Customer Reviews

Toro 53768 Ecxtra Six-Zone Outdoor Sprinkler Timer

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have 11 zones on my 1/2 acre yard. Having screwed up the previous controller (long story, my fault, though). I needed a replacement. 6 zones weren't going to cut it. This one is expandable.

I must say, I have read many reviews on this product and I am shocked to see how difficult people have made this product out to be. I managed to install the expansion adaptors for more zones. Install a rain sensor (that my old controller didn't have), and use the time pod to update my watering schedule. The biggest hassle was finding a new spot to mount the controller and run a power cord (I just cut the end off an old extension cord and had to fish it through the hole the previous power cord ran through). I like it. It works for me. I can imagine how frustrated people are when they have to program by hand (and memory for that matter). The time pod makes this thing a snap to program. Worth every nickel. I am tired of reading complaints from people who lack the intitiative to work a little bit

Buying a sprinkler times ought not to be a major challenge, but having worked on and disliked quite a few other brands, I thought finally purchasing "the latest" to install should merit a bit of thought. But with very few local choices and limited time, the Toro Ecxtra won due to its availability, expandability, and pseudo-commercial construction. As it came with a passably weather tight enclosure it was an easy choice.

The intended location would be in full sun, so I set it up on the bench to acquaint myself with the programming. It seems to have some peculiarities of command input- such as pressing two buttons simultaneously and twice consecutively) that I would not call intuitive, but the manual is almost adequate in eventually helping one gain control of a unit that is by nature typically more powerful and overcomplicated for what most people really need. (I would one day love to be able to use the cherished phrase, "The manual is well-written and easy to follow".)

I discovered an amusing online "Interactive Product Manual" via the Toro website, it is an animated and annotated expansion of the print manual.. if you really want to spend a few hours or days learning this thing, here is the way. I was more interested in getting it installed and operating so I could get paid.

It has a flash memory and without battery backup is claimed to save program info indefinitely, and time and day info for 24 hours which made it much more simple to pre-program and install.

Installation itself was brainless, once programmed I was fortunate enough that it fit perfectly in the old location so it was a matter of less than an hour to have it up and running.

A fairly well touted feature is the expandability to 12 zones. Small plastic snap-in modules with a pair of wire ports can link two zones to the main board, just pick up a coupla more modules and you're off. The modules are $11.99. It seems like anyone in need of more than six or eight is likely to be a commercial user and into the next strata of tech.. but it's a nice feature in case a system grows, there are times when I would have liked to do that.

Another accessory is the so-called "Time Pod". which allows a user to program the timer from a PC and then upload the info in the field. I found these to be around $40.00, and geek that I am, I am not really that into writing irrigation programs in my spare time. In fact, the unit comes with a rudimentary program already in memory, so a user could install it and never have to touch a dial. I'd say if you're looking for a decent, non-commercial timer you can find at any Big Box, (or Amazon, of course!) this is a good unit.

You're paying a lot of money for a lot of pain - for 3 reasons.

(I paid a professional to install it, so I can't talk about any difficulty in installation.)

First of all, it didn't work, and the Customer Service folks were not helpful other than sending me the manula and telling me to look it up (whch I already had, ThankYouVeryMuch).

The problem? It will not accept a 'manual' setting so I am unable to turn on a single zone. This makes maintenance on the system (adjusting heads in the Spring, replacing blown heads, etc.) virtually impossible.

Second, both the manual and the computer program are a total nightmare. OnMyGawsh. I can't tell you how long I've spent in frustration. I generally don't have a problem with the switches and dials needed for sprinkler systems, but this one... oy! And whoever wrote the software really should be shot. It makes no sense whatsoever. The cutsie graphics are nice, but I just want to water my lawn!

Third. Inserting the 'pod' with the programming into the ECXTRA is very quirky. I've never seen such a sloppy interface. It's nothing like, say a USB interface you have on your computer. It's just a set of prongs - nothing more - and there are too many for the 'pod', so you just center it up on the prongs as best you can, try to push the 'transfer' button without wiggling it too much so you lose the connection (very delicate to hold it just right) and then PRAY you hold it steady long enough for the data to transfer. It's a pain.

So, I'm stuck with an expensive product that won't work no matter how many hours I spend wrestling with it. Time to cut my losses and buy another one - but it won't be TORO!!!

the controller is fine for the money. I would love to operate two zones at a time but it will not allow it.

I opted for this Outdoor unit to replace an Orbit one with a Door that was falling off and no longer available.
While I was at it I wanted Sprinkler Timer that had an option for A rain sensor and also could be programmed by my computer with the Toro Time Pod option (A Special USB stick with a custom connector on one end).

As far as I know Only Toro has this computer programming option. Be sure to download the current software from [...] 1.11 was current as of Nov 2009. Apparently older versions were quite buggy and the units that are on shelves will have ancient versions.

I was able to install the software and Program the time pod literally in seconds. The software makes you answer a few questions in case you want it to create an automated program for you based on weather it gets automatically form your, zip code, humidity etc. You have ř answer the questions even if your going to create a manual program, silly but not a problem.

The Sprinkler timer itself and wireless rain sensor is easy to install. I have no complaints. The instructions for wiring the rain sensor could be clearer about combining the 24 volt leads with the power leads for the rain sensor since there is only one 24 volt feed.

This product is excellent. Non-volatile memory, ease of programming, schedule flexibility. The only problem is the large case size...takes up a lot of wall space with the provision for additional solonoids (I do not know anyone having more than six watering stations).

OK, maybe it's just me, and I was an idiot -- others have suggested this inthe past, so it is possible...but this expensive giant device only comes equipped to do four zones, not six! Also, did I mention that it is ginormous??? I thought it would be bigger and easier to use than our existing 4 zone timer, as in twice as big would have allowed for more ease of access and better controls, easier to read display, etc., but it is 8X bigger and I cannot imagine where I will find room to install it without building a separate building for it. OK, that's a bit of hyperbole, but barely. I also read the blurbs on it in detail, and one critical feature I desired was having a computer interface so that I could monitor and program it from a PC easily and without having to go thru all those silly brain dead program sequences, that I know everyone out there just loathes! Well, guess what? It does NOT interconnect or communicate with a computer in any fashion at all! The only "computer control" is the built in processor that is just a simpleton who takes direction only from the giant buttons and knobs in the unit, which, did I mention before, is SUPER HUGE! Also, the construction quality is very cheap plastic, does not appear high quality, and really, this was such a bad buying decision on my part that I want to practice fencing without body protection gear.

If anyone wants to buy it from me at a great discount, I will sell it to them immediately, new in the box!