The user reports that the EcoFlow Glacier app requires a data connection to function, even for basic monitoring via Bluetooth. This makes the product unusable off-grid. The user suggests allowing full app functionality via Bluetooth without needing to "phone home."
TL:DR Jumped on the bandwagon to be 'connected' with my devices & solutions, only to jump back off. --Delta 2 It started by desire to keeping our home offices online during power failure. Though had a large generator, seemed silly & irresponsible to run it for a few hundred watts of loads. Office1 is laptop w/ 2 ginormous monitors. Office2 is tiny pc and 2 sane-sized monitors. My office, Office3, is the worst at *6* Lenovo tiny pc and 4 monitors, plus NVR and cable internet gateway with 5G gateway as failover, Exede satellite as redundant, plus 3d printer. Each office got a Delta2, living room got one also. No spare. Of the power stations I have used, Delta2 is least problematic but don't expect it to work so well after being on standby for weeks on end. Battery loses calibration. Discovered that a diy external battery & charger just about solves the immediate problem. Now Office3 is powered solely by 100Ah LFP, external charger, and handful of DC-DC converters. 10+ hours online at full load, no inverter needed. Office1 &2 will be receiving similar setup to Office3. --River 2 Picked up 4 of these for use in field as well as around house. Discovered nasty bug regarding external charging, and tendency to stop charging and everything dies. Very noisy fans and inefficient inverter didn't help. All 4 same issues. Returned for refund. --River 3 Picked up *5* to replace R2, and have a spare. Doesn't have same ability at starting loads as R2 did, but doesn't appear to have external charge bug either. Also are quieter, much quieter. Idling off 120vac, all is normal. External charging, battery heats up around 20°F above ambient. In a 74°house, not a big deal. In 90° outdoor, I am concerned. Temperature increases when start using inverter. 20Ah LFP, external charger, and fancy inverter are replacing through attrition, but somewhat decent so far other than temp. Will be replaced with 20Ah LFP, ext charger, and inverter --Glacier Was excited for this. Self contained portable refrigerator. Just charge battery, and place on shelf by the cooler until needed. Just plug battery in, start cooler, and use app to monitor. Simple, but it isn't. App wants a data connection, not just bluetooth to fridge. No data = no work, just a blank screen to 'add devices'. I guess it has to phone home to get permission to run. Returned for refund. Bought portable fridge, AlpiCool, that connects to app over Bluetooth, and external power. And is 10-20% cost of Glacier. Works great off 20Ah LFP, AC Adapter, and power port though it is way sensitive about battery voltage. No data connection required. No app required. Very easy control from panel. And app, though not required. --Smart 3000 generator Completely misrepresented. No 48vdc out, not compatible with Delta 2. App start (if have data to start app) or local start. No auto start. Max power out is 2200w on gasoline, 1800 on LP. CS says 3000w is via X-Boost, though that is not mentioned. Requires 10W-40oil only, all temps. No service parts available. Mine also was used, sold as new. Returned for Refund. Westinghouse 4000 generator, no connectivity but remote and local start. Nearly same price, but actual power output of 4kw is achievable. With normal voltage and frequency. --Wave OMG, what a disaster this was. I couldn't achieve more than a 3°F drop in temp. After a couple hours, air out warmer than air in. Freestanding test, not ducted but exhaust not going drawn in either. Returned for exchange. Dead unit. Returned for refund. Haven't found an offshelf alternative yet, but working on a diy solution. Main reason for choosing EcoFlow is connectivity, and face it, you can't build a power station with 1kwh storage, with charger, with remote monitoring, etc for less than $600. Certainly can't do a power station with 250wh storage, charger, connectivity, etc for less than. $300. Maybe my expectations are set too high. Maybe is just bad luck. Lesson learned is being connected isn't a requirement, just cost vs functionality. Connectivity is nice, but I refuse to pay more for the capability and not be able to use when needed. --- Message to EcoFlow. It's time for a reset. Return back to your roots, ethics, and morals. I realize that PRC's manufacturing resources are vast, but turning out product designed to maybe make it through warranty period is irresponsible plus damages reputation when consumers get screwed over. I jumped into EcoFlow with Delta2. (x4) and 12v100Ah TM (x8) and was very pleased. But something changed, or maybe was always there and I was lucky. The app is biggest problem. Why should it phone home to EF when it makes it difficult to use products off grid / without internet? At least make the APIs public for local use. Of course, that would mean giving up a revenue stream based on consumer data & use. I refuse to believe my luck is so bad that most of products I bought (and returned) were defective or have glaring issues. Up until 2 months ago, I was planning a backup solar system for beach house with Delta Pro at its core. Given your history of issues, complaints, and impediments regarding service the name EcoFlow has been removed from my plans. Instead, I will be using solutions from Renogy, based on product experience, support interaction, and continuing support for the short term (greater than 1, less than 2 years) before installing full solar with Victron Quattros at the heart powered by Victron LFP storage. Congratulations for alienating yet another consumer. You blew it.