Automatic Yard Watering System

I've only had this for less than a week, so I realize that this says -nothing- for the longevity of the product, but I wish I had gotten this years ago. If you've ever set all the settings on a modern digital watch (or an old-fashioned digital VCR) this thing is EASY AS PIE to set up in comparison. It saves me having to truck out to the garden faucet every morning and evening to set a manual timer, which is especially handy now that the weather has turned Summer-like. If I'd had this years ago, my plants that were sheltered from the frost over the winter would've probably survived (I didn't water nearly often enough because it was such on-again-off-again rain constantly and the unsheltered parts of the backyard were a swamp). I'm devastated over the loss of my herbs and fuscia but absolutely did not want to court pneumonia by constantly going out in the damp. This timer would have saved me that struggle entirely, and I wish I had purchased it sooner! One of the best things I love about it is that the timer itself doesn't have water running through it and, as long as you've got good washers and teflon/thread seal tape, isn't anywhere near the water itself unless it rains. I didn't want to get a timer that channeled the water because all it would take would be a tiny leak to destroy the whole unit, and I really wanted this to last. This timer just slides on top of one of the valves on the faucet, so you don't even need to do anything special to mount it, although there IS a support bracket if you need it. I used the four-way brass manifold that I already had, which is more than sturdy enough to support all three valves and a hose, and I kept the plastic one that came with this package as a backup. The only worrisome moment I had when setting this up was that the extra hose adapter I purchased, to control a total of three zones, shipped with the valve in the "open" position. I was so worried it was broken, but I ran a manual cycle on just that tap and it fixed it right up right away. All three taps are now giving targeted drip watering to our vegetables, herbs, and beautiful flowers before I'm even awake in the morning! One other happy thing I noticed about this: if you don't want a zone to get watered, you do NOT have to muck with the settings on the timer. Just turn off the valve on the manifold for that zone, and turn it back on again when you want it to be watered. We ended up doing some maintenance work on the dripline and the ability to just shut off one zone manually on the manifold was really helpful when the timer kicked in to water the rest of the garden, right on schedule. In short: so far it's working beautifully, definitely recommended!

This is an update to 3 zone Orbit model 56082 which lasted 5 years and was currently replaced with 4 zone Orbit model 58911 with 2 additional valves. I have purchased the 3 outlet programmable and the 2 outlet programmable versions which have both produced excellent results and ease of programming. I modified the installation to cure some annoying problems which may be troubling other users. My system is a drip and soaker hose irrigation system with poly hose supply lines. The Orbit “complete kit” packaging requires purchase of 2 additional solenoid valves part number 58874N to make it a true complete 4 zone system. I used a 4 outlet brass hose valve manifold instead of the supplied plastic one. It is more durable and has better shut off valves. I installed a water hammer arrester (at bottom of picture) with a quarter turn ball valve on the water supply line T off the hose bib to prevent water hammer when the valve closes. To prevent dripping at the top inlet hose connections, I wrapped Teflon tape on the threads. I also used silicone hose washers with stainless steel screens at every connection to keep sand and debris out. I modified and painted the supplied bracket which attaches to the back of the brass manifold securing it diagonally to a steel stake driven into the ground. I also added an adjustable water pressure regulator set to 50 psi to reduce pressure on the valves and seals to improve longevity and reduce water hammer. My incoming water pressure was 120 psi at the street reduced to 80 psi into house with a water main regulator valve. The pipe manifold system I put together keeps a free hose bib at the top and allows for future expansion with another capped hose bib at the bottom near the arrestor. A separate top metal hose bib for a dedicated hose keeps pressure and pulling away from the Orbit system. Stainless steel hose clamps secure the assembly to the steel stake. Painters and deck demolition work above failed to break this arrangement. I installed 2 long life AA Energizer lithium batteries to improve long term reliability. Back flow preventers (vacuum breakers are required by code) were installed on outlets to protect against both back-siphoning and back-pressure of contaminated water into the potable water supply. A scrap piece of vinyl 40 mil bathtub liner secured with cable ties protects the controller from sun and rain and folds out of the way to program. In California we are rarely concerned with freeze, only the occasional frost. These modifications have kept the system moderately trouble free over the last 16 years of use and allows for easy future zone expansion with no digging.

[Updated Oct 2025) I've gone another year using 3 of these timers, some with multiple valves/zones. One was replaced last year by Orbit for being defective. Described in original review. This year, the timers worked well so I'm much more pleased with them than I was last year. I've added a star. ORIGINAL POST: This is a great product in all ways but the crucial one: they're not completely dependable! Others have said the same thing. I have 4 units with one or two zones being used on each. For some reason, as reported by several other reviewers, a unit will suddenly loose the correct time, sometimes by hours, or clear all together. So, I have to go around and check each unit weekly (or more often). This won't be good if I'm way on vacation for a longer time. I'll have to have a friend or neighbor come around and check/fix. That defeats the purpose for even having the timer!! I have called Orbit about it but even after doing the reset and tests they suggest, the problem can return. It's very sporadic. And, they aren't even sure (I've talked to two different reps at Orbit) if the unit should default to display showing time and then hours until next run or just show current time constantly. One unit can be doing one thing and then start doing the other. I'm trying to determine if one case indicates the unit needs to be reset. But they aren't even sure! One rep mentioned that the current time value can slip a little each week ("a design bug") but if that was the only problem, I wouldn't be too concerned. I use fresh batteries each year, cover the units in the sun with a basket to shade them, and I bring them in early fall to avoid exposure to freezing. Still, the timers can be unreliable. The only thing some people mention that I haven't tried yet is adding pressure regulators. That seems a bit complicated and I've also read the regulators have short lifespans. I've gotta say, IF the timers were dependable, I'd rate 5 stars and buy a lifetime supply of them. But as it stands, I'm going to give the ones I have another year and then find something else if they keep failing. What a shame!

I like this orbit watering system, I have several. I have had to replace a few due to freezing. One thing hate is the packaging. It’s almost impossible to open without very strong shears and you will likely cut or scratch yourself on the hard plastic that you have to cut to open the darn thing. Orbit you can do better

If I could give Zero stars I totally would!!!!! I use many orbit timers and this one being the most expensive and complicated is the WORST!!!! It will NOT keep the time therefore is constantly NOT working and I am relying on it to (supposedly) control the water on 3 of my areas - worst product I have ever bought!!!! I have changed the batteries twice already (I’ve only owned it for about 45 days), just to be safe, yet it is constantly changing the current time and does not water accordingly. Example - went to look AGAIN, tonight at 820 pm but according to it, it was Sat (it’s Tues) at 1142 pm Then, when I go to fix it, all programs are completely blank to top it off. If I wanted to water by hand constantly, or let my plants die willy-nilly, I wouldn’t have bought a timer! The 3 others I have, simple single setting/ 1 outlet work fine. It’s just this one that will not do it’s job! To top it off, in case you are STILL thinking you want to give it a try since there are so few multi-outlet options out there, please know it may not work the way you think….. While it allows for up to 4 outlets/Zones, please know the package only comes with 2. You have to buy/add on to allow for 4 in total, buying each ‘extra’ Zone output separate. Also, while you have 3-4 program options (can’t remember which cuz I don’t care anymore), each set program has to be the same. Meaning Program A starts at 7am for example, then program B at 730, etc. All good so far. But the time to run each zone has to be the same for every one of those Program settings. Example - I wanted to water Zone 1 & 3 only once for 10 minutes each every other day. And wanted Zone 2 to run 10 minutes twice, on Program A & B, daily. Well, not an option. You can ONLY decide the run time and days or interval (daily, every 2 days, etc) to be exactly the same for everything whether you like it or not. So my Xeriscape plants that need less water are now forced to be watered daily because the plants on Zone 2 need daily. So, I reduced the watering times to try and compensate. Well, still screwed b/c now I have to water then ALL daily and TWICE if I want Zone 2 to water more often and longer. What a PITA!!!!! And, as I mentioned above, I have to re-set the whole dam thing every 3-5 days because it simply stops doing its job for no reason to top it all off! What’s the point in having a watering system?!?!? Apparently, there is none with this piece of cr@p……. I don’t leave reviews often but wanted to warn all buyers on this one -STAY AWAY, it’s a huge watered of time and money (and causes dead plants) !!!!!!

Key feature for me was battery operation. The garden is not near any power source. Set it up as instructed -- and it seems to be working fine (after 2 months of operation). Have not needed any battery renewal yet. Programmed for daily watering operation. Water source is a well with lots of iron and particulate in source. So far the valves have worked fine -- no leakage. The fact that they are plastic valves seems to be an advantage. The mounting arrangement for the manifold is not very sturdy. The weight of the assembly with hoses hanging off required more than the supplied hardware -- but all in all, it was a lot easier to install and a lot less expensive than an inground system.

This is regarding item #58911 and a particular problem I am having. Periodically, every few weeks, I will lose all settings. This happened last year with that 58911 timer that I purchased, so I bought another this summer. Same problem is happening. I have replaced the batteries twice this year and batteries were tested(are good). I purchased this item twice, once on May 18, 2018 and June 11, 2019. I use the June purchased 58911 to run my four (4) irrigation stations for my community vegetable garden. I cannot trust this timer for when I go on vacation nor can I fully trust it to water in my community garden. I had this model 6 years ago and it worked fine for 4 years with no problems till the LCD panel was no longer readable from sun damage. So now what? How can I trust this device to not lose my timings? This is critical in SoCal semi desert heat where if it does not water for a few days, the garden can be killed off. So, review ultimately is a "fail". I guess, twice a "fail" since I bought two of them. Even the website for submitting an email to Orbit was a fail, "Processing" and never completed with 5 attempts and two different browsers. I can say that the timer is easy to program, used to be robust, easy to install, and extremely convenient to run on batteries particularly for remote location watering. It just fails, so ... really should be a one star rating but when it worked, it was great so... Sept. 3, 2019 Update: I have received new timers from warranty service (6 year warranty). Process was fast and no issues, you just need to provide when purchased and the "Date Code" on the back of the timer. The website fails, chat fails, but phone service works well and also has callback so that is good. Since I have two of these timers and both were replaced under warranty, I have a backup when something goes wrong. Glass half-empty. So, I have bumped the rating up to 3 stars from 2. Will see how it lasts through the rest of the growing season here, will update in October. J

This is the second one I've bought - we needed to set up an additional watering station on the other side of the garden area so I went ahead and ordered another of these units. We've got soaker hoses, sprinklers, and lots of dripline and driptape attached to these and the different station work great! No problems. This is year 3 for the first one I bought and it's still going strong. Do keep the manual around - the programming isn't always intuitive. After you've done it a few times you get the gist. I thought for a minute that maybe my 3 year old one was starting to give out then remembered I've never changed the batteries! Put fresh ones in and it's working great. We make sure to not leave it out in the winter and make sure we're storing it above freezing.

Facile à installer et efficace

Resistencia, fácil a programar,

I did not realise that all the glowing reviews for this where from Canadian users. I put it on our standard uk outdoor tap. Programmed it with ease and then was extremely disappointed when I turned the tap on. Water spewed from every seal. In desperation I tried plumbers tape which helped a bit, but given that I needed to leave the tap on all the time so that the orbit could work its magic, it meant that this system was useless. Even when the orbit wasn’t in watering mode, significant amounts of water would have been pouring out. After frantic googling, and learning of orbit’s dire/non existent after sales help. I found a number of unfavourable UK reviews for another of their water timers. I believe that there is something different about British taps that make this system useless in the UK in its current form. However I have seen a couple of British reports that say otherwise, and given that it’s a pain to return the product, I’m not giving up, I’m going to try to modify the tap to make it work. I’ll post a follow up when I have more info.

Plants like it Easy to program

Have had an identical system for many years that is still working well. However, the LCD screen has become so faint it is virtually unreadable, but can’t really complain as it has been out in the open for all those years. As I couldn’t find the controller as a single item I had to purchase the complete system - now I have a controller you can read plus a couple of spare solenoid valves and the multi-outlet adapter. Hoping for many more years of happy reticulation.