Rating: - Not robust enough
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.
Rating: - Works for me!
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!
Rating: - No More Critters in the Garden
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!
Rating: - Very Limited Performance
I utilized the Scarecrow to keep my dog out of a rock garden area. Unless the dog is exactly in front of the unit and moving across, it does not activate. Even when her wagging tail is in front of the unit it does not activate. The degree of activation should be in the 45 degree range rather than in the 10 degree range. I have quit using it as it does not help.
Rating: - It's kewl...and I think it is working
We had Raccoons and Herons and Cats all hanging out around our pond. Not for sure this is what is doing the trick however we've had it in place for a month now and the planters in the pond that kept getting knocked over haven't. Only problem I've found is that when I come home from work I always like to waltz by the pond and look for fish. I keep forgetting about this thing and it has nailed me every time! :~)
- Not robust enough
- Works for me!
- No More Critters in the Garden