• Smart schedule & save water – save water With real-time weather adjustments. (Epa Water Sense certified, check for rebates)
• Cloud independent – all personal data stored locally. Rain Machine continues to work even when Wi-Fi is down.
• FREE WEATHER DATA – Direct access to NOAA, METNO or Wunderground, Open Weather Map, NetAtmo. Use National or Personal Weather Stations for pinpoint accuracy.
• Control from anywhere – colour touch screen, iPhone, and Android, PC browser access with dashboard stats. Works from home, work or vacation.
• UPDATED MODEL (2019) – Improved WIFI. hundreds of Schedule and UI improvements. Integrate with Alexa, Google Home, Nest, WINK, SmartThings via IFTTT (Apple HomeKit Beta update available).

The post Rainmachine Touch HD-12/16 appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Reliable irrigation
The smart Water Control reliably controls the irrigation of your plants in everyday life and even when you are not at home. The tried and tested valve technology ensures a strong connection between the smart Water Control, the water connection and the connecting devices.

Everything under control
Using the free GARDENA smart App for iOS and Android, you always have your garden under control, wherever your location. By tapping the screen, you can call up the important information required and adapt all settings for your garden work conveniently and according to requirements.

Frost alarm
Thanks to an integrated temperature sensor, the smart Water Control automatically transmits a warning alarm to the GARDENA smart App before the temperatures become too cold. Then it is time to put the irrigation system out of operation and to store the device in a frost-proof area.

Securely connected
Strong antennae guarantee the cable-free connection to the GARDENA smart Gateway even in large gardens, and therefore the reliable transmission of the measurement data to the GARDENA smart App.

Direct control
Simply press a button on the smart Water Control, and you will receive an overview over the signal strength, battery charging and active irrigation statuses via LEDs located directly on the device. If water is required immediately, irrigation can be started directly by pressing the button once more.

The post Gardena Smart Water Control appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Upgrade your existing irrigation system
Most available irrigation valves 24 V can be controlled with the GARDENA smart Irrigation Control. By only replacing the control unit, one can switch common irrigation systems– if they are from GARDENA or other brands – into a completely app controlled system.

Automatic and time-saving irrigation
The GARDENA smart Irrigation Control reliably and conveniently waters the entire garden. Up to six irrigation valves of 24V can be connected, which means that up to six separate irrigation zones can be managed.

Controllable via app
Using the free GARDENA smart App for iOS, Android and Web, you always have your garden under control, wherever your location. GARDENA smart Irrigation Control can be controlled via the smart App. A separate watering program can be accessed for each irrigation zone. The watering days and cycles can be individually selected and the watering duration can be flexibly adjusted.

Ideal for outdoor use
GARDENA smart Irrigation Control is splash-proof in compliance with protection class IP X4 and thus suited for outdoor installation.

The post Gardena Smart Irrigation Control appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Weather Data Sources
The RainMachine gets the weather forecast from NOAA.GOV, Metno, Forecast.io, NetAtmo, or Wunderground Personal Weather Station for precise, real-time weather information. The RainMachine updates weather data several times per day just to calculate the right amount of water for your plants!

Start Saving Now!
Depending on your climate, and if weather permitting, record water savings of up to 80% (per week or even per month!) can be achieved with the RainMachine. Because of substantial savings on your water bill, the RainMachine will pay itself in less than two years, the fastest payback of any green IOT appliance!

WaterSense Certification
Our RainMachine is WaterSense Certified for efficiency and performance (Certificate number 9291, by IAPMO R&T authority, 2019). Check for rebates with your local water agency and start saving now! Rebates up to the full cost of your RainMachine can be obtained from your Water Agency. Start saving now!

iOS and Android apps: RealTime Monitoring
All your Zones on your fingertips. Add images, edit zone settings and manually start, stop or pause watering. Obsessing about details? Rotate the phone into landscape mode and dive into panoramic weekly/monthly/yearly graphs! Look for the free ‘rainmachine’ app on Apple Store or Google Play Store and start controlling your RainMachine.

Connect from anywhere
Garden from any screen or web browser. PC and Laptops equipped with any kind of modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Edge, IE). The RainMachine can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Enjoy your RainMachine from home, work or when away on vacation!

Local interface
Unique touch interface on the device itself provides ultimate control experience. Starting or stopping a zone or a program is available from a simple splash-proof capacitive touch interface. Dark garage?: no problem! Our white LED illuminated touch keys to the rescue! Simplicity Perfected: When not in use, the RainMachine will display only one piece of information: a brightly lit Wi-Fi icon, visible from up to 20 feet away.

• CLOUD INDEPENDENT – All personal data stored locally. Rain Machine continues to work even when Wi-Fi is down.
• 16 ZONES + MASTER VALVE – Rain and flow connector. Wi-Fi & 10/100 Ethernet. 1. 77″ Color touch screen.
• SMART SCHEDULE & SAVE WATER – Save water with real-time weather adjustments (Epa WaterSense certified, check for rebates).
• FREE WEATHER DATA – Direct access to NOAA, METNO or, Open Weather Map, NetAtmo. Use National or Personal Weather Stations for pinpoint accuracy.
• CONTROL FROM ANYWHERE – Color touch screen, iPhone, and Android, PC browser access with dashboard stats. Access from home, work or vacation.
• Note: HomeKit compatibility currently only via Beta Firmware update. Please consult RainMachine for further details.

The post RainMachine Pro-8/16 Irrigation Controller appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

I have more than ten rotor sprinklers that I need to “debug” (adjusting the arc and radius, as needed) from time to time. As you can imagine, to “debug” them, I need to keep running between the rotor heads and the controller, turning them on and off, to identify the ones that require a fix, to verify fixes work and to re-fix as needed. The ability to control the irrigation system from a phone would make it super easy to get such tasks done.

Irrigation is the foundation of a beautiful lawn, and it’s also a thing that I haven’t previously seen modern technologies set foot on. This thought had made me always want a smart sprinkler controller. Finally, Rachio added HomeKit support to their third generation sprinkler controller, making it the first HomeKit compatible sprinkler controller. I ordered the 16-zone model on the day after it was announced and received it two days later.

Since Rachio 3’s wiring terminals are pretty standard, it was very straightforward for me to install. I just needed to match up Rachio 3’s terminals with my previous sprinkler controller and switch terminals for wires. No harder than wiring a thermostat.

Installation Tips:

• My rain sensor isn’t in Rachio’s support list, but I made it work. I had to use different wiring from the installation instruction of the manufacture (Hydro-Rain). So if your rain sensor isn’t in the support list, it might still work. Try out those wirings provided in Rachio help center.
• When you are setting up Wi-Fi for a Rachio 3 Sprinkler Controller on an iOS device, make sure you don’t change its default name (Rachio-#X#X#X). Changing the name caused me difficulties later in HomeKit setup. Its name shown in HomeKit or Rachio app can be modified freely after the initial setup though.

Even though it doesn’t matter a lot for a sprinkler controller that stays in a dark room or outside, I want to say that Rachio 3’s design is clean inside out. The front cover panel is attached to the back/main panel magnetically, which makes it easy to remove, meaning easy post-install wiring adjustments. Comparing it to my previous bulky sprinkler controller, the Rachio 3 is way lighter and smaller. It doesn’t have a dial, and there are only four buttons: start/pause watering, stop watering, next zone, prev zone. This means that if I don’t have any smart devices with you, or if the connection is broken, starting a quick run (3 mins) on a specific zone is all I can do.

I did the initial setup in the mobile app with the intuitive step-by-step guide. After that, HomeKit was already available to set up. I used a virtual HomeKit code generated by the app (as opposed to the standard printed code sticker). Except for the way I got the code, the setup process wasn’t any different from any other HomeKit accessories: choose “add accessory” in the Home app, then manually enter the code.

The Rachio app (iOS version), in my opinion, is very nice; a modern UI/UX and responsive. I’m satisfied with the experience so far. The most important feature, water scheduling, is super flexible. I can use it as an old-school sprinkler controller to create a fixed schedule, but I can also create a smart schedule that adjusts itself monthly for seasonal changes, or opt-in to a day-to-day adjustment that considers many metrics. Every zone has a couple of characteristics such as grass type, sprinkler head type, slope etc. Characteristics generate a collection of advanced metrics that are used to calculate the watering duration in smart schedules. I haven’t dived deeply into the “smart” stuff or nerdy parameters, but with its default calculation, the app gave me a 7-hour-long schedule and said it’s the best schedule for my lawn. I didn’t agree and created a fixed schedule instead. Within the limited time I’ve had the Rachio 3, I don’t currently know if the app is smart enough to make my lawn better or save money on my utility bills, but I’ll probably find out next summer (I live in zone 8a if you’re familiar with Plant Hardiness Zones).

There are many helpful features, like Smart Cycle, which prevents runoff by breaking up watering time, and setting a scheduled start-time to ‘end before sunrise’ or ‘start after sunset’. My favorite feature of the app is the logging, which keeps every event in one place (starting/stopping watering, schedule skipping, rain sensor triggers, etc.). The usage of every zone is well recorded, too. Another feature that dinged me is the music-player-like control. The app sees every zone’s scheduled run like a song as in a music player so that you can do things you usually do with songs. E.g., skipping current song/zone, re-order songs/zones. Besides the iOS app, Rachio has a web app with all features packaged, which isn’t necessarily useful but is a plus.

The Home app keeps zone names synced from the Rachio app (with random delay). Zones are sorted by names instead of by zone numbers. I put the zone number at the beginning of every zone name which helps me to recognize them. What you can do with a sprinkler controller (not specifically the Rachio sprinkler controller) in the Home app are pretty much only two things; starting and stopping watering a zone. Every zone’s duration can be configured separately. I can start multiple zones, and each will be run after the previous zone finishes. It works, but it doesn’t make sense to turn on zones one by one every time I want to water my lawn (I’m able to start multiple zones altogether with multiple fingers though, LOL). Schedules can’t be created/configured in the Home app (and neither via the Eve app). It’s possible, but unlikely, that advanced controls are accessible through HomeKit APIs, but the Home app hasn’t been fully integrated yet.

Alexa and Google Assistant are also supported by Rachio 3 and it seems to have more abilities than Siri because they utilize Rachio’s API while Siri relies on the HomeKit framework.

In summary, the Rachio 3 Sprinkler Controller has a handy app to accomplish almost everything a classic sprinkler controller can do. On the other hand, the lack of local physical controls might be a deal breaker to some of you. Its intelligence is desired by us to help with the beautiful lawn but needs tons of time to prove itself ultimately. Lawn care is a long journey.

What we’ve also learned is that the HomeKit support turned out to be not that important when it comes to a sprinkler controller, due to the limited controls this category currently makes available to us.

What’s worth mentioning, finally, is that this review is written by a man who’s never used a second smart sprinkler controller. I hope everyone could share his/her experience with smart sprinkler controllers. There are competitors with longer histories in this field, and I believe there’s always someone who has unique thinking of taking advantages of technologies into practice, and I want it to blow my mind so badly!

The post Rachio 3 Sprinkler Controller (review) appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Sleek, powerful hardware. Hyperlocal Weather Intelligence Plus. Rachio Wireless Flow compatibility. The Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller was designed for the future of smart watering.

Rachio 3 is the most connected controller on the market, designed to extend your smart home outdoors.

• Works with favorite smart home devices, platforms.

• Compatible with the Rachio Wireless Flow Meter.

• Dual band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz).

• Extended range with long-distance Flex radio

Our engineers examined every detail of Rachio 3 to streamline and shave minutes off your installation. Ready, set, water.

• Easy-press connectors make wiring a snap.

• Connect with both 14 & 18 gauge wires.

• Magnetic cover locks right into place.

• We’re here to help if you need it – but we’re betting you won’t.

Your personal watering assistant helps you monitor and manage watering from anywhere with robust smartphone control. Create perfectly tailored schedules, make automatic weather adjustments and maintain the perfect yard – without lifting a finger.

• Precise remote control with run, pause, skip or Quick Run.

• Guided schedule setup creates tailored, accurate schedules.

• Automatic, hyperlocal schedule adjustments with Weather Intelligence Plus.

The post Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

The Aqua hardware follows Eve’s newest design aesthetic, with the unit featuring a black plastic and silver metal appearance with minimal logos and buttons. In fact, the aqua only features one button, which serves as both a manual switch to begin or stop watering with just a simple press, and for reseting the device itself, which is accomplished by pressing and holding the button for 10 seconds. On the bottom of the unit, directly in front of the water outlet, there is a sliding door which houses the battery compartment. The device runs on just two AA batteries, which thankfully, are included in the box, and can be easily removed as Eve provides a ribbon that goes underneath the batteries, requiring only a slight pull to remove them. As the aqua will more than likely be installed in outdoor locations, the unit features UV protection, as well as an IPX4 water resistance rating. The water outlet on the device uses a standard 3/4” connection, and included in the box is an adapter to convert a smaller hose size to work with the outlet. The inlet, which is positioned at the top of the device, actually gave me a bit of a problem when it came to actually installing it on my existing spigot. Due to the way that the box is designed, the inlet sits too close to the body of the aqua, which meant that once installed, I could not actually turn my hose faucet on. Luckily, the irrigation system that I have set up came with a pressure regulator, which is essentially a plastic tube that I had previously installed on the outlet of the Orbit B-Hyve timer, and I was able to situate it so that it came before the inlet of the Eve Aqua. The inlet and outlet on the unit are made of black plastic, which is a little disappointing, considering that the unit will be outdoors and be subjected to fluctuating temperatures. Eve also includes a replacement rubber gasket inside of the box, which is a really nice touch, with gaskets having a tendency to break down. When compared to the Orbit B-Hyve hose faucet timer, the Aqua is bit bulkier and looks more like a smart device than a typical faucet timer. Despite liking most of Eve’s designs, I actually prefer the look of the Orbit unit, but once installed outdoors and when a schedule is set, the design is not that big of a factor. For connectivity, like all other Eve devices, the Aqua utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy, which is nice in that it doesn’t require it to be connected to a Wi-Fi network, but could potentially cause issues since the device will mainly be installed outside, which may be far away from an Apple TV or HomePod that is inside your home.

Once the batteries are inserted into the Aqua, the device will be ready to pair to your Home. Pairing the device is fast and easy using the native iOS home app, requiring just a scan of the QR code that is located on the side of the unit. Unlike Orbit’s device, setting up the aqua does not require creating an account, and is ready to go once scanned. Once paired, users can then toggle the watering process on and off using a 3D press on the Aqua’s icon by sliding up or down. The slider itself within the home app features a water droplet icon, as well as the time remaining of the watering process. Siri can also be used to turn the device on and off, with a simple phrase such as “water the garden” to start the process. In the details or settings page within the Home app, the device has a unique setting which is labeled as “default run time”, which allows owners the ability to set the maximum length of time that the device will be running for. This setting actually serves as a way to prevent the unit from running indefinitely, with the longest run time that can be set being one hour. This is a really nice safety feature to have, as it also applies to manual presses of the button located on the unit itself, again preventing situations where the device could be accidentally turned, or left on. Unfortunately turning the unit on and off and setting the default run time are the only options that can be found within the iOS home app. Currently, the device does not show up when attempting to create a scene or automation, which is an odd omission. This prevents a user from creating a schedule within the Home app, and requires the usage of Eve’s app to create one. 

The Eve app is already one of my favorite HomeKit apps, thanks to its ability to create more advanced automations, so I felt right at home using the Aqua with it. Just like with the Home app, users can toggle the watering process on and off through the Eve app, as well as setting the default run time. The app also displays estimated water consumption and watering history in the form of a nice bar graph and can be set to your preferred measurement, gallons or liters. Also found within the app is the ability to update the firmware of the device, which actually had an update available as soon as I set up the device, which was really nice to see. The main appeal of using the app though is its ability to create a schedule for the Aqua, making the watering process a completely hands off experience if you chose to set one. By selecting the scheduling option within the Eve app, days of the week can be selected, as well as the time of day you would like to have the Aqua run. Multiple run times within a day can also be selected as well as the duration of the watering process, which includes the ability to go all the way up to four hours, something that is not possible to select using the iOS Home app. Once the schedule is set up, it is stored on the hardware of the aqua itself, which ensures that the schedule is followed even if the device is outside of the range of your iOS device or HomeKit hub. One limitation that the scheduling process has though is that it currently does not have a way to incorporate weather conditions, meaning that the device will run the schedule regardless of whether it is raining or schedule to rain. This ability, which was featured on Orbit’s B-Hyve hose faucet timer, is really handy, and prevented over watering or usage and is something that I would like to see added in the future. When setting up a schedule, I also found it rather odd that I had to enable location services for the Eve app, as it would not allow me to create the schedule without it turned on. This may mean that the app has the ability to take into account local weather in the future, so I am hopeful that it is something that could be added. Another limitation that I found was that once a schedule is set, there is no current way to actually know whether or not the schedule ran, without having to go into the Eve app. This was again, something that was covered by the B-Hyve app, which had an option to send notifications when watering had completed. This is also something that I hope can be added through updates of the Eve app, or the iOS Home app.

As I previously mentioned, the Eve Aqua utilizes Bluetooth for its connectivity to your Home hub or iOS device. While the Bluetooth connection works just fine, there are some limitations; First, sending a command to either start or stop the watering process from either the native iOS Home app or the Eve app has a slight delay, which can vary from 2-5 seconds. This aligns with all of the Bluetooth devices that I currently have installed within my home, so I didn’t find it to be a deal breaker by any means, but can be jarring for those that are used to instant responses from other devices. This delay also applies to status updates, meaning that the Home or Eve app will take a few seconds to report back on the state of the device. Bluetooth range was also not an issue for me, as my hose spigot that the aqua is attached to is on a wall that has my HomePod pretty much directly on the other side. Of course this may not be the case for everyone, and it will require that you plan out placement of your Apple TVs, HomePods, or iPads around your home to ensure that you are able to see the status of the device. Eve at one point had announced way back at CES 2017 that they were developing a hub/bridge device to allow for their Bluetooth-based devices to connect to a Wi-Fi network, but that device, dubbed the Eve Extend has pretty much fallen off the radar. However, even if the Aqua is unable to connect to a hub via Bluetooth, it will still run a schedule as programmed. So far, I have not seen a single instance where the device would show as “no response” after the aforementioned delay in updating it’s status, and commands sent to the unit have always worked as requested.

So when it is all said and done, did I find the higher price and limited options of the Eve Aqua to be worth it over the Orbit B-Hyve? The answer to this is yes, but only because I have always placed a high value on being within the HomeKit ecosystem. Siri control, as well as the local based connection of the Aqua is something that cannot be matched by devices that do not support HomeKit. While the Orbit unit did fulfill my watering needs, has more options than the Aqua, and features a better design, the uncertain future of the device with HomeKit, as well as requiring a cloud-based account to even use the device meant that I would always wonder what the future holds for the Orbit. All of this coupled with Eve’s track record of regularly updating their HomeKit products (as well as an update being available as soon as I set up the Aqua), and their genuine enthusiasm for the platform, has me convinced that the company will address the shortcomings that I found with the Aqua. The Aqua is definitely a niche, nice to have product, and I can definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a simple way to keep up with watering their vegetation.

The post Eve Aqua (review) appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Since then, the company has made various statements in the form of forum posts, stating that the faucet timer hardware is ready for HomeKit support, and that they are awaiting software certification from Apple. Anticipating that the timer’s HomeKit functionality would come to fruition this year and the company’s updates allowing other smart home platforms, I purchased the timer as I had recently update my landscaping and was looking for a way to easily keep up with watering, as I have unfortunately had several failed attempts at trying to keep a watering schedule manually. Since HomeKit support is not yet enabled as of this review, we will be focusing on Orbit’s B-Hyve app and the hardware itself.

The B-Hyve Hose Faucet Timer comes in the form of a small gray box that attaches to, you guessed it, a typical hose faucet/spigot. The box features the B-Hyve logo on the side, and the company’s honeycomb design language on the front, along with one button that serves multiple purposes and a status indicator LED. The timer is compact, and is about the same size as a traditional faucet timer, minus a screen that one would find on basic timers. Since the device was made for outdoor usage, it is “waterproof” with a rating of IP34, has a safe operating range of 32 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit and includes a 2-year warranty. Orbit states that the wireless connection has a range of up to 150 feet without interference, and the company says that if more than one unit is installed (up to a total of 64 units) they will form a mesh network to greatly enhance the range. The timer runs on two AA batteries, which unfortunately are not included. The battery compartment is found on the front of the unit which can be opened by pulling on little tabs that protrude from the unit. The compartment has a rubber gasket to help prevent any water from entering, and when installed inside the body of the timer, it really does feel like it creates a good seal. Now, when it comes to attaching it to an existing spigot, the timer uses a standard female inlet and male outlet, both of which are 3/4” size. The timer is easily attached, and only requires hand tightening to create a good connection (thus preventing any leaks), and once securely installed, you simply turn your faucet handle all the way on to ensure that the timer will get adequate water pressure. The aforementioned single button on the front of the unit serves to provide manual watering, which is accomplished by pressing a holding the button for a few seconds. The device’s indicator light will flash, and a few seconds later, the unit will produce a clicking noise when the internal valve is opened. Once the timer is running and water is flowing, pressing the button again stops the process. The default setting for using the timer manually with the physical button is 10 minutes, and can be adjusted in the B-Hyve app once paired.

When it comes to pairing the device with B-Hyve app, the process can vary depending on which configuration you purchase. The base configuration comes with just the faucet timer itself, which uses bluetooth for connectivity. The slightly more expensive configuration comes with an added hub, which allows for the device to connect to a wi-fi network for greater range and remote access. It should be noted that even if you purchase the version that comes with the hub, the unit can be used without it, again, using just bluetooth if desired. For this review, I installed the Wi-Fi hub, which consisted of just plugging it in to a standard electrical outlet. Once installed, the B-Hyve app will provide step-by-step instructions on pairing the device, after creating an orbit account. While I prefer not having to create an account to use devices, orbit provides the ability to manage the timer via any web browser, which is a nice feature. Hopefully, when HomeKit support is finally added, the account creation processed can be bypassed, for those like me who prefer to just use the home app for management.

Once paired, the app presents a myriad of options for users. The default home screen of the app will display the status of a schedule if one has been set, and offers the ability to water manually by tapping on the remote icon. For scheduling options, Users can set schedules for their watering needs, with specific days and times, and if a zip code or address is provided, the app will also provide an option to auto manage the schedule to prevent it from running when rain is imminent. From what I have seen, this feature has been accurate as far as when it overrides my set schedule for rain, and as a nice touch, the app will provide a notification when it is setting the rain delay. The app will also provide notification, if selected, for when watering is complete, which again is nice to have a confirmation that the schedule has run and that the valve did indeed shut off. The app also provides a calendar based overview of the schedule once created, along with icons for the weather condition for each day as well as indicators for whether or not a program has run or is scheduled to run. Of course, since Orbit has a long history (over 40 years) of experience with irrigation products, the company provides a ton of options that can be set to help their customers with their individual watering needs. The app allows for the ability to create multiple “zones” if multiple timers in different locations are used, and can even tailor watering schedules (called smart watering) based on specific criteria that a user can enter. Smart watering will ask for more details, such as soil type, vegetation, sun exposure, slope of the land being watered and more. This data, combined with the ability to perform water flow rate calibrations (using catch cups), can allow the app to set up a schedule that will work best for the application. The smart watering schedule will also provide the ability to factor in any watering restrictions that could be imposed where the valve is being used. The app isn’t the greatest looking of apps, but the sheer amount of options and functionality that orbit provides easily outweighs the lack of visual flair, and warrants taking the time to navigate through for those looking for a more tailored experience.

Since I purchased and installed the bundle which included the timer and the Wi-Fi hub, I have not seen any issues when it comes to connectivity. The timer responds very quickly to commands sent via the app, with just a very short delay to start the watering process. The only time I have ever seen any instances of failed communication between the device and the app were when I was checking for firmware updates within the settings app. Since all the other functions of the app have worked without issue, I presume that this option itself has an issue and could be corrected down the road. Speaking of firmware updates, I was prompted to install an update as soon as the pairing process was completed, which again, is a good sign when it comes to keeping the device supported, and for that potential HomeKit support in the future. In most cases, I would assume that a schedule will be set by owners of the device, and as such, users may never even have to look at the b-hyve app after the set up process. As previously mentioned, the app will provide notifications to indicate when delays to the schedule have occurred, or when watering is complete, providing reassurance that watering has indeed taken place. Of course, I would still recommend checking up on the timer, the spigot valve, and your vegetation every once in a while to make sure that everything is going according to plan.

At the end of the day, the B-Hyve hose faucet timer should meet the needs of anyone looking for a way to automate any of their spigot based watering needs. While the device is simple, the app is powerful, and can cater to those who have more advanced and precise needs. However, since the device is not currently HomeKit compatible, it is hard to recommend the device over Elgato Eve’s Aqua (review coming soon!) for those within Apple’s ecosystem. For those willing to wait though, the timer and hub combo is $30 cheaper ($69) than the Aqua ($99), and can be purchased from local home improvement stores today. The device has been solid and has performed as expected, with only that cloud of uncertainty preventing me from fully recommending the product at this time. Orbit has stated that HomeKit support is coming since January, and unfortunately, is still unwilling to commit to an exact timeframe as to when it will come, so it all comes down to whether or not you are willing to take the gamble and how much you value you place on being within the native iOS Home app.

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