Would like to install a wifi type sprinkler controller for spot zone watering when needed. Anyone have one or any recommendations?
Need it for my wife so she can run it when she wants to so I don't have to. IOS compatible.
Thanks.

I have an orbit bhyve and have been pretty happy with it. Can turn on any zone on demand, I can set up multiple programs from the app, and it checks the Weather and adjusts accordingly. Easy to install. I have had no issues with it.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Orbit-B-hyve-12-Zone-Indoor-Outdoor-Smart-Sprinkler-Controller-Works-with-Amazon-Alexa-57950/206638406?=&irgwc=1&cm_mmc=afl-ir-2060200-456723-&clickid=0yKR0TToBxyLWgMwUx0Mo3ZTUkBRrEUluQF%3AyY0

My Rainbird will let me do it through the app if you have the WIFI enabled module attached.

I've had good luck with my Rachio. My first gen died well out of warranty and they replaced it with a 3rd gen unit.

Rachio is awesome app and easy to install.

Not to hijack this thread, but can any of these handle 23 zones?

This says it works for 24.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/BlueSpray-24-Station-Web-Based-Wi-Fi-Smart-Indoor-Sprinkler-Timer-BSC24i/206291735

Rachio. Zero issues.

I also have the Orbit B-Hyve. It works fine.

replaced timer with Hunter Hydrawise and love it.

aftershock said:

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I have an orbit bhyve and have been pretty happy with it. Can turn on any zone on demand, I can set up multiple programs from the app, and it checks the Weather and adjusts accordingly. Easy to install. I have had no issues with it.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Orbit-B-hyve-12-Zone-Indoor-Outdoor-Smart-Sprinkler-Controller-Works-with-Amazon-Alexa-57950/206638406?=&irgwc=1&cm_mmc=afl-ir-2060200-456723-&clickid=0yKR0TToBxyLWgMwUx0Mo3ZTUkBRrEUluQF%3AyY0

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I installed one of these on Sunday and it was really easy.

Hubby did the wires while i did the app; took about 15 minutes in total.

I've been running the Rachio unit for a few years.
6 zones.
Pretty slick system and operation. App is user friendly. Does a great job automatically adjusting for local rainfall.
Well worth the $.

My Hunter Hydrawise adjusts for local rainfall too. I have been very impressed with it. The other day I hit a head while mowing. I knew I was going to be unable to repair the head for a bit, as I have a lot going on for the next week or so. I stopped the mower, opened the app on my phone, and disabled that zone, until I can get back around to it. Then started the mower again!

+1 on the Rachio. Velcro, Zip Lock Bags, Nest Thermostat ... some of my favorite inventions and Rachio might be at the top. Mine is really old but knock on wood no issues ever. Simple and easy. I think mine has 16 zones.

Mr. Frodo said:

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+1 on the Rachio. Velcro, Zip Lock Bags, Nest Thermostat ... some of my favorite inventions and Rachio might be at the top. Mine is really old but knock on wood no issues ever. Simple and easy. I think mine has 16 zones.

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by far the most "white new balance with socks" dad thing i do is tell every single other homeowner about how awesome the rachio system is

ForeverAg said:

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Not to hijack this thread, but can any of these handle 23 zones?

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#humblebrag

Thanks for all the replies so far. What makes the Rachio more special for the $?

KaneIsAble said:

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My Rainbird will let me do it through the app if you have the WIFI enabled module attached.

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Got the Rain Bird with Wifi module as well.

No problems.

Got it set up where Rain Birds algorithm adjusts for rain and temp at your zip code.

Probably will order a rain sensor for next year.

Can control everything from app. Never have to touch controller once set up.

see below

Na Zdrav 87 said:

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Thanks for all the replies so far. What makes the Rachio more special for the $?

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Ridiculously easy to use app

Easy to install

Affordable

Saves money with Weather integration

Def looks like I'm saving some money month to month with wifi irrigation and wifi thermostat.

TresPuertas said:

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Na Zdrav 87 said:

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Thanks for all the replies so far. What makes the Rachio more special for the $?

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Ridiculously easy to use app

Easy to install

Affordable

Saves money with Weather integration

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True of the B-Hyve as well.

I have a gen1 Rachio with 8 zones. Works great and no problems.

For the smart watering features, don't fool yourself into thinking that it's plug & play. Takes some time to estimate the area for each zone, them do a flowrate test to confirm how much water is being applied. And it sure is nice to be able to turn zones on/off which adjusting or repairing sprinkler heads. Also to find a reliable weather station close by that it can use to track actual rainfall.

Which hydrawise? I think once my basic rainbird dies I want to go with the Pro HC

dubi said:

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TresPuertas said:

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Na Zdrav 87 said:

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Thanks for all the replies so far. What makes the Rachio more special for the $?

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Ridiculously easy to use app

Easy to install

Affordable

Saves money with Weather integration

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True of the B-Hyve as well.

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i will fight you

23 zones??

Mr 23 you might have to buy an 8 and a 16 to get r done.

As i recall, the ridiculous rainbird rotary set up i had involved two controllers one for grass and one for beds.

Seems like you could do the same if you cant find one capable of handling 23 zones.

Also i think you can combine zones on the back end if you are ok with 16 zones by plugging 2 wires into one zone.

Worth an extra 150 for a second controller in my book no question.

PS . not a licensed irrigation expert and was happy to get out of ee classes with a b.

ForeverAg said:

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Not to hijack this thread, but can any of these handle 23 zones?

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For that many zones you are looking at a commercial grade controller.
I recommend the Hunter ProHC24
https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/hunter-pro-hc-24-station-wifi-indoor-outdoor-controller-phc-2400

nhamp07 said:

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ForeverAg said:

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Not to hijack this thread, but can any of these handle 23 zones?

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#humblebrag

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I wish I was...but the lady we bought our home from went absolutely insane with the number of sprinkler heads around the yard, not to mention drip lines and the like in the gardens

I've got 9 zones.

I've been working with Smart Irrigation Controllers for 14 years, we even certify controllers for the EPA WaterSense Program in our lab on campus.

The top 3 WIFI Smart Controllers are going to be the Hunter/Hydrawise ProC-HCC Series, Rainbird LNKWIFI, and Rachio. These 3 dominate most the market with Irrigation Professionals in Texas. The Orbit Bhyve and RainMachine are fine as well for the boxstore consumer market. There is even Dallas based Sprinkl that has a decent smart controller trying to get some traction in the marketplace.

No one controller is currently the best. All have fairly stable platforms and it can be argued who has the "easiest" to use app. In our testing performance is inconsistent, one may do a very good job in the summer with automatic scheduling then not good in the spring or fall, while another may be great in the spring but not so much in the summer. There are multiple weather-evapotranspiration based algorithms being used and the manufacturers are working hard to fine tune them for the best performance and water conservation.

Overall they all make automatic seasonal adjustments in irrigation runtime and frequency and will save you water compared to a set it and forget program on a conventional time based irrigation controller.

Skeet knows his irrigation controllers! I have seen his lab.

I've had a RainMachine running 11 zones for almost 7 years now. There wasn't much on the market then when it came to smart irrigation controllers and it has worked well. I'm getting boot up issues now, so it's probably time to replace with one of the ones Skeet mentioned. Hoping to find one that'll integrate with the Davis weather station I have for truly localized rain data.

Na Zdrav 87 said:

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I've got 9 zones.

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I win with 4!

I've got a Rainmachine running 7 zones currently and other than an occasional connection issue it has been great for the last 6 years.

I went with it over the Rachio at the time because they were really the only 2 options at the time, and the Rainmachine has a screen so it can be controlled locally. Makes it nice when I am in the garage and just want to turn a zone on.