Customer Reviews

9001DB Hose Thread Watering Timer

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

SUMMARY: These units aren't watertight, and failure rate is excessive.

EVALUATION: I originally bought one of these because the local hardware store employee said that they were the only ones that were reliable (I had tried other battery-based timers previously and was disappointed).

Initiially had a very good experience using the timer, which was very easy to program and appeared reliable. As a result, I shelled out serious dough for another 3 units to use in my expanded landscape.

Shortly before my extended vacation, I noticed that one of the units appeared to be watering on its own schedule. Close inspection revealed that the display had taken on water and was no longer legible. Since I was in a pinch for time, I bought another to replace it, plus one additional for a newly-planted area. Since that time, I've had 2 more fail.

Needless to say, I'm disappointed in this performance.

I have found that mechanical timers that rely on flow rate rather than time are more reliable, and you get a better sense of water usage. (e.g., Melnor/Gardena 101 Flowmeter Water Timer). Flow rate "timers" may require a flow rate greater than a drip system consumes; in that case a mechanical timer model (e.g., Melnor Real Time Automatic Water Timer #3010) might be more appropriate.

The major drawback, of course is that these alternatives to electronic timers aren't suitable for "vacation watering" as they need to be manually set for each watering cycle.

Bottom line? The Dig hose thread watering timer isn't waterproof. Considering its intended use, this is a serious flaw.

This timer is the best I've bought so far, and I've had to return 2 Raindrip timers this summer. This is easy to program and, just as important, easy to read, even in bright sunlight. What would make this timer superb would be a function allowing programming of intervals, such as every two days or every three days. It only has the ability for you to program in specific days.

I have been searching for a timer for a year that actually uses a clock and date (as opposed to saying to water every 6 hours, etc). I use this on both my drip irrigation system and my sprinkler. It allows for timing as little as 1 minute, with up to 4 starts per day.

Easy set up on hose bib, EASY to program, probably the easiest timer I've ever used.

You won't be disappointed.

I've purchased numerous of these timers. They performed very well for one full season. This season, however, most (but not all) of them are either completely dead or the LCD display is malfunctioning or not responding to button pushes (yes, this is with fresh batteries installed). Speaking of batteries... the battery compartment lacks a proper seal to keep moisture out, which is a glaring oversight by the manufacturer. The angle of the design can be a bit awkward depending on the angle of the hose bib to which you connect the timer -- and can also create more vulnerability for the seal-less battery compartment should a connection leak. The ability to adjust the angle and a sealed compartment would be great improvements. And, of course, these little timers are way too expensive to last only one season.

Similar to Craig F's experience.

Purchased two, both worked great for a while, then stopped. Looked for problem and noticed both had been internally leaking. Corroded internals, no longer work. Will be trying to get these both replaced.

Have gone through two of these in the last six months and they both have had valve failures. In one case, the valve just stopped working -- disassembly revealed that the motor or controller failed as the actual valve would still close. In the other case, the valve did not close completely, and the water kept running, albeit at a diminished flow rate. Since this valve controlled a drip system, the diminished flow rate had no impact my plants were watered for *hours*. They're happier than I am. I would recommend the Orbit products, as I have three of those (one 62001 and two 62030) and they seem to be pretty reliable and one is even handling my 120 psi landscape circuit pressure just fine.

I bought this water timer to replace another (made by a different company) that broke after two years of use. This digital settings on this timer make it MUCH easier to use and a great deal more flexible then my old timer. You can set up to four times a day to water your plants. You can also choose what days of the week to water, and there is a handy on/off feature that will turn the water on (or off) when you press it.

But, best of all, this company has EXCELLENT customer service. My unit developed a leak early on, and I phoned the company. A human being answered the phone right away (I wasn't put on hold forever) When I explained the problem, they sent me a complete replacement of the top part of the unit to fix it. Once I got that part, I found that the problem was actually a sliced O-ring seal. I contacted customer service again, this time by e-mail. They answered promptly, and they sent a replacement in the mail. Problem solved. That kind of service rates five stars in my book as it is all too rare these days!!

This hose timer is the best that I've used. It is very easy and intuitive to program and has fewer connections than some, eliminating possible leaks. Also, it has dedicated buttons for opening the value to water manually, and an especially handy rain delay button that allows you to turn off the watering during a rainy period, without having to reprogram. The only caveat--you can water several times a day if you like, but the length of time the valve will stay open can only be set once, and will be the same every time you water or for your manual watering.

This unit is truly a programmable timer as described. It has been working 2-3 times a day for over a year now. Very easy to install. No leaks, functions flawlessly. If necessary, manual shutoff at the touch of a button is accessible without losing programmed information. Highly recommneded.

I purchased a RAINDRIP "timer" before this unit. Nothing but problems. It appears that Amazon is no longer listing the unit.

Where to start? The cover won't stay up. Have fun programming it like that. I finally taped the lid up. There are 4 watering cycles, but the length of each cycle has to be identical. That means you can NOT have it turn on at 7 am for 2 mins and then at 10:30 for 5 min. This unit is not humidity proof let alone waterproof. The batterry compartment does not seal at all. There are large holes in the battery compartment that lead directly to the electronics. Huh what? I'm guessing that since this is an Israeli designed product and Israel is a desert country they don't have to worry about rain and humidity. Despite the programming limitations, I put my unit into service and less than a year later it failed. I didn't bother to get a warranty replacement, this product is so pathetic, it not worth the effort. Do not buy.