Leave a Review RainMachine
Poor App/Service
Used to be a 5, now only a 1.
We have used the RainMachine at our home since we bought our house over 4 years ago. It was already installed from the previous owner. Enjoyed using this to look for leaks when starting the system at the beginning of season and to make sure everything was working properly.
Now we have to pay to use the premium service just to use basic functions when we are at home. We can no longer use our phones to be right by the problem area. We now have to turn on the system in our garage and run to a possible leak. Not easy when you are recovering from knee replacement surgery. Also wastes more water doing it this way. Not good when we have the water police looking for waste everyday.Show lessbldeagl
Deceitful Privacy & Security Breach
Their “direct access” configuration requires you to setup a public IP and port forwarding which completely negates the purpose of direct access. Public IP and forwarding puts a hole in your firewall allowing them and their affiliates (affiliates you do not know) unsecured, uncontrolled access to your network and device from the Internet. They also require that you allow them to scan your private network. These requirements are to allow them to collect private data about you and your network, while they require you to pay for this as a “service”. The app is also very clunky and broken. These conditions are common with scams and thieves. Don’t use RainMachine.Show less19237415
Working great until the new upgrade
I’ve been using this app for 4 years and love being able to remotely control my sprinklers. All was great until they upgraded the app recently and it broke the connection it kept asking for a free trial instead to let me in. Got it working again under a 30 day free trial but will likely have to find a work around app in the next 30 days. May have been a better way to approach a subscription fee.Show lessHartford24k
They ruined the app and web interfaces. buy a different unit
They ruined the app and web interface. Ever since they created the “premium” version. The app won’t connect to my system even when I am home on my home network. Hence the app is useless. I tried the web app on my Mac, but it throws a prompt to buy the premium that can’t be ignored. If you close it, it resets and when you select your system it again throws up the premium prompt. Thus the killed the web interface.
The only thing left is the box itself and I am waiting for that to be sabotaged. The whole app and web interface aspect has been killed.I tried to set up their direct IP method but their instructions don’t say what name their sprinkler controller will be registered under so I haven’t found it to give it a fixed IP.
If you want a sprinkler controller for the purpose of being able to control it remotely, buy a different unitShow lessgallman
Can’t connect to controller via app on local network
I had the controller for years and never had an issue until they added the remote access feature and subscription. Now it is so hard connect through direct connection and it is totally hit and miss. You get a spinning wheel for so long and never see your zones. This app is unusable at the moment and does not make sense that you have to subscribe in order to access your controller, a feature we had for song since I bought the controller. If I can’t access the controller, This is not smart controller any more.Show lessdwxb12
Terrible App and now they want more money
Update: Still terrible. Spent the day replacing a number of old sprinkler heads and aligning them. Required a lot of going into out of the app. Takes forever for app to find the beacon and connect to the controller each time I turn on the phone and start the app. Apparently their good app developers have left for green pastures leaving the B-team.
——-
The app has a terrible UX. Seriously, you have have always tap “Save” and then “Back” when creating/modifying programs. You let your phone turn sideways to landscape mode and then back to portrait, the app gets totally confused when on the Zones tab. Then there is the matter of the new annual “Premium” subscription. Apparently, someone thought fleecing existing, long-term customers what a good idea. $30/yr is a joke for what you get. If you are a new user looking for a sprinkler system, keep looking. Avoid Rain Machine. The company has lost their way.Show lessJohnny 1000
I use to trust this company
Updated Review 8-1-22
We’ll, what do you know, They have returned local access to my iPhone. I can once again control this app without going into my basement. Imagine my surprise when I came home to check on my system after my Sprinkler Company had made some adjustments and I just happened to open the app and there it was, my local access. I have updated my review to a five star review. Evidently they are listening to their customers. Thanks guys!
Original review below:
I’ve had this app installed on my iPhone since I purchased this rain machine approximately 7-8 years ago. I’ve never really cared about the remote access but to be able to control this app while I am at home with my phone, was the reason I bought the product. Now they have removed my access to even operate this from my phone. This is such a breach of trust, and as many have already said this seems to be very illegal. How could you change a product so drastically as to cut off access from the unit while I’m in my home? I now have to actually be standing in front of the unit and manually turn my system on and off. Phone access does not exist any longer. Your company needs to be a shamed.Show lessEarskin
Rip Off
I have been using Rain Machine for several years, mainly because of the remote access feature. Rain Machine removed this functionality and now makes you pay a fee for it. This is extremely unethical as the product was sold several years ago touting the ability to control it remotely. They actually stripped the app of this function and they have sent solicitations to purchase this feature back. There are many other sprinkler controllers available with this feature without charge, and unfortunately I’m going to have to buy one and replace this rather than submit to this extortion. It’s not the $40, it’s the dirty way this company pulled this off.Show lessRain Machine Rip-Off
I’ve Had It
I have just about had it with Rainmachine’s push for their ‘premium’ service push. Mind you, they took service I’ve had since ownership away to start charging for it. Talk about bait and switch.
Tried to run my system tonight, and they wanted me to either signup for their ‘premium’ service or set up my system all over again to use it.
I’ll give you 14-21 days to fix that or I’ll rip the entire system out and throw it in the trash. This is beyond ridiculous and was likely one of those brilliant conference call ideas that no one stopped to say what if our existing customers leave in droves.Show lessJoeFriday
AMAZING!
I thought for sure this app would not work how i want it to and i would have to manually change times from the unit itself, but this app is awesome! I have 9 zones and control them all from my phone and and can change anything instantly. I run two separate programs set with the exact time i want! Really amazing app and every year i pop it back on and everything's right there...PERFECT!Show lessset 12
