Orbit57925 B-hyve 8-Zone Smart Indoor Sprinkler Controller

This is an early review. I've only had it for one day, and so far so good! I replaced an older controller failed on me and worked well initially. The one I replaced was a rain machine. Eventually that failed and connectivity was abysmal.My next step was a rachio 3 controller. I tried two of them and I could not get them to connect to my wi-fi. I am using a deco mesh Network 6E.Moving on to this unit. There are definitely some improvements they can make, but the fact that I got it connected within 10 minutes, was great! I became so frustrated with the last attempt from the other brand that I was starting to give up and getting ready to go back to a manual controller.I only have two zones. I used to have about six zones but I found out that I didn't need them. So I consolidated them to two zones and I decided to get the four zone controller.Can activity was a breeze. I had to wait about 5 to 10 minutes for a firmware update. Please be patient and make sure you do not turn the power off while you are doing the firmware update.I haven't used any of the automated features yet. I just simply wanted to control these from my phone I achieve this within minutes.Some of the things that I wish this thing had. The screw down terminals would be better if they were just spring clips. This is not a deal breaker but if you are working in a tight space it could make things a little bit more difficult. Since I was working in a tight space, it didn't help but wasn't the end of the world.The build quality seems fair, but the cable management could also improve. Not really sure what the purpose of the ring clip at the bottom is for.The app seems really easy to use. Based on the reviews in the app store, I don't see it being an issue.If you're hesitating, get one

It's true I got the first one several years ago, with a rebate from my utility company. In the time since they have made significant improvements to the app. The controller you are buying takes the instructions from the associated smartphone app (or web interface) and turns them into signals for your irrigation controllers. Of course, your wifi needs to reach your controller. It installs as easily as any controller--you plug it in, and connect up to 8 circuits, usually using a common ground and a single wire for each circuit. You could use two five strand wires and connect 4 ciruits using each 5-wire cable, assuming you have your irrigation valves in one or two boxes.Best reason for buying this--while you work on the irrigation circuits you pull your phone out of your pocket, select the circuit, hit test to turn it on, and stop to turn it off. No shouting to the person in the basement or garage, or using two smart phones and trying to tell them what you want.Next best reason for buying this--it turns off the circuits when rain is in the forecast. This doesn't work so well in the desert, as we often only get 1/10" of rain, but at least I know to check the weather before I override it. Also it does freeze delays.The smart watering features are cool, but I do a combination of smart and manually programmed because it's all drips, did I mention the desert?My son likes to say, "Hey, Google, water the lawn." This is just dumb. Hopefully he'll get over it before too long. At least his wife can say, "Hey, Google, stop watering the lawn." just as easily. This could be used with door to door salespeople, though, with a little customization....hmmmm. Don't tell anyone you got this from me.The B-hyve app has a very useful feature, you can adjust your program (up to 4 programs plus the smart watering, actually) so that it goes from 50% to 200% using a single setting. In the high mountain desert, we have highly variable temperatures through our short season, so there is a big difference between May, July, and September.Also, my son might not need this, but I find it very helpful to have a picture and a descriptive title for each circuit in the app on my phone. Before I always had to look up whether 3 was flowers in front or trees in the meridian, etc. Now the title and the picture make it clear (or clearer, depending on how I labeled it in the first place.)B-Hyve by Orbit is not the only smart controller, but it's the only one I've used, and it's worked great. It does not require that you use other components from the same label--the output on the two wires to each valve is quite standard, and the app works on both android and apple, with alexis and google as well, but you don't need any of these to use the controller, so long as you have a way of accessing the internet. You do need a wifi signal that reaches the controller. If your phone can reach the wifi from where your controller is, the controller can probably reach the wifi too.

The Orbit 57925 was easy to install, I spent less than 30 minutes removing the old controller, checking wires, installing, and verifying all the zones worked.It has a simple screw interface for each wire set.The phone app is nice as well, it allows me to water manually, set a schedule, or allow “smart” watering based on a few parameters. I can connect wifi or bluetooth as well. I like this little unit.I can stop watering for a period, 1 day etc, or create several schedules and assign stations to each schedule.Way better than the old manual one.I like this unit! Its easy install, the price is great, and the app is solid.