this story is part amazon prime dayCNET’s guide to everything you need to know and how to find the best deals.
My recent move to the suburbs meant inheriting an underground sprinkler system, which was great except for the old controller it was plugged into. Despite being “programmed” with buttons (unlike vintage 1980’s VCRs), I was able to activate the sprinkler heads with completely random timing. The clock was accurate and the watering times were accurate, but the actual sprinkler he turned on after 3-4 hours. I ran it manually during the day and put up with losing some of the water to evaporation from the sun.
Enter Rachio 3. This year he bought it on Prime Day in July and it’s the best smart home experience he’s had in years. Installation took less than an hour – I plugged in all the wiring from my previous controller – but what a difference.Instead of punching an endless series of buttons and knobs, I now have my own I use his Rachio app on my phone or iPad. Sprinklers will now operate correctly before dawn, and the system will use the local weather forecast to suggest skipping sessions on days with recent rain. (Also compatible with hardwired water sensors.) Yes.) If you want to change the schedule or run it manually, just take out your phone and touch the screen. (It’s also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant if you want to go the voice-controlled route.)
Rachio 3 is available in 3 versions: 4-zone, 8-zone and 16-zone. All three are currently discounted on Prime Day, and while they aren’t as affordable as they were on previous Prime Days, they range from 15% to 26% off regular list price, so the entry-level buy-in is around $128. You don’t even have to worry about subscriptions. Make sure the installation site has Wi-Fi coverage. But if you have an integrated sprinkler system, this is a simple recommendation. Need a second opinion?Colleague Jared Depain i love himthat too.
