Perhaps it wouldn’t be surprising if, based on expert ratings or even personal experience over the past few years, we say that Hunter irrigation controllers are the best irrigation controllers in the world right now. So far, at Smart Irrigation™, we have reviewed and researched more than 12 of the most famous companies manufacturing controllers and solenoid valves. We can say that all of them are excellent, but Hunter is the best of them. But why? Did we only consider quality as the criterion. Or did we only consider the company’s reputation as the criterion of excellence? Not really! American Hunter automatic irrigation products, whether electric and battery-powered controllers or solenoid valves, are extremely high quality. For example, the Hunter battery-powered controller is completely waterproof at a depth of 1.5 meters of water! Or, for example, Hunter solenoid valves can easily withstand up to 10 bar of water pressure! These show that Hunter has truly gone beyond quality and has found a place in the hearts of customers who care a lot about quality and longevity. But the features of Hunter irrigation products are truly amazing. A variety of sensors, from frost and rain sensors to weather sensors, can be added and connected to Hunter controllers. This means complete and perfect smart irrigation! Both very high quality and excellent features. Stay with us to learn more about the world’s most famous irrigation company and its X-Core irrigation controller series.
Hunter Industries is a manufacturer of irrigation equipment for green spaces and lawns, as well as outdoor lighting equipment, located in San Marcos, California, USA. Hunter’s irrigation product line includes high-quality rotary nozzles, pop-up rotors, spray sprinklers, valves, controllers, drip systems and weather sensors. With more than 2,000 employees and branches nationwide in different regions and countries, Hunter is a true leader in the field of irrigation products, especially smart irrigation. For more information, please visit Hunter’s Wikipedia page or Visit the official Hunter Company website.
Hunter X-Core series controllers include two types: indoor and outdoor, with outdoor models having doors and complete resistance to any rain, snow or dust. This series is available from 2 to 8 stations, and in this review we will examine the 8-station model with a door (outdoor). A very attractive advantage of X-Core controllers is their compatibility with a variety of Hunter weather sensors. Hunter sensors, including rain sensors, freeze sensors, advanced weather detection sensors, soil moisture sensors and water flow measurement sensors, are fully compatible with the X-Core series, and each can be connected and used with controllers in this series.
The Hunter XC-801 controller (from the X-Core series) is fully compatible with Hunter’s advanced weather detection sensor. By adding and connecting this sensor, you can start amazing and fully automatic irrigation. Normally, at the beginning of each season, you can set a coefficient from 10% to 150% in the Seasonal Adjustment section. For example, if you set 50%, the duration of all irrigations will be halved. But the interesting part is that by adding the Hunter SOLAR SYNC ET sensor, that coefficient is determined daily; and not by us! But by the sensor and according to the amount of sunlight, air temperature and atmospheric conditions! The Hunter SOLAR SYNC sensor is available in two wired and wireless models, both of which are fully compatible with X-Core controllers. In addition to the capabilities we have mentioned for you, this advanced sensor also has the ability to detect rain and also has the ability to notify freezing. This means that if the rainfall at a time is more than the quota, irrigation at that time will not be carried out (because it is raining and irrigation is not only not necessary but also causes water waste). Also, if freezing occurs (the temperature drops below 3 degrees Celsius), irrigation at that time will be stopped or, if it is supposed to be carried out, will not be carried out.
Another attractive feature of the XC-801 controller is its full compatibility with Hunter remote controls. By adding a Hunter ROAM or ROAM XL remote, you can easily turn each station on or off, or even change irrigation programs from a distance. With the ROAM remote control, you can easily turn the irrigation on and off up to 300 meters outdoors and with the ROAM XL remote control, you can easily turn the irrigation on and off from more than 3 kilometers away from the controller. Both models are small and can even fit in your pocket. The ROAM series remotes operate on four AAA batteries.
One of the great features of the X-Core series controllers is the ability to set various irrigation programs. Maybe you are one of those people who are not interested in complex programs. So you may never use programs B and C. But if you are sensitive to watering your garden trees or if your green space or greenhouses need customized and regular irrigation, then you can use section B or even C. Setting the program on the XC-801 controller is very easy and you just need to watch the training videos once. This model has 8 stations, and a separate irrigation program can be set for each of the 8 stations.
It is very attractive to set a program once and for all! But how is it possible? Because in winter, as the weather gets colder and rainfall increases, we need less irrigation, or even in summer, trees sweat more and the moisture in the soil decreases faster and more irrigation is needed. Or, for example, in certain months before the trees bear fruit, more irrigation is needed. The SEASONAL ADJUSTMENT feature is one of the great features of the Hunter irrigation controller. By turning the dial on this option, we can set a coefficient from 10% to 150% using the plus and minus buttons. And then set the dial back to the default option (RUN option). Done! For example, if we assume that you have set the coefficient to 50%, the irrigation duration of all irrigation sessions will be halved!
X-Core outdoor controllers are resistant to any rain and snow. These models also have a door that must always be closed to ensure complete resistance to rain or dust. This means that if we sometimes open the door and make special settings, we must close it. The door has a lock and two keys (one spare) are included in the product box along with other contents.
The Hunter X-Core 8-Station Outdoor Controller is produced and marketed in 6 different model numbers. The XC-800, XC-801, XC-800-E, XC-801-E, XC-800-A, and XC-801-A are the six models that Hunter has released this controller. The models with the number 800 have a 120-volt input and are not suitable for the UAE and the Middle East. However, the models with the number 801 have a 220-volt input voltage and are easily connected to city electricity. Also, the E letter at the end of the model number means European power connection, and the A letter at the end of the model number means Australian power connection. However, as for the color scheme, it can be said that there are 2 color schemes, only the color of the buttons and the color of the labels are different. For example, the same model has a dark blue and dark green label in one color scheme, but in the other color scheme it is only blue. Which is not a major issue at all and was only stated for the greater awareness of discerning users.
Unlike the indoor type, the X-Core outdoor controllers (with doors) do not have a 2-station model. Instead, they have 4, 6, or 8 stations. In general, it can be said that the 8-station model differs from the other two models only in the number of stations and, in terms of application, is the best option for very large green spaces, soccer and golf fields, multiple greenhouse halls, large parks, and vast gardens.
