LinkTap G2 switch

As we mentioned at the outset, the LinkTap G2 is an upgraded version of the original LinkTap. If you were a fan of the original, you’ll already be familiar with the design. This is a two-part system, consisting of the timer itself along with a hub unit. The hub is compact and rectangular, with a blue-grey housing. It looks like a small internet switch, with ports for data and power on one end and lights on the front. A single G2 hub – LinkTap calls it a “gateway” – can control up to 15 timers. This makes it suitable for use on large properties as well as individual lawns.

The G2 switch has a similar blue-grey appearance to the hub, with grey hose connectors at the top and bottom. On the front, a pair of lights indicate the status of the battery and the wireless connection. It takes four AA batteries, and is rated to run for 2 years on a single set. As we said, take this with a grain of salt. Your mileage may vary based on use, but the battery life is quite good regardless. In terms of timer function, you can set up to 100 on/off cycles per day. These cycles can be of any length, ranging from one minute up to 23 hours, 59 minutes. For all intents and purposes, you can create any schedule you desire.

The G2 switch has a similar blue-grey appearance to the hub, with grey hose connectors at the top and bottom. On the front, a pair of lights indicate the status of the battery and the wireless connection. It takes four AA batteries, and is rated to run for 2 years on a single set. As we said, take this with a grain of salt. Your mileage may vary based on use, but the battery life is quite good regardless. In terms of timer function, you can set up to 100 on/off cycles per day. These cycles can be of any length, ranging from one minute up to 23 hours, 59 minutes. For all intents and purposes, you can create any schedule you desire.

Connectivity and Performance

The G2’s hub unit connects to the web via Ethernet. On the one hand, this ensures a fast, stable connection. On the other hand, it can make placement a pain, since you’ll have to install it near your router. That said, the timers themselves communicate with the hub via the proprietary Zigbee radio protocol. This signal has a range of up to 200 meters (660 feet) in line of sight. Even with obstructions, you can easily connect across hundreds of feet of distance.

To use the LinkTap G2, you’ll first need to install the app on your smartphone. Next, you’ll have to scan the QR code on the timer, and follow the setup prompts. Once that’s done, you can pair a timer with multiple smartphones. This is useful for families and property managers alike. If more people have access, you’re not stuck managing everything yourself.

Within the app, you can set your timer, and also set your Rain Skip settings. The Rain Skip system integrates your timer with real-world weather data and adjusts to compensate. You can set a rainfall threshold, as well as a threshold for forecasted rain. If the rain exceeds this limit, normal watering will be skipped for that day. In addition, the G2 tracks your current flow rate, as well as your average use in a rolling 90-day period. This is a new feature that wasn’t available with the original LinkTap. Alternatively, you can perform all of these functions hands-free with Alexa or Google Assistant.

Also new with the G2 are a number of fault detection features. If the original LinkTap failed, in most cases, you wouldn’t receive an alert. This is problematic for property managers and even homeowners who travel frequently. The G2, on the other hand, has built-in sensors to detect water shut-off and valve failures. It even has a fall sensor to detect if it falls off the faucet altogether. In any of these scenarios, you’ll receive a push alert on your smartphone.

Final Verdict

So, where does this leave us? We started by looking at the LinkTap G2. This timer doesn’t offer a ton of customization options. However, it does integrate with weather reporting and allow up to 100 watering cycles. It also has a long-range radio connection and fall alerts, which make it ideal for commercial applications.

The Rainpoint Smart Watering Timer has a shorter range, and fewer alert features. It also has a more limited number of watering cycles. That said, its support for misting as well as irrigation is very useful for greenhouses. Not only that, but because it’s totally wireless, installation is easier.

The Netro Pixie is the most unique of our three choices. With solar power, you may never need to worry about battery life. You can also set unlimited watering cycles, create manual delays, or even create complicated IFTTT commands. If you want the most possible control over your timer, it’s the best choice.