Costco Members: 12-Zone Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller

chhaganbhujbad

Mar 18, 2024 09:14 PM

1,757 Posts

Joined Apr 2007

chhaganbhujbadMar 18, 2024 09:14 PM

1,757 Posts

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 09:24 PM

6,061 Posts

Joined Mar 2008

dcliveMar 18, 2024 09:24 PM

6,061 Posts

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 03:58 PM.

5

covertfantom

Mar 18, 2024 09:31 PM

739 Posts

Joined May 2009

covertfantomMar 18, 2024 09:31 PM

739 Posts

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

5,249 Posts

Joined Apr 2006

SlickDitMar 18, 2024 10:25 PM

5,249 Posts

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 04:49 PM.

dave8686

Mar 18, 2024 10:50 PM

1,296 Posts

Joined Aug 2014

dave8686Mar 18, 2024 10:50 PM

1,296 Posts

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

Mar 18, 2024 11:09 PM

1,464 Posts

Joined May 2009

mrsunnyMar 18, 2024 11:09 PM

1,464 Posts

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 05:12 PM.

dealsdyker

Mar 18, 2024 11:31 PM

1,156 Posts

Joined Jan 2006

dealsdykerMar 18, 2024 11:31 PM

1,156 Posts

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

886 Posts

Joined Feb 2017

JaredSDMar 18, 2024 11:40 PM

886 Posts

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

881 Posts

Joined Sep 2016

jnyipMar 18, 2024 11:46 PM

881 Posts

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

Mar 19, 2024 12:04 AM

306 Posts

Joined Nov 2015

meteora.xzMar 19, 2024 12:04 AM

306 Posts

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

879 Posts

Joined Feb 2009

PediDocTravellerMar 19, 2024 12:07 AM

879 Posts

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

Mar 19, 2024 12:08 AM

306 Posts

Joined Nov 2015

meteora.xzMar 19, 2024 12:08 AM

306 Posts

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

125 Posts

Joined Jul 2013

mellamodjMar 19, 2024 12:24 AM

125 Posts

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

sulfle

Mar 19, 2024 01:29 AM

1 Posts

Joined Oct 2013

sulfleMar 19, 2024 01:29 AM

1 Posts

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 01:37 AM

111 Posts

Joined May 2020

DonRabMar 19, 2024 01:37 AM

111 Posts

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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