Hi Mark,
To see the differences laid out in writing, the best place to look is the Indiegogo page:
Frederick Dunn’s video is a pretty good video on how the Flow Hive 2 is different to the Classic:
Made by us
We have redesigned the Flow Hive 2 from the ground up and are manufacturing it in-house in Australia, using precision laser cutting. This allows us to focus on quality control and ensure the highest levels of sustainability throughout the process, whilst giving us the ability to innovate more quickly.
Premium woodware
Created from highly durable, sustainably-sourced, A-grade, Western Red Cedar, the Flow Hive 2 is laser-cut and built with precision by us in Australia.
Optional integrated adjustable hive stand
Add an adjustable leg kit, this handy feature enables you to control the height and level of your hive perfectly, even on uneven ground.
The ability to precisely adjust the height of the hive on each individual corner, makes just about any terrain suitable for a Flow Hive.
Built-in spirit levels
The newly redesigned base features two inbuilt spirit levels to ensure that your hive’s setup is optimal for honey harvesting, and to help the bees in building straight natural brood comb.
Ventilation control
The unique ventilation control system allows you to support your bees as the seasons change, increasing or decreasing air flow depending on external weather conditions.
Multifunctional tray
Our new base design features a multifunctional tray which slides into the base, allowing you to trap pests and monitor your colony’s health.
Better handles
The brood box handles are deeply cut for easier lifting. The brood box comes with 8 foundationless brood frames for the bees to naturally build their brood comb. The brood frames are also built to accommodate wax and wire or plastic foundation if you wish.
Flow Hive super
The Flow Super (the honey box) is specially designed to accommodate our patented Flow Frames, and now features observation windows on both sides, giving you more insight into the fascinating world of your bees as they fill the Flow Super with delicious honey.
Premium brass fixtures
The Flow Hive 2 features high-quality durable solid brass fixtures throughout, which over time will become a beautiful tarnished colour.
Harvesting shelf
Also included in this pre-sale offer is a convenient, height-adjustable harvesting shelf to make collecting your honey even easier than before.
Inner cover with plug
Our inner cover is designed with a central hole should you need to feed your bees in lean times. This now comes with a convenient plug allowing you to control bee access to your roof cavity if you would like to allow them to build honeycomb in the roof.
Single shingles
The shingled roof sections now come pre-glued as one panel for better weather protection, and with placement guides for easier assembly.
Protection against the elements
Our gabled roof now comes with sturdy brass wing screws, to ensure the roof is secure even in adverse weather conditions.
Handy assembly tool
The Flow Hive 2 comes complete with an assembly tool so you can easily put your hive together, even by hand if you wish.
Flow Frames
In addition to all of these exciting new features, our beautiful new Flow Hive 2 includes everything that’s made Flow a favourite with beekeepers all over the world, including our patented Generation 2 Flow Frames that allow you to collect pure fresh honey straight from the hive.
How are 2nd Generation Flow Frames different to the original Flow Frames?
Both our Flow Hive 2 and Flow Hive Classic come with generation 2 Flow Frames.
These contain lots of minor improvements for better functionality, durability and to further minimise any disturbance to the bees during harvest.
These include:
- Adjustments in the cell depth of the moving comb blade, so the movement that forms channels through the comb happens deeper beneath the bees feet for minimal disturbance, this also allows the bees to draw out their comb further.
- A decrease in the cell wall thickness results in a slight increase in the amount of honey that can be stored and harvested from each Flow Frame.
- The central spine of the moving parts is now more robust offering more durability.
- An increase in the reset and lift pressure from the Flow Key is added for better functionality.
- Added radiuses and angles for easier insertion of the Flow Frames when beekeeping.
- Some cosmetic rounded edges have been added on the front lower transparent end.
- Tighter securing cables hold the frame together more securely.
- Upper and lower frame caps now have a handle negating the need for pliers to remove.
Here is some more information you may also find useful about the differences, and why to choose one hive or wood type over the other:
- Flow Hive 2 is a pre-order item at the moment - it is not shipping immediately - you will need to check the ESTIMATED shipping date on the product page for your location.
USA/worldide: https://www.honeyflow.com/shop/flow-hive/flow-hive-2/p/388
Australia: https://www.honeyflow.com.au/collections/all_flow_hives/products/flow-hive-2
Europe: https://eu.honeyflow.com/collections/all-products/products/flow-hive-2
-
If you are in the Southern Hemisphere and would like a Flow Hive now for Spring, it would be better to order a Flow Hive Cassic now - so you can start in Spring (make sure your bees are ordered, as there can be waiting lists). If you order a Flow Hive 2 now and want to get started this year, make sure you ask some local beekeepers or bee club, if you can start when your hive arrives. Or you could get started with a brood box kit now, and upgrade to the Flow Hive 2 when it arrives in October/November (this date will change).
-
If you are in the Northern Hemisphere and would like to get started next Spring or you are purchasing for Christmas, you can order now with estimated shipping in December (at the moment - this date will change).
You can read more detailed information about the wood types here:
Cedar: https://eu.honeyflow.com/pages/western-red-cedar
Araucaria: https://eu.honeyflow.com/pages/araucaria-hoop-pine
Some prefer the natural look of Cedar and choose the Cedar because of this. You can coat with some Tung Oil, or a waterproof sealant and you will be able to see the natural colour and grain of the wood. Some also say the wood type may prevent termites or other insects (but this seems to differ from person to person).
The Araucaria is still a good quality cabinet timber. It just needs a couple of coats of waterproof paint or sealant to protect it from the elements.
https://www.honeyflow.com/faqs/all/what-paint-or-varnish-is-safe-to-coat-my-flow-hive-with/p/152#a1
You may like to have a read on our Community Forum: Cedar vs Other wood hives
You can also coat the Araucaria in a clear or tinted waterproof sealant to maintain the natural look of the wood. The Araucaria gives you the option of purchasing the larger Flow Hive with 7 frames which is not available in the Cedar.
The Flow Hive with 6 Flow Frames is the same size as a Langstroth 8 deep beehive.
The Flow Hive with 7 Flow Frames is the same size as a Langstroth 10 deep beehive.
Some like to pick the same size beehive that is used commonly in their area - so they can interchange brood boxes, roofs, and other beehive equipment easily in their area.
For example, I know that a lot of beekeepers in Canada use 10 frame brood boxes, so we have customers who want to buy 10 frame Flow Hives, so they can buy extra 10 frame brood boxes locally when they need a second brood box of for doing splits. It also helps them match what their mentors know.
But then we also have some Canadians using Flow Hive Classic 6s (equivalent to Langstroth 8 deep beehives), and using 2 or 3 brood boxes to help their bees survive over winter.
I hope that helps a bit 