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We Tested the New Eve Aqua, a HomeKit Irrigation Controller

HomeKit accessory maker Eve has updated its irrigation controller, the Eve Aqua, with a new, quieter design and thread compatibility that make its only weak point disappear.

It wasn’t long ago that home automation came about to make our lives more comfortable, and if we’re talking about making our lives easier, irrigation controllers are a must for those of us who have gardens or plants at home. However, The category doesn’t shine because of the variety of products available, but that’s not a big deal, as the only HomeKit-compatible controller (at least the only one I know of) far exceeds its mission. With a new design, the new Eve Aqua is nearly silent, solving its big problem, the connection range, thanks to its compatibility with Thread.

Eve Aqua Irrigation Controller

design

The new Eve Aqua completely changes its design. While the shape remains the same, a cube with rounded corners, the dimensions are much smaller, and if you compare the new Eve Aqua to previous models, you’ll see that they have little to do with it. I don’t like one of the changes though: they changed the aluminum body to plastic. It’s well made and painted to simulate aluminum, but it’s plastic. The previous one has a more sturdy and premium look. It’s not a big deal either, it’s not an accessory you’re going to touch too much or move it around.

But the rest of the changes have been made for the better. It’s more compact and just as discreet. The only element highlighted on the outside is the central button that activates manual irrigation. . Aside from the manual watering we mentioned, all of your control is done through the Eve app (link), which is a true miracle for HomeKit and a perfect replacement for the Home app on your iPhone program because it allows you to control any HomeKit accessory, regardless of brand.

Just as we highlighted the negative changes, we’ll draw attention to my favorite positive change: The thread that connects it to the faucet is metal. Of course, you’ve fought with plastic threads and ended up damaged by improper tightening. Well, now that’s not a problem, it’s a major relief. Screwing is safer, easier, and you have more peace of mind.

Eve Aqua new and old models

The controller consists of two parts that can be separated: the front case and the main body that houses all the important stuff. To place the battery (2xAA) you have to separate the two pieces, it might cost a bit to do this the first time, but it’s really easy. With the battery installed, all that’s left is to screw the faucet and irrigation rubber onto the Eve Aqua and start the configuration process to add it to our HomeKit network.

Configuration and Operation

The entire configuration process can be done using the Casa app or directly in the Eve app. This is the classic process of scanning a QR code for any HomeKit accessory, even for those who have never done it before. You just follow the steps indicated on the screen and in less than a minute you will be ready to start working on it. Every time I set up a device on Alexa, I realize how easy it is to set up on HomeKit.

If for the initial configuration it doesn’t matter which app you use, for its operation you can keep using both but the Eve app will give you more options. Casa is a very easy to use app but lacks some More advanced options for devices, this is an example. Using Casa, we can activate or deactivate irrigation, set its duration and view the remaining battery power. Well, we can do a lot more with automation, environments, and shortcuts, but we’ll see later.

Eve Aqua installation

Using the Eve app, we’ll find configuration options that are more similar to those offered by “traditional” irrigation controllers, but more advanced. We can configure up to six different irrigation programs, and within each program we can configure up to 7 different irrigation cycles. Yes we can have a fixed schedule or irrigation at sunset or sunrise. We will also be able to know an estimate of the water consumed by irrigation. Few irrigation controllers give you all of these options.

What I’m missing is the integration with a weather forecast system that allows irrigation to change based on expected rain or rain that has already fallen. Eve partially addresses this in her app, being able to create shortcuts (the app does it for you, don’t worry if shortcuts aren’t your thing) Pause irrigation if expected rainfall exceeds a limit you set .

This automation allows you to integrate irrigation with other accessories, so you can configure irrigation to activate at specific times or situations of the day.So you can set irrigation to activate when you’re not at home because you like to do it yourself when you’re at home, or you can create environments where multiple controllers are activated at the same time, or lights are turned off when irrigation is activated…you set the limit

If you have a previous model, one of the things that will catch your attention when this new Eve Aqua starts working is that it doesn’t make any sound. The magnetic system is responsible for controlling the opening and closing of the valve to activate or deactivate irrigation. The previous model was very noisy and was fine outside the house, but was troublesome in the house.

New Night Aquarium

Threads change everything

In my analysis of the original model, there was one negative that obscured an otherwise excellent accessory. Connecting via bluetooth saves energy (it uses battery), the range of the device is limited, and that’s a very significant limitation for products that are mostly destined to be in the garden. But that fundamentally changes in this new model.

This new Eve Aqua is compatible with Thread, a protocol that will change everything we know about home automation so far. No more connectivity issues as the home automation accessory itself will act as a signal repeater and the Eve Aqua controller does not need to be connected to a HomePod or Apple TV as it can be connected to a nearby light bulb, smart plug or any other Thread enabled accessory .

editorial opinion

New design, virtually silent, advanced options to control plant watering, and compatibility with the Thread protocol are the novelties of the new product, which will make you forget to water your plants. True, we don’t have more HomeKit-compatible controller options, but we don’t need them either. The new Eve Aqua is 149,95 euros on Amazon (link).

Eve water

  • Edit rating
  • 4.5 stars
  • Exceptional

€149,95

  • Eve water
  • Review: Luis Padilla
  • Posted on: September 28, 2022

  • Last Modified: September 28, 2022

advantage

  • compact and discreet design
  • easy to use
  • Advanced configuration options
  • silent

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