Hozelock HOZ2700 Automatic Water Computer Timer Plus - Yellow and Grey

Our house has a subterranean terras with lots to planters and pots at elevated levels. It’s facing south so it requires copious amounts of water to keep everything green an alive.Using a traditional watering can was a tedious, back-breaking job. So quite a few years ago we installed a Hozelock watering system, with tubes fixed to the walls. This worked remarkably well. And I would highly recommend it.I expected the system, that we elaborated over time, to last only a few years. But apart from one to two punctures it’s still going strong and seems to last. What didn’t last was the Hozelock watering timer/computer. These looked very similar to this electronic timer but came with a digital display screen - it was also the only part of our watering system I wasn’t overly pleased with (as the screen was very hard to read and operate in full daylight, in particular since it was tucked away a little in an impossible corner of the terras).So now it broke down. And I didn’t mind to replace it. Somehow to my surprise Hozelock has stepped down in technology and now offers this more analog-looking timer with a big rotating dial. To my surprise it was more expensive than my original, more sophisticated timer. The step down in technology seems sensible given my experiences so far. But I had expected, and was actually waiting for an enhanced model; a wifi-device that can be steered through mobile phones, which would be particularly helpful given that we’re away abroad quite frequently. (I assume Hozelock will read my review, and will pass it on to heir R&D department)Anyway this ‘new’ timer was easy to install as its measures are exactly the same as the former one. It required a little reading of the manual to set it up. But frankly it is way easier to operate than the previous device, now even my wife can look after it. The Timer requires two C-type alkaline batteries. It’s a sturdy device, as you can expect from Hozelock. The previous one lasted about 7 years, so I expect this to at least surpass that given that it includes less sophisticated and less sensitive elements. I should add that during the winter months, with a chance of sub zero temperatures I disconnect the timer and take it inside.

This unit works fine, times your watering with unlimited flexibility. I had one of the older hozelock timers and it worked well but was complex to program. This one is much easier to use. I am sure the batteries will last a couple of seasons as they did with my old one, which by the way never failed, I probably had it for at least 5 years. If I have one gripe it is that the fitting to the tap leaks slightly, nothing to do with the tap but the the seal between the two hozelock supplied adapters. This is easily fixed with some silicone leak sealing compound such as Fernox LS-X.

My timer on my fifteen year old watering system packs up every now and then. The batteries need replacing on an annual basis which means resetting the timer. The longest I have had one is four years. This is an excellent basic timer and very useful. However I like to water my garden when the pressure is likely to be high, that is after everyone has gone to bed. This model requires you to sit up and set it after everyone else's bedtime for it to come on at the hour you require. Acceptable if it is midnight but any hour after that, you might like to consider the more expensive model (ACPlus+) which you can set at any time of the day or night to come on at another specific time. Difficult choice as the more expensive model may pack up after one year. However, I was delighted with my order which arrived promptly and the price I paid. Will shop here again.

I have had a couple of these before. They are the best timers I've found in the under £30 group. You have a lot of control over the frequency, quantity and time of day the water is supplied - and very easy to set. However, don't expect it to last more than two years. I've tried quite a few other brands and they all fail after a year or two... (built in senescence?).

This timer is great. It’s really easy to use and does what you want it to do. I had an older version of this timer before that was more difficult to program, I’m very glad I got this one.Some other reviewers have complained that their timer developed a leak within a year, that happened to my old one after many years, but because I forgot to bring it in before the first frost.

This item was to replace an identical item, which had failed due to water ingress. The water ingress was down to us by not having fitted the cover for the batteries correctly, after replacing them.This item is ideal especially when going away on holiday or for weekends in the summer months. It gives my wife piece of mind knowing that her precious plants are not dying of thirst, whilst we are away. The controls are simple and easy to use.Even when we are at home it is still in use, where the plants are watered during the early hours of the morning before the sun has risen allowing the plants to be well watered.

A super bit of kit. So good that I bought 2.The instructions are terrible so here they are:1) set the time: turn the nob on the 24hr red dial, press the red clock2) set the start time: turn the nob on the red dial, press the red S (leave it where it is and press the red S if you want it to start immediately)3) set the frequency: turn the nob on the green dial (e.g. every 6 hours), press the green button4) set the run time: turn the nob on the blue dial to set how long.5) turn nob to autoSit back and have a cuppa tea.