I Tried RACHIO Smart Hose Timer for 30 Days and Here's What Happened

[@DavidPolanco]

Nice, thanks Reid I have the latest Rachio and it has been great...I feel smart hose would be awesome for everyone else that does not have in-ground sprinklers.

[@DIYReid]

Rachio is basically the leading smart sprinkler controller out there. They have a chance to get ahead of the game with those hose end timers too.

[@jameszack7158]

Hi. Thanks for the review. Is setting up a wifi network necessary? May I just configure the watering schedule with my Android phone via Bluetooth without wifi connection?

[@kevinkleinmann]

Great video! I am interested to see where this goes. BTW - Melnor has been doing this for years with the AquaTimer but has stumbled within the last 3 - 4 years on execution. Rachio really needs to come up with a 4 outlet model that you can control each separately. Melnor switched from WiFi to Bluetooth a few years ago due to some challenges they were having and it has never been the same since then. Price point for the Melnor 4 nozzle vs. the Rachio 1 nozzle smart timer is the same. I hope as Rachio adds to this system that they come up with a cost effective 4 outlet solution with the same quality of product they bring to the inground sprinkler system they have. I have been a long time user of the Melnor 4 outlet AquaTimer and have grown very frustrated with the inability to simply configure the WiFi and keep it stable (no issues with the home network BTW). I would gladly switch to Rachio in a heartbeat if they can enhance this product line to 4 outlets!!

[@DIYReid]

I'm not sure they will make a 4 outlet unit. I think they are better off selling one at a time that way you can get what you need. I do think they should lower the price a little bit as WIFI hose end timers are kind of pricey compared to sprinkler controllers with zones.

[@theteenagegardener]

Do you know if this hose timer works with or is compatible with IFTTT?

[@TheRemyRomano]

Great job. That was the info I was looking for.

[@DIYReid]

Glad it helped.

[@minibikemadman]

I'm wondering if I'll be able to link my ambient weather ws2000 to it.

[@dpreste]

Yes you can! I have the same weather station and just got a Rachio 3 and hose timer to hopefully resolve my probematic B-Hyve experience over the past year. As long as you are uploading your weather data to the Weather Underground servers, you can choose your station when setting up your “home” in the Rachio app. So far so good on my recent upgrade.

[@mindblockandroid]

Thanks for the review! I have a specific question: Can I integrate it into Alexa Routines? There are a couple of cats that poop on my lawn every night. I’d like to make a routine so that when my wyze cam detects them, they turn on the smart valve, to spray them with the sprinkler. Would this be possible?

[@patrickdougherty2869]

I just wish the outflow connector were not all plastic. They thought ahead on the inflow connector to make it plastic wrapped brass, but then cheaped out on the outflow male connector. I just bought one literally so we will see how durable. But initial thoughts are this is a poor choice by Rachio just like no notifications

[@DIYReid]

I must be careful on my stuff because I have never broken an inlet or outlet on a hose end timer.

[@jeffborkowski]

has the timer worked out for you? likes/dislikes?

[@patrickdougherty2869]

So their customer service is great. Original unit started leaking within 6months from somewhere between the inlet and outlet aka valve area. They replaced it promptly last fall. Never used replacment until frosts ended and it too is nowleakong as of today. Reaching back out to cust. Svc..

[@patrickdougherty2869]

I love the scheduling and start from anywhere capability. Rain skip has been (contrary to other reviews) quite nice and sccurate according to my rain gauge. I set rain skip to 3/4”. Dislike: durability / short life span of the 2 units ive had now

[@patrickdougherty2869]

Like you ive never broken the inlets or outlets but my units have been leaky from inside the box housing :(

[@WowitsShreeya]

Do you know how long batteries last?

[@Xeraman]

Hi. Do I really need the hub? What happens if I don´t have it? Can I still use the smart hose?

[@felixbaez3650]

Nice work very explicit thx u

[@TetsusaigaDrgn]

What sprinkler were you using in the video? I need something like that to cover yardage

[@DIYReid]

amzn.to/4by2wG1

[@kwd57]

Do you get any water hammer when these go on and off? My Orbit opens and closes so fast it causes a bad water hammer problem.

[@DIYReid]

Yes.

[@Danielthemaniel7]

Two questions 1) can i set multiple waterings for a single day? (Going to seed in the next few weeks and want to water 2-3 times per day for short duration. 2) Can i control this when i am away from home or do i need to be connected to bluetooth or the same wifi?

[@DIYReid]

You can setup multiple watering during the day. You can control it away from home. It connects to a wall plug via Bluetooth and the wall plug connects to your home wifi which connects to rachio’s server

[@theFisforFrancis]

Any water pressure loss compared to hose directly to spigot?

[@DIYReid]

I don’t know. If I had to guess it may a little.

[@bhavikbhagat6904]

Can I connect normal hose to the valve or does it have to be sprinkler hose? I just want to control a hose that I can use to fill my swimming pool. Is that possible with this?

[@DIYReid]

Normal hose

[@wyhsbj31]

This seems like a silly question. Is it rain proof? I bought another brand sometime back. Worked until the controller got wet. They sent a replacement and same thing happened. Guess my mistake for using outdoors LOL

[@DIYReid]

I leave mine out in the rain. It’s raining on it now.

[@arnoldoacosta6715]

you did not show how to connect to the wifi hub

[@tylerbeach9320]

Can you connect this device to Alexa. Also you connect Multiple of these devices and keep them separate.

[@ethanraw1132]

Hey do a review on your battery powered sprayer from years past thanks

[@DIYReid]

The Worx pressure washer?

[@ethanraw1132]

@@DIYReid no the back pack sprayer I’d like to see how it held up over the years , I do alot of outdoor spraying and need them to last at least 5 years

[@visualsbyandre8235]

To be clear. You leave your hose on but it will stop it from running so your not being charged

[@DIYReid]

Yes hose has to be on this acts like an on and off valve.

[@frederickbiney5961]

Bhyve smart hose Timer does all this including a lot more features

[@iamthejame]

Which do you prefer? Rainpoint or Rachio?

[@DIYReid]

Rachio

[@iamthejame]

@@DIYReid Thanks for the reply! Great to have real world comparison from someone that reviewed both!

[@DIYReid]

Rain point is great. Don’t get me wrong. The Rachio is built a bit better.

[@WowitsShreeya]

Can this device be left in rain?

[@DIYReid]

Yes.