Offer is valid today March 25, 2021 through midnight only or while supplies lasts.
Eligible for Returns within 30-Days in its original condition and packaging (details)
Our research indicates that Rachio 16-Zone 3rd Generation Smart Sprinkler Controller is $60.46 (30.23% Savings) than the next best price from a reputable merchant with prices starting from $215.99. -slickdewmaster
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Offer is valid today March 25, 2021 through midnight only or while supplies lasts.
Eligible for Returns within 30-Days in its original condition and packaging (details)
Our research indicates that Rachio 16-Zone 3rd Generation Smart Sprinkler Controller is $60.46 (30.23% Savings) than the next best price from a reputable merchant with prices starting from $215.99. -slickdewmaster
Now this is the deal I've been waiting for! Thanks OP!
I've got a 20 year old controller. To save water I put a SONOFF smart relay in the box to disconnect the power to the ground wire. An IFTTT routine checks the weather and toggles the relay as needed. Not smart like Rachio by any stretch, but it made it "brighter" for a whopping $15 and I reduced water waste by a ton.
As usual, it depends.
If you want only the basic smart control of the sprinklers, then I'd recommend Wyze ($58). If you also want weather-based control, paying Wyze's recurring fee for Sprinkler Plus ($10/year) will still be cheaper than Rachio for the first 9 years.
If you have more than 8 zones, get the Rachio. If you want weather-based control, and you think your sprinkler controller would last longer than 9 years, the Rachio would be cheaper AFTER 9 years. (Of course, Rachio's Return-on-Investment is even worse with their regular price, instead of this deal price.)
Disclaimer: I don't have either one - so I cannot speak to other features, user-friendliness or reliability.
For me, from all these IOT/smart things craze nowadays, smart sprinkler systems is the most worthed. It actually save you money. I got mine (Gen1) for $95 4 years ago. Set it up once and never touch it anymore. It automatically adjust as seasons come and go. must have!
If you live in fl, there's a good chance you have an indexing valve, which means this won't do much for you. Furthermore, if you install this outdoors you have to purchase a separate enclosure. This is meant for sprinklers systems that have multiple valves.
Thanks for heads up. Sorry I'm new to this just bought house 4 months ago. How do I find out if I have indexing valve?
Would be really nice if these guys ever supported more than 16 zones on the same controller. I get a lot of people don't need more than 16 but some of us have large yards and a piddly 3/4" water meter so we need a lot of zones! And don't give me this water on one day on one control and another day on another controller crap
The lack of any real on-controller manual interface on the Rachio is really unfortunate. Guess we'll stick with the BHyve. Good post OP for those that can use...
That's actually a selling point for me. Just set it in the app and forget about it.
No need to worry about fiddling with the controller.
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Now this is the deal I've been waiting for! Thanks OP!
I've got a 20 year old controller. To save water I put a SONOFF smart relay in the box to disconnect the power to the ground wire. An IFTTT routine checks the weather and toggles the relay as needed. Not smart like Rachio by any stretch, but it made it "brighter" for a whopping $15 and I reduced water waste by a ton.
I snagged a 3e for $90 on Amazon warehouse. I only need 8 zones.
Is the 3 that much better and with the extra $50?
I'm wondering the same thing. From what I've gathered the only difference is that the 3 can link up with flow detectors and has access to hyper local weather conditions.
I've had the 2 for years and it's been great. Not sure if it's worth the upgrade now as I have a feeling the discount is a sign that the 4 is coming.
Not necessarily, GMA does some random discounts, pretty much their deal is 50% off for one day only. If you start seeing this regularly or ~40% off, would totally agree with you.
Ordered one as well. Replacing an old Rainbird unit with a clunky and overly complicated dial interface. I assume this install as easy as, say, a Ring doorbell? Just unplug old and re-plug with this?
How does the irrigation person do the seasonal spring and fall maintenance? Does he need to use my phone?
Can someone please answer this question? I'm in the same situation. I have the irrigation guys come in the spring and sets things up and winterizes in the fall. Current one is manual and he checks each zones with it during the spring set up. TIA
Do these use physical external sensors or all the data it uses it fetches from itnernet
I don't have this particular brand, but the one I have (Skydrop) uses WiFi and the internet to pull down data on temp, weather etc. You configure each zone to a soil type+plant type+slope, for example loose soil grass on a slight angle, and tell it what type of heads you have, ex. pop-up rotors vs. prayers vs. drip. Finally you give it your area's water restrictions and then it uses all of that to calculate how much time each zone needs. From all of that it extrapolates the watering schedule. Because it's monitoring the weather, if it rains on Monday it knows it can skip watering the grass on Tuesday. If if it's scheduled to water Tuesday, but there is a high chance of rain that afternoon, it can decide to skip. I am pretty sure they all do similar functions.
And my Skydrop does not have a place for a rain sensor...just connectors for the valves and a place to hook up the pump relay if you have it. It 100% relies on the weather forecast to drive the schedule. Again, I don't have the Rachio, but I assume it has similar hookups.
The only reason I am here is because Skydrop folded as a company back in 2018, so even though the device is still chugging along doing it's thing, it's not connected to the Skydrop cloud servers and I don't think it's using the weather forcasts or anything anymore. It's essentially a dumb timer currently.
The lack of any real on-controller manual interface on the Rachio is really unfortunate. Guess we'll stick with the BHyve. Good post OP for those that can use...
I disagree but mostly because of my location. The controller is in my basement where I have to walk the house in order to get outside or even see if anything is on. This will allow me to test accurate, assign and control all from my device or laptop.
Far better but will depend on your needs.
Also,, If the power's out the last thing im thinking about is watering my lawn.
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So... how does the landscaper winterize this in the fall? And turn it back on in the Spring? Are we all saying there's no on screen display so I have to be there and they take my phone!? Sounds ludicrous.
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I've got a 20 year old controller. To save water I put a SONOFF smart relay in the box to disconnect the power to the ground wire. An IFTTT routine checks the weather and toggles the relay as needed. Not smart like Rachio by any stretch, but it made it "brighter" for a whopping $15 and I reduced water waste by a ton.
If you want only the basic smart control of the sprinklers, then I'd recommend Wyze ($58). If you also want weather-based control, paying Wyze's recurring fee for Sprinkler Plus ($10/year) will still be cheaper than Rachio for the first 9 years.
If you have more than 8 zones, get the Rachio. If you want weather-based control, and you think your sprinkler controller would last longer than 9 years, the Rachio would be cheaper AFTER 9 years. (Of course, Rachio's Return-on-Investment is even worse with their regular price, instead of this deal price.)
Disclaimer: I don't have either one - so I cannot speak to other features, user-friendliness or reliability.
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Is the 3 that much better and with the extra $50?
No need to worry about fiddling with the controller.
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I've got a 20 year old controller. To save water I put a SONOFF smart relay in the box to disconnect the power to the ground wire. An IFTTT routine checks the weather and toggles the relay as needed. Not smart like Rachio by any stretch, but it made it "brighter" for a whopping $15 and I reduced water waste by a ton.
Is the 3 that much better and with the extra $50?
How does the irrigation person do the seasonal spring and fall maintenance? Does he need to use my phone?
And my Skydrop does not have a place for a rain sensor...just connectors for the valves and a place to hook up the pump relay if you have it. It 100% relies on the weather forecast to drive the schedule. Again, I don't have the Rachio, but I assume it has similar hookups.
The only reason I am here is because Skydrop folded as a company back in 2018, so even though the device is still chugging along doing it's thing, it's not connected to the Skydrop cloud servers and I don't think it's using the weather forcasts or anything anymore. It's essentially a dumb timer currently.
Far better but will depend on your needs.
Also,, If the power's out the last thing im thinking about is watering my lawn.
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Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!