Customer Reviews for Rain Bird Simple-To-Set 9-Station Indoor Irrigation Timer

Works great. Much easier to setup then our old one we had to replace because the mechanical switches corroded. Much easier to use for manual operation as well. Comes with built in backup battery too so you don't have to reprogram every everytime the power goes out and ours goes out for short periods on an average of a few times a year.

Way better than the Hunter controller. I purchased this controller to replace a brand new Hunter installed by an irrigation guy. It worked perfectly but is much harder to use. I have 3 homes with Rainbird controllers and have been happy with all three. I only gave it 4 stars because it doesn't have a slot for 1/2 inch PVC that I use to contain the wires. This is overcome by cutting the PVC for a wedge fit. Very easy to program and explain to my renters.

This was super easy to mount, wire, and program. I love that everything has a button vs older models that you had to press the same button over and over again to get to your selection.

Worked great & saved us 150.00!!!! YAY

Works well with my system.

The Rainbird 6 station irrigation timer was so easy to install to replace the timer that we had that broke. This unit is similar to the one we replaced. I liked how easy the features were on that one so I knew I'd like how they are on this new unit. We did take a picture of how the wires were all set up on the old timer so there wouldn't be any confusion when we put the wires in the new one. Setting up time, date...etc was as easy as can be. Was so happy when we got it hooked up, turned it on, and the sprinkler heads popped up as they should. Have had it for about a month now and no problems at all. The only thing I didn't like about it was how it attaches to the wall. My other unit was screwed right into the wall. This one only has the hole in the back where you hook it onto a screw. I didn't like how it wasn't secured. So I drilled another hole at the bottom and attached it firmly to the wall.

My 30 year old controller stopped working and this controller was quick and easy to install. It is also simple to operate.

Easy to install as a replacement for a failed controller.

Ok, so I have only done the test run with it... and it worked great. It was easy to install and easy to program (MUCH easier than the last one, which was limited in the logic dept; and don't even think of running through your zones to check the heads....an all-afternoon irritating affair). However, on this timer, the little tabs that hold in the wires seemed very sensitive. If I moved a wire at all, then its corresponding head popped up... ie, wire not connected. I kept hitting the wires b/c there is really no where to put them (not enough room in the little box area)...so I took the bottom off the old timer box (grey) and screwed it in underneath to protect the wires and keep them from getting pulled around. I think it should work.

Easy install, compatible with our system. Easy programming. Install took about 20 minutes

This is a good timer and easy to use. I had purchased the Wi-Fi version which was nice also but the Wi-Fi connection was always buggy for me so I returned it and got this one. Basically set it and forget it. This has nice features such as odd even days button cyclic waterIng button and a water one zone now button.

Works well and easy to program. Although the instructions I got on YouTube were easy to follow than what came with it. Used it to replace an older Rain Bird model that I couldn't get to program correctly. This one was much easier to work with.

Very easy to install and very easy to program. The only issue is the battery; what type is it and how do you replace it? No mention in the instructions. CFH

I put a sprinkler system back together that was disconnected before I moved into my house. Lots of digging, some new heads and some broken piping. I tried to figure out how to use the old controller, but some things worked others didn't. I purchased this controller last week 6/15/2018 because it has 9 stations, I have 8 and may add another. I also shopped around, many sold this control but Home Depot (as usual) had the lowest price AND had it in stock. It took less than 20 minutes to wire it up to the solonoids. I like the ALL ON feature, plus you can do just one at a time. I had a couple leaks after I hooked this up and the single setting save me so much water! I absolutely love the programing times, there are 4 settings and each day can be programmed with this timer. It is so easy to program. Took me less than an hour to setup 8 zones with 3 time settings and days to water settings. Plus you can shut off a zone completely. I would recommend this to anyone with a Rain Bird sprinkler system!

Easy installation. I was replacing a 16-year old controller, and this new one was easy to mount on the drywall in the garage in the same location. The existing wires readily transferred from the old system, popping right into each slot. The great part of this controller is that it has the best interface for setting all the functions: time and date; and start time, duration, and days of the week for each sprinkler line. This interface is the best I have ever used among the many controller that I have had to set up wherever I lived.

Neither my husband nor I are very handy with electrical installations, but I can truly say this was a very simple install. It honestly took maybe 20 minutes. Just make sure you've written down wire colors. Works so simple. Excellent product.

My old controller died so I bought this because it looked very easy to program. I opened the old unit and took note of how the valve wires where connected to the zones, and the white wire to the common post. Disconnected everything and removed the old unit. Mounted the new unit and inserted the zone wires into slots 1 thru 7, then the white wire into the common slot. (I have only 7 zones, but unit supports 9.) Inserting the wires is easy - just use a thin screwdriver or nail to depress the tab that secures the wire, insert into the slot, and release the tab. Simple. Attached the power adapter - it only goes on one way. To program, its extremely simple. Just turn the dial to the Set Date and select the date. Turn to Set Time and select the time. Then, turn dial to Zone-1 -- all the days of the week light up. Press on the day button to turn off watering for that day. Select the minutes to run the value. Turn the dial to the next zone...repeat, repeat, repeat. Set the dial to Auto. Very simple. I had the new unit installed and the zones set within 15 minutes and didn't even read the manual.

So far so good, very easy to program

Easy to read instructions. Easy to install. It's up and running. Just what I needed. Very pleased.

We recently moved into a house that came with an irrigation system, which is a first for us. It was controlled by an Orbit RainMaster with 6 zones. The Orbit was a pain to try and figure out. To go manual, set it to Auto, press next three times, press Enter. Cycle through zones you want. Even the instructions were confusing. My Brother In Law who used to work on irrigation systems even had a hard time. The drip system was in Zone 3 and part of a different schedule. It was set to go off on non watering days as set by the Water Authority. Anyway, he informed me about the 6 zones when he showed me the wiring scheme. He said, "go get something else." I checked out the reviews on the Rainbird SST600IN as it had 6 Stations and decided to go for it. Our local Home Depot had several in stock and appeared to be reasonably priced. Rainbird did something right and kept to the KISS principle. Keep It Stupid Simple. Literally, 20 minutes to remove old timer, install and program the Rainbird. WITHOUT the manual. Manual was still in the box. I took a pic of the wiring scheme. It was seven wires. Your white, common wire and the zones. I finally moved the drip system to the last zone. Wiring was no more than just push into the hole until it locks. To remove, use a small screwdriver to push in and release wire. The brick was a simple plug into box and then plug into wall. Programming was a breeze. Set dial to date. Use up and down arrows. Set dial to time, use up and down arrows. Set dial to 1 (zone 1), you will see 1st time light up. Use up and down arrow to set start time and duration. I.e. 6:00am / 10 min. Then select days of the week. Simply push which day. I.e. Wed, Fri, Sun. You will see the light come on when you toggle the day. If you want to set a second time, press 2nd Time and set your new time. Do this for each zone if you need a program like mine. Set dial to Auto and walk away. The display will tell you the next date and time your system will come on. If you want to test a zone, simply select zone on the dial and press water zone now button or All zones now. Of course, YMMV. Nice job Rain Bird for keeping the controller simple.

Great product, terrible instructions manual , take you time and read twice so you can set the timers correctly. Pay attention especially to those delay times, they are tricky to set but very useful once you got it right ! I wish the A/C adaptor was not that bulky !

It's easy to install, easy to program, works like a charm and I would definitely recommend it. I bought this about a month ago when I had the lawn re-sodded. It now looks great!

I replaced my old Toro Clock which was about 13 yrs old. The Rainbird has basically the same functions and was an easy hook up. I took a picture of the old connections and installed them the same on the new clock. I do not have a cover as it is and inside clock but I may get one to keep the dust off it.Overall it has been working as expected. If you want a simple replacement or a new timer I would recommend this one.

So, I cannot attest to longevity, because I just installed it. We were replacing a 14 year old Irritrol. Should have done this years ago as we've been replacing part after part, but never knew the timer was the real culprit... and solenoids are expensive! WATCH the videos on this site, it explains how easy it all is. AND, if you want it to run zone after zone, it will be smart enough to know that, just make all the zones start at the same time. It took me about 10 minutes to install, and only that long because I had to cut the stripped wires down a little bit. I'm a 42 yr old woman and a little bit handy, but it was easy, really.... and it beats this antiquated Irritrol by a zillion miles!

So easy to install and works great. I am a 40-something year old female who knows nothing about sprinkler system controllers and I had it installed in minutes. My only issue was which wire to put where as I mistakenly did not note the wire configuration of the old system before I uninstalled it. Eventually I figured it out. I love that this system allows you to schedule multiple waterings per day, and you can turn off a specific zone to not water on those days.

Easy to install and operate

This is my second SST-9. My first has been great and installed this one for my parents who are 85 who needed a new timer and one that was easier to understand. So far so good!

This was the perfect replacement for our old system. Simple, and easy to install!

easy to use...just what I was looking for