Contech Electronics Scarecrow Motion-Activated Sprinkler #CRO101

Nice idea, but right from the first day, even with fresh batteries, I'd go out at night to test it with my hand, and it would not trigger, regardless of the sensitivity. During the day it worked just fine. I'm near Los Angeles, so the weather is not an issue. I bought it months ago, and only opened it this week, so I can't return it. Make sure you test yours right away.

We were very pleased to have finally found a product that would help us fight against the squirrels that were eating our newly planted ground cover. Now when they least expect it, the Scarecrow Motion Sprinkler will go off with a good spray of water sending the critters scampering. Well worth the cost! You do have to adjust a bit to get the correct position (a few funny wet mishaps) but once in proper placement it works like a charm.
The Scarecrow has found a harmless solution to garden pests.

The scarecrow works. That is it works under ideal circumstances. We have a lot of landscaping and wind trips it too easy. It trips so much (when no animal is nearby) that the batteries run down and it is useless when it is needed. If you have an open area that you're wanting to protect it probably will work fine. However, if you have a lot of landscaping that you are wanting to keep dogs, cats and chickens out of, you may find it to be a disappointment.

1) It worked and I'd highly recommend it. I had severe deer problems in the garden, got it, and then there was about zero deer problems. A week before frost, I removed it and in three days the tops of my green beans were GONE!

2) Four stars, because it was delivered with a nicked wire that actually broke while it was in use (Before purchase I read a few folks who recieved bad units- so maybe there's a little quality control issue with it).

3) Some other reviews mention that it's a lot of cheap looking plastic for a fair chunk of change. Yep, it's plastic, and I wish it was sturdier, but what isn't plastic these days, and right or wrong, this is a product that you'd sort of expect to be a few extra bucks.

4) I only had this for about two months, BUT, the 9V battery was still working fine (somewhat in conflict with some other reviews.)

5) I kept this thing on maximum sensitivity and it did seem to SOMETMES go off every time a leaf dropped (a complaint I read before buying). But IMO, it wasn't excessive. Yeah, I got sprayed a few times, but I'm thinking it was doing what it is supposed to do, and the green beans were very good according to ME AND NOT THE DEER!

6) Instead of using the small-looking plastic stake that comes with it or the overly-expensive plastic mounting bracket, I got creative and used my own stand: a rigid 1/2" pipe plus a common sprinkler base with an adapter for garden hose thread that matches the bottom of the electric eye.

7) I see a note that it's discontinued- too bad, although I see a competitive version on Amazon.com....good- someone needs to offer something like this- it does seem to keep deer away!

The Scarecrow motion detector works great! No more critters roaming around in the garden! I suspect it was deer or raccoons. Whatever it was ate all my beans before I decided to buy the Scarecrow. Since I installed it the beans have grown back and I'm planning on peas for the winter garden. I just wish I had purchased this a long time ago. I probably would have saved my fish pond too which was ravaged by some critters on a regular basis.

The Scarecrow is very responsive and shoots water for a long distance. I sometimes forget it's on and get wet!