Leave a Review RainMachine
They removed good features now subscription
DONT BUY! I had this for four years I was one of the earliest adopters I have a recommended this to multiple family and friends, this month I logged into my device from the backyard too far away from my Wi-Fi to learn that they have removed remote access. This was a major selling feature when I purchased this device without remote access this is a far less superior device than the two other competitors do not buy this device this is an extremely bad business practice they very easily could’ve grandfathered in the earliest of adapters that supported this company and its infancy.Show lessrare reviewer.1
They ruined a good thing
The didn’t ruin a great thing as the app has never been amazing, but at least I could monitor/activate/program the sprinkler system through the app. In June 2022, they began requiring a $30/year subscription to utilize the meaningful functionality (ex. Being able to manually start a watering zone through your phone app). They say you can always do this for free from the local network, but I have been unable to connect and they also say the local network functionality may not work if using network repeaters. I will be selling my machine soon if there are any suckers willing to invest. And implementing this change in June? Pretty slimy.Show lesswilltheyevenreadthis
What the heck??
I’ve had the rain machine for 4 yrs and now I’m expected to pay an annual subscription fee for features that were included when I made the purchase?? Seriously… remote access? Why do I have to pay to access my own in home why Wi-Fi network using my phones data plan to connect to the RM? All of which I pay for!! You’re just extorting money from your customers. And another thing, one of your more recent up dates screwed up the device. I can no longer connect to the RM locally. Not a single issue for yrs and now I can’t control it unless I connect remotely. Ain’t happening. I won’t be paying a subscription fee. I’m looking into other alternatives. Soo greedyShow lessVDO Ed8r
Longtime user disappointed with subscription decision
EDIT: The more I look into what they’re doing with the subscription service and what’s staying “free” (remember, we paid more up front for this device), the less I’m willing to support this company. I’ve ordered a rachio and will toss this expensive purchase in the trash to prevent them getting that money from someone else for this unit. Costco has a sale on the rachio through 7/7/22. I’ve had my rainmachine 16 for almost exactly 4 years. It was marketed as cloud independent implying that it would never require a subscription. Suddenly, features I thought I had paid for as part of the purchase of the unit are now becoming a subscription. Worse, some marketing genius thought it was a good idea to present this like they’re doing me a favor by providing a subscription option. Removing remote access unless I pay a subscription is disappointing, but trying to frame this as a “feature” is classless. The device is good, the app is ok, but the company probably just lost a customer. Had this been approached differently, my attitude would have been different. But this just feels slimy. Honesty would have gone a long way. I could get remote access back with a little inconvenience by setting up a vpn, but I may choose to vote with my wallet by choosing a competitor.Show lesslackskill
Difficult to access remotely
We’ve had this for two years and it is becoming more and more difficult to access. The zones keep buffering and now, we are completely locked out. We keep getting a screen asking us to pay for an annual service. If you ask for more information, it says you do not need to pay for the subscription to use Rain Machine, however whenever we try to use the device it won’t let us use the app. We just keep getting the screen asking us to start our subscription. It’s a vicious cycle and we are beyond frustrated with this right now and seen nothing anywhere that can help us figure this out.
Edit: can’t even post a review because all of the “nicknames” are already in use.Show lessShaver987
Expensive subscription fee for remote access required now
I bought the rain machine several years ago just because of the included remote access capability, which they charged a premium for compared to other available controllers .
And now they removed the remote access functionality without warning, and want $30 per year for this feature, there is not even an option to go month by month, so one could pay the fee only when one needs it while traveling. It’s probably cheaper to keep the watering program running occasionally (so much for "SAVES WATER").
I don’t use any other of the apps features, just setting up my watering schedule and activating/deactivating my schedule and doing so occasionally remotely, for example when there was rain at home when I’m out of town. All other "smart" features not useful to me. The watering times the program comes up with are ridiculous: 2hours per zone? Not sure whether the program thinks I would like to maintain a swamp ….
Very disappointed. Will look for a different controller.Show lessolivex77
Sprinkler subscription?
Your worst fears have come true. They added a subscription to a sprinkler controller. They seem to have screwed up the app. I don’t need remote access for a sprinkler controller. You would think remote access means when I’m not on my local network. But no, with a weeks notice, I can’t use the app anymore in my own home. I need too use it like dumb sprinkler controller. But this one has a touch screen.
Does a sprinkler need updates? No. I just wanted local remote control for my sprinkler. I’ve had this for 8 years and touch it twice a year occasionally I want to stop the sprinkler from my bed. Is that worth 30 a year? Let me do the math. I can get a competing controller without a sub that will pay for itself in 4 years. Bye Rain MachineShow lessMeatyard
Do not buy or use their products! They just screwed all their existing customers!
Do not buy these or use their app! After paying over $500 for 2 of their machines, they have now moved to a subscription only remote access. I can’t even get my watering history data or any other info. The app won’t let me get past their subscription screen to login or to access my data. I think I am going to take a sledgehammer to both of them and send them back to Rain Machine in a box! I was sold on remote access and now it no longer works without paying them $30 a year. Apple should remove their app from the App Store for false advertising.Show lesstqqest
Subscription now “required”
We bought our rain machine 5-6 years ago with the ability to connect remotely. Granted, they clearly state their product is cloud independent and always have. The way back machine clearly shows that. The problem is, they have said from the early days that the mobile app would first look for local devices and access them first. That has changed. Now the rain machine is not accessible via the mobile app even when locally connected to your home network. The way to access it now is via the browser and that interface is less than ideal due to screen size and lack of auto sensing of the local web interface.
I don’t mind paying for a service like this. It adds value for me. What I am tired of is developers that don’t either grandfather in current users or at least give them a free year. I get it we have had years of free remote connection but that has always been available and free. When you decide to charge for that, even when you claim cloud independence, it is ethical to grandfather in or provide a window of free access to current clients. It is in the customer service 101 manual.
Here comes the automated response that it has always been cloud independent and you can access it locally. Nope. Not available via the mobile app anymore. Shame on youShow lessTurboKJ
Charging for features that used to be included
I originally purchased my RM because of the ability to control my system remotely. Now, this is a feature they charge $30 annually. This was done with less than 30 days notice. Federal complaint inbound for unfair business practices.
Update: The developer doesn’t comprehend that they are now charging for something that was included as an original feature when I first purchased my RM many years ago. I’m not a new user. I’ve had this thing for over 5 years. Those first 5 years, remote access was an included feature. Removing and then charging for the same feature is unethical.Show lessStevenTing
