Review – This is the first summer in my new home. I can enjoy some outdoor activities with my wife, including gardening. She is good at landscape design and selection and planting of beautiful plants. At first, I liked to water them several times a week. Now I am busy with other projects around the house, watering becomes a bit painful, I now prefer to have some type of automatic watering system, I can install it using irrigation hoses and smart watering equipment, so that I can be busy Do other things or water the plants in the early morning or evening, which seems to be the best time for the hot summer. Enter Orbit B-hyve XD hose tap timer and B-hyve hub! !
What is it?
The Orbit B-hyve XD hose faucet timer with Wi-Fi hub is connected via a smartphone to control the watering of the lawn or garden to the maximum. The timer collects online weather data to optimize water consumption. You only need a Wi-Fi hub, but you can add as many timers as you want. Includes 2AA batteries.
What’s in the box
1 x Orbit B-hyve XD hose tap timer with user manual
1 x B-Hyve Wifi Hub with user manual
Design and features
feature
Faucet timer
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Bluetooth control: Use your smartphone or other mobile device to control and program your B-hyve Hose Timer within 150 feet of Bluetooth signal range
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Easily upgrade WI-FI: To control the B-hyve Hose Timer with a mobile phone via Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth, please pair with a B-hyve hub (sold separately)
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B-HYVE application: Available for Android and iOS devices.You can program the timer via the app or web browser
B-Virtue Hub
- Enable Wi-Fi function in selected B-hyve Bluetooth device
- Wi-Fi connection required
- Indoor use only
- Wall adapter included
- This version of the B-hyve hub is only compatible with the B-hyve hose tap timer
Specification:
Faucet timer
B-Virtue Hub
The Orbit B-hyve XD hose faucet timer has a large display and a control knob on the front, and a battery compartment on the back. The inlet of the water pipe is at the top and the outlet is at the bottom.
The WiFi hub has a USB connection to the base that allows it to be plugged into an AC adapter.
Performance
Printed instructions are included in the package to help you get started.
After inserting 2AA batteries into the battery compartment, the device will turn on and be ready for setup. The WiFi hub also needs to be plugged into a power outlet.
So let’s talk about the application first. It includes many functions that provide powerful functions for the device. Before I discuss the setup process, here are some screenshots from the app that provide a good overview of the settings and features:
Before I actually programmed the device through the app, I connected it to my outdoor plumbing, and then I installed an irrigation hose with sprinklers for all the plants on my two front garden beds.
So now let me tell you about the Orbit B-hyve XD hose faucet timer setting process. In theory, this should be very simple and straightforward. These devices are easy to pair, and I was able to set up my first watering test through the app without any problems. However, setting up the “test” and getting it to perform as expected is a major challenge. The first problem I noticed is that the time/clock on the hose tap is different from the time on my phone, so the time used by the app is also different. When I did the first test, the hose faucet was not turned on, so the water could flow. No matter what I try, I cannot change the time on the hose tap. After trying for a long time, reset the hose faucet, and then connect directly to the faucet via Bluetooth from the app, and then miraculously the time was corrected. Having said that, I was relieved and started the test again. However, for some unknown reason, the faucet was not turned on to let the water flow. After trying more than 40 times, I decided to contact Orbit support. I must say that someone from the support team responded quickly and we sent emails back and forth for a while. At some point during that email exchange, in my countless consecutive attempts, the faucet finally worked. Why not before, there is still no logical explanation. The support team does admit that the device may be difficult to use, but once it is successfully set up, I will not encounter any other problems. I have to agree with the latter because mine has been working and watering as planned.
Another problem with the experience is that, IMHO, the application layout is not always logical. Some functions seem illogical, so I did a number of “searches” through the app to find some settings I wanted/needed.
As I mentioned, the hose faucet timer has been working very well since I overcome the difficulty of setting, but I have to remind anyone who is technically challenged, not very patient or completely newbie, if they choose this Equipment, there is a high possibility based on my experience and the comments of the support team that the initial setup may be an unpleasant experience/challenge.
Important note: This device cannot be left outdoors in winter.
what do I like
- The build quality of the equipment.Although made of plastic, it is lightweight and waterproof
- Included functions and smart functions
- Built-in Bluetooth and Wifi functions (once connected via a WiFi hub)
What will i change
- Rearrange the function options in the app to make them simple and clear, and truly optimize the “basic” options. The basis for any user of any technical knowledge level!
- Fix an issue that seems to bother a successful connection during the setup process
Final thoughts
I am very happy to receive Orbit B-hyve XD Hose Faucet Timer for testing and review, especially since I am definitely planning to buy something similar. I really like the features provided by this device. To be honest, I must also praise Orbit’s support team and their quick response. However, I am still not sure if the frustration I encountered during the setup process is worth it. From my interactions with their support team, I have observed that their own language admits that the setup process of this device may be “difficult”, but once it succeeds, the experience will be great. I agree 100%. So, IMHO, this is a very good device combined with a very frustrating setup process. I suggest that anyone who wants to buy this combination, please be prepared to wait patiently. It’s important to note that if you don’t need a WiFi hub, your experience of programming devices via Bluetooth may be slightly less frustrating, but once you’re out of Bluetooth range, you won’t be able to adjust any settings or view the current status. The hose tap timer is sold without wheels.
Price: $34.98 (timer); $24.98 (B-hyve hub)
Where to buy: Los, Los, Amazon
source: The sample for this review is made by track.
