Rain BirdRain Bird LNK2 Smart WiFi Module (2nd Generation), Compatible with TRU Rain Bird Irrigation Timers and ESP-LXIVM, ESP-ME, ESP ME3, ESP-TM2, LXME2, RZXe Controllers Made After 11/2/16WaterSense

Works great and has good wifi range. Needed to go online for a little more detail and after that it was easy to set up. Really a great add on to my Rainbird irrigation unit. Just be able to change schedule and skip days, set rain delays or turn off all zones from anywhere will save me a lot of money. I believe that about 5 cycles skipped will just about pay for the module!

I have a Rain Bird controller for a tiny strip of grass in my driveway. It's a simple one with no wifi or connectivity functionality. Aside from changing the time twice a year, I never touch it. Once I initially had it all set up, there was never any need to. Recently I landscaped my front yard and installed an advanced Rain Bird controller with wifi capability. The yard is divided up into 3 zones. Much more involved than my driveway grass. I initially hesitated getting this wifi add-on because I thought, will I even touch it after I have it all dialed in like the driveway unit? Should I spend a hundred bucks for the novelty of being able to app-control it? Well let me tell you, the answer is a resounding YES!Because of the complexity of the front yard I have had to access the controller numerous times. The controller is located outside on the side of the house so it's not too difficult to access, but my landscaper installed it rather low, so you have to crouch down to mess with it. Not anymore! Since I installed this little transmitter, I haven't touched that actual unit once. I've made many changes to the programming and experimented a lot. If I had to do that outside manually on the device, I doubt I'd have the customization I have setup now. And as a bonus, I have a Flume water usage monitoring system and was able to Integrate the two. You can even have it work with Echo, but it doesn't work very well.So don't hesitate, it's not a novelty, it's one of my more practical smart home automation systems.

Using in a 6-station Rainbird TRU controller mounted in my garage. WAP is located in nearby guest apartment immediately adjacent to garage—so WiFi signal is strong. Has to use 2.4 GHz band, but as far as I know, all routers and WAPs that have 5GHz are dual band with a 2:4 GHz band as well. At first I wondered if I would use the remote controlling feature enough to justify the (considerable) expense of this module. Well—I love the convenience! Use it all the time—never use the controller front panel. Programming is much easier through the app, and in case of rain, the rain delay feature is a visual “slider” that you advance to the number of days you want to skip before the watering schedule resumes. Works like a CHARM. I cannot compliment the software enough. (One other thing—there was a glitch during initial setup and the WiFi connection never completed—got the spinning circle that did not go away. Just started all over and no problems the second time. Has worked perfectly since.).I first struggled with whether to add the LNK2 to my TRU controller or—for less $$—return the new TRU and buy the WiFi-control-only ARC8 for lower cost than the LNK2 alone. I was concerned that someone (family, sprinkler repair personnel) might need to control the unit in my absence, so bit the dollar bullet and got the LNK2. But to my understanding, the ARC8 software is exactly the same. For some people, that might be a cheaper way to go.In the case of the TRU controller, I didn’t see how the LNK2 would fit when looking at the TRU with the wire cover off. Ends up thr LNK2 does extend below the bottom edge of the back of the housing, but the cover is taller at the bottom than the controller back, and it easily covers thr LNK2. See picture.

We have a Rain Bird ESP-TM2 series controller for which I purchased this module. The controller has an open slot for a WiFi module and this one plugged right in. Setup took less than 10 minutes after downloading the Rain Bird app.The controller connected easily to our WiFi router and signal strength is very goodThe Rain Bird app provides the ability to change schedules, length of run times, and the addition of zones. We only have a single zone but our controller / module combination will handle up to four. During set up you will pick a few parameters, including soil type. It also automatically knew the rain sensor was connected and active. The controller / module uses this information, and since this module connects to the internet it uses a weather forecast to adjust watering times. We have seen the run times decreased and increased from the point based upon rain and the temperature.This little module and app have made it quite easy to see how the irrigation system is working, and providing ability to make changes. The app has a simple interface, and is not complicated.

I finally got this installed after 2.5 hours of effort.First, the module would not connect to my cell phone so I had to use second cell phone. Then, I could not find my SSID in the app. I had to change my router setup and move the router much closer to the controller. After that worked, the application failed to add the controller to the application. I reset the module and re-entered everything again. Finally, the system was set up correctly.I order a Wi-Fi booster from Amazon.Summary:Pros:o Application provides all kinds of functionality from anywhere in the worldo Module installation is very easyo Module works with almost all controllerso Wi-Fi is actually okay, don't know why I had so many problems connectingCons:o No printed instructionso Bluetooth connection is sketchy but eventually I got good connectivityo Wi-Fi setup was difficulto Had to literally go through the setup about 20 times to make it workEven with the setup issues, I would buy this again. Functionality is worth the effort.

Slipped right into the slot. Directions were easy, connected without a hitch. Now I can manipulate my irrigation system from anywhere at anytime. Well worth the expense. Had it about a month with no issues.