Melnor 73280 Digital Water Electronic Hose Timer, 4 Zone, Black/Gray

Works very nicely. Wanted something without an app and this does everything I need it to.

I recently put in service this brand-new Model 73015 of the Melnor HydroLogic 1-Zone water timer to supply a drip irrigation system for my garden. It has been operating smoothly so far without any leaks or timing failures, but not long enough for me to judge its long-term durability. However, it has been running long enough to make one observation comparing it to the earlier Melnor Model 3015 1-Zone AquaTimer. The clock in the new HydroLogic 1-Zone timer maintains the time of day MUCH more accurately than the old AquaTimer. The clock in my old AquaTimer would lose more than 1 minute each week, but the new Model 73015 HydroLogic timer varies less than 1 second in the same 7-day period. I had to use a radio-controlled "atomic" clock for the standard of comparison to detect any variance at all in the HydroLogic clock. Precision in time keeping for a garden water timer may not be very important in many applications, but the HydroLogic Model 73015 1-Zone timer is a great improvement in that regard.Be aware that the water timer may arrive in the shipment with the valve open. After installing two AA alkaline batteries, I suggest first attaching a hose to the outlet to divert the possible flow, then apply upstream water pressure at the inlet of the timer (20 psi minimum) and use the MANUAL function to cycle the valve open and closed 3 times to ensure a good seal on the first use.UPDATE (July 9, 2018): My HydroLogic 1-Zone water timer has operated flawlessly for 18 weeks now on a watering schedule of once every day at 4:00am for 20 minutes. It doesn't leak at the inlet under 60 psi pressure or from the outlet when the valve is closed. I've used the RAIN DELAY and MANUAL functions several times and they work great. The battery indicator is still showing 5 of 5 bars. The timer clock drifted from NIST standard time by less than 2 seconds over this long period (running slightly fast). I'm extremely pleased with the performance of this water timer!

I really like the ease of programming, and the large, easy-to-read display.Construction is good; upper hose fitting is brass with a large rubber ring, lower fitting is plastic.Timer uses two AA batteries, which are easily accessed via a slide-out tray in the back.We're using this to control a mister in our small greenhouse: We have it set to come on 4 times per day, for just 10 minutes each time.Note that when I first got this thing, I programmed it without any water connections -- which the instructions say is OK -- and then hooked it up to the hose bib. At that point, it did *not* work properly: Water came through, even though it was during an Off period. I took it off the hose bib, fiddled with it a bit, turned it Off-On-Auto, tried blowing through the water fittings, and couldn't get the valve to move. But when I put it back on the hose bib and cycled it Off-On a few more times, it did start working properly, and has been OK since. However, this initial glitch keeps me from giving it 5 stars. If it fails within the next year, I'll edit this review (and reduce the star count).

I was hesitant after reading all the bad reviews but I really liked it and works very smoothly, to avoid leaks just make sure you put enough plumbers tape before. Other than that, I have been using it for an about 2 months and I have the 4 connections working twice a day and it’s been very useful.I did my underground sprinkler system by myself so I have added a extra Y connection to use it in manual when I need a regular hose, this to avoid having to disconnect them when I just need the hose.Very easy to use.

So this unit was setup to water from four different sprinklers. It worked as advertised for about 30 days. Then 2 of the four zones quit working. Zone 2 and zone 3 have failed in both the auto and manual mode. Engineering and design were probably ok but clearly the manufacturing was poorly executed. I'm guessing, don't see any information to confirm, that this thing was manufactured in China. What I've seen from the stuff I buy coming out of China is a disregard for quality. In both the components used and engineering requirements. They're cheap and can meet quotas but can not build anything that'll last. After the unit was working for a couple of weeks I threw away the box /packaging so I can't return it for a refund. ADVICE: hang on to the packaging ... IT WILL FAIL! Guys, I can't recommend this unit. I'm going back to Orbitz. They have their own issues but at least you can remove/replace sticky or failed valves and their programming is much more user friendly.