ARC8O

This has been a great addition to my irrigation setup. It is cloud based which means should the power go off or the device needs to be rebooted (reinstalled), all the settings were recoverable via the cloud settings. It is quite intuitive to set up giving great flexibility for watering needs. It has 3 programmable settings. It is limited to the number of water frequencies (unlike their manual units) so you have to use a new program (A,B,C) to initiate a new water time. This works great with the app, I am able to control another system in another state with a few simple key strokes. Each program has great flexibility to meet a variety of watering needs. Also, they have great customer support when or if you have any problems.

This was very easy to install, very easy to setup, looked nice in the app. After setting everything up with strong wifi signals, I thought I was all set and excited to move forward with an updated smart controller for my existing sprinkler system with just 2 zones. Unfortunately, it disconnected from the network within hours of setting up and I got warning messages periodically that it wasn't connected. I was able to go back and reset some things and eventually get it to connect again, but then it would disconnect a few minutes later. I went through this several times before giving up. I'm a software developer of 25+ years. I would consider myself an advanced / expert-level networking person. And I'm telling you that this ARC8 device couldn't stay connected to the wifi network that had a strong router sitting 30-40 feet away. It's not like the signal degraded, it just disconnected entirely. You can see in the images I attached that I have a strong signal when it's connected. I also verified with other networking apps that the signal was plenty strong. I could reach my network while standing next to the router with my phone. But the ARC8 couldn't reach it. It doesn't do much good to purchase a "smart" controller that requires you to physically walk over and reset network settings every time you want to use it. That's even worse that a "dumb" controller with no wifi capabilities. Other reviews have mentioned this and I assumed it would easy to find a solution. But just know that it's not even worth the hassle. I went with another manufacturer and it's been connected for days with zero issues and it's more user friendly. So save your time and look for smart controllers elsewhere. It's unfortunately because it had promise but it's just not worth fighting with this device if it can't stay connected.

Easy setup even without reading the instructions. This is my third sprinkler timer setup, first one that can be controlled by an app. Setting up the stations in the app is a lot faster and easier than standing at the controller pressing buttons and turning a dial. I bought this particular one because my state offers a $100 rebate for a smart controller that will reduce watering times based on the weather if it rains. So, at the price I bought it at it was about $30 after the rebate. This smart controller will also water a little longer if it hasn't rained. I like that you can control it in an app and turn it on and off without going back and forth to the controller. It takes a few seconds for it to communicate but that's fine. I also like that you can name the stations and programs. Really the only thing I don't like is that it is only app controlled, there isn't much to control manually at the control panel it self, I don't see this really ever being an issue but could be just a minor inconvenience at times. I would buy this one again.

Installation required adding extensions to my existing wiring, have extra wire and wire nuts available. If you take a picture of your existing wires before disconnecting any wires, you avoided a major headache The phone app and installation was a bit lengthy, the unit needed software updates. But it was easy to follow. The ability to use my irrigation system via an app is very convenient, and affordable, I love it!

I only use two stations. One is for plants and the other for trees. Trees are set to flood for 5 minutes every other day and the plants soak for 25 minutes every day. Each are on their own program with one start time. Trees seem okay, I manually tested and water usage data seems about right. I manually tested plant watering which worked fine. The usage chart though is total bonkers. For less than a week it notes usage over 120 hours. Best I can tell the 25 minutes a day is working and it’s some kind of glitch. I expect the only way to fix is to do a factory reset. I did try to redo the program which didn’t help. I suppose I can wire up to a different station and initiate a new program for that. UPDATE: After a factory reset and setting up it all works as it should. I suspect initially setting up with two start times on the same station created the problem. The documentation does not say anything about this so can't say it is the cause.

This controller is such an inexpensive upgrade to my last Rain Bird (that finally died after 28...yes 28...years!). Easy to install the controller. Easy to install the Rain Bird App. Easy to program the App. Easy to set alerts/notifications. Easy to set rain delay parameters (e.g., "delay watering by x day(s) if there is at least a ___% chance of __ fraction of inch of rainfall in my zip code", etc. etc.). Easy to export controller program to someone else's phone (e.g., I emailed it to my landscaper's phone for quicker/easier irrigation system start up). Easy to link to Alexa. Easy to control with phone or Alexa. Heads up, about two times out of 10, phone cannot connect to the controller - you just have to try again right away (assuming your Wi-Fi signal at the location of the controller is good - which you can check when installing controller by bringing your mobile device next to the controller and looking at the mobile device's Wi-Fi strength signal). Of course I've only had it two days so far, but it's a joy. One more spectacular addition to my SmartHome.

Wifi and APP are terrible To use the newer APP 2.0 you need to do a firmware upgrade (and no you have to, no skip button) Firmware fails either by unable to connect or times out. if this happens you need a factory reset and loose everything programed and start over. So you use their app 1.0. app works (careful it will want to update to 2.0 and firmware but here you can skip) BUT their 1.0 app is so slow, and takes a good minute or so to connect to the controller. if you leave the app logged in, the controller times out, you have to exit the app wait a minute and then you can access the controller. Wait, it gets better. ALEXA skills want version 2.0! so alexa voice control is out of the question. I'm retired IT, I have automation throughout the house, alarms, pool, lights, cameras even my car! (not to drive , LOL) I'm hoping a patch to the app or to drop the required firmware requirement so I can to use the newer APP. Spent two days and had to factory reset 3 times and re program the damn thing. its going back soon if no update or till I find a better WiFi controller.

Here's an update from May 21, 2024… The Rainbird wireless water system is still going strong. I've not had any problems. It's so convenient to be able to program it either in the house or across the country as weather dictates. Regarding the wireless connectivity, I've maybe had a couple of times where it's lost connection but it's usually for maybe a few minutes… But the most important thing is that, it still continues with your program. And especially even if you've lost power it still picks back up with its memory and you're still on your installed program so your plants survive in the summer. Regarding other reviewers saying the unit loses connectivity with the wireless network, I've got mine installed of course outside but it's on the same wall as the wireless router, which is up on the second story so probably about 25 to 30 feet from router to the unit. I've got OK connection probably about three bars, but it seems to be just fine. So I might suggest that of course establish with your phone that where you're going to install the controller you have fairly decent wireless connectivity. And at least in my experience if it does drop a connection, it does come back quickly and doesn't require any rebooting, etc. And of course, if you were to install a wireless repeater near the unit that would mitigate any connection drops. I like how easy it is to run a program in manually… And of course it being on the Wi-Fi system I can access it anywhere in the world. Last summer my sprinklers went off for a week while we were traveling… You can imagine how difficult that is on plants in Phoenix Arizona, where we had days that we were up at 110F. Most of the plants survived but it was a warning to me with the $10,000 worth of landscaping we put in two years ago that I needed a way to be able to monitor and change my watering while we are traveling. I also purchased at the same time, a flume water meter that measures exactly how much my home uses right at the meter from the city. So when I run the watering system, I know exactly how many gallons each station is using. But the amazing thing is is that the Rain Bird does not lose its programming if power is cut off, so it will not stop watering, if for some reason the Wi-Fi connection is lost. Additionally, as soon as Wi-Fi comes back on, it will automatically re-connect. I've seen some reviews of other products where people were complaining about losing the Wi-Fi and then losing their program or the system not running because Wi-Fi had been lost. I searched for almost 2 years looking at different products, and this one seemed to be the most reliable. And in my experience in the last four months, this is worked flawlessly. Oh, I forgot to mention that is so easy to hook up… That's provided you already have an old school watering system… I disconnected our 30 year old orbit, water controller, and put this in 10 minutes.

Funciona muy bien. Fácil de programar con la app. Pero no es compatible con Alexa en México. Al menos a a fecha de hoy todavía no.

Works great , easy to set up

لم اقم بتشغيله وساقوم برجاع المنتج او استبداله

Amerikan pazarında satın ,neden Avrupa da satıyorsunuz, yada 220 wolt göre yapın.

No hay manera de instalar la aplicación y no sé dónde comunicarme para ayuda . QR no funciona