Costco Members: 12-Zone Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller

sano

Mar 18, 2024 6:13 PM

17 Comments

Joined May 2012

sanoMar 18, 2024 6:13 PM

17 Comments

Quote from CoralTable830

:

Surely people wouldn't just lie on the internet... Here is one of many threads about this issue. Feel free to peruse and determine if this seems easy to most non-tech savvy homeowners.

https://community.rachio.com/t/so...e/24044/34

Those connectivity issues are due to the old firmware (Rachio 3 manufactured before 2020). I know because I installed 6 Rachios on my properties. One of them has the old firmware and was a major pain to set up. The other 5 were a breeze. If you are buying a new Rachio from Costco today, it is extremely unlikely you will receive a model with the old firmware.

2

maunleon

Mar 18, 2024 6:17 PM

160 Comments

Joined Mar 2011

maunleonMar 18, 2024 6:17 PM

160 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank maunleon

Quote from maheeinfy

:

Area is mostly humid. Does that mean grass needs less water

There are many variables, such as the type of soil, slope, amount of shade, temperature, etc.

Depends on your time demands as well. For example, you probably don't want to water in the middle of summer day heat, the water will just evaporate before it gets to the roots, so it means you'll have to wake up early. And in very hot dry weather, you may have to water every other day.

And in cooler weather, you don't want to leave the lawn wet over night or in shady areas, you'll develop various lawn diseases.

I usually set my sprinkler systems to finish watering a little before sunrise. No way I'm waking up to do that.

1

2

docu

Mar 18, 2024 6:24 PM

816 Comments

Joined Jan 2011

docuMar 18, 2024 6:24 PM

816 Comments

I already have two older Orbit devices that work just fine. Is this worth the upgrade? I think my water company only offers rebates for ones that also check for rain or moisture

TalentedShow293

Mar 18, 2024 6:28 PM

29 Comments

Joined Jun 2021

TalentedShow293Mar 18, 2024 6:28 PM

29 Comments

I'm in IT and it took 5 min to setup.

go9ers

Mar 18, 2024 6:51 PM

74 Comments

Joined Oct 2016

go9ersMar 18, 2024 6:51 PM

74 Comments

Man! I just installed a 4 zone one I purchased Used Like New from Amazon for $60 yesterday. Thinking of returning that and buying this one 🤔

I just replaced my gen -1bthat I had for many years and I agree with others who posted, it was very easy to install back then as is the one I installed yesterday.
I like tinkering with electronics but by no means was this "extremely hard"

maheeinfy

Pro

Mar 18, 2024 7:33 PM

1.8K Comments

Joined Apr 2014

maheeinfy

Pro

Mar 18, 2024 7:33 PM

1.8K Comments

Quote from maunleon

:

There are many variables, such as the type of soil, slope, amount of shade, temperature, etc.

Depends on your time demands as well. For example, you probably don't want to water in the middle of summer day heat, the water will just evaporate before it gets to the roots, so it means you'll have to wake up early. And in very hot dry weather, you may have to water every other day.

And in cooler weather, you don't want to leave the lawn wet over night or in shady areas, you'll develop various lawn diseases.

I usually set my sprinkler systems to finish watering a little before sunrise. No way I'm waking up to do that.

Very helpful response. Thanks
I am not a morning person, so i may end up watering in the evening

travis1982

Mar 18, 2024 7:58 PM

62 Comments

Joined Mar 2019

travis1982Mar 18, 2024 7:58 PM

62 Comments

Quote from CoralTable830

:

Have this same model. While I love the "smart features" of this system. It was the single-most difficult smart device that I have set up. For reference I work in IT and I put hours into getting this thing up and running.

I wouldn't buy this again due to that difficulty.

I have this and spent 15 minutes setting it up. PEBKAC

2

slickdealinho

Mar 18, 2024 8:02 PM

733 Comments

Joined Sep 2014

slickdealinhoMar 18, 2024 8:02 PM

733 Comments

Looking to buy this to install outside. Should I worry about rain?

fangwoods

Mar 18, 2024 8:02 PM

10 Comments

Joined Mar 2020

fangwoodsMar 18, 2024 8:02 PM

10 Comments

Mine stopped connecting to the internet after three years. Apparently there is a conflict with new phones. They suggested I find an old device and connect with that (to do the firmware update, which I learned online, not from tech support). I told them I feel like they want me to do a scavenger hunt. Since it was three years old, they offered to sell me a replacement for 25% off. Seems like they must have rolled out a firmware update that caused a problem with new devices, since I was able to connect it to wifi three years ago when it was first installed. Their mistake, but customers have to pay for a replacement at a cost that is still probably profitable for them! Plus it took three hours chatting with online support to get to this.

fangwoods

Mar 18, 2024 8:03 PM

10 Comments

Joined Mar 2020

fangwoodsMar 18, 2024 8:03 PM

10 Comments

Mine stopped connecting to the internet after three years. Apparently there is a conflict with new phones. They suggested I find an old device and connect with that (to do the firmware update, which I learned online, not from tech support). I told them I feel like they want me to do a scavenger hunt. Since it was three years old, they offered to sell me a replacement for 25% off. Seems like they must have rolled out a firmware update that caused a problem with new devices, since I was able to connect it to wifi three years ago when it was first installed. Their mistake, but customers have to pay for a replacement at a cost that is still probably profitable for them! Plus it took three hours chatting with online support to get to this.

travis1982

Mar 18, 2024 8:04 PM

62 Comments

Joined Mar 2019

travis1982Mar 18, 2024 8:04 PM

62 Comments

Quote from docu

:

I already have two older Orbit devices that work just fine. Is this worth the upgrade? I think my water company only offers rebates for ones that also check for rain or moisture

It costs me about $5 a day to run my sprinklers (about .5 acres of grass). This prevents me from watering in the rain and probably paid for itself in the first year. FWIW, I got mine on Ebay for like $80 a couple years ago.

docu

Mar 18, 2024 8:09 PM

816 Comments

Joined Jan 2011

docuMar 18, 2024 8:09 PM

816 Comments

Quote from travis1982

:

It costs me about $5 a day to run my sprinklers (about .5 acres of grass). This prevents me from watering in the rain and probably paid for itself in the first year. FWIW, I got mine on Ebay for like $80 a couple years ago.

I mean to say that I already have an automatic scheduled irrigation/sprinkler system. It's just a "dumb" one, not a connected "smart" one. I'm not certain if it's worth upgrading and curious if others have done this and feel like it's worthwhile

bubagump

Mar 18, 2024 8:16 PM

230 Comments

Joined Mar 2008

bubagumpMar 18, 2024 8:16 PM

230 Comments

Quote from docu

:

I already have two older Orbit devices that work just fine. Is this worth the upgrade? I think my water company only offers rebates for ones that also check for rain or moisture

I just replaced a 6 year old Orbit Bhyve with a 16 zone Rachio yesterday. I was having lots of Wi-Fi connection issues with the Orbit smart sprinkler and I am glad to get rid of it.
Rachio installation and setup was super easy including the step to upgrade firmware. Let's hope it works without any flaws for a long while.

OhOkThen

Mar 18, 2024 8:25 PM

60 Comments

Joined Apr 2019

OhOkThenMar 18, 2024 8:25 PM

60 Comments

Quote from slickdealinho

:

Looking to buy this to install outside. Should I worry about rain?

You would need a weatherproof outdoor enclosure.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019885NUQ

Last edited by missiethegal March 18, 2024 at 01:26 PM.

Mark42mc

Mar 18, 2024 8:46 PM

2.2K Comments

Joined Nov 2014

Mark42mcMar 18, 2024 8:46 PM

2.2K Comments

Quote from CoralTable830

:

Have this same model. While I love the "smart features" of this system. It was the single-most difficult smart device that I have set up. For reference I work in IT and I put hours into getting this thing up and running.

I wouldn't buy this again due to that difficulty.

I'm sorry to hear that but I had no problems and it's one of my favorite smart devices and what a big help it is this is a good price well worth it

1

Costco Members: 12-Zone Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller

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$200

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