Orbit 57865 Outdoor Battery-Powered Water Sprinkler Controller

I have installed four of these valves + controllers on my property and I am planning to add another valve to one of them. They have been running flawlessly for a few months now. They solve a big problem as running wires to these location is far too difficult to be worth it. The only minor detail I would change is the flimsy design of the support bracket which puts it up on the top of the valve. These are well sealed and what I really like is the ability to take the controller unit out of the housing so it can be serviced and set. In sunny locations, I have added a wooden box over the valve unit (from IKEA) which is designed to allow me to turn the box over on top of the valve and pipes, and allow removal of the top of the box (which would normally be the bottom). This keeps the direct sun off the unit and the pipes which will otherwise degrade in the sunlight. In that case, I am not using the bracket but setting the controller housing further down in the wooden box.UPDATE -- after a year of using these, I have found that the sealed case will not successfully make it through a winter in the yard without cover from the elements, and the lower half of the box will fill with water, ruining the switches that turn on the valve. I will be pulling these out of their remote locations and putting them in a dry area during the winter months. The electronic switches in the base are what I tend to have trouble with.UPDATE -- One timer continues to go on over and over, have had to take it out of service. The valve is still fine, but the electronics only is what I need to replace now. The programming seems to have a bug!

Good quality

This timer replaces a Hunter that was an absolute nightmare to program. The Orbit was plug 'n' play, with super-easy hookups to the solenoids. No tools needed. Programming is straightforward. It comes with a horizontal valve, which seems wasteful to me; many buyers would either have their valves already or might want to choose a different style valve. It doesn't have memory so if your batteries die you have to reprogram. I've learned to check the battery readout every week or so to avoid missing a watering cycle.

I recently purchased the Orbit Battery Operated Sprinkler Timer with Valve (57860), and it has made a significant difference in the way I manage my lawn irrigation.First and foremost, the ease of installation was impressive. I was able to set it up without any hassles, and the clear instructions provided were a big help. The battery-operated design eliminates the need for complex wiring, making it suitable for DIY enthusiasts like me.The versatility of this timer is excellent. With multiple programmable zones, I can customize watering schedules for different areas of my garden. This flexibility allows me to ensure that each part of my lawn gets the right amount of water, promoting healthy growth and conservation.The timer's programming options are user-friendly, and I can easily adjust watering durations, start times, and days of the week. It also has a rain delay feature, which is handy for conserving water during wet weather or when I've recently watered manually.The valve included with the timer is robust and reliable, ensuring that water flow is controlled precisely. I haven't experienced any leaks or issues with it since installation.The Orbit Sprinkler Timer also has a long battery life, which is a significant plus. I haven't needed to replace the batteries frequently, even with regular use.In conclusion, the Orbit Battery Operated Sprinkler Timer with Valve (57860) has simplified my lawn care routine and made it more efficient. It's versatile, easy to use, and helps conserve water by providing precise control over irrigation. If you're looking for a reliable and user-friendly sprinkler timer, I highly recommend giving this product a try. It's been a valuable addition to my gardening tools.

Great device when you don't have regular power available

Truly disappointed with this purchase. Bought 4 of them, none of them lasted a year. They were in dry boxes and sealed, yet all of them failed. Huge bummer considering how much they cost. Not worth it.

A contractor inadvertently cut my sprinkler control cable, which ran under my asphalt driveway, rendering my drip line useless. I needed a battery powered sprinkler valve controller that could replace my plug in controller, owing to the severed cable. This little controller fit the bill! It was easy to configure and the included adapter fit my Rainbird valve perfectly. Now my trees and bushes are getting their water as before. I only have one drip line in use so the sole control cable adapter was sufficient for my needs. I’ll be adding another zone soon so I’ll have to purchase another cable adapter. Small price to pay for peace of mind, knowing that my little forest in this high mountain desert is receiving the life giving water it so desperately requires. Fantastic, simple solution for, what was for me, an enormous conundrum. 5 easy stars!

Bought two and installed front and back yard. One time it worked as scheduled for a few weeks...then the unit changed time setting for no reason. Test runs were ok. Then it wouldn't turn on valves at the time I specified. Then, whe I wanted 5 min water time for each valve, the watering happened 4 times, one after another instead of just one cycle. I do t know what is going with this thing.