Costco Members: 12-Zone Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller

chhaganbhujbad

Mar 18, 2024 9:14 PM

1.8K Comments

Joined Apr 2007

chhaganbhujbadMar 18, 2024 9:14 PM

1.8K 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.

Thank you for providing this review. I was contemplating on buying this to understand how easy is it to setup. I am a fairly handy guy and can do such installations myself but with sprinkler system the last thing I want is to not have it working. So I was wondering if it requires a professional installer who will easily charge $300-$400 just for installing.

dclive

Mar 18, 2024 9:24 PM

6.3K Comments

Joined Mar 2008

dcliveMar 18, 2024 9:24 PM

6.3K Comments

Quote from chhaganbhujbad

:

Thank you for providing this review. I was contemplating on buying this to understand how easy is it to setup. I am a fairly handy guy and can do such installations myself but with sprinkler system the last thing I want is to not have it working. So I was wondering if it requires a professional installer who will easily charge $300-$400 just for installing.

Did you read my review above?

This is trivial - just power the old one off, disconnect (# of stations you have) wires, remove old one from wall, attach new one to wall, plug in # of wires, power it up, connect with the app. If you can read, hold a screwdriver, and chew bubble gum at the same time, you can do it.

Aside from simply powering off the old unit, there are no electrical implications to worry about.

Last edited by dclive March 18, 2024 at 02:58 PM.

5

covertfantom

Mar 18, 2024 9:31 PM

746 Comments

Joined May 2009

covertfantomMar 18, 2024 9:31 PM

746 Comments

I have a gen 1 Rachio device that Rachio has announced will stop getting updates. I'm wondering if I really have to replace it with a new one?

SlickDit

Mar 18, 2024 10:25 PM

5.3K Comments

Joined Apr 2006

SlickDitMar 18, 2024 10:25 PM

5.3K Comments

Quote from chhaganbhujbad

:

So I was wondering if it requires a professional installer who will easily charge $300-$400 just for installing.

please don't. That guy had app / wifi connection issues. With all due respect to his credentials "in IT", if you mess around with a fair amount of "smart" or Wi-Fi Direct-setup devices, you will inevitably run into this issue.

I'm not knocking him— this is very frustrating the first time you run into it. But even my late-70s parents know to try an older phone when having difficulties setting up "smart" devices. Well, really what happens is my dad will try and train the company's support staff and lodge his passive aggressive complaint by going through the motions. Then I'm like "dad, I know you know to try a wifi 5 device [or disable 5ghz on router temporarily]."

If we boycott these devices then maybe they will start putting caveats regarding this issue (or the 2.4/5ghz issue that is also common) on the setup procedures/instructions in their documentation and apps. But that seems unreasonable to me.

I think you are hesitant because of the wiring issue. Seriously just watch a YouTube video (i'm sure there are plenty of Rachio ones but it doesn't have to be Rachio or even a smart device one). Just label all your wires ahead of time, and research ahead of time any of the one or two wires that don't share the same nomenclature from one controller to another.

Last edited by SlickDit March 18, 2024 at 03:49 PM.

dave8686

Mar 18, 2024 10:50 PM

1.3K Comments

Joined Aug 2014

dave8686Mar 18, 2024 10:50 PM

1.3K 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 can't speak to this gen. I have a gen 1 and this is gen 3. But I find it hard to believe that it could be that difficult to set up. The gen 1 was not difficult at all. Took minutes at best.

mrsunny

Pro

Mar 18, 2024 11:09 PM

1.6K Comments

Joined May 2009

mrsunny

Pro

Mar 18, 2024 11:09 PM

1.6K 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.

It was a simple setup for me as well…may be because I already had a sprinkler system from the builder…I just had to remove the old one and install Rachio in its place, match the color coded wires in the places the manual called for….then download the app, create zones for each area, create an AM & PM SCHEDULES etc. done!!!!

This device has simplified my watering schedules, time, duration etc based on the weather patterns. It will also stop watering by itself if there is a rain in the forecast. Highly recommended it!!!!

Last edited by mrsunny March 18, 2024 at 04:12 PM.

dealsdyker

Mar 18, 2024 11:31 PM

1.2K Comments

Joined Jan 2006

dealsdykerMar 18, 2024 11:31 PM

1.2K Comments

I have a rachio v1. Working fine. Assuming there is no further benefit or reason to upgrade to v3?

JaredSD

Mar 18, 2024 11:40 PM

895 Comments

Joined Feb 2017

JaredSDMar 18, 2024 11:40 PM

895 Comments

Quote from A.VOID

:

This must be a joke. These are very easy to setup. Love mine. Will save you well over $100 in a couple months

For most people they are easy to set up, but there are certainly circumstances where it is not easy. It all depends on your internet and tweaking some things. I had the same experience as OP. It's not for you to discount others' experience.

jnyip

Mar 18, 2024 11:46 PM

956 Comments

Joined Sep 2016

jnyipMar 18, 2024 11:46 PM

956 Comments

I put a Gen 1 unit at my old house and it was still going around after 10 years. Got one of these on the last deal for my new house. Great for setting up and controlling your system remotely. If you live in a restrictive area like California though, there's no way you will be able to use the smart scheduling features. It will suggest something crazy like 30-40+ minutes pretty zone which will cost you thousands (plus fines). I just set a fixed schedule and manually adjust as needed.

1

meteora.xz

Pro

Mar 19, 2024 12:04 AM

325 Comments

Joined Nov 2015

meteora.xz

Pro

Mar 19, 2024 12:04 AM

325 Comments

Quote from wjherman

:

Glad I'm not the only one! Been driving me crazy!

happened to me too.. cleared the default link to open directly on app

PediDocTraveller

Mar 19, 2024 12:07 AM

880 Comments

Joined Feb 2009

PediDocTravellerMar 19, 2024 12:07 AM

880 Comments

Love these, and perfect timing as I'm moving.

Check your city, my water Utility gives me $50 back for one of these.

meteora.xz

Pro

Mar 19, 2024 12:08 AM

325 Comments

Joined Nov 2015

meteora.xz

Pro

Mar 19, 2024 12:08 AM

325 Comments

I've an eight zone sprinkler system, this is a 12 zone. 8 zone ones are more expensive than this.
will this 12 zone work with the 8 zone?

mellamodj

Mar 19, 2024 12:24 AM

141 Comments

Joined Jul 2013

mellamodjMar 19, 2024 12:24 AM

141 Comments

I installed a Rachio a couple years ago. Highly recommend.

sulfle

Mar 19, 2024 1:29 AM

1 Comments

Joined Oct 2013

sulfleMar 19, 2024 1:29 AM

1 Comments

Quote from jnyip

:

I put a Gen 1 unit at my old house and it was still going around after 10 years. Got one of these on the last deal for my new house. Great for setting up and controlling your system remotely. If you live in a restrictive area like California though, there's no way you will be able to use the smart scheduling features. It will suggest something crazy like 30-40+ minutes pretty zone which will cost you thousands (plus fines). I just set a fixed schedule and manually adjust as needed.

what is a restricted area like California?

DonRab

Mar 19, 2024 1:37 AM

118 Comments

Joined May 2020

DonRabMar 19, 2024 1:37 AM

118 Comments

I own one of these. It's like having an AI to water your lawn. Pairs with weather service. Saves water. Will easily pay for itself and then some. Don't think on this one, just buy it.

Costco Members: 12-Zone Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller

$100

$200

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