually the relative humidity and temperature after applying a formula, these information can also be displayed individually.

Occasionally will get outlier readings.

I placed it at my air purifier vent and didn't get single digits though.

Hopefully I can get a laser particular sensor soon then I'll be able to verify the readings further.

I also placed my air cube at the vent and dont get single digit no matter which orientation.

Reading is not affect if I direct a fan at it unlike the samoair.

Don't know what magic they will in the cube.

But I notice air quality improve when I on my ap after 10-15 minutes and my air cube also agree.

I think if you keep the air cube static no air into it, you won't pick up spikes.

I opened my house window last Monday before the big spike and went to take nap.

Woke up whole house hazy but Aircube on registers 50+ug/m3.

I gave the air cube a good shake, it went to 120+ug/m3.