Downsides to buying more zones than currently need?

Getting Started Rachio 3
1

Are there any downsides to buying more zones than needed to have in case you want to set them up in the future?

Thanks

2

I bought more than needed and am glad I did as I have split two zones to make a third, adding a couple of drip zones, and will be doing similar things soon. I may actually be close to the max after that. I cannot think of any downside other than the obvious that it cost more.

3

None whatsoever! In fact, I always recommend that you get one that allows AT LEAST a couple zones for future expansion.

4

Money.

5

@RainHusk - as @Thomas_Lerman and @tcremer said cost/money is the only downside that I can think of.

Advantages of having more terminals than zones:

  1. One can run shadow zones to see how a different program would water (e.g. using Fixed, but shadowing with Flex to see how it behaves).

  2. If a terminal breaks (e.g. wire broken off in it that can’t be removed or an electrical component fries) then a spare terminal can be used to replace the inoperable terminal without replacing the entire unit.

  3. And as @Thomas_Lerman and @tmcgahey said future expansion - no one know what the future holds.

2 Likes
6

One thing I haven’t seen is, it might be cheaper to buy more zones. For example, as of today the 8 zone Rachio 3 is $180 on Amazon. The 12 zone Rachio 3 was $169 at Costco last week when I bought mine.