Replaced the Hunter with a wireless Bhyve irrigation controller
 

I have answered all the questions and set up the 4 zones with Smart Watering.

For those with the wifi Bhyve and have used smart watering, how have you found the results?

Keep it or use a custom program?

Thanks!

sportsguy

I installed mine in March. So far it has worked really well. I set up a custom program recommended to me by my lawn guy. It notifies me when the system is delayed due to rain in the area. No issues yet.

hi can you run it like the old ones by hand

Yes and also using the app.

Smart watering works well for me. It even anticipates delays based on the forecast.

You can find local weather stations here:

Tempest Station Map

Is the controller unit able to look at a specific Tempest station for it’s information. I have one of those in my backyard and have been wondering how to link it to an irrigation controller.

Robbie - do tell
 

The directions didn't mention any steps on how to connect to the weather stations or locations. . .

I assumed it was automatic, but do tell if you know how. .

Thanks!

I've been using the Rachio brand for a couple of years now. Love it. Based on my address location, once I connected the Wifi, it automatically monitors the weather for my area. These past weeks in particular, with all the rain, it skips the sheduled runs. Amazing how many gallons it saved.

I am a newbie with regards to sprinkler systems. The unit at my house is what I am sure very antiquated. I found someone to maintain it when I am gone but they seem to struggle with it. I am in the historic district and once I am down there full time I plan on working with it myself.
Where do you get these other systems? Who do you use to install or maintain?
Again, I don’t understand the old one do I don’t get the new ones.
BHyve cost $98 while Rachio cost over $250. There must be a difference that I don’t see.

B-Hyve
 

I estimate mine has saved me about $50 in the past year. It comes in real handy when working on the sprinklers by running it from my phone instead of back and forth to the garage. Also makes it easier for a quick check to see if the heads are working properly.

I monitor the weather myself
 

I installed mine in March but decided against using smart watering feature because the weather station it is based on is Leesburg airport (I’m in Marsh Bend). I use stations from weather underground that are closer to my house and manually set delays on the app if necessary.

We have a b-hyve and love it. We always struggled setting the programs with the Hunter. You can set a program, water manually or both. It really was great when we had some new landscaping put in the day before we were leaving to go away. I was able to water the plants from another state. We bought it at Lowe’s, I think it was $69.

B-hyve App Updates - Select A Weather Station and Configure Delay Thresholds - YouTube


How to add my personal weather station? – Orbit b•hyve

Love the Rachio controller
 

Just bought the Rachio 3 from Costco for $149 for our home that will be built later this year. Have been using a Rachio 2 for several years and like it. I am connected to a weather station and it will sometimes not water for an expected rain. I can verify a rain with a camera that is placed to look out at the lawn to see any rainfall when I am away.

Who can we get to install a WiFi controller?
 

I want to get one. I’m looking at b-hyve , rachio, and hunter hydrawise WiFi controllers. I want one that can notify me if there is a broken head or a leak somewhere. Which one do you recommend? And do I call an irrigation company to do the installation? Appreciate your guidance!

A separate flow monitor device like Flume is needed to detect leaks and broken heads.

Flume Water | Smart Home Water Monitor | Water Leak Detector

I put in an 8 zone system in Jan 2019. Love it. I’m a snow bird and it’s nice being able to control it from up north. Works much better than the Hunter IMO.

What is the model number of the controller everyone likes? I found this one on Amazon -- Orbit 57946 B-hyve Smart 6-Zone Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Controller

I installed a Hunter WiFi controller. Love it - control everything from my phone/iPad. Comes with a lot of details on historical use - connects to weather stations
I did not install, had the company who installed my system do it.
Here’s a link

X2™ | Hunter Industries

If you only have 4 zones, the $69 B-hyve at Lowes works great. Very easy self install. The app is easy to use. Automatically connects to weather station. I wish I had replaced my Hunter controller years ago.

After reading about WiFi sprinkler controllers here, I bought a Bhyve 4-station in Lowe’s. However, I hesitated to install it because there are no manual controls on the Bhyve.The only way to access the controller is via WiFi or Bluetooth and a smartphone or iPad. Then I realized, you’re really getting old and thinking like a Luddite. The question is, does anyone really miss the traditional access on the original Hunter controllers?

You can also control it via desktop or laptop. I use my smartphone and tablet. It is much, much easier to change settings that way then a traditional panel. Plus the convenience of adding or overriding a rain delay or adding extra water to a zone from your living room. I always found the old Hunter controllers difficult to figure out. The Bhyve is a breeze. Plenty of youtube videos out there for tips and tricks. Install is very easy but make sure you take a picture of the old wiring first so you don't get the colors/zones mixed up.

The 6 zone allows programming from the controller.