In additional to the full-featured schedulers that offer weather based irrigation, EtherRain also has Android (ZonePopper) and iPhone (Sprinkler Ace) smartphone apps available for conveniently running manual cycles and valve tests via Wifi. If you have a large irrigation project you can combine multiple controllers for 8, 16, 24 (and more) zone applications - scheduled through one interface! EtherRain provides simplicity along with sophisticated control.
EtherRain is built upon a different model than the old fashioned timer - it was not designed to be a silo'd device - it is a IoT device. Their are sophisticated free schedulers available that work with EtherRain to give the user a simple yet sophisticated scheduling experience including weather controlled irrigation. EtherRain also works with popular home automation packages. In order to get the full benefits from EtherRain please also look at LawnCheck.com or OptiRain Open.
One of the most frustrating problems with old fashioned timers from the traditional suppliers is complex programming due to a too-small interface and small buttons. Many of EtherRain's competitors have the same problem: forcing complex programming into an LCD screen or small smartphone app. Or they offer very unsophisticated scheduling. To overcome this issue and to make programming simple while still offering sophisticated control, EtherRain separates the scheduler from the valve controller. With EtherRain you get a choice of schedulers that offer simple browser-based setup with sophisticated control options. EtherRain, in combination with our browser-based schedulers, provides simplicity, sophistication, security, and control.