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Melnor Electronic DUO AquaTimer #3060 | Discount Price: $49.49
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Brand: Melnor
Binding: Tools & Hardware
Features: - Never over water again, simply set and forget
- Easy programming with LCD menu
- Works with low pressure drip and soaker hoses
- Set to water while you are away or at night
- 6 Independently programmable cycles
Defective Lot 0207 [Posted on 2007-10-10]
The battery was dead in no time. Open the case and contacts were rusted. Instead of going back to Amazon seller, I emailed Melnor. within 60 seconds I had a return email from a person. I asked about having found water in the battery comparment. As it turns out, the lot number I received, 0207, is known by Melnor to possibly contain defects in a seal between the water works and the electrical componets. They were more than willing to send me non defective units. When they came in they were the wrong models. Once again Melnor asked no questions in addressing the problem and promptly sent again. This time I received the right model, and lot 0607, which seems to be working fine so far.
I'm going to ahve a little fun with the rusted one, knock it apart, see if there is a way to seal it off myself. Hmm, just though of one. Cover battery contacts with insulating sealant. It seems the rest of the unit works ok.
Water Timer [Posted on 2007-12-11]
Although I have not tried them out yet and don't know if they are difficult to program, they look as though they are the right thing. They certainly arrived in a very timely manner.
"Duo" waters only one valve [Posted on 2008-04-02]
I object to that fact tha this exists. The very name implies a dual-valve watering system. It looks like other dual valve systems. But it only waters one valve. The other valve? It's a handy "manual watering valve". If I wanted a manual valve I'd get a $3.50 brass T-adapter!
I boutht melnor's other non-computer two valve waterer recently, but it leaked so I returned it and bought this. Needless to say, I'm not trying melnor again!
Needs a re-design [Posted on 2008-05-02]
First of, like many other reviewers, I was fooled by the "duo" feature in the store... The packaging implies that it can control two watering zones but only one is on a timer - the other hose connection is a manual bypass.
Normally I like Melnor timers and own a number of them. They're often better designed with good seals and reliable valves. I expect the same from this timer but only time will tell.
The Good:
- Easy, comprehensive scheduling and simple programming. Easy to understand LCD readout makes programming even the most convoluted watering schedule a snap.
The Bad:
- Poor contrast on the LCD. While it's easy to program in the workshop, once it's outside in the direct sun the screen is almost unreadable. To get the right angle I need to lay on the ground to look -up- at the controller (not terribly convenient)
- Clunky mechanical design. Either the female hose connector was stuck on my unit (wouldn't spin) or it was designed as a non-movable part which requires rotating the timer as you 'spin it onto' the hose bibb. Only a minor inconvenience unless you don't have enough clearance on the bibb. In my case I had to partly unscrew the faucet to get a better angle, then spin the unit onto the hose bibb, then screw the faucet back into position. Dumb, dumb, inconvenient design. (Of course, once it's on there, I'll never need to remove it until it's time to replace the battery - then I'll be cursing the designer all over again)
All in all I can't recommend this particular timer. In the right circumstances it'll work just fine for you and the flexible programming is a real plus but the minuses outweigh any advantage the single timer "DUO" may have.
Nice in theory, but not in reality. [Posted on 2008-05-23]
I love the features of this timer. I have a number of timers from other companies and when I saw the features on this one, it fit my needs. I like the idea of 6 cycles per day, individual days and the misting feature is great.
However, this product is not designed well at all. First, the LCD display is not protected and made of cheap plastic. LCD screens are normally thin treated glass, this is not. Everything is pressed together as well.
I have went through 3 of these and will be switching to another brand. All three cracked internally and filled with water within 10 minutes of using them and I do not have high water pressure, well below the 120 PSI rating for this product.
NOTE: Once it cracked on the inside, it would NOT turn off! I would have been using this for my garden and it would have destroyed all my vegetables if I was not home when it kicked on and broke. It is not worth the risk.
Additionally, I work in technology and the LCD concerns me. Even if this product didn't break on me, I do NOT believe the screen would last very long simply due to it being such low quality. I'd give it 1 season before being damaged and needing replaced or simply being destroyed on it's own.
Anyway, great concept but poorly designed. Like I said, 3 of them broke on me.
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