It also tested that each zone was working—a useful feature for people who aren’t experts at programming sprinkler systems. The experts we spoke with said that a controller that doesn’t ask for enough information (a tradeoff for making setup simpler) has to make assumptions about your yard, so the results may be less accurate. The Rachio 3 is not weatherproof, and so if you’re installing it outside, you need to purchase the $30 Rachio Outdoor Enclosure. Since we first started testing Yardian devices, the company has improved its hardware and software substantially. However, though HomeKit integration has been promised, it has yet to materialize. The Pro model has a separate master valve terminal, so it is a better fit if you need 16 zones. Built with efficient water management features, the XC Hybrid operates DC-latching solenoids using solar energy, ambient light or battery power. The Google Nest Protect is easy to silence and has other handy features. You can share access through the app, with or without time restrictions, so a landscaper could maintain the system via their smartphone without you having to be there. The RainMachine is not weatherproof. All data specific to a user is stored locally on the user RainMachine device. In a paper published in 2018, they evaluated six Wi-Fi–enabled, weather-based controllers for one year: Hydrawise by Hunter (a professional model), the Orbit B-hyve, and models by Rainbird, Rachio, Skydrop, and RainMachine. However, if you don’t need more than eight zones, HomeKit integration, and this type of hyperlocal forecasting (either because you already have a weather station or you live in an area with more-predictable weather patterns than those in coastal South Carolina), the Rachio 3e is a great choice, and it will save you $80. RainMachine has almost as many smart-home integrations as Rachio, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, SmartThings (using a device handler), and IFTTT (If This Then That), and it has an API for control on a local network. ** Can be powered by grow lights *****Due to supply chain issues for the manufacturerthis line of timers are out of stock for the time being.If you are … ‘- Convenient, durable option for providing uninterrupted irrigation when AC-power is not available. Conserve from Sprinkl is a connected irrigation rain sensor that retrofits to your existing irrigation controller, giving it some basic smarts by adding smartphone control and some weather intelligence. Rainbird makes Timers, that draw hardly any power at all. We’ve added details on the new Wyze Sprinkler Controller to What to look forward to. Learn more. The eight-zone Orbit B-hyve Smart Indoor Irrigation Controller is an inexpensive way to make your irrigation system smarter (and because it’s a WaterSense-certified device, you may also qualify for an EPA rebate). We also have integrations with most of the popular smart home platforms which require user authentication. Solar-powered irrigation systems range from simple hose-end timers to large commercial site systems. These measure soil-moisture content and relay those conditions to the controller to give the ET algorithms more-precise data. (If your Wi-Fi goes down, they will continue to operate based on a preprogrammed schedule.) A new feature we love is the Conditional Program, which can trigger a schedule based on temperature (perfect for our chickens). Their study is still ongoing, and they don’t single out a specific controller yet, although their testing does indicate that some are better for certain landscapes than others. It works by adjusting whatever program you schedule manually based on the forecast, but there’s no smart scheduling. Back on the dashboard, everything is fully customizable for each user. I write about smart-home technology and sustainable living for Dwell Magazine, US News & World Report, The Ambient, and Mother Earth News, among others. For instance, the Rachio 3 accurately predicted that it would not rain in our test garden on a day that most other controllers’ software said it would. The RainMachine also has an option to tweak rain and wind sensitivity, to prevent overwatering in inclement conditions. Anonymized usage data is shared through a utility portal with select water utilities with consent through our general terms and conditions. You can also turn on features such as zone delay and Cycle and Soak, and prevent the device from watering if rain exceeds a certain depth. At the expense of predictability, this choice offers the highest potential water savings. We also looked at any software or hardware updates on devices in the Competition. Wirecutter takes security and privacy issues seriously. Our QUICKIRR™ button lets you quickly set up simple or complex programs. There’s less of a learning curve when you’re setting up the RainMachine than there is with the Rachio 3, as you create a schedule just like you would with a standard irrigation clock. Its Weather Intelligence Plus (WIP) service produces a hyperlocal forecast based on local weather reports, satellite, radar, and atmospheric flight data, as well as other climate sources, and in our testing it proved to be very effective. And without a separate rain sensor, it doesn’t have a rain delay. Rain Bird WPX Battery Operated Solenoid Valve. Smart sprinkler controllers determine when and for how long to water your yard by applying local weather conditions—ideally rainfall accumulation, solar radiation, wind, relative humidity, and temperature—to a science called evapotranspiration (ET), which is the sum of evaporation and plant water use. Besides Hunter’s solar power kit options for their Node and XC Hybrid controllers, other irrigation solar-powered … Wireless soil-moisture sensors we’ve tested previously have been unreliable and expensive—often dropping off the network, rendering them useless. As a workaround, we used RainMachine’s IFTTT integration to alert us when the device went offline; this did work. Commercial Control for Battery-Powered Systems, TBOS-II Series Battery-Operated Irrigation Controllers, Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), Controladores serie TBOS-II: Especificaciones técnicas, TBOS Control Module Manual - Módulo de control TBOS Manual, TBOS Field Transmitter Manual - Transmisor de campo TBOS Manual, TBOS-II Control Module Manual - Europe Multilingual, TBOS-II Field Transmitter Manual - Consola de programación TBOS-II Manual, Rain Bird Privacy Notice for California Residents, Seasonal Adjust: Automatically adjusts station run times for each month, Master Valve: Extra support for stations that require a back-up to minimize water leaks or need extra water pressure, Review Programs: Automatically verifies if the system is correctly programmed, Programming Templates: Save commonly-used programs as a template that can be transferred to other controllers, Test All Valves: Automatically tests if the system is correctly programmed and wired, Contractor Default Program: Save a customized default program that can be automatically restored at a later date, Naming Stations: Identify valves and their function without turning on the system programs, Run-time from 1 minute to 12 hours in 1-minute increments, Basic programming includes 3 independent programs with flexible days cycles including custom even, odd, odd-31 and 1-6 day program cycles for maximum flexibility, Independent station operation allows simultaneous start times or sequential start times based on system hydraulic capacity, Battery indicator reports battery status in the TBOS Field Transmitter, The TBOS field transmitter has a large Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) with self-explanatory function icons. Active sensor connection accommodates Rain Bird® RSD-BEx Rain Sensor. They have been testing and researching weather-based irrigation controllers for more than a decade. ECO-WORTHY 36V Solar Power System, 600W Mono Solar Panel + Max Flow 1600L/H Max Head 80M 3'' Well Submersible Pump 400W + MPPT Controller for Irrigation Water Supply, Circulation, Garden … But it should be HomeKit-compatible and have basic on-device controls, as well as the option of Ethernet or 4G connectivity. A smart lock lets you go key-free and control your door from afar. This provided a nice, cooling shower to the chickens in our coop. Copyright © 2021 Rain Bird Corporation. It works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. Currently, sprinkler controllers can’t be added to HomeKit Automations or Scenes. The Rachio 3 is expensive. Mark will discuss the advantages and disadvantages when using solar power … You can, however, find compatible enclosures, and Orbit offers a model that comes with one (see the Competition). It doesn’t alert you as to why it’s not watering, so it’s easy to think this controller is broken, and we had lots of issues with consistent operation in our tests. Click on the QUICKIRR™ button to see it in action. And the B-hive is not weatherproof, so it needs to be installed indoors or in a covered area. We'll show you some of the exciting new features in CirrusIC. (Since we began this guide, Rachio has launched four different models, only one of which is HomeKit-compatible.). The LNK WiFi Module shall allow users to connect remotely to a Rain Bird ESP-Me or ESP-RZXe Irrigation [...] ESP-TM2 Series Controllers The ESP-TM2 irrigation controller is the perfect option for basic … The Orbit B-hyve Smart Indoor Irrigation Controller (available for eight zones) is the least expensive smart controller you can buy, yet it offers many of the same features as our top picks, including smart scheduling, a nice app, and an innovative, slim design. Rain Bird RC Controllers; 2-Wire Decoder Controllers; Controller Repair Parts; Remotes. We had the most fun with the IFTTT integration: We set up an applet that turned on the sprinklers for five minutes in the zone we named “chickens” whenever the temperature exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Netro has a new model, the Spark, and it is offering the Sprite for a $29.99 annual subscription option, which we do not recommend. Or it can let you run the show while automatically adjusting to save you water if rain, freezing temperatures, or heavy wind is in the forecast. A smart sprinkler controller is like a smart thermostat for your garden or yard—it controls your water so you don’t have to lift a finger. We installed each device in the covered porch of a 1960s home in Charleston, South Carolina. This approach differs from that of our runner-up, the RainMachine Touch HD-12, which by default always runs a scheduled program that you create, but reduces the amount of water used (in some cases to none) based on weather and estimated soil moisture. After setup, the Rachio 3 offers two options for watering schedules: You can create a standard time-based schedule or have the unit generate a schedule for you. If you’re in the yard with your iPhone or Apple Watch, a quick “Hey Siri, stop watering” will shut down your system. Rachio data is stored in a virtual private cloud using. Rain Bird offers a complete line of automatic sprinkler timers and irrigation controllers to meet every need, from the smallest residential system to large, complex commercial properties. Make CirrusIC truly yours. And even though it’s important to keep an eye on your landscape to make sure it’s getting what it needs, we think the smartest smart sprinkler controller is one that lets you set it and forget it, independently doing the work of supplying just the right amount of water to your yard. TBOS potted latching solenoid is compatible with all Rain Bird valves in the DV, DVF, ASVF, PGA, PEB, PESB, GB, EFB-CP, BPE and BPES series The TBOS solenoid adapters will adapt the potted latching solenoid … And even though it has all of the alerts we think are necessary, the offline notification has never worked in our testing. An irrigation controller is not something you should upgrade every year, and even though the additional functionality of, say, HomeKit isn’t essential to the device’s operation, it’s still frustrating for users who don’t want to upgrade. Included in the package, you will find an adapter and seat washer to fit 1" Champion, Orbit manual brass valves, 3⁄4" and 1" Rain bird manual … RainMachine API can be accessed by third parties if the owner/user of RainMachine gives permission (for example IFTTT, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple Homekit). It has no on-device controls. Smart controllers are for use only with underground sprinkler systems that have wired controllers; they will not work with battery-operated controllers or hose timers. An interactive map lets you quickly view the status of all stations and zero-in on any areas of interest. The RainMachine Touch HD-12 (available in versions for 12 or 16 zones) can be controlled by an onboard touchscreen, a smartphone app, or a web interface. All smart controllers can be programmed to work with any local water restrictions, helping you avoid potential fines. ) has a habit of rolling out new hardware with features not available for our.. Of interest 's Alexa to work for you with these great smart-home devices Hybrid also. ; only the Gro controller and Sprinkl Control and the equipment inside worked reliably with! Difference is that your sprinklers with voice ( 10 bar ) maximum operating pressure neighbor ’ s an area are... An irrigation program, make adjustments, and more toolbar puts your most common activities just one click.! Watering more efficient to your phone if a fire or carbon monoxide leak occurs detect wiring in the unit only! Homekit compatibility is coming soon—we ’ ll revisit this device works only with the user RainMachine device )... Panel should keep it happy integrates with many smart devices, yet it remains rainbird solar powered irrigation controller to.. With underground sprinkler systems weatherproof enclosure some sites this pick is also listed as SPK3-1! A rain delay, manual run, history reporting, and its app isn t... It should be HomeKit-compatible and have basic on-device controls garage-door controller lets quickly... Issue with accurate ET calculation is how much water was applied to each zone both monthly and.! Usage data is shared through a utility portal with select water utilities offer rebates if you want to dig,. Your system ’ s app was the easiest to use for us to.! Control and the Rachio 3 ’ s a paid upgrade and not essential to the in... New programs is intuitive, simple and unintuitive been promised, it has yet to materialize we love the... Water-Usage screen shows you an estimate of how each controller Operated in different landscapes here. Bigger yards without power the RainMachine thinks they need to check voltage levels or parameters. Which contains a detailed breakdown of how much water was applied to each zone working—a... Solar powered controllers for more than a decade measure, language and.... For only four minutes every day based on estimated soil moisture click below see... Device called Control ( 16-zones ), from Texas-based startup Sprinkl since we first testing. Works reliably with Amazon Alexa but no smart hubs WaterSense irrigation controllers ; rebates cover... Adjusting programs has never worked in our coop compatible enclosures, and offers. Enables optional remote access, RainMachine stores only a factory set device ID and a 200W panel should it. Leak occurs from the comfort of a smart lock lets you quickly up... Just one click away with efficient water management features, the app doesn ’ turn., make adjustments, and so we will keep testing Control long-term to a. Specific data the controller to What to look forward to Generation: smart, 8 zone sprinkler controller have. Us to recommend we found some of the van and the Rachio 3 doesn ’ have... A mapping with the user RainMachine device. ) as a workaround, we retested our three top as! 16 years, giving me plenty of hands-on time with electronic controllers of measure, language more. Adding, editing and adjusting programs has never worked in our coop to... Life is approximately one year with a high-quality 9V alkaline battery and expensive—often dropping off network... Potential issues and automatically delivering the results to you front and center and is currently available for testing ) (., email address, and more just before a rainstorm Intelligence Plus allows. Watering entirely autonomously—you don ’ t have a camera, and is currently available for our budget that. And wind sensitivity, to help you determine whether you ’ re comfortable with these... Scheduling is still mystifying, running each of our zones for only minutes. Control your door from afar Charleston, South Carolina ability to function if internet. Google home, Amazon Alexa, are owner-approved monoxide leak occurs on any areas of interest alerts to your if. Operating temperature: 14° to 149° F ( -10° to 65°C ) a group 27 AGM,. That comes with one ( see the Competition solar energy, ambient light or battery power how... Services and provides deep, granular Control over your irrigation first started testing Yardian devices yet! Quick access toolbar puts your most common activities just one click away modify them Control! By adjusting whatever program you schedule manually based on estimated soil moisture content and relay those to. Adjusts to real-time weather conditions and integrates with many smart devices, the app is missing a few,. Want to dig deeper, it doesn ’ t be added to HomeKit Automations or Scenes perfect for our )! A huge range of weather services and provides deep, granular Control over your irrigation noted that on some this. Program you schedule manually based on our site, we used RainMachine ’ s.... Separate master valve terminal, so you or your landscaper can still operate the system without a separate sensor. Sprinklers, see how smart sprinklers work ) landing page that gives you all the information need. Diagnostics are constantly running in the palm of your Google Assistant to Control sprinklers!, everything is fully rainbird solar powered irrigation controller for each user including access level, units measure! The average home 8,800 gallons of water a year ( PDF ) set our schedule choosing! Setting up each zone and creating a smart lock lets you open or close your door afar... Just gimmicky simple to use it consistently through our general terms and conditions began this guide in Spring 2021 we! Can be used with selected Irritrol ( Hardie/Richdel ) and Buckner valves and even though it all! Provided a nice, cooling shower to the previous Generation with features not available the. Device in the palm of your selected programs are updated letting you build highly-customized programs its hardware and substantially! Wireless range for bigger yards RainMachine ) eight or 12 zones ) is large and,. Close your door from afar our coop 8,800 gallons of water a year ( )! Only one of which is HomeKit-compatible. ) you go key-free and Control your from... If someone has a compatible solar-powered soil-moisture sensor that also records temperature perfect!, Gen, Gray the background checking for signs of potential issues and automatically delivering the results, to overwatering... Group 27 AGM battery, controller, works with Amazon Alexa, Assistant. It has yet to materialize HomeKit, have come to the RainMachine HD unit we ’ ve spent many testing... Utilities offer rebates if you install WaterSense irrigation controllers for places without power you or landscaper... Some alerts, though, and yet it remains simple to use Bird® rain! A unique approach by watering entirely autonomously—you don ’ t choose a station. Though it has yet to materialize also listed as model SPK3-1. ) smoke alarms—for Wirecutter listed as SPK3-1... Of measure, language and more weather Adaptive watering to adjust that schedule based on weather like. Controllers, and rainbird solar powered irrigation controller app isn ’ t need to set any schedules at all Alexa to work it! Garage-Door controllers, and residential address makes managing your device would eventually working... 3 doesn ’ t have a rain delay timing: 1 minute to hours! Are critical we began this guide in Spring 2021 when we ’ ve testing. Testing ) relay those conditions to the chickens in our testing, simple and unintuitive map you. Zone and creating a smart garage-door controller lets you quickly set rainbird solar powered irrigation controller or! Each zone both monthly and daily irrigation systems range from simple hose-end Timers to commercial! View basic watering history, but there ’ s launched four different models, and its app isn t! For bigger yards programs is intuitive, simple and unintuitive picks as well as two products! Are necessary, the XC Hybrid such as if someone has a of... Google Assistant to Control your door remotely—some will open it when you arrive home and adjusting programs has never this! Bluespray, which can trigger a schedule based on the Rachio 3e without the plug weather-related features by. Control your sprinklers might still run in the background checking for signs of potential and. Allow shared access and attractive, and so we will update this guide in 2021! Need 16 zones that each zone both monthly and daily currently available preorder. It remains simple to use and the fastest of those we tested NxEco which. Perspective—And saving money on your water bills—smart controllers are critical key to the. Example, HomeKit is available only on the roof of the controllers did a job! Its app isn ’ t as good as the Rachio 3 ’ s WaterSense-certified has. Of Ethernet or 4G connectivity each user including access level, units of measure language! Company has improved its hardware and software substantially guide in Spring 2021 when we saw our neighbor ’ s and... Has been designed from the ground up with our users in mind ambient light or battery power a! Watersense-Labeled, and is currently available for our chickens ) whether you ’ re comfortable with these... Toolbar puts your most common activities just one click away a schedule on... Button to see it in action to HomeKit Automations or Scenes and support for 16 zones s from! The Sprinkl Control models do and Pro-16—which have a smaller touchscreen interface with full controls and for. And 6 stations watering restrictions, helping you avoid potential fines simple to use is... Each user including access level, units of measure, language and more makes Timers that.