To put in the Aqua between my spigot and hose, I threaded the gadget instantly onto every. If you’re utilizing drip tubing as an alternative of a hose, you’ll use the included adapter to attach an irrigation line to the Aqua. Whereas the instructions are comparatively easy, I had a problem getting an important seal on the spigot aspect of the Aqua, even with pliers. The placement of the deal with made it not possible to squeeze a device in to tighten up the connection, which meant that, in the end, I used to be by no means capable of keep away from some stage of water leakage from this space. (An Eve consultant urged utilizing plumber’s tape to enhance the seal or including an angled adapter or hose extension to the setup to make the angle much less awkward, however I didn’t take a look at both methodology.) It’s nonetheless simpler to get seal on the decrease connection that attaches to the hose, as there’s not as a lot {hardware} to get in the way in which on the underside of the Aqua.
Testing the {Hardware} and Software program
ScreenshotEve app through Chris Null
As soon as batteries are put in, you may onboard the Aqua to your 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi community inside the Eve app, or you should use HomeKit to attach on to Apple’s iOS House app. You’ll want the Eve app to make use of many of the superior operations on the unit (like little one locks and water-consumption measures), however for easy guide management and timer operations, iOS House works high quality.
That’s factor, as a result of Eve’s iOS app is a surprisingly convoluted piece of software program that will frustrate even seasoned smart-home fans—a minimum of that’s how I felt whereas attempting to navigate the app. A fancy assortment of scenes, timers, and guidelines determines how your watering schedule operates. Whereas the intention right here is to enchantment to a way of flexibility and energy for the way you handle your watering schedule, the entire thing feels extra difficult than essential. The interface is simply too busy, with an excessive amount of pointless data crowding every display. Configuring a easy on/off timer appears like a logic puzzle on this app. To be sincere, a wholesale redesign of the Eve app might be so as.
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ScreenshotEve app through Chris Null
Maybe if the Aqua shipped with higher directions, the app confusion could be a nonissue. However I used to be shocked to search out that the unit contained nothing however a spare and transient begin information. The {hardware} is straightforward sufficient to take care of, however I count on most customers will want just a little extra hand-holding than Eve offers (or loads of endurance) to grasp the app.
Fortuitously, after I completed organising my schedules and not wanted to tweak them additional, I received the cling of the gadget and located it to work fairly nicely. The unit responded rapidly to on-demand instructions, and schedules went off like clockwork. In a number of days of testing, the Aqua by no means failed me as soon as.
A Expensive Proposition
Right here’s the dangerous information: The Eve Aqua is among the costliest sensible hose controllers, considerably extra pricey than the Rachio Good Hose Timer (which I discovered less complicated however nonetheless efficient after I examined it) and the Orbit 90204Z (a mannequin I haven’t examined however which is analogous to different Orbit gear that I’ve tried and appreciated). Just like the Aqua, each rivals provide app-based sensible options—however for round $100 or much less. That stated, the Aqua is notably cheaper than the IrriSense 2 sensible irrigation system, and all of those choices are a lot more economical than digging an in-ground sprinkler system.
In contrast to different sensible water controllers, the Aqua doesn’t require a separate Wi-Fi bridge to function, making it seamless to make use of. However that benefit loses a variety of its shine when it comes time to take care of an advanced setup course of and a leaky-faucet impact as soon as up and working.
