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expiredHeycurtM posted Oct 29, 2021 05:44 PM
expiredHeycurtM posted Oct 29, 2021 05:44 PM

Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller 12-Zone $149 (Nov1st+ Online only)

$149

$200

25% off
Costco Wholesale
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The 12-zone Rachio smart sprinkler controller is a Costco semi-exclusive (12 Zone seen on Walmart). This matches a deal Costco had on the Rachio in the summer with an instant rebate that brought it down from $199 to $149. Nice to see off season since the stores only have these in the summer.
Most other stores only have 8 or 16 zone. Item # 1311257 12 zone

https://www.costco.com/rachio-3-s...81393.html
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The 12-zone Rachio smart sprinkler controller is a Costco semi-exclusive (12 Zone seen on Walmart). This matches a deal Costco had on the Rachio in the summer with an instant rebate that brought it down from $199 to $149. Nice to see off season since the stores only have these in the summer.
Most other stores only have 8 or 16 zone. Item # 1311257 12 zone

https://www.costco.com/rachio-3-s...81393.html

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Oct 29, 2021 06:07 PM
153 Posts
Joined Jun 2014
SickNotesOct 29, 2021 06:07 PM
153 Posts
It's it trivial to switch these out? I have an old rainbird. Is it simply a matter of unplugging the valve control wires and plugging them into the new panel?
Oct 29, 2021 06:52 PM
815 Posts
Joined Dec 2012
crusadertwinOct 29, 2021 06:52 PM
815 Posts
Quote from sicknotes :
it's it trivial to switch these out? I have an old rainbird. Is it simply a matter of unplugging the valve control wires and plugging them into the new panel?

yupper and maybe redo the location of the screws holding the control box to the wall..........
Original Poster
Oct 29, 2021 07:55 PM
113 Posts
Joined Sep 2018
HeycurtM
Original Poster
Oct 29, 2021 07:55 PM
113 Posts
Quote from SickNotes :
It's it trivial to switch these out? I have an old rainbird. Is it simply a matter of unplugging the valve control wires and plugging them into the new panel?
Three holes matched to the template included and use the screws + drywall anchors in the box. Match wires to the standard zone #s, Com, rain sensor (may not need with the built-in weather). Set up wifi and off you go! First class product.

Since it monitors temp, rain, humidity, wind, it will reduce your water usage all by itself. And, no monthly fee!
Oct 29, 2021 08:23 PM
899 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
BrianT1548Oct 29, 2021 08:23 PM
899 Posts
Quote from SickNotes :
It's it trivial to switch these out? I have an old rainbird. Is it simply a matter of unplugging the valve control wires and plugging them into the new panel?
You will be sorry.. switched out my old Rainbird for this thinking it would be better. The "smart" software is terrible. It apparantly goes off weather reports which are usually not accurate. After installing this spring, I lost 1 side of my grass in my front yard during some high heat weeks because it "skipped" watering like 3 or 4 times in a row even though we had no rain.

I have to manually water through the app and constantly check it. Was alot more expensive than the Rainbird too. At least I can manually water from my phone (the Rainbird was installed on a wall that wasn't easy for me to get to in my garage). But that's about it. I've not been impressed by this at all.

Had to spend alot of extra money and time to reseed this fall. I felt like Rachio should have paid for that because the software is so terrible and caused my grass to die by failing to water properly.
Last edited by BrianT1548 October 29, 2021 at 01:30 PM.
1
Oct 29, 2021 09:33 PM
815 Posts
Joined Dec 2012
crusadertwinOct 29, 2021 09:33 PM
815 Posts
Quote from BrianT1548 :
You will be sorry.. switched out my old Rainbird for this thinking it would be better. The "smart" software is terrible. It apparantly goes off weather reports which are usually not accurate. After installing this spring, I lost 1 side of my grass in my front yard during some high heat weeks because it "skipped" watering like 3 or 4 times in a row even though we had no rain.

I have to manually water through the app and constantly check it. Was alot more expensive than the Rainbird too. At least I can manually water from my phone (the Rainbird was installed on a wall that wasn't easy for me to get to in my garage). But that's about it. I've not been impressed by this at all.

Had to spend alot of extra money and time to reseed this fall. I felt like Rachio should have paid for that because the software is so terrible and caused my grass to die by failing to water properly.

I had the opposite results. My rainskip works like a breeze. only a few times did it not water and not rain(the rain was within a mile or 2). Great to check sprinkler heads and throw when your in the yard and use your phone. Ive had mine a few years and my landscaper/ irrigation guy is turning people on to "the rachio" once he saw mine. Im totally pleased with mine. another feqature i like is the "quick run" which allows you to run the zones in a custom mode. Im using it now to water in my overseed for the winter.
Oct 30, 2021 07:51 PM
899 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
BrianT1548Oct 30, 2021 07:51 PM
899 Posts
Quote from crusadertwin :
I had the opposite results. My rainskip works like a breeze. only a few times did it not water and not rain(the rain was within a mile or 2). Great to check sprinkler heads and throw when your in the yard and use your phone. Ive had mine a few years and my landscaper/ irrigation guy is turning people on to "the rachio" once he saw mine. Im totally pleased with mine. another feqature i like is the "quick run" which allows you to run the zones in a custom mode. Im using it now to water in my overseed for the winter.
It seems hard to believe it only skipped a few times. Mine has been skipping relentlessly even after I discovered the problem. It's just terrible.

Without an outside moisture meter of some type, the software can't really work well. It's just not possible. The forecasts are too imprecise in their data to deliver a good product.

Anyone who says that this works good by going off the local online weather data is full of it.
3
Nov 04, 2021 11:21 AM
271 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
saraths007Nov 04, 2021 11:21 AM
271 Posts
Can this be used in a 6 zone ? Can't find better deals for Rachio 8 zone

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Nov 05, 2021 04:51 AM
43 Posts
Joined Nov 2016
BiggerDealNov 05, 2021 04:51 AM
43 Posts
Quote from BrianT1548 :
It seems hard to believe it only skipped a few times. Mine has been skipping relentlessly even after I discovered the problem. It's just terrible.

Without an outside moisture meter of some type, the software can't really work well. It's just not possible. The forecasts are too imprecise in their data to deliver a good product.

Anyone who says that this works good by going off the local online weather data is full of it.
Sounds like you need to calibrate your system and which local weather station you're using so it's getting accurate readings. I've had these in each home I've lived and after an hour or so getting it all set up and using a good local PWS, nothing but great results.
Nov 05, 2021 05:37 AM
7,367 Posts
Joined Jul 2004
BrooklyniteNov 05, 2021 05:37 AM
7,367 Posts
Quote from BrianT1548 :
It seems hard to believe it only skipped a few times. Mine has been skipping relentlessly even after I discovered the problem. It's just terrible.

Without an outside moisture meter of some type, the software can't really work well. It's just not possible. The forecasts are too imprecise in their data to deliver a good product.

Anyone who says that this works good by going off the local online weather data is full of it.
Maybe it has a water saving feature and you accidentally put it on aggressive mode?

I don't have one of these but I have 80 smart devices and there are many similar smart things in there, for example my ac is controlled by power company, during hot days I can't turn on the AC and vice versa sometimes it makes it so cold so they can make more money off of me. Also I have settings on smart things to shut off AC if any door is left open more than 2 minutes or turn off garage lights or pool pump if it has been left on more than 30 minutes.
Nov 06, 2021 09:06 PM
4 Posts
Joined Aug 2021
WittyPiranha1742Nov 06, 2021 09:06 PM
4 Posts
"Quick run" is another useful feature that allows you to use custom modes to run the zones. I use it now to water in my beds for the winter.
Nov 06, 2021 09:16 PM
405 Posts
Joined May 2013
jimbo426Nov 06, 2021 09:16 PM
405 Posts
Quote from saraths007 :
Can this be used in a 6 zone ? Can't find better deals for Rachio 8 zone
Yes, you'll have 6 extra zones for future use if needed. Nothing wrong with that.
Last edited by jimbo426 November 6, 2021 at 02:21 PM.
1
Nov 09, 2021 01:58 AM
81 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Spongeb0b2pantsNov 09, 2021 01:58 AM
81 Posts
Best Buy has an 8 zone at $183.99. what am I missing? Why is this so cheap? Same features?
Original Poster
Nov 10, 2021 12:07 AM
113 Posts
Joined Sep 2018
HeycurtM
Original Poster
Nov 10, 2021 12:07 AM
113 Posts
Quote from Spongeb0b2pants :
Best Buy has an 8 zone at $183.99. what am I missing? Why is this so cheap? Same features?
Yes All the same features + Costco warranty and easy return to store if you don't like it.
Original Poster
Nov 10, 2021 12:24 AM
113 Posts
Joined Sep 2018
HeycurtM
Original Poster
Nov 10, 2021 12:24 AM
113 Posts
Quote from BrianT1548 :
It seems hard to believe it only skipped a few times. Mine has been skipping relentlessly even after I discovered the problem. It's just terrible.

Without an outside moisture meter of some type, the software can't really work well. It's just not possible. The forecasts are too imprecise in their data to deliver a good product.

Anyone who says that this works good by going off the local online weather data is full of it.
The Rachio has multiple settings for location, soil type, slope, and type of grass. All of which matter. If you set these wrong or don't manually water till it figures out your lawn , it may not water effectively for you at start up. Loads of people love these and save excess watering. Maybe you could review your settings or manually water with the system next time till it figures out what your yard needs
I have a self driving Tesla Model Y and I don't blame it if the drives into a Semi. I read the instructions. If my grass didn't get watered and I let it die on set up I would consider me as a possible contributor. I keep my hands on the wheel. Just me.
Last edited by HeycurtM November 9, 2021 at 04:29 PM.

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Nov 10, 2021 01:07 AM
81 Posts
Joined Nov 2015
Spongeb0b2pantsNov 10, 2021 01:07 AM
81 Posts
Quote from HeycurtM :
Yes All the same features + Costco warranty and easy return to store if you don't like it.
Thanks! Bought this Costco version and then got the outdoor enclosure from Best Buy

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