Features:

  • Orbit 4-station outdoor swing panel sprinkler system time can be mounted either indoor or outdoor
  • This sprinkler system timer has easy-set programming logic
  • Includes 3 programs for flexible scheduling, and can program up to 4 separate zones in your yard
  • Comes with a large LCD screen and dial
  • Saves water in drought conditions
  • Saves water in drought conditions
Easy to Program sprinkler station!

Our 8 year old Orbit panel screen died so we bought this as a replacement. The old orbit worked great for so long that I trusted the brand. This version is much easier to program. Super simple. Everything installed quickly and worked within minutes. No problems at all. I really like the new programming capabilities with the new panel vs the old panels.

Easy to install, easy to operate

Three self-tapping screws (provided, with template for spacing) and plugging in your standard 24v sprinkler valve wires are all that's needed to get this installed. I've never done anything with sprinklers before and I was able to replace my old broken timer with this one and program two staggered watering times per channel, across 2 channels, in 10 minutes. Comes with a battery backup to save settings if power goes out. Door has a lock to keep the kids out. Supports specific day-of-week watering, interval-day watering, and has three separate programs that you can run individual or all together (for seasons, or to get multiple short waterings per day). That's helpful since our front lawn is on a slope, so extended watering just makes it all run off onto the sidewalk. This way I can stagger two short watering times and let the water soak in each time.

Remarkable value for the money.

It is amazing what this clock does for the low cost. I bought the 12 station unit, replacing an old unit that cost close to $1000 and this unit, at around $70, does essentially everything the old clock did at a fraction of the cost. There is one peculiarity about this clock, noted by several other reviewers as a problem which, apparently, they did not fully understand. These other reviewers say these units do not keep good time, losing minutes over the course of just a few days. In fact, one reviewer returned a clock for this reason and then complained that the replacement was just as poor a time keeper. I thought this at first, myself, until I did some investigation and ran some tests on my unit. In fact, the clock keeps excellent time, at least my unit does. However, when you turn the programming wheel through the "Set Time" setting, which you may well do to reach any of the other setting positions, the clock resets to the current time, with the seconds rounded to zero. So, if you are setting other things in the clock, and you spin the programming wheel counter clockwise (from the Auto position, where it most likely lives most of the time, through the Set Time position) to get to what you want, you will be effectively setting the clock back 0 - 59 seconds each time. This can very quickly make it appear that the unit is losing time, especially when the unit is new and you are programming and reprogramming it frequently. So, just spin the programming wheel in the direction to avoid going through the Set Time position, presumably clockwise from the Auto position to the setting you want and in the reverse direction to get back to Auto when you are done, to avoid this problem. Now I would not argue that the clock should not be changed by just passing through the Set Time position, without Enter being pressed, so this is a fault in the logic of the system, but it is easy enough to avoid the appearance of poor time keeping if you understand this particularity.

Rugged, easy to program sprinkler timer at a great price!

My Rainbird timer has been slowly dying and I needed to replace it. I was looking for a timer for an outdoor location without a lot of bells and whistles to control my 6 zone sprinkler system. Oh yeah...and I didn't want to pay a lot for it. The Orbit 57896 seemed to cover everything I needed to do and the price was very reasonable. My old timer was hardwired, but the Orbit comes with an attached cord and plug. What to do? I could have cut the plug off and hardwired it, but there was a problem with that idea. The conduit holes (one for power, one for the low voltage valve wires) in the old timer box were a different spacing than the Orbit, so I would have had to re-do the conduit. I also liked the idea of having an outdoor outlet box in the area where the timer was located, so that tipped the decision. I discovered that the circuit breaker supplying power to the timer was not a GFCI breaker. Since the location is outside, I had to either replace the circuit breaker or use a GFCI outlet. I decided that the safest approach was to replace the breaker. I cut the PVC conduit and replaced the old junction box with an exterior outlet box with a weather proof cover. The one thing I don't like about the design of the Orbit timer is that the line cord is not sealed where it exits the box. I sealed it with caulk to prevent water entering the box in a windy rain storm. I number of reviewers have dinged this timer because of programming issues. I found the instruction manual to be very understandable and the unit easy to program (YMMV). Setting the time is a little annoying, but I should only have to do that once a year when replacing the battery. Here's a tip: before I installed the timer outside, I programed it sitting comfortably at my kitchen table with a cup of coffee. Plug the unit in, pull the strip that activates the battery and you're ready to program. When you unplug the unit and install it outside, the battery allows it to remember the program. Once you hang it and connect the wires, just turn the dial to "Automatic" and you're good to go. You will have to decide how often you want to run your system. Conveniently, the Orbit 57896 allows 3 different options for this: by the day of the week, by a fixed interval or by odd or even days. Once the unit is programmed and set to "Automatic", the display alternately shows the current date and time and then the day and time of the "Next Start", so you will always know where you are in the cycle. Pro: Rugged design; easy to install; easy to program; big, east to read display; can be used either indoors or outdoors; great price Con: Box not sealed around the power cord

GREAT!

Easy to program, reliable, and... good looking too! This is the third one of these I have purchased. The first I bought 7 - 8 (?) years ago in San Diego for our garden. Ran three stations without a hiccup. Moved to NYC and took with. That one is now working on the terrace garden. The other two are working in a greenhouse and an outdoor field. Mounted to a wall out of rain/snow etc I expect these units to perform flawlessly for years to come. If you have read any of my reviews you might see that I am difficult to please. The reason is that I value my money and my time. I think everyone should. This is a quality product. And in case you were wondering, no I did not receive a 'freebie' or any compensation for writing this review.

Had to Hardwire, but Easy Job and Works Great!

In my situation, my timer box was outside my house, and was hardwired. I was a bit leery about buying this one because it had the plug, and my situation had no outlet available. But everywhere I read said that I could simply cut the plug off, then connect the wires inside the cord to my existing wiring. So I ordered it. When it arrived, I cut the cord removing the plug, then stripped the wires inside the cord. There were only two wires inside the cord, a black and a white. No ground. But since the unit is essentially plastic, I guess it makes sense. After turning off the power, I just connected the black to black, and white to white, and then plugged in each wire for each station. When I turned the power back on, the unit came on right away. Probably one of the easiest installs I've ever done. Very easy to program and set up too. You really don't even need the directions to figure it out. Works great! Plus the locking door is nice protection from the elements. My only concern about this unit is I live in Phoenix, and this unit will be sitting in direct sunlight for the better part of the day, being exposed to brutal Arizona summers. We'll see how it holds up under those conditions. But for less than $50, worth a try.

Directions were excellent. Installation and programming took less than 30 minutes

Easiest installation ever. Works perfectly. For full disclosure, this unit replaced another brand older unit so the wires to the valves were already in place. All I had to do was hook it up. Directions were excellent. Installation and programming took less than 30 minutes.

Simple As 'A' 'B' 'C'...

This sprinkler timer is just about all you may need for many watering scenarios. With three programs (A, B, C) available, each with various start times and duration for each station, you can set up watering schedules to meet most needs and even restricted watering as for me here in California. There are even up to 3 days rain delay and "Budget" (you choice of %) watering cycles without having to re-program your timer. Programming is straight forward with a turn of the dial for each program selection and then push button(s) for appropriate choice. With a little common sense you won't need any directions; Just cycle through each program selection then select/enter desired choice by using the push buttons. The screen even indicates an arrow to guide you through each possible choice. Basic wiring is a breeze with each station wire pushed into (numbered) "snap" style connectors. For most common installations, the only other connection needed is the (white) common wire. All connections are color-coded and numbered. To loosen or remove wire(s), just (slightly, don't break it!) lift up on plastic snap/spring securing pin. Overall, I am very happy with this sprinkler timer. I hope (expect) to get many, many years of use from it...Note: This timer is replacing an (over 20 year) old Rainbird dial-and-pin style timer. FYI: Be sure to first choose which program (A, B or C) you wish to program because (I don't know why) this timer comes with the initial setting to simultaneously program all three (A, B & C) programs. This is what I believe many of the lower star ratings did not realize causing this timer to run the stations redundantly.

Nice, affordable unit.

Nice 4-station timer. Installation was easy and I mounted it on an outside wall. The timer comes with a mounting template and mounting hardware (three screws and three wall anchors) to ease with the install. If mounting outside like I did and running conduit, you will need 1/2" conduit and two 1/2" threaded connectors for attaching the conduit through the 1/2" knockouts in the box. The timer comes with a cord with a plug attached but you will need the multi-wire (thermostat wire) to run to your sprinkler heads. I had to cut the plug off the power cord as instructed and hardwired it directly to my outlet box through the conduit. It was easy to install and easier to program. I had everything done in about an hour. It says it is for outside but to keep it out of direct weather if possible. I built a little roof to shade and protect it from the elements a bit and painted the conduit to match the stucco. It works like it should, doesn't take up a lot of space and even came with a back-up battery (coin type) already installed. Nice unit and I would recommend. The actual color green of the unit is darker than in Amazon's photos. I have added some photos of my own, hope it helps.

Great unit for the price. Better out there, but not at this price!

Works exactly as I hoped it would. Was a little confusing on running stations multiple times on the same day, but got it figured out. Just set the start time once for the entire program. Then if you want the program to run up to 4 times, then just set the start time for each time you want the program to start. Example: all 4 stations hooked up. Want to run all 4 at 10 am, then they will all run through their time line that you set. If you want all 4 to run at 10 am, noon, 2, and 4, then set the program to start at 10, 12, 2, and 4 and it will run 4 times the same day. Other than that, this is a great timer and fixed my issues with my old timer keeping zone 1 open when it wasn't even on!

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