Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller: 16 Zone | Simple Auto Schedules, Quick Run, Local Weather Intelligence. (Save Water w/ Rain, Freeze & Wind Skip)

I have a Hunter sprinkler system that we had installed about a decade ago. It works great, but the controller had outlived its usefulness. I decided to upgrade. I wanted a controller that I could access from my iPhone. I wanted a controller that would be easy to program and easy to use. I wanted a controller that would take the guesswork out of when to water and for how long. My research led me to purchase the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller ... and I am completely satisfied with my purchase!My purchase decision came down to the Rachio 3 and the Hunter HydraWise. I probably deliberated longer than I needed to ... but that was because I have a Hunter sprinkler system and I had a bit of anxiety about buying a controller not made by Hunter. I was ultimately swayed by Rachio's app capabilities ... and professional reviews. The Rachio 3 seems like a sprinkler controller reinvented. The Hunter HydraWise seems like an old fashioned sprinkler controller with an app. 21st century technology (Rachio 3) vs. 20th century (Hunter HydraWise). I am a futurist ... 21st century for me.The Rachio 3 is an app-based controller ... there are no programming buttons or knobs on the controller itself. The app is easy to navigate and simple to program. I opted to let the Rachio 3 determine when and how long to water. The app uses weather data from several resources to determine when to water my lawn. The app sets the duration using a creative method of alternating the watering time per zone to maximize water retention in the soil. I'm a gadget guy, so I had to give this a try ... though I was skeptical about the "intelligence" of this system. Well, I am convinced the app has the right approach. My grass looks fantastic! The soil is never dried out ... no brown patches ... no soggy soil from over-watering. The plants in our garden look great, too.The app set my sprinklers to come on overnight. In the morning I wake to a notice that the watering cycle is complete. If I want to see how long the sprinklers were active I merely have to look in the app ... all the data is there ... and I can access historical watering data, too. I have received alerts that the Rachio app is postponing watering due to rain and due to high winds. If I want to turn on the sprinklers all I have to do is open the app and tap the zone I want to water then set the duration. Simple. The Rachio app takes any manual watering per zone into account for future watering cycles. This app is so cool!The Rachio 3 was simple to install. It took me less than 30 minutes to disconnect my Hunter sprinkler controller and then install the Rachio 3. I powered up and connected to wifi without issue. Setting up the app took another 10 minutes ... over which about 5 minutes was me just exploring the app. So easy and simple. I consider myself technically adept at installs like but by no means an expert. That means I am confident I can do it ... but still need to follow the directions step-by-step. If I could install this controller, so can you.There is no charge for the Rachio 3 app. All that functionality is paid for upfront when you buy the controller. Seems like an incredible value to me.I am extremely pleased with my Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller ... and highly recommend this unit to anyone with an in-ground sprinkler system. An enthusiastic five stars!

It was ridiculously easy to install. It replaced my old Irritrol expensive controller which I got tired of not being able to turn it off when it rains. This Rachio is elegant and worked the first time numbing a used one and saved over a $100 easy. We wil see how long it lasts but being able to control it via WiFi is awesome. I bought the 16 station. Only needed 10. Still trying to figure out the watering schedules. I like the fact it checked the weather and will not water if rain is forecasted.

UPDATE MAY19 2021:Still the best way to wet your plants :-) Rachio works the way my mind works. Visual, simple, yet complex under hood is there if you want to get into it deep. It has become my favorite automation tool for my home, and after years of cussing and swearing at my previous WiFi controller with a Bird in it's name, I smile every day that Rachio "GETS IT". Buy this now. You want WiFi controller for easy software and this is it. Not affiliated or endorsed or paid, just a fan of a fine product.Update 24SEP2020:I've been working with Rachio3 for an entire season and am MORE pleased than ever. Rachio delivers an entire watering system control for yards and lawns, instead of being just a switch box that turns water on at specific times. Intuitive, smart, works the way humans think, not the way engineers think (opposite of R___bird). If Steve Jobs were alive he would be impressed with this. Yes, the software is that good. The electronics themselves aI installed and have never looked at it again. My iPhone app does it all. IMHO-- BUY THIS, at least try it first before you drop down to just timer/switches. Rachio was the BEST DECISION for my sanity and blood pressure, and my yard is green. I don't work there, just a fan.What a breath of fresh air this Rachio SOFTWARE and controller is. AMAZING that I endured several years of suffering with Rainbird's Wifi (ESP-ME) epic fail. This is night and day difference. Rachio box at first seemed light, and almost cheap compared to Rainbird's heavy plastic, modular upgrades, and great name. But five minutes after installing Rachio I would NEVER EVER go back to Rainbird's controller, no matter what they paid me.Rachio software is YEARS ahead in functionality. It drove me crazy to set up all the detail for my 16 zones (took a bout an hour) but when done... amazing. It works the way my head thinks, is simple, very visual, uncluttered and NICE. Love it.THIS product is a joy after enduring years of over complexity, zero product support, and frustration given Rainbird hiring the wrong person to write their software. It was difficult to toss my entire Rainbird controller and wifi module in the trash, but best decision ever.TRUST ME when I say this... We buy Wifi Controllers for the SOFTWARE. And Rachio software is what I really wanted to experience with any Wifi sprinkler controller. They get it, did it, and it works well. Bravo to them. The controller unit itself is light, clean, and just works. Nothing more to say. Easy install. Too easy which scared me. No screw lugs, modules or fancy options. It just is what it is.I cannot comment on whatever the Thrive stuff is or conditional watering, I just use the specific settings outright, and so far it has been a delight.Thank you Rachio engineering staff and management. My blood pressure is way down now. My lawn is green. I'm a happy boy.