Rain 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 11/2/16

Super easy install, easier than programming manually, paired easily, worth the convenience,

This was part of a package deal for the new Rain Bird ESP-TM2 12 station Controller we bought to replace our 2004 Rain Bird Controller that had served us very well for 20 years. I submitted a review on the sprinkler system and it is an incredible system. This has only made the system even better than it is. This might sound lazy, but we can change the settings on our system from the couch, or from anywhere we might be on vacation. This is also made tying the sprinkler system into our home automation system and I thought it was something we really didn’t need, but it has made starting and stoping our system more convenient and changing the settings is know a few clicks away. I’ve read other posts where people are having issues with their wi-fi connection, even with a signal booster in the garage. We haven’t had any problems with the wi-fi not working properly and it is about 20 feet from the router. I’m not sure why people are having connectivity issues, unless other things like the water heater or furnace is in the garage area. This is easiest and best sprinkler controller that we have had. It’s easy for even the novice person to install. The setting up is simple, unlike our old controller. It’s completely digital and no moving parts like the settings on the older controller. The internet connection has only made it easier to access from nearly everywhere and there’s an app for it.

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 good The 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.

"It," being the LNK2WIFI Wifi module. The short answer for most people is "no." (But I think your should get one anyway.) The main benefit of this module is add remote control abilities to your existing WiFi capable Rainbird irrigation controller. As long as you have good 2.4 GHz WiFi reception at the controller**, this module will let you access all the features of the controller (via an app on your mobile device*) anywhere you have access to the internet. Other than turning on/off the controller, that is. If you are like most people, once you've dialed in your irrigation settings, you'll likely only access the controller for maintenance. Having said that, and since I'm spending your money, I think you should add this to your compatible controller (see list in item description.) If nothing else, just making the initial fine-tuning of your irrigation cycles more enjoyable. Compared to the cost of your irrigation system, this is a relatively minor expense. Raise your hand if you enjoy walking back and forth to the basement/garage where the controller is and where the valves are when you troubleshoot the irrigation system? Granted, a little exercise will do us all some good, but that's what gym memberships are for. Don't buy this for the promise of "additional capacities for additional feature sets in the future" in the ad copy. Just buy this because you want to remotely start the irrigation cycle or a specific sprinkler zone. Buy it because you want to tinker with your irrigation settings without having to go stand in front of the controller. What possible additional features could be added in the future? It isn't going to be 5 GHz WiFi. It's hardware. If there isn't a 5 GHz radio in there, it will never be able to connect to a 5 GHz network. A word about the app. It's functional, but it looks exactly like one of Rainbird's sell sheets. It doesn't appear to take advantage of the OS platform's UI elements. The app is functional, but I like my native apps to be, well, native. Here are the obligatory PRO/CON bullet points: PRO - Remote control of all your irrigation controller features. - Make available the "soak" feature that isn't surfaced on the controller. You get get around this by using an additional program on the controller, so it's not a big PRO unless you've max'ed out your programs. CON - 2.4 GHz Wifi - requires a WiFi network - IoT, connects to the internet. I recommend connecting this to an IoT only network, isolated from the main WiFi network where your computer and mission critical devices live. - the "automatic weather adjustments provide daily run time changes" feature appear to use weather info that is zip code based, which likely isn't specific enough for your use. It's one of those features that sounds good, but implementation is lacking. If you already have a rain sensor or soil moisture sensors connected to your controller, this feature is more questionable. - no access to the rain sensor data connect tot the controller. Basically, what the controller knows - the rain sensor stopped the irrigation cycle, but not how much moisture was detected by the rain sensor. *: It appears you can also access your controller, with this installed, via open source platforms such as "Home Assistant." **: I don't have issues with connectivity to the controller using the app. I do have good WiFi reception at the controller. You may consider a WiFi extender (or better yet, an additional access point) to provide more WiFi coverage at the controller.

Rain Bird module work great. Was easy to set up with our WiFi system and on the iphone. Would recommend this product to anyone who has the Rain Bird wireless component

This is expensive but was very easy to install and is very convenient to be able to use it from your phone.

Oct 2025: Great product. Saves you 1000's of galons water and money in a year. I have purchased this wifi module recently and everything has been great. You can program each sprinkler's zone and even adjust it for seasons. Meaning that you water less time in wet seasons and more in hot seasons. Easy to manage. Wifi connectivity is on 2.4 Ghz band and if you live in a place where there are too many interefering signals and wifi devices sending traffic on the same wifi channel, you may want to conside changing the channel to a low traffic one. Its a little hack to improve connectibity and responsivess of the module. All and all I love it so far. Update: Dec 31 2025: still works great and no lag no connectivity issue. Worths every single penny. Saved a lot of water!

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.