Timer works great - if you don't use water
SUMMARY: These units aren't watertight, and failure rate is excessive.

EVALUATION: I originally bought one of these because the local hardware store employee said that they were the only ones that were reliable (I had tried other battery-based timers previously and was disappointed).

Initiially had a very good experience using the timer, which was very easy to program and appeared reliable. As a result, I shelled out serious dough for another 3 units to use in my expanded landscape.

Shortly before my extended vacation, I noticed that one of the units appeared to be watering on its own schedule. Close inspection revealed that the display had taken on water and was no longer legible. Since I was in a pinch for time, I bought another to replace it, plus one additional for a newly-planted area. Since that time, I've had 2 more fail.

Needless to say, I'm disappointed in this performance.

I have found that mechanical timers that rely on flow rate rather than time are more reliable, and you get a better sense of water usage. (e.g., Melnor/Gardena 101 Flowmeter Water Timer). Flow rate "timers" may require a flow rate greater than a drip system consumes; in that case a mechanical timer model (e.g., Melnor Real Time Automatic Water Timer #3010) might be more appropriate.

The major drawback, of course is that these alternatives to electronic timers aren't suitable for "vacation watering" as they need to be manually set for each watering cycle.

Bottom line? The Dig hose thread watering timer isn't waterproof. Considering its intended use, this is a serious flaw.

the easiest watering solution: set it & forget it!
This digital timer from DIG is by far and away the best, and most importantly, the easiest solution for watering my garden. The controls are intuitive and once set, I get to forget it!

A good timer and EXCELLENT customer service
I bought this water timer to replace another (made by a different company) that broke after two years of use. This digital settings on this timer make it MUCH easier to use and a great deal more flexible then my old timer. You can set up to four times a day to water your plants. You can also choose what days of the week to water, and there is a handy on/off feature that will turn the water on (or off) when you press it.

But, best of all, this company has EXCELLENT customer service. My unit developed a leak early on, and I phoned the company. A human being answered the phone right away (I wasn't put on hold forever) When I explained the problem, they sent me a complete replacement of the top part of the unit to fix it. Once I got that part, I found that the problem was actually a sliced O-ring seal. I contacted customer service again, this time by e-mail. They answered promptly, and they sent a replacement in the mail. Problem solved. That kind of service rates five stars in my book as it is all too rare these days!!

Time all your watering needs
This hose timer is the best that I've used. It is very easy and intuitive to program and has fewer connections than some, eliminating possible leaks. Also, it has dedicated buttons for opening the value to water manually, and an especially handy rain delay button that allows you to turn off the watering during a rainy period, without having to reprogram. The only caveat--you can water several times a day if you like, but the length of time the valve will stay open can only be set once, and will be the same every time you water or for your manual watering.

short-lived
I've purchased numerous of these timers. They performed very well for one full season. This season, however, most (but not all) of them are either completely dead or the LCD display is malfunctioning or not responding to button pushes (yes, this is with fresh batteries installed). Speaking of batteries... the battery compartment lacks a proper seal to keep moisture out, which is a glaring oversight by the manufacturer. The angle of the design can be a bit awkward depending on the angle of the hose bib to which you connect the timer -- and can also create more vulnerability for the seal-less battery compartment should a connection leak. The ability to adjust the angle and a sealed compartment would be great improvements. And, of course, these little timers are way too expensive to last only one season.