ORIGINAL REVIEW 07/02/09
You know, I hate to say it, but even after 40, I still love playing with the water hose.I mean, when watering the plants, I have always enjoyed practicing with my thumb over the opening to vary the different types of sprays I can make to water my trees, shrubs, and flowers.Only recently did I decide to break down and get a nozzle.I hesitated because after 40 years, I can recreate almost any spray that you can get with a nozzle with my thumb [or so I thought], and with a lot more entertainment in the effort.Yet, it was time to get a new hose because my old one kinked and was too short, and I had another opportunity to look for a good nozzle to go with it.
This nozzle is great!The pistol grip is comforable, even if the "trigger" hole is a bit cheesy, and it has a familiar feel with the lever.The lever has a "kickstand" to keep it actuated if your hand gets tired, and it has a dial in knob on the back to adjust the strength of the stream.If it just had those two features, I could really like this nozzle.
Now my experience with "dial a spray" type nozzle heads is that usually, they clog.So far, this hasn't been the case with this unit.And, really, this has the best and most practical variety of sprays available on a multi-spray nozzle head.I love the 'mist' setting, which when you are done with the plants goes great on the back of your neck without getting you soaked in the process.There are several other settings which are practical for different applications from watering delicate flowers without spraying potting soil all over the place, to giving that Japanese Maple an adequate summer drenching.And really, honestly, having all the settings makes it a little more fun in trying to figure out what works best for the application you need.I usually rotate between 4 or 5 of the settings, which is the most settings I have ever used on a nozzle.
Gilmour has a reputation for quality.While this is basically made out of plastic (some parts feel slightly rubberized) the construction seems adequate to hold up after a period of use.I don't say this lightly.If this product does break down prematurely, I will update the review immediately.But, I haven't had this long enough to give you any testimonials on how well it will hold up.Right now, I can only guess.
Overall, I was well pleased with this product.
Highly recommended.
UPDATE 08/20/09
Ok.I might have been a little optimistic about the durability issues.After a couple of months of extreme Oklahoma heat, repeated drops onto the sidewalk, and into the pinebark mulch, the spray is, well, a little wonky.What I mean by that is sorta like a showerhead.At first, the 'round' spray looked like a perfect circle, and now it has a few streams going astray.Still does the job.Doesn't leak.Probably will work within acceptible limits for years.But if you are a perfectionist whose wife doesn't like the front porch "puddly" because of stray sprays coming out of your nozzle, this doesn't look like a overly long term solution.I'd estimate 2 to 3 years tops.
Yet at the price point, you could probably replace it fairly often, and for that reason, I think I'll keep using it, or a replacement of it for a while.It is still the best multispray variety I have enjoyed, and that is the most important thing to me.
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Gilmour Poly Pistol Grip 8 Pattern Nozzle Teal & Black #227Product Description: POLY PISTOL GRIP NOZZLE - 8 pattern sprays ~ Hold-open button for continuous spraying ~ Molded grip for cushioned comfort ~ Handle loop for easy storage
Buy cheap Gilmour Poly Pistol Grip 8 Pattern Nozzle Teal & Black #227 now
My hands get COLD in the winter so the rubber handle on this nozzle is a life saver for me... no more gripping cold metal with wet hands in 40-degree temperatures.The o-ring that keeps these from leaking sometimes comes loose and water leaks from the base, but that's because I am constantly taking the nozzle on and off... it's bound to leak sometime.This is a 3-pack.It wasn't labled as such when I bought it.
