It consistently soaked the 3 feet or so directly in front of it, even at the highest settings, unlike several other models we tested that somehow managed to miss the ground right in front of them. We found the XT4200M to be highly adjustable within that range, too. While many other sprinklers come in a variety of sizes to cover different areas, the XT4200M comes in only one size-but it covers the second-largest area of the models in our test group, beaten only by its all-plastic cousin. In our tests, the spray from the XT4200M covered an approximate range of 8 square feet to 4,000 square feet, thanks in part to the built-in Zoom controls for water flow. The XT4200M has brass sprinkler nozzles as well, and a built-in metal sieve to filter out anything from the tap that could cause a clog. This design also means the XT4200M is more likely to hold up after bad weather and other everyday abuses (the Green Thumb 4200MGT also boasts a metal base but has clunkier controls). Although the main body of the XT4200M is plastic, its rust-proof aluminum sled gives it a bit more weight, stability, and durability, particularly in comparison with our all-plastic runner-up. In our tests, its wave of water suffered from much less wind drift than those of any of the other Melnor models. These plastic tabs are easy to switch and move even when the sprinkler is active, and the sprinkler can deliver a long rectangular spray range of up to 4,000 square feet. Like our runner-up, the XT4200M came with clearly marked controls for water flow, left and right width, and arc length. Melnor makes more than a dozen different oscillating sprinklers, but of the four we tested, the XT4200M was the most impressive in every category. Most companies offer different sizes of sprinklers with the same functionality, so rather than focusing on which model covered the largest area, I used this opportunity to explore the dials, adjustability, and other features on each sprinkler model, taking notes on accuracy, sensitivity, and ease of use: Were any of the models easier or harder to adjust when they were actively sprinkling? Did they have clear indicators about what each dial did (if any), and did the settings stay in place after I moved the sprinkler? How fine was the control over the arc of the spray, and how did that change at different widths and water flows? Several models also had a control for water flow-the pressure of the water going into the sprinkler, which you can adjust to vary the width and length of the water coverage. After marking out measurement intervals in my backyard, I tested each sprinkler to find its minimum and maximum width (horizontal spread, parallel to the sprinkler heads) and length (distance from the stationary sprinkler).
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