Password reset doesn’t work, support less than stellar
I got new Wi-Fi in the beginning of October, not realizing that I would have to connect the Skydrop unit to the new Wi-Fi. My sprinklers have not worked in four weeks and my lawn and plants are dead now. I used email support and got instructions on how to connect the unit to the new Wi-Fi. One of the necessary steps is to log onto the app on your phone. My password is not working, and the buttons on the App to reset the password do not respond to the touch. The app is useless. I went through the process of changing my password on their website, and still. Useless. The password does not reset. There is no phone support, only email support, and it takes a few days for them to get back to you. In the meantime, my trees are now dying. If they don’t support this app then what good is it?
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The “update” renders an already bad app totally worthless
Just a few weeks ago the app stopped allowing me to log in, saying password was wrong (I never changed it). Then I chose “forgot password” and was told I would get an email with the password reset link. Nope. Never arrived, not in spam, just didn’t happen at all. Yesterday I noticed an update for the app was available on the AppStore and thought “Oh good, they’re going to fix it now!” Nope. The app won’t even load beyond a big blue Skydrop logo which just remains on screen indefinitely.
I’ve been a Skydrop customer for over 5 years. The system has never worked better than when I first started using it. Weather accuracy was never good. It could be raining and Skydrop would still schedule watering as if no rain in the forecast (or even at the moment). My lawn has died in spots and I’ve reseeded more times than I’d like to remember because of spotty watering performance.
I believe the company is going out of business. If you’re looking for a smart sprinkler controller, look elsewhere. Don’t be fooled by the fancy display and pretty lighted ring. This system is crap, and the app is now useless.
I’ve been a Skydrop customer for over 5 years. The system has never worked better than when I first started using it. Weather accuracy was never good. It could be raining and Skydrop would still schedule watering as if no rain in the forecast (or even at the moment). My lawn has died in spots and I’ve reseeded more times than I’d like to remember because of spotty watering performance.
I believe the company is going out of business. If you’re looking for a smart sprinkler controller, look elsewhere. Don’t be fooled by the fancy display and pretty lighted ring. This system is crap, and the app is now useless.
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My Skydrop is still going strong
I’ve owned 2 Skydrops over the years. My current unit is still going strong. It works with Alexa and all of the features in the app that I use work as well. I am very appreciative that the app and cloud access is being maintained. My only issue is that I added the Hunter Rain-Clik bypass sensor along with the Skydrop expansion pack, but it doesn’t work. Thanks again for continuing to support your old customers. I’d hate to have to buy a Rachio.
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Avoid this bait and switch junk!
After being one of the original adopters of skydrop it’s finally time to leave and go with a Rachio system!
So I was baited and switched into buying the expansion module not for the extra sones as I only have 6 but for the rain sensor option which they said would be a required firmware update for it to work. Was told it was coming in 3 months well after 4 years later I’m still waiting!
Then to make matters worse they now want to change me just to be able to control my system!
I could of done the same control for free if they didn’t block my access or if they cared about there customers they would release the api so I could setup my own server connection.
And before they reply with the open letter to customers junk that doesn’t dust any mustard with me!
I paid good money for the expansion zone that was a total waste of money! And then paid lots for the system for it to not work as it should.
They say about hyper localised weather reporting it uses well it was raining all day but still it wanted to water the yard!
The junk can’t even Intergeator to my home weather station that’s connected to various weather sites and reports current weather.
At least my new rachio system can get info from my weather station!
So in short dump skydrop kick them to the kerb and get a rachio 3 you won’t be disappointed!
They only disappointment your have is with skydrop!
They should be dropped from the sky into the garbage landfill site!
So I was baited and switched into buying the expansion module not for the extra sones as I only have 6 but for the rain sensor option which they said would be a required firmware update for it to work. Was told it was coming in 3 months well after 4 years later I’m still waiting!
Then to make matters worse they now want to change me just to be able to control my system!
I could of done the same control for free if they didn’t block my access or if they cared about there customers they would release the api so I could setup my own server connection.
And before they reply with the open letter to customers junk that doesn’t dust any mustard with me!
I paid good money for the expansion zone that was a total waste of money! And then paid lots for the system for it to not work as it should.
They say about hyper localised weather reporting it uses well it was raining all day but still it wanted to water the yard!
The junk can’t even Intergeator to my home weather station that’s connected to various weather sites and reports current weather.
At least my new rachio system can get info from my weather station!
So in short dump skydrop kick them to the kerb and get a rachio 3 you won’t be disappointed!
They only disappointment your have is with skydrop!
They should be dropped from the sky into the garbage landfill site!
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Pay for cloud access, things are worse
Paid for cloud access so they can “maintain” things. Disabled smart watering (because it wasn’t working that well), set a manual schedule with fixed days and times. Shows the next estimated watering at a date in the future. Lawn is drying out and having to manually water (and it constantly states it failed to start watering when I do this, have to close the app and re-open to confirm watering has started).
Oh yeah, watering history? Never loads to show when I last watered (manually, with a custom schedule, or smart watering). My old fashioned timer from the 70s with mechanical gears was more reliable than SkyFlop. Will be switching to Rachio for sure next year.
Oh yeah, watering history? Never loads to show when I last watered (manually, with a custom schedule, or smart watering). My old fashioned timer from the 70s with mechanical gears was more reliable than SkyFlop. Will be switching to Rachio for sure next year.
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Another Day
After having time to process my disappointment with Skydrop’s news earlier this year, I’m writing a review to support the company. Before signing up for the recently required monthly subscription, I checked options at the big box stores and nothing compares. I’ve not experienced any performance issues since purchasing the unit a few years back, and love the sleek appearance and easy to use ap. I respect the employees tenacity to keep the company viable and appreciate their introspect after earlier misleading communication. As long as Skydrop maintains development and transparency moving forward, I will continue using their product.
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Horrible customer service
I have had this product for three years and worked great and I turned my unit on this spring and the app will not let me control the device anymore and just shows the status. I logged into the website and the same thing. As of now I can’t control my sprinklers and the product is useless. I have been emailing support for a month and no response. I have tried to call them direct and I am on hold for exactly 10 min stating I am next in line and then they say there is no one to accept my call and it hangs up. This has happened four times in the past two weeks. Very bad business. I purchased this at Lowe’s. I will be contacting them and letting them know that this company is poorly run.
What do I do. I will have to purchase a different system.
What do I do. I will have to purchase a different system.
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Shady company breaching contract.
After owning the device on the promise of free-forever remote access and weather data, they now expect to charge a monthly fee, or render this unit useless. They refuse to take it back since it’s been more than 30 days, effectively locking me in in their system, not allowing me to move to some other vendor that keeps up to their promises.
Not only their mediocre ‘hyper accurate’ ‘hyper local’ weather info never really worked, now I can’t modify the schedule or manually activate/ deactivate zones. In addition to that, access using the hardware itself is garbage, due to the system being awfully slow and unresponsive, so basically I have a sub or unit performing worse than my formes $30 dum controller.
If they really cared about customers, they’d make a system update where I can run the controller from my own server (think ubiquity unifi controller), instead of forcing me on their cloud service, and then lock me out of my hardware and try and collect random money.
Not only their mediocre ‘hyper accurate’ ‘hyper local’ weather info never really worked, now I can’t modify the schedule or manually activate/ deactivate zones. In addition to that, access using the hardware itself is garbage, due to the system being awfully slow and unresponsive, so basically I have a sub or unit performing worse than my formes $30 dum controller.
If they really cared about customers, they’d make a system update where I can run the controller from my own server (think ubiquity unifi controller), instead of forcing me on their cloud service, and then lock me out of my hardware and try and collect random money.
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Response from developer
Thanks for the feedback. Have you read our recent blog post? It explains some of the reasons. https://www.skydrop.com/open-letter-to-skydrop-community/
Frustrated owner, please look for another controller
So unfortunate. The controller and past app worked well, and I bought in heavily with one for my parents and brother as gifts. This unit has now been hijacked of all its utility with unannounced recent software update. Paid (plenty) for a smart controller with remote capability and those remaining with what is left of the company, have decided to dumb down and take away even the remote on and off functionality, unless a monthly fee is paid. I read the response letter and appreciate the circumstance, but wiping out all functionality is truly of poor taste and feels extremely extortion like! Overall, great concept and past execution, only to be reduced to more plastic for the landfill.
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Typical..
Unfortunately the only online reviews are the ones which promote the product.. if the company wants to gain support then answer the phone, respond to your customers and stop the hide and seek.. I’m not sure how this is legal to go from a free service to now you have to pay to keep it with no warning or notifications made to the consumer base.. I’m sorry I appreciate the “smart “tech aspect but I’ll go buy a “dumb” controller to not have to pay and deal with the old school stuff rather than the tech crashes, lack of communication and now being forced to pay for a service that was provided for free. Best of luck but you have lost more than your $2..
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New subscription model shows lack of integrity
I have to say that this system was passable until the recent pricing model overhaul. Many of us brought into Skydrop on the basis of no additional charges and were really put off when the functionality of our controllers was hijacked with less than 2 week notice. As we learned in a general communication from some former Skydrop employees there were dire business reasons for the timing and lack of transparency. Had that transparency been offered when the company made the decision to cease operations in 2018 I am sure that the response from users could have been different. As it is I wish the few dedicated former employees well as they try to maintain the web services for the Skydrop customers.
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Significant downgrade
What happened to my ability to manually control individual zones? Been using this feature for years and now you take it away in the hopes I’ll pay $2/month? Somebody at Skydrop thinks it’s customers are stupid. Guess it’s time to look for a different controller. I’ll pay for a new service, but I won’t be strong armed into paying for an existing, unimproved feature.
Edit: got your open letter. It’s too bad you guys are struggling and I hope you find a way to turn things around, but doing so by extorting your existing customers to regain the functionality we already bought isn’t going to work. My unit has been replaced by a Rachio.
Edit: got your open letter. It’s too bad you guys are struggling and I hope you find a way to turn things around, but doing so by extorting your existing customers to regain the functionality we already bought isn’t going to work. My unit has been replaced by a Rachio.
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Sigh 😩
I’m giving 5 stars because I’ve been a customer for quite a while now and have never had any issues. I read about the news and am super disappointed but understanding. One question I have is, does the scheduling not work now? My plants and grass have started to die. I get notifications that my irrigation watered but it doesn’t seem like it. If I manually water it works if I do it from the controller and from the app.
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Unfortunate
While I realize there is a cost to everything and that circumstances change, it does feel like this should have been part of the plan to start with. While I am frustrated by having to pay a truly reasonable amount monthly it is not what I originally signed up for. I will continue to support Skydrop through this modality until I move next year and will the-evaluate my needs in my new location. If the service is still viable and cost effective I will buy another unit and continue. Otherwise....
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Update: Worthless
Update: Skydrop sent out a letter stating the company is in a financial hardship and that many employees have had to find other employment. Some very loyal and dedicated personnel are trying to keep the product going and the only way was to charge a minimal fee for the cloud use. Skydrop admits they should have sent a letter out in advance, but we all make mistakes and I am pleased they owned up to theirs. I don’t live a perfect life so I don’t hold others to that expectation!!!!
This has been a great product and spending $2 month is still cheaper than buying a new controller; $24 opposed to $200. I would give 5 stars but it doesn’t work well with Alexa and the future stability is questionable, so I give a solid 4 stars!!!
Product was great until the last update. Company decided to charge for functions on the app. Now the app is worthless without a subscription. The app has had minor bugs since I bought the controller 2 years ago, but the overall product was great.
I have now changed my opinion as I had no notice this was coming. I have spent a day trying to figure out why my yard was turning brown and it wasn’t til I read an app review I found out the app isn’t operating the controller. Now I have a $200 “smart” controller that I have to operate like a basic Rainbird controller. I should have saved a $150 and went with the basic!
This has been a great product and spending $2 month is still cheaper than buying a new controller; $24 opposed to $200. I would give 5 stars but it doesn’t work well with Alexa and the future stability is questionable, so I give a solid 4 stars!!!
Product was great until the last update. Company decided to charge for functions on the app. Now the app is worthless without a subscription. The app has had minor bugs since I bought the controller 2 years ago, but the overall product was great.
I have now changed my opinion as I had no notice this was coming. I have spent a day trying to figure out why my yard was turning brown and it wasn’t til I read an app review I found out the app isn’t operating the controller. Now I have a $200 “smart” controller that I have to operate like a basic Rainbird controller. I should have saved a $150 and went with the basic!
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Response from developer
Thank you for your feedback. We really do understand your frustration. Here's a bit of explanation: https://www.skydrop.com/open-letter-to-skydrop-community
Hyper accurate weather is a joke
I have to stop it watering during a week long rain. The hyper-accurate weather gimmick is just that....an excuse to now start charging a monthly service fee of 1.99 when I have had this expensive hardware for 3 years that I have to continually monitor and manage. Unacceptable shady company that will loose future customers and existing ones alike due to greed. Good luck going out of business.
And they did respond to this review, with the open letter they had published last week. I appreciate the response, but it did nothing to address the lack- or should I say non-existence of hyperaccurate weather which is the reason they are charging the monthly maintenance fee. Offer an option with non weather based control from the app for free like before and if customers want the weather based watering then charge the 1.99 monthly fee. Oh but wait, no one would do this because weather based watering does not work! Tragic!
And they did respond to this review, with the open letter they had published last week. I appreciate the response, but it did nothing to address the lack- or should I say non-existence of hyperaccurate weather which is the reason they are charging the monthly maintenance fee. Offer an option with non weather based control from the app for free like before and if customers want the weather based watering then charge the 1.99 monthly fee. Oh but wait, no one would do this because weather based watering does not work! Tragic!
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Response from developer
Thank you for your feedback. We really do understand your frustration. Here's a bit of explanation: https://www.skydrop.com/open-letter-to-skydrop-community
Worth $2/mo if it weren’t so buggy
I’m perfectly happy to pay $2/mo for a useful software service. But it has to at least work!
This app is completely buggy nowadays, which makes it almost unusable. It didn’t used to be this bad, but it really is terrible now. The app just crashes all the time, fails to save changes, locks up and refuses to scroll after certain actions, until you force-quit and re-launch... I mean come on, guys. I’ll give it the rest of the summer for you to fix your issues, but if it’s not fixed by the end of the summer, I’d rather spend money to replace this with something else that actually works.
UPDATE: I signed up for the subscription after the latest app update made it required... hoping maybe the bugs were fixed, too. The functionality is all there, but it’s still just as buggy as ever.
This app is completely buggy nowadays, which makes it almost unusable. It didn’t used to be this bad, but it really is terrible now. The app just crashes all the time, fails to save changes, locks up and refuses to scroll after certain actions, until you force-quit and re-launch... I mean come on, guys. I’ll give it the rest of the summer for you to fix your issues, but if it’s not fixed by the end of the summer, I’d rather spend money to replace this with something else that actually works.
UPDATE: I signed up for the subscription after the latest app update made it required... hoping maybe the bugs were fixed, too. The functionality is all there, but it’s still just as buggy as ever.
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Not worth it
Like the other review, I bought mine three years ago. Always a little slow on WiFi, but still fun to manually water any zone from anywhere.
That’s all gone. The app is useless now and watering restrictions are the only control you have over watering.
What’s worse is there customer service. I changed my WiFi password and the controller lost connection. Rather than staying on the current schedule and adhering to my watering restrictions, the controller defaulted to watering every day, but only at night/ early morning so i didn’t notice... until I got my water bill for $1200! That’s when I noticed the password was not updated on the controller and I fixed it. I called Skydrop to see why that was the default behavior and they treated me like I didn’t understand the cloud (I’m a cloud software developer) and were not helpful. A few months after that, the app update included a “back up” schedule option in case WiFi connection is lost....
Needless to say, I’m researching new controller options. If you want to pay the same price for a “smart controller” and only get a better user interface in your garage and an app, this ones for you. If you want to control your sprinklers from your phone/tablet without a fee, this is NOT for you.
That’s all gone. The app is useless now and watering restrictions are the only control you have over watering.
What’s worse is there customer service. I changed my WiFi password and the controller lost connection. Rather than staying on the current schedule and adhering to my watering restrictions, the controller defaulted to watering every day, but only at night/ early morning so i didn’t notice... until I got my water bill for $1200! That’s when I noticed the password was not updated on the controller and I fixed it. I called Skydrop to see why that was the default behavior and they treated me like I didn’t understand the cloud (I’m a cloud software developer) and were not helpful. A few months after that, the app update included a “back up” schedule option in case WiFi connection is lost....
Needless to say, I’m researching new controller options. If you want to pay the same price for a “smart controller” and only get a better user interface in your garage and an app, this ones for you. If you want to control your sprinklers from your phone/tablet without a fee, this is NOT for you.
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Who is running this company?
Bought the controller 4 years ago as it was recommended by a friend and loved it. I recommended it to friends as well. I sent in a request for them to make it possible to manually add rainfall if we have a gauge and nothing. No updates to the software ever until recently when the essentially took away Wi-Fi functionally and requested that you pay a fee for it now. So now I have to go to the controller to manually water which was free for the last several years on the app. I’ll buy something else before paying the subscription fee. I will also right a review with your integrated apps such as Nest and encourage friends not to buy this product.
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I get it
I understand the situation. What should have happened is software upgrades should have ended and the main functionality of the unit by remote control should have been left alone - that does not cost your company anything and was a promised function. The weather part I get. Maybe that costs you something to run and y’all ran out of money. Before the company shuts down, do the right thing and at least make this a functional program again
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