Orbit 50020 All-in-One Automatic Watering System

Purchased this kit and was excited to install. To my surprise, the install was even easier than anticipated. The water pressure gage, cutter and instructions were easy to use and follow. My issues and tips: My only issue was attributable to operator error, and my tip is for the Blu-Lock connectors. They feel somewhat secure and feel to fit. Just make sure you apply additional pressure until the tubing moves inward and seats further in. It may require more effort than you originally think. Once it properly seats, you will be unable to pull the tubing out without the release. My tips: 1. Before install, apx 1 week prior, begin overwatering your lawn to prepare the soil and make it easier for your install. 2. As mentioned in many reviews, use yard stakes and secure your sprinkler head. 3. As noted in the instructions, measure your waters PSI and then determine your sprinkler head spacing. 4. (Here is where I saved a ton of time) use a half moon edger/cutter and cut along the path for your tubing. 5. Use a flat spade to increase the depth made by your cutter and create a "V", to the appropriate depth. 6. Install the system and close the edges of your "V" trench. 7. Backfill any elevation needs with Mason sand to level. 8. I used a 0° pressure washer attachment to go under a 3.5' sidewalk (it made for an easy 15 min job) 9. Watch videos on sprinkler head adjustment and then try, try, and try again... lol. Easy to adjust once you figure out how. 10. I purchased a smart water timer and it maintains the lawn, soil moisture and grass health. So far, I am impressed. The photo shown is 3 hours after install. Very easy install that took half a day with minimal disruption to my overall lawn. I am writing this review 3 weeks after install and I receive comments that no one is able to tell where the trenches were dug.

I've bought 4 of these kits so far. I've expanded on one and added a full new system at a different house, so I'm a little familiar with them by now. I wait until they come on sale, or better yet buy it at a huge discount as "used" (typically untouched, open, or missing a couple fittings). the price is right considering the kit includes the timer, 6 sprinklers, tons of tube, the pressure gauge, tubing cutter. buying these seperately, even off the Orbit website, would be significantly more money. installation isn't bad at all. I've rented a trencher, but not only is it expensive, big, cumbersome, messy, and difficult for recover your lawn... but you simply done need to go that deep or wide for this system. A simple flat head shovel, dig it in 4 to 6 inches in a straight line, and go back and "pry" up the sod and you can feed the tubing under/between the grass quite easily. you will probably need to tamp the dirt around the sprinkler so it stays put and doesn't lean under pressure . PROS: complete installation kit, all you need is a shovel. the blu lok technology is just push to connect, can release it to make adjustments. value is pretty good. sprinkler adjustments and replacement are pretty straight forward. best of all, you CAN adapt the blu lok onto a 1/2 PEX fitting if you need to expand using different fittings or hose. However, PEX won't fit into the blu lok fittings. I've also bought some underground valve boxes so l can just run a hose to that and hide all the timers. CONS: the fitting selection is okay at best. the sprinklers all have the same nozzle size, limiting your options. this kit is really designed to give you a couple specific sprinkler layouts. a few extra fittings & nozzle selection pack would go a long way, especially because these fittings and parts are hard to find in stores (in Canada). The auto-drain fitting and the blu-lok to Hose Faucet connector are especially hard to find and I've had to purchase brass pex/pipe/Hose fittings to adapt, thus increasing costs quite a bit. Overall, (compared to a full $1500 proper sprinkler system with power and solenoids etc) if you can get this kit for less than $200, it does the job nicely. I blow mine out in the fall with a compressor because I don't really trust the auto drain fittings. I've always got the kit in my cart waiting for a Prime sale or something, just to have a full set of spares kicking around as I am now quite commited to this system.

THE GOOD: This system is AWESOME! I was quoted 2k to get sprinklers installed in my front yard. I bought the small kit, took me about a 2 days to plan, dig, setup, test, adjust. I got 75psi of pressure from my hose faucet, and every sprinkler can hit about 24-25 feet if needed. I did what the diagram said and did the single hose from faucet, into a Y split, and 3 sprinklers on each. The hose was easy to use after laying in the sun for an hour, as it uncoiled a bit. The connections are easy and simple, with no leaking. Sprinklers are pop ups and easy to adjust after you get the hang of it. I can't comment on timer as I haven't used it yet. I really couldn't be more impressed. THE BAD: They only give you enough parts to complete the sprinkler kit. So if you lose a part, something gets stuck, a thread is messed up, or you want to alter it in any way you are SOL. One of the T attachments failed on me, it was the last one in line that I connected the stopper/drainer on the end. Well the stopper kept shooting off, so I went to try to switch the side of the T, and then I couldn't get the house out even though I did the twist and pull (which I did successfully on the others). Anyways had to cut the line, and was on the hunt for a new part. By the way these attachments seem IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND, and if you do they are super expensive. Home Depot and Lowes (both online) has them for cheap, but stock and selection is very limited. I did manage to find a 90 degree 1/2 blulock to 1/2 thread, that ended up doing the job. I hope the end drain/stopper isn't a necessary item. I have one at the end of one strand but the 90 degree on the other end. Time will tell.

Comes with all requires fittings and tools. Rather than buying individual components from Home Depot, this was super convenient to have everything in one box. Works so well that my neighbours envy my lawn.

Works great. Parts available at Home Depot (most). I bought 2 set. On one set, I have three heads on one line, and 6 (yes six) on a second line which is not very wide. To be clear, the pressure seems the same on the 6 heads. I even had to reduce the range on most of them to avoid sending water where it should not go. I was a bit upset Orbit did not have all accessories available (for example the faucet adaptor being back order!), but I was able to find a way around it with parts at Home Depot. I am quite impressed. I would recommend to friends and family.