Why did Rachio decide to have no dials

post by robertokc on Apr 19, 2017

What is the story behind Rachio’s decision not to have and buttons and/or dials on the controllers faceplate? This is the biggest deal breaker for contractors and homeowners. I am fine operating the controller the way it is, but just wondering.

post by rccoleman on Apr 20, 2017

Are you using the v1 or v2 hardware? v2 does have buttons that allow you to manually start and stop zones.

post by emil on Apr 25, 2017

@robertokc, great question. We decided to design the controller with limited local controls to focus the user experience in the mobile and web app. We added manual zone operation and offline (Limited) schedules to our Gen2 controller to help contractors manage landscapes with the controller if/when they don’t have access to the app or WiFi.

post by robertokc on Apr 26, 2017

I do not agree the days of standard controllers are numbered. When you look at the percentage installs of wifi based controllers it is very, very small. If you look at all the other wifi smart controllers they have dials. Continue to tell you no dials is a complete deal breaker. The buttons for limited schedules are inadequate.

post by mckynzee on Apr 30, 2017

@robertokc What functionality do you want from the dials? Are you thinking this is needed for situations where you don’t have wifi for a limited period of time, or indefinitely?

post by civdiv9999 on Apr 30, 2017

I’ll weigh in since I let the thought of getting the Rachio bake for about a year, and it’s kinda like this -

I have a wifi thermostat, but I can do 100% on the face of the device if I want to. Likewise my security system. I can control my garage with wifi, but also if I am standing there.

I did not do my due diligence on the Rachio, and when I bought it and installed and then realized the lack of local control, I was kinda bummed. Not real bummed, because I got it so I wouldn’t have to trek down to where it is just to do stuff with it, but my first thought was now I have to set my neighbors up with the app and my login so they can kill it if I have a blowout or geyser and we are gone for a few weeks.

post by mckynzee on May 1, 2017

@civdiv9999 That’s really helpful, I could see an emergency “off” button being helpful in those situations you described.

post by scorp508 on May 2, 2017

A timely thread. Here are some of my cover/box suggestions that I posted in the v3 thread. I agree the lack of any exterior controls is a poor design choice. I know everyone wants to be sleek and sexy in the smart home world, but some things don’t need to be changed.

• Manual buttons exposed without removing the cover. I’m tempted to cut my cover to expose the buttons so the family can easily kill the sprinklers if the need arises without fumbling with the latch on the bottom or having to go grab a phone.
• Hinged cover, not the flimsy current one that you can easily drop when it pops off.
• Move the latch placement for the cover. Right now it is up against the wire entry area and with larger wire bundles behind the latch it can be tricky to sneak your finger onto the back of the latch.

post by Linn on May 2, 2017

I have reading this thread with interest, seeing why people want the dials/buttons. I must be an exception to most customers. My unit is outside, on a wall buried behind a bunch of bushes and is a real PITA to get to. So I love not having to deal with anything on the unit itself.

post by Sammy2 on May 2, 2017

I’ve been using my Gen2 for a year and other than initial set up I have never, ever, had the need for a manual control on the unit, nor do I want it. In an “emergency” I can just go to the valve and shut it off there.

post by robertokc on May 4, 2017

The answer would be for ease of setup and operation at the controller. One of the things I really like about Hydro Rain’s controller is whatever changes made at the controller make changes on the app.

post by mckynzee on May 4, 2017

Do you think these local control needs are more for contractors and less for homeowners?

post by tomlay on May 5, 2017

I like the clean “smart look” of the gen 2. The only challenge with having a wifi connection is if the wifi goes down you cannot access the controller.

post by sunny on May 5, 2017

Stay true to the smart vision.

post by robertokc on Nov 13, 2019

I do not understand what you mean by hyper location.

Before having a Rachio I had a Toro Evolution Controller. I had two Toro Soil Moisture sensors, one in the front bermuda and the second was in the backyard fescue. My water usage plummeted from my previous controller.