Once set up, the configuration of the Oto sprinkler system resembles that of the Aiper and the pricier Irrigreen applications. You establish a zone and utilize the app to outline its limits. Like the previously mentioned systems, Oto’s sprinkler is built for precise watering, directing water in a narrow beam in one direction rather than a broad spray. However, Oto’s spray remains comparably slim, focusing on a specific, designated area instead of creating a two-dimensional sheet of water akin to Irrigreen’s “water printing” technology. This is clearly illustrated as you outline your yard’s borders.
Oto, akin to its rivals, permits you to designate each zone as a spot (for irrigating an individual tree), a line (for a flowerbed), or a 2-D space (for a yard). I experimented with all these modes but primarily concentrated on area zones, which present the highest complexity. In terms of defining an area zone, Oto’s setup is nearly the same as Irrigreen and Aiper, although it does respond slightly more slowly to inputs. Nonetheless, it remains very intuitive: A straightforward interface enables you to place points around the sprinkler to outline the zone’s borders. As soon as you complete a full loop around the sprinkler, the zone is established.
After configuration, every zone may be assigned a schedule with multiple options regarding watering days (odd days, even days, selected days of the week, or daily) and a start time (though it does not sync with sunrise or sunset). Each schedule comes with a weekly watering cap (in inches of depth), which is dispersed over each week’s watering intervals. Weather intelligence capabilities allow for the skipping of watering if your zip code receives significant rainfall or if wind speeds are elevated; both rely on internet reports, and you can modify the rainfall amount and wind speed necessary to trigger a skip. The app tracks the 20 most recent runs and includes a calendar for upcoming occurrences.
Oto’s method for watering a zone entails moving in circular arcs around the sprinkler, then progressively broadening the coverage with each pass. Additional “cleanup” runs ensure thorough coverage of the area without dry spots. The speed and size of the water beam guarantee effective coverage. After test sequences, the yard was sufficiently damp across the entirety of the zone, with no dry areas.
As with any sprinklers, fluctuations in water pressure can occasionally lead to over- or underwatering in particular zones, yet this was minimal with the Oto. However, watering at the outer end of Oto’s range may demand sufficient power to create a strong splashdown, potentially leading to soil erosion or harm to delicate plants.
The Oto also incorporates a “play mode” that allows you to utilize the sprinkler for a fun chase game or a random “splash tag” feature, where you attempt to evade being hit by water. Pro tip: Avoiding getting hit is nearly impossible.