Melnor 65038-AMZ HydroLogic 4-Zone Digital Water Timer with 5 Stainless Steel Filter Washers Set, Amazon Bundle

For all the possible settings, this is relatively easy to program and understand the display. However, you need to have a "plan" written out first, since it is easiest to set all start times first for all zones and all cycles and then set time lengths next for all zones and all cycles. You also need to carefully watch the cycle setting when changing the zone you are setting, as it reverts to cycle A when you change a zone. I didn't notice that at first and ended up changing cycle A for zone 2 after I set cycle B for zone 1 and then switched to zone 2.With regard to the rain sensor, the instructions are not very clear and the description is lacking:1. The rain sensor *only* operates to turn zone 1 on and off (this was not clear from online description). I wanted a rain sensor to turn off all zones if it rained; that is not an option.2. The rain sensor icon in the display flashes if it is detecting enough moisture to turn off zone 1. It is solid if the soil is dry and zone 1 will turn on according to schedule. The icon is absent when the rain sensor is disconnected. No where in either User instructions does it mention anything about the rain sensor icon on the 4-zone water timer.I gave it 5 stars because the unit operates the 4 zones well. Also the valves open up fully, without any flow restrictions. I base that on the fact that when I replaced some manual switches with this unit, our watering devices shot water farther and we had to adjust their placement for the increased water flow.

I needed a way to water several different areas. I found they have 4 port solutions but still manual. I could have set up that, under a programmable water timer but there was not enough room for this. I found this as an all in one solution. I don't really use it to the fullest benefits but you can do multiple programs for all 7 days and there are so many ways you can get it to water, you will not be disappointed. This system is great because you can set a timer, set a time for 45 minutes later, and then you have your full pressure of water for that program. If you do all 4 at once, you might have pressure issues like I have.I had an issue with my product and was able to fix it but then it started giving me odd errors on certain days. So I contacted the company and they quickly helped me out with a solution. Super great customer service will keep me purchasing from this company.

Mowing my backyard felt like riding a bucking bronco. I had lost dozens of trees to various bugs and diseases a decade ago. Over the years the stumps decomposed and the yard had low spots everywhere the trees once were. My backyard is very steep and a rain storm would easily wash out any new dirt, so I needed to water the new grass seed twice a day to get the grass growing as quickly as possible. My water pressure is low and can only run one sprinkler at a time. With 20-30 tree stumps needing leveled, trying to water all of them twice a day by hand would take the entire day. Knowing I did not have enough time to do this I started looking into water timers. Playing with sprinklers I figured I could cover everything with 7 sprinklers.I did not find a 7 zone product, so I purchased 2 Melnor 4-zone water timers instead. The first timer I set zone 1-3 to run for a half hour at 5:00, 5:30, and 6:00 accordingly, and the 4th zone to run 3 hours between 6:30 and 9:30. I then attached the second Melnor water timer to zone 4 of the first timer. I then set each zone on the second timer to run every half hour at 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, and 8:30. I allowed an extra half hour on each side of the second timer to allow for time differences between the timers. Not all sprinklers needed to run for the same time. Some only needed to run for 10 minutes, while others needed to run for 25 minutes. I could easily adjust each zone to run for a different time. The timer was set to run both morning and evening. I only need 2 cycles programmed, but the timer allows for 4 cycles. Each zone can have a custom time to be turned on, and each zone and cycle and be programmed for different run times. Very powerful and somewhat easy to program.I set everything up and was pleased with the results. The first couple of days I adjusted the watering timers for each zone. If the area was mud, I would decrease the run time, if the area seemed dry I would increase it. After a couple of adjustments I did not need to mess with the timers any more. It has been a couple of weeks and the new grass is coming in very nicely.The programming issues... I thought it had broke the next day as it was showing the watering symbol, but no water was coming out. I was getting ready to return it, but decided to research the issue first. Turns out the timers get easily confused when you mess with them when running. If you try to run manual cycles when they are programmed to be on, when turn them off rainy days and then turn them on during a cycle, they do weird things. Basically they can't walk and chew gum at the same time. Only turn them off when they are not running, only use manual mode when they are not scheduled to run and things go much better. If think things are not working the best thing to do is leave everything alone and see if the problem exists next schedule. The random issues are frustrating, but I am happy with my purchase and my new grass is growing nicely.

Update;:I’ve had it for a few months now and I just can’t recommend this timer. I thought the Melnor name would ensure quality, but that’s not what I’ve found. I just can’t count on the valves to work when it’s time to water. The docs said the valve my become stuck during shipping so I might have to turn the valve on/off a few times to get it working. I did have to do that.But after a few months now, zone 4 NEVER comes on. Zone 1 is hit or miss. I guess I should be happier that zones 2-3 work correctly?Anyway, I can’t recommend this because the valves are iffy to start and apparently get worse with age.I bought this because I can’t afford a sprinkler install. It is great to set it and forget it.However…and I’m still getting used to it so this may be due to user errorWhen I manually turn on a hose (overrride the timer temporarily) the system resets to the OFF position instead of back to AUTO where it will maintain the schedule. I realized this after a week of not feeling like it was doing very well (I have it set to water EARLY in the morning). So the first two weeks I had it was hit or miss.Also, when I manually turn on a zone (to wash the car) it doesn’t always come on. Sometimes I have to clear the timer and hit MANUAL ON again til it comes on.So is it better than moving sprinklers? ABSOLUTELY. Is it as good as a pro Klee system? Nope. Just temper expectations before you buy.