I’ve had that rainbird controller for 3 years and I love it! We are frequently out of state for weeks at a time and the combination of the WiFi controller and security cameras let me keep things under control when I’m gone. I disabled the seasonal adjust feature because last fall we were gone for 5 weeks and we had extreme heat and drought (Chattanooga) but the controller cut back the watering times because it was fall. We lost a couple of plants and the lawn was pretty toasty when we got home because I wasn’t watching it on the cameras.
I got the RainBird ESP4ME3 and added the LNK module and - I love it NOW..- took some time to understand the app its amazing showoff when my friends come over - .. It's so cool - to run the system for 1min a zone -- My new toy until I get the new water bill
LOL, I'm located near ATL. Went to run my sprinklers a week ago (because of the dry conditions) and ended up ordering a new controller because my old was bad. Literally just finished installing my new one and ...BOOM! Thunder and rain. First in 10 days. Go figure. I feel your pain.
I have a rachio gen 2 love it and you can run it without wifi, now I have the world's best Bermuda lawn 😆. Go to your rachio and press the up or down arrow to select your zone then press select (Gen 2 Model)
Doc. Thanks for the research on the Rainbird. I am going to get one. A couple of questions: What sprinklers do you use what tips do you have for us that currently use a hose that want irrigation? Are you going to do a review on the Shed (cost, Tufshed, Lowes, HomeDepot, ......?). Thanks!
Hopefully you got some rain your way this afternoon. Rained everywhere BUT Braselton! Can you recommend a controller that has WiFi and the ability to do wired AND wireless zones? I’d like to add a couple zones for a ornamental bed and garden but don’t want to pull wire under two driveways and a sidewalk.
Heard terrible things about the racheo Loving the orbit (mini) though. Only issue with it is that it does not work well with rain guages. There is a known issue/bug there so am hoping for a software update soon. Had the same rainbird (manual) before and for a manual controller , it was awesome. But once you go wireless, there is no going back to manual, lol.
i cant find the wifi extender you put in the house i have the rain bird outside unit with wifi but through the block home and the rain bird module inside the box i get poor reception to my router
We have been in a drought situation in Virginia but have been water some with irrigation. My Bermuda grass lawn analysis came in and said I need to add lime. Can I apply lime to my Bermuda grass now or do I need to wait u til the drought has subsided? I need help!
I just replaced your “new” controller with the RB ESP-Me. Hated it. Nearly impossible to run it when not using your phone. Not as customizable as I’d like.
Hey doc...big fan of yours....I have one question for you and I hope you can answer it....how to kill zoysia in my Bermuda?...I would love to make a domination line on my neighbor... he is just being a d...k.... hope you can tell me something about what product to use
In my opinion, that rainbird controller is the worst controller made and here is why: Dreadfully slow to connect Setup on wifi is painfully slow and can get confusing if you have 5ghz instead of 2.4 ghz. (it will not run on 5ghz) lack of control over "automated" watering on seasonal adjustments externally attached wifi is terrible at staying connected manual watering is terrible and laborious (you login, connect, select controller, select zone...) I had this controller for about 6 hours before i took it back and got a Rachio, which connects superfast and is easily manually controlled. Don't waste your money on this.
I have both and use both....... Both "connect" in about the same time. (RB actually connects in 1.8 seconds) Rachio and RB manual run are about the same when going per station. Most routers have both 5 and 2 ghz. I don't use any "scheduling" so I can't speak to that.
I have the old controller you replaced. Biggest thing that annoys me is I can't change the time each zone runs per cycle. So for example, I can't have a zone run for 10 min in the morning for a deep water and then have it run for like 3 min in the afternoon when its 105 F on an automatic schedule. Obviously you can run it manually, but I have work. Does this new controller allow you to do that?
Use a power over ethernet connector and add another wifi router in your shed. I've had the earlier model of that controller (looks identical) for a few years and it has worked great!
I picked up a BHyve last year and it’s been great as a WiFi controller. My father in law used to do greens maintenance also and has it so I got one also.. But it has a soil moisture percentage calculator based on your weather data and your soil types, and info that you input.... but it’s not accurate at all lol we’ve argued about this, but my hand measured % when I feel I need water, doesn’t match what the app says. But it does work great as a WiFi controller tho,, I just don’t rely on the smart watering.
I just installed the Orbit B-Hyve controller this season. I also bought mine for the ability to manually control it. It also had a 12 zone controller at price I could swallow. I started with a simple watering schedule for my lawn, but then I switched to it's "Smart Watering" function. I can't recommend it. It's just not there yet. It would put itself on 24 hour "rain delays" way earlier than it should, and it wouldn't correct if I didn't get any rain. I went through most of June where thunderstorms would roll into the area and evaporate into dust before any water would land on the lawn. I had to go back to a regular timed schedule and make my own adjustments when it needed. Watering random zones is simple and easy. I enjoy randomly attacking my kids with the sprinklers when they're playing out in the yard.
I have had a Rachio for over 3 years. Not one issue you mentioned. I like that it uses the closest weather station to monitor for rain and it adjusts itself depending if it rained.
Ryan Knorr and Doc are Grass Gods.
Lol. Those two “landscape care youtubers” have the best RUclips channels.
I’ve had that rainbird controller for 3 years and I love it! We are frequently out of state for weeks at a time and the combination of the WiFi controller and security cameras let me keep things under control when I’m gone. I disabled the seasonal adjust feature because last fall we were gone for 5 weeks and we had extreme heat and drought (Chattanooga) but the controller cut back the watering times because it was fall. We lost a couple of plants and the lawn was pretty toasty when we got home because I wasn’t watching it on the cameras.
I got the RainBird ESP4ME3 and added the LNK module and - I love it NOW..- took some time to understand the app its amazing showoff when my friends come over - .. It's so cool - to run the system for 1min a zone -- My new toy until I get the new water bill
Since your recommendation. I've had no problem with my rachio for 1.5 years. Love it
mesh network....mesh network......
I’m envious of the rain you got... send some my way... 😅
Preciate the vids you put out, they have helped me and my lawn tremendously.
Those wifi extenders are amazing thanks for the video
Now you need to add the Rainbird wireless rain sensor; it's awesome!
Congrats Doc on 200k subs 👍👍👍
LOL, I'm located near ATL. Went to run my sprinklers a week ago (because of the dry conditions) and ended up ordering a new controller because my old was bad. Literally just finished installing my new one and ...BOOM! Thunder and rain. First in 10 days. Go figure. I feel your pain.
I have the Hunter Hydrawise WIFI controller and love it!
200k! Congrats Doc!
Hey Doc, isn’t the “C” for common? I love my wireless irrigation controller!
You are correct the c is for common.
I think that’s right
Beautiful Yard 😳😍
I have a rachio gen 2 love it and you can run it without wifi, now I have the world's best Bermuda lawn 😆. Go to your rachio and press the up or down arrow to select your zone then press select (Gen 2 Model)
Can you do a video on creating a new flower bed? I'm having trouble with grass and other weeds growing in it. I'm not sure what to do
DAAYUUUM! That backyard looks good!
Nice video! I would like my yard to look as good as yours!
Doc, what did you do, wash both vehicles?
Looking forward to the video of the installation Of drain tile in front of the shed.
Doc. Thanks for the research on the Rainbird. I am going to get one. A couple of questions:
What sprinklers do you use what tips do you have for us that currently use a hose that want irrigation?
Are you going to do a review on the Shed (cost, Tufshed, Lowes, HomeDepot, ......?). Thanks!
Hopefully you got some rain your way this afternoon. Rained everywhere BUT Braselton! Can you recommend a controller that has WiFi and the ability to do wired AND wireless zones? I’d like to add a couple zones for a ornamental bed and garden but don’t want to pull wire under two driveways and a sidewalk.
The OpenSprinkler controller is far superior. And you can control it with Alexa. It also is smart enough to not water when rain is in the forecast.
Need to have Jacob climb up and clean your gutters.
Heard terrible things about the racheo
Loving the orbit (mini) though. Only issue with it is that it does not work well with rain guages. There is a known issue/bug there so am hoping for a software update soon. Had the same rainbird (manual) before and for a manual controller , it was awesome. But once you go wireless, there is no going back to manual, lol.
You can throw some of that rain my way.
i cant find the wifi extender you put in the house i have the rain bird outside unit with wifi but through the block home and the rain bird module inside the box i get poor reception to my router
Nascar 4Life get a WiFi mesh system extenders don’t work that well
We have been in a drought situation in Virginia but have been water some with irrigation. My Bermuda grass lawn analysis came in and said I need to add lime. Can I apply lime to my Bermuda grass now or do I need to wait u til the drought has subsided? I need help!
Wow. I like that controller! Can I set up all the days and times on my phone or do I have to do that at the controller box?
I have the older version of this model and I can set everything up in the app. Mine is the St8x-wifi.
Done with your phone! Much easier than the controller set-up
It never fails wash your car or water your yard it will rain
I just replaced your “new” controller with the RB ESP-Me. Hated it. Nearly impossible to run it when not using your phone. Not as customizable as I’d like.
I was wondering if you are associated with Guardian Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical? If not, they seem to be using your Doc Cartoon in their ads.
Hey doc...big fan of yours....I have one question for you and I hope you can answer it....how to kill zoysia in my Bermuda?...I would love to make a domination line on my neighbor... he is just being a d...k.... hope you can tell me something about what product to use
Oh yeah... I forgot to tell you I'm in Charleston, SC... conditions are pretty similar... thanks again
Lol the C is for common
Shit Hole LMAO!!
In my opinion, that rainbird controller is the worst controller made and here is why:
Dreadfully slow to connect
Setup on wifi is painfully slow and can get confusing if you have 5ghz instead of 2.4 ghz. (it will not run on 5ghz)
lack of control over "automated" watering on seasonal adjustments
externally attached wifi is terrible at staying connected
manual watering is terrible and laborious (you login, connect, select controller, select zone...)
I had this controller for about 6 hours before i took it back and got a Rachio, which connects superfast and is easily manually controlled. Don't waste your money on this.
I have both and use both.......
Both "connect" in about the same time. (RB actually connects in 1.8 seconds)
Rachio and RB manual run are about the same when going per station.
Most routers have both 5 and 2 ghz.
I don't use any "scheduling" so I can't speak to that.
We need some rain here in central Texas last couple of weeks we have had several 100+ days
115 to 119 here in Southern California. 110 is a cool day here.
Joshua Muenchow sane here in west Texas,, bone dry
I have the old controller you replaced. Biggest thing that annoys me is I can't change the time each zone runs per cycle. So for example, I can't have a zone run for 10 min in the morning for a deep water and then have it run for like 3 min in the afternoon when its 105 F on an automatic schedule. Obviously you can run it manually, but I have work.
Does this new controller allow you to do that?
Use a power over ethernet connector and add another wifi router in your shed. I've had the earlier model of that controller (looks identical) for a few years and it has worked great!
Send some of that rain to us here in Texas LOL!
I have Hunter wireless but wireless in general is GREAT!
I picked up a BHyve last year and it’s been great as a WiFi controller. My father in law used to do greens maintenance also and has it so I got one also.. But it has a soil moisture percentage calculator based on your weather data and your soil types, and info that you input.... but it’s not accurate at all lol we’ve argued about this, but my hand measured % when I feel I need water, doesn’t match what the app says. But it does work great as a WiFi controller tho,, I just don’t rely on the smart watering.
I just barley bought the "old" one lol
I just installed the Orbit B-Hyve controller this season. I also bought mine for the ability to manually control it. It also had a 12 zone controller at price I could swallow.
I started with a simple watering schedule for my lawn, but then I switched to it's "Smart Watering" function. I can't recommend it. It's just not there yet. It would put itself on 24 hour "rain delays" way earlier than it should, and it wouldn't correct if I didn't get any rain. I went through most of June where thunderstorms would roll into the area and evaporate into dust before any water would land on the lawn. I had to go back to a regular timed schedule and make my own adjustments when it needed.
Watering random zones is simple and easy. I enjoy randomly attacking my kids with the sprinklers when they're playing out in the yard.
Hahaha I still have had no rain was so close today but just barely missed us
I have had a Rachio for over 3 years. Not one issue you mentioned. I like that it uses the closest weather station to monitor for rain and it adjusts itself depending if it rained.
Do you still recommend this controller?
How long do you let those sprinkler heads that twirl run? I have a feeling I’m not running mine long enough and it causes heat stress down in Texas.