The dimensions of the BEEP base are 480mm x 390mm. So, any hive with a maximum width of max. 480mm can be directly placed on top of the BEEP base. Regular size hives fit perfectly on the BEEP base. If you have a larger hive (shortest side is larger than 480mm), you can attach a self-built custom wooden board to the scale with four screws to make it exactly fit for your hive. If you have any questions on how to do that, please reach out!

Yes. Four metal clamps are provided as depicted on the visual overview of pledges. With these you can screw (screws not included) the bottom four legs to a surface. Alternatively, you can use a strap. The top four legs can be fixed to the beehive. This can be done in multiple ways, e.g. using four screws or by using a strap over the complete hive. The last option can be particularly handy in very windy circumstances.

Does this construction influence the weight measurement? No, it does not. The bottom legs are attached the another part of the BEEP base than the top four legs. The load cell (weight sensor) is in between. So the lower part can be fixed to a surface and the top part to the hive without having influence on the measurements.

You can use a pre-paid credit card such as VISA's 2Payd card. Kickstarter advises to ensure there is at least €1 more than the pledge amount on the card. For more information, see the article below:

https://help.kickstarter.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005066433-What-forms-of-payment-can-I-use-to-make-a-pledge-

Kickstarter allows you to choose one of the pledges. You cannot order one pledge multiple times. Based on requests from backers we have added several options such as sets of two, three, four, five, six and twelve BEEP bases also custom combinations.

To change your reward selection, login to Kickstarter and choose 'Manage your pledge', see also https://help.kickstarter.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005132953-How-can-I-change-my-reward-selection-

If you want to order a different number or combination, please leave a comment.

Yes, you can measure temperature outside the hive. An option is to add a second temperature sensor which you leave outside the hive. You can also connect an extra BME280 temperature/humidity sensor to measure temperature and humidity inside, or outside the hive. This is not included the the standard BEEP base.

Yes, you can. It does not matter if your hive is not exactly level.

No, weight is not corrected. But you can log the change of activities in the BEEP app, so you can correlate it with your BEEP base measurements and learn about the causes of measurement value changes.

Not just yet. We have a standard size (390mmx480mm) that fits under most hives. However, you can easily attach the BEEP base to both a bigger frame to place under your hive as well as to a surface to put your BEEP base on. Based on demand we can consider additional sizes.

Yes. We have tested the BEEP base under different humidity and temperature conditions. The stainless steel frame and aluminium sensor are not affected by it, the PCB is fixed in a waterproof box. The temperature sensor that is used can even be put under water, if you would like.

In de BEEP app. You can register for free on beep.nl/app-home. In the app you can select for which time period you would like to see the data (day/week/month). Export your data to excel to do further analysis or compare it to data from other platforms.

Yes. You can use the free BEEP app to receive your sensor data. In the app you can also add hive inspection information in your own preferred format. More information on the use of the BEEP app is available on https://beep.nl/app-home/manual-v2.

At this moment: unfortunately not. Please tell us from which platform you would like to import data and send us an example of the export format that you have, so we can investigate the effort needed to add this in the future.

Yes. The sensor measurements can be accessed using the (free) BEEP app. See https://beep.nl/app-home for more information. You can access the data from any internet connected device. By using the collaboration feature in the app, you can simply share both inspection sheets and sensor data with another BEEP user. You can set which data you want to share and if another person can only see or also add new information. Read more in the BEEP app manual on this specific subject here: https://beep.nl/app-home/manual-v2#cooperation

Yes, you can. The beauty of our system is that it is highly campatible to your wishes. You can add up to five temperature sensors, one or multiple other I2C sensors, or DIY scales. You can find explanations on how to build your own scales with weight sensors on www.beelogger.de or www.hiveeyes.org.

Yes, you can add sensors. Some technical skills are required to do so. For additional sensors you will have to write some code. The designs and code are available on open source platforms Github and OpenHardware.io.

You can connect up to five temperature sensors (type DS18b20), a microphone and one I2C BME280 temperature/humidity sensor with the standard firmware. The PCB has an extra mic input and a I2C connection point where you can connect a second mic, or add multiple I2C sensors. When you want to add your own sensors, you have to write code for each sensor in the firmware and upload this adjusted firmware to your PCB through Bluetooth.

You can search the sensor codes, as depicted in the PCB overview, online. Most electronica stores sell them as well.

Yes, BEEP is open source. You can find more information on https://beep.nl/base/measurement-system/technical-specifications.

The BEEP base transmits data through the LoRa. It is an easy to use, low energy usage way of sending small bits of information from the BEEP base to your BEEP app. When you install your BEEP base, you will go through the step of connection to LoRa.

LoRa is an energy efficient way of transferring information. You can think about it as if your BEEP base sends out text messages consisting of a few numbers. Your BEEP app receives these numbers and translates them to information that is understandable for you. You receive the information through the gateways of TTN (The Things Network), like small transmission towers, and the internet.

The energy usage is low because the BEEP base turns on every 15 minutes for 2 seconds to send information. That is why you can operate the BEEP base for over a year on just 2 AAA batteries.

Our preferred network is the TTN network since you can use it for free and there are no recurring costs. In case there is no gateway close to your BEEP base you can buy one from 90 euros.

See here for more information:
English: https://beep.nl/base/measurement-system/lora-data-network
Nederlands: https://beep.nl/base/meetsysteem/lora-data-netwerk

You can install your own LoRa gateway. The advantage is that your help to extend the LoRa network for others too. It is a simple setup: just connect it to a wired of WiFi internet connection.

The range of reception of the LoRa network gateway depends on the type, indoor/outdoor placement and the type of antenna you use. This can be up to a few kilometers, depending on the height you place it at and the landscape. Line of sight works best.
See here options for devices to install.

That depends on your location. You can check the coverage of the TTN network on TTNmapper.org. This is the network over which the LoRa signals are send out. If you have no coverage you can buy and set up your own TTN Gateway. For more information: https://beep.nl/base/meetsysteem/lora-data-netwerk

LoRa can be used free of charge if you use a free network such as TTN. You need to be in a range of reception of an already installed gateway. If you install your own TTN LoRa gateway you only incur the one-time cost of the gateway. If you cannot place a LoRa gateway in the reception range of your BEEP bases, you can use commercial LoRa connections. There is a cost which you pay directly to the provider.

No, the BEEP base uses the long range low power LoRa network (https://www.thethingsnetwork.org) to send information and does not require a simcard.

Any type of 1.5V AAA batteries can be used. The internal power converter will convert the battery voltage to 3V to let the BEEP base take precise measurements. Even if your battery voltage is down to about 1V.

Yes, the working range is from -40 to +60 degrees Celsius: https://data.energizer.com/PDFs/lithiuml91l92_appman.pdf

The current LoRa chip on the BEEP base PCB transmits on the frequency band of 868MHz. The 868MHz band is free to use in countries within the EU. The current firmware is also restricted to this frequency band. Based on the demand outside the EU, we can create a PCB without a LoRa chip, so you can solder the one of your choice on it yourself. Or if the demand is high enough, we will create a PCB with another LoRa module on it which could be used eigther in US regions or Asia. You can of course use the BEEP base everywhere without LoRa network, by reading the internal storage memory by Bluetooth only. But we think you would miss the essence of the product then.

The shipping cost of one, two or three BEEP bases complete are:

Netherlands €7
Belgium €11
Germany €11
Luxembourg €14
United Kingdom €15
France €17
Rest of European Union €22

For four or five BEEP bases complete the shipping cost are:

Netherlands €10
Belgium €14
Germany €14
Luxembourg €17
United Kingdom €18
France €20
Rest of European Union €25

BEEP is a non-profit organization from the Netherlands and is exempt from taxes by the government. Therefore BEEP does not charge tax over the BEEP base.

BEEP works to develop digital tools that assist beekeepers in their decision making. We are a community-driven organization. We collaborate with beekeepers to make sure our product is aligned with their wishes. Our work is also used and validated by researchers, who help us to improve our product. Furthermore, we work with universities to design a universal database for beekeepers and researchers. Our designs are open source, that means that they are openly available for anybody to use, improve and adapt to your own situation and need. We use the latest technology and aim to make the best possible product to assist beekeepers.

Great! You can become part of the BEEP community. We use Slack to communicate with each other about (mostly) the technical details and development of the BEEP products. If you send us an email at info@beep.nl we will add you to the group.

No, only if you consent actively to participate in a research. You can read the specifications of the research and consent to share your data from and to a certain date.