r/Irrigation • u/MaverickFischer • 2d ago

Check This Out Hunter Controller Replacement program

I saw today that Hunter added a controller replacement plan benefit to their Enthusiast program.

From the site:

Enthusiast plan subscribers are eligible for a controller replacement benefit of up to one replacement controller per plan per year, as long as their subscription remains active. To approve a replacement, the Hydrawise controller must be working when enrolled in the plan.

https://www.hunterirrigation.com/support/hydrawise-enthusiast-plan

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5

u/Enough_Way_6719 1d ago

Am I the only one who finds it comical Hunter is willing to replace an entire controller each year to boost sales for a subscription… like is this in response to cutting costs at QC because I know I’m not the only contractor starting to swear off Hunter timers due to quality issues.

1

u/MaverickFischer 1d ago

That was my first thoughts. It SOUNDS NICE lol. I'm also wondering if they willing to upgrade a failed unit? Ex: X2 to a HPC
Also if the controller still under warranty and it deemed eligible for a RMA, I assume that I should be able to get a replacement fairly quickly. But I suppose the replacement plan could be more convenient for contractors. Cost for convenience.

4

u/Enough_Way_6719 1d ago

Idk about it being more convenient… usually if a timer is bad within the first year it’s a quick swap out at your parts store and your on about your day. I don’t think this plan is available to contractors it seems like a homeowner based brand loyalty program and with you only being able to replace one timer a year the cost of the plan outweighs that one timer which if newly installed is warrantied, from a contractor perspective I’d rather just install a timer I know lasts longer than a year so that at least my warranty period is covered by using a reliable part. I feel this would be great for a homeowner if they use it yearly to replace their timer “preferably towards the end of the year”. All the rest of what’s offered on the “plan” is also offered standard with a Rachio timer for no additional cost aside from maybe the advanced weather sensing. But most WiFi compatable timers already sync up with the weather dopler using those radars to guage weather changes.

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u/EyesOnTheDonut 1d ago

Tech support tried to sell me on this for my customer today. Pretty wild, I don't really understand who is doing this or what the point of it is. Interesting side note- check the manufacture date of your controllers when you are buying from industry suppliers like Siteone or Heritage. I picked up a "new" PHC-600i for my customer, had a hell of a time trying to get their app linked to the controller. After getting on the line with tech support, turns out the "new" controller I grabbed off the shelf was made in 2021. Already out of warranty before I even opened the box. I am sure my distributor will take care of me on this, and I have worked at both S1 and Heritage in the past so I know stock can end up sitting around for quite a while, but still pretty surprising. At least I learned some new tricks on how to force a firmware update lol

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u/MaverickFischer 1d ago

I don't really the benefit either. If my controller happen to die the day after the two year warranty expires. I could save about $70 - $80 with the replacement plan. But that's really about it.