Contech CRO101 Scarecrow Motion Activated Sprinkler
by Contech
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List Price: Our Price: $34.99 You Save: $25.00 (42%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Lawn & Patio See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Contech CRO101 Scarecrow Motion Activated Sprinkler
Customer Review: Experts agree, this product can't be beat!
Summary: 5 Stars
I heard about this product while working the state's horticultural advice hotline so I gave it a try. I have an average size suburban garden and since the neighbors have pine trees and grass, my home is a buffet for various animals, especially groundhogs. It is a good product, survived three years now and the plastic is sturdy.
I'm surprised by complaints that it squirts the user - how could anyone invent a product under $70 that can recognize a deer vs. a human? Isn't it nice to know it can also keep out the neighborhood kids? Just kidding. Sort of.
It adjusts the strength of the spray so it is very versatile. I find that you should move it every so often so the animals don't get used to it. It is way more effective than outdoor spray deterrents, etc.
An update: I'm on my second scarecrow, its fantastic! One thing to consider, as my plants grew very tall (cannas) the scarecrow could not see around them so I found the mounting bracket put the scarecrow on the outside of my deck and works wonders! I would advise purchasing an easy on/off connector so you can remove the hose quickly if needed.
finally, for those folks that say it keeps squirting everything I would advise to read the directions carefully and you will find you can adjust the knob to make it squirt everything or just BIG moving objects.
Our neighbors groundhogs still come in the yard but they are so jumpy, they take off quickly.
Hey, it even works at night and can spray unwanted visitors (animal and human!)
Customer Review: This Is The One You Want
Summary: 5 Stars
The deer used our flower gardens like a salad bar! I grew all those pretty zinnias, strawflowers, petunias from seed too (they left the dahlias alone).
I love the deer, we feed them for goodness sakes. And I understand that eating my plants, well that's what they do. So, this gadget is heaven-sent; it saves my pretty flowers, keeps the deer out of mischief and my mind at ease.
Assembly was very easy. It's made of pretty rugged plastic. Place it out of the way of lawn mowers - it's not indestructible.
Setup and adjustment was a breeze. It makes a pretty loud "clicking noise" when it senses movement. That makes it easy to adjust without having the water on. Here's a tip - if the ground is hard where you want to put it to soften the soil.
Bottom line - it works! Birds are still able to land in the flower garden without incident. I'm guessing a cat could meander through as well. The neighbors golden retriever? I don't know, maybe if he was sort of close. A man sized or deer sized "target" can't get any closer than 30'-35 feet without turning on the spray. It sprays for a few seconds and then shuts off. It has a timer to prevent it from activating again for eight seconds.
All in all I think this product is a winner. Oh, one more thing, make sure you use a good hose. You'll be leaving this setup unattended for hours, maybe days at a time. You sure wouldn't want the hose to burst just as you left to visit Aunt Nellie's for the weekend!
Customer Review: Keeps the ex away nicely
Summary: 5 Stars
I was always having problems with my ex's not understanding the common keep away saying like "I don't want to see you again!", or " your sister was much better in bed so please respect my choice and stay away from my house...k thnx!" or even this saying " I have a court order on your a$$ so back the f off!". Yeah my life was a wreck before this product really. I would wake up in the mourning with paint dumped all over my car, used tampons in my mailbox, one ex even went as far as leaving my newspaper in the middle of the street to bait me out so she could finish me off with her car. From the moment I installed two of these in my front yard I felt a sense of peace come over me, what can I say the auto sprinkler really brings security in the most hummane way possible! I installed them both behind two small bushs on each side of my front lawn at snatch level. I knew this would be the ideal height cause knowing my ex's as I do I know they won't get on all fours but would easily be willing to get on there knees, so I had to make sure the sprinkler head shot above the knees and below the waste.
Now what your thinking, this must be a joke but seriously the first night alone I heard "EEK YOU MOTHER FU****!, I'M GOING TO GET YOU!" and clicking sound of heels running away from the front yard. I have had these installed for two weeks so far with no return of any in wanted strays again!! Thank you so much for designing such a creative product! I am wondering if there will be a self aiming unit in the future?
Customer Review: It sent the raccoons packing...
Summary: 5 Stars
A family of raccoons had taken up residence in a sheltered area of my house. They demolished a make-shift barricade I previously erected at the entrance. I could hear them scratching and squirming in the little den of theirs, which used to be part of my house. I tried a "coyote urine" repellent - without success. I decided to give this Contech ScareCrow a try. I erected it in front of the den entrance and turned it on just before midnight, when I was sure all the raccoons had left their den. An hour later, it fired and I heard the sound of animal running away. All was quiet afterwards. The next day, I spent all day erecting another barricade - a much sturdier one this time, with grade A ¾" lumber, 1/4" steel screws, and ¼" steel nuts and bolts. I left the ScareCrow where it was, just for good measure. During the week, the Scarecrow fired a couple of times during the night and that was it. The raccoons never returned to attack the barricade again.
The nature of and solution to animal problems vary extensively, but for the narrow purpose of keeping raccoons from getting into their den, this Contech ScareCrow passed with flying colors. The whole unit is made of plastic; it may not last very long under the hot desert sun of the American Southwest, but it did work as it was supposed to right out of the box and setting it up was a breeze. Other reviewers complained about short battery life; perhaps a lithium 9V battery may help.
Customer Review: Safe, Humane Animal Deterrent
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're having problems with cats ruining your plants, by urinating on them,
then this sprinkler is for you.
Contech Electronics CRO101 Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler
The Scarecrow Sprinkler was super easy to set up, and connect to the hose in the garden.
It took about an hour's worth of fiddling with the sensitivity knob, to set it where
I wanted it, so that it wouldn't spray every time the wind blew.
This sprinkler WORKS WONDERFULLY! I watched as a cat crept into my garden, and laughed,
when the sprinkler made it run away. Another good thing about this, is, it waters your
plants!
The cats have discovered the boundaries of the sprinkler, and are now killing a hydrangea
bush with their dastardly pee.
So, yes, it keeps cats out of your garden, but, the cats will figure it out, and find something
else to pee on.
:(
During the day, I keep the sensor set low, so it doesn't go off all day.
At night, though, when the cats and creatures prowl around, I turn it up to maximum
sensitivity, so the sprinkler doesn't miss squirting ANY cats, 'coons, or possums!
The stake that it comes with, was sturdy, and has stuck well into the ground.
There is a bit of leaking, which I'm sure can be fixed with some sealant.