"Hi Tom, great questions.The torque required will depend on your home's water pressure. If you have the standard 40-80 PSI at home, the system requires very little effort to engage (easy for small children and elderly seniors). In the video above, we are using the system on a home with very high water pressure (120 PSI) and it's no problem for any adult, but a 4-year-old might not be able to do it. You're also correct about the o-rings: by the time the connector starts opening the valve, the dual o-rings form a seal to prevent any sprays while engaging. "

"Hi Tom,You are correct! Although terms like "hose bib", "sillcock", and "outdoor faucet" seem similar and are often used interchangeably these days, there are a few key differences as you described.The idea of a "frost-free" sillcock where the water stops inside the wall has been around for quite some time. What we changed is how the water is being stopped - rather than a screw and washer clamping down to stop water flow (which wears out over time), the House Hydrant uses water pressure to close the rear valve. This allows the frost free and quick connect features to be combined into one device with zero compromises in reliability. We also use stainless steel instead of the standard brass, because it conducts a fraction of the thermal energy of brass and therefore keeps your pipes better insulated in cold weather. Mark-- Installation is quite similar to regular in-wall sillcocks (it's a universal 1/2" NPT threaded rear). What you're referring to is just a bib, which does not really compare. We do make a non-frost-free version (designed for boat decks and RVs) that is only the flange end that you can use, but we would never recommended putting something that might freeze on your home (even if you live in a warm climate). PS: We were hoping nobody would notice the convertible top!  :)  No vipers were harmed in the making, we promise. "