Karen,
I found it helpful, just starting to set up a minimal spray irrigation system on a $15 Gilmore wind-up timer. It will run the sprayers for 10-90 minutes and shut itself off. Since it isn't battery based, I trust it. Sine it isn't hard-wired to 120 V household AC, it doesn't cost $175.
I just have to twist it and walk away. I remember much more often, when it is so easy. And by watering thoroughly (gradually and without puddling or runoff), it can go longer between waterings.
I just started last summer, and it has been a big help even only partially set up.
But there is up-front cost. And I can't set it to water every third day while I go away for a week.
One side benefit is that, now that I've run some 3/4" and 1/2" black plastic lines around the house, I have a hose fitting EVERY where I might want one. No dragging hoses, and no long hoses needed. Even when I just want hand-water one spot, there is a short length of hose and a hand sprayer near every bed.
(I bought some hose repair fittings and cut my longest hose into several short lengths.)
