ST8O-2.0 Smart Indoor/Outdoor WiFi Sprinkler/Irrigation System Timer/Controller, WaterSense Certified, 8-Zone/Station, Compatible with Amazon Alexa

I purchased this to replace a manual Rainbird controller. The wifi feature and phone app allow for the program of the unit without any physical contact. The unit will also monitor the weather by using your zip code to modify the watering schedule. It is very easy to adjust watering time by the day and zone, as well as run a manual watering. Before ordering, insure you have at least two bars in a wifi signal, where you plan to mount the device. This is to make sure the device has good contact with your router. The installation instructions are very clear and easy to follow.

Great controller! Quick & easy to install to replace an old model that stopped working. Easy to program, by either the controller or the app. App easy to install, program and adjust as needed. Has worked great since installed. Our irrigation pros were impressed by this model.

This is a quality Irrigation Controller once you get it installed properly. Has intermittent connection to my wireless router issues and was a little difficult to install initially as a result. The software is pretty easy and since my unit is in the garage, I paid a bit more for the outdoor model with ability to close the lid to protect from dirt and moisture. My only complaint with the software is why the programmers chose not to allow you to just hit one icon to run a program manually, as programmed; instead, you must input desire length of time you want the program to run. Since I have six rotating head zones and two spray head zones, the spray head zones should not run as long as the rotating head zones. My older rainbird allowed to hit one button and the entire program would run through each zone as configured. Also tried the Custom Program but you have to put a custom time for each zone which is time consuming. My solution to manually run all zones with the same length of time as the spray head zones when I need it to run manually off-schedule. 7/24/2022 Update: Now that I've been using this Controller for a while I wanted to update my review. I no longer recommend this controller as it's onboard panel is buggy and the software is even more buggy. The wireless interface consistently will not connect and often freezes up and causes the phones wireless connection to turn off. DO NOT BUY THIS CONTROLLER

GOOD: Rain Bird did a good job overall. The mechanical install of the unit was easy and I was replacing an older Hunter system that was terrible. BAD: This company uses a red/green indicator light, which is the worst thing they could do for about 10% of us colorblind people. But my wife helped out in that department. UGLY: The WiFi setup was terrible for me and may be for others. If not for spectacular personal technical support by Mehgan at RainBird, this could easily have been a one-star rating. She took the time to troubleshoot the bugs. It turned out the Android App needed to have permissions manually approved and set for both Storage and Location … your phone settings for the App itself. Also make sure your cache and data are cleared out if you had previous failed attempts to connect like I did. At first the device, only 20 ft from my wireless 2.4GHz router was saying weak signal … but then after clearing data and cache it suddenly was a strong signal. Then it connected just fine AFTER saying it didn't have internet, then it really did have internet. I think the software is immature and Rain Bird is having to work through it BOTTOM LINE: It is a good product, but the WiFi settings may be hit or miss for you. Fortunately Rain Bird is backing their product with excellent tech support. I can honestly rate it five stars.

It took about 15 actual minutes to set up, I caused a few of my own issue during install. Wiring was super easy, take a pic of the current wire set up to assist. And when using the app to install, remember to make sure you’re not using a VPN on your phone at that time (that cost me some time and frustration). If you don’t know what a VPN is, you’re not using one, so don’t sweat it. The only feature I wish it had would be setting percentages based on time of year, so it would swap automatically. It has its own seasonal setting, so hopefully that will be sufficient. It also monitors your zip code weather to keep from watering on rainy days.You can also take a pic of each zone if you want to, for easy reference. It also uses batteries to keep settings memorized, that way it doesn’t reset during a power outage-one of the main reasons I upgraded.

I found the installation replacement for my existing 20-year-old Rain Bird timer to be easy. Wiring was simple, directions are clear, and Wi-Fi connected immediately and has stayed connected since installation. The iPhone app is easy to use and very versatile. You can turn off entire system, turn on a single zone or combination, or have zones run in sequence. App offers weather, Wi-Fi strength of controller, rain sensor bypass, seasonal adjustment increases or decreases irrigation time by percentage. You can even upload a photo of the zone area and name the zone (i.e. Front Yard, Back Yard, Garden, etc.). App displays zone numbers with days of week it operates, on time, and actual run time if you use seasonal adjustment. In closing, technology is awesome!

The PERFECT companion to any dedicated gardener! I love that I can add multiple times to my watering schedule or even a quick watering directly from my phone wherever I am. It was super easy to install and program - I would highly recommend this unit to anyone!

I bought this to replace a mechanical Rain Bird timer that is significantly older than I am. I had to do a lot of work on my system (replacing valves, digging out heads, fixing leaks, etc.) and I was looking forward to being able to control it from my phone so I didn't have to walk back to the garage whenever I needed to start or stop it. Unfortunately it has not lived up to my expectations. It has been a couple weeks now since I got it installed and I am finally annoyed enough to come share my experience with all of you. Since I didn't get it installed for a few weeks after I received it I am now past the return window, otherwise I would be doing that right now rather than writing this. As it is, I must deal with Rain Bird's customer service. I will update this review as that plays out. Here are the problems that I will be bringing up with their customer service. 1. The biggest problem is that the programmed run times don't work. I have zones 1-5 set to run sequentially, and the app shows that on the schedule. Only zone 2 has been running though, zones 1 and 3-5 haven't run at all. All zones work fine if I run them manually, but only zone 2 runs automatically. 2. The controller will not connect properly to my network. With some work it will connect to my main router, but that is on the far side of the house and the signal is very weak. I have a range extender that is much closer, but it will not connect to that no matter what I do. Every other device I own has played nice with the extender, but no such luck here. It is possible that the resulting weak signal is the cause of some of my other complaints. 3. The controller is connected to the pump start relay for my well, and it turns it off for a fraction of a second between each zone. I am no expert, but that can't be good for the pump. I was hoping it would have an option to start one zone several seconds before stopping the previous one. Boy were my expectations too high. 4. The app is bad. They clearly didn't put much effort into it. It has the look and feel of the app for the made in China smart outlets I bought for $2.50 each. Each time I select anything it takes 10-30 seconds for it to talk to the controller first and then half the time it just gives me a communication error. When I do a manual run it is a gamble whether it will start in 5 seconds, 5 minutes, or not at all. This is a big disappointment, as the app was the primary reason I bought a new controller in the first place. 5. Finally, their tech support. The reason I am writing this BEFORE contacting their tech support is because they don't have an email address, I have to call. Between 7am and 5pm. Guess what I am doing between 7am and 5pm. Get a tech support email address guys. Making your customers take off work early to call you about a problem they are already unhappy about is not a recipe for success.