Orbit Irrigation makes one of our favorite smart sprinkler timers, and the company is adding to its lineup with the announcement of the B-hyve XR. Announced Sunday at CES in Las Vegas, the new device is a radical departure from Orbit’s previous offering, with an industrial design that’s much closer to the market leader’s Rachio 3.
Orbit says its B-hyve XR is powered by a 900MHz radio that can extend the controller’s reach to every corner of the yard, with its low-frequency signal capable of penetrating physical barriers such as valve boxes. The B-Hyve XR can connect to a home’s network using either its router’s 2.4- or 5GHz frequency bands, which will be a boon to homeowners living in areas with congested Wi-Fi airspace.
