Vine Smart WiFi 7day/8period Programmable Thermostat Model TJ-225, Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant

Howdy, I have two of these TJ-225's installed already and may install as many as 9 more (my house has a 10-zone hydronic floor heating system and a lone air conditioner). For me, spending 10x$60 = $600 instead of 10x$120 = $1200 is meaningful.Anyway, like many others installing smart thermostats, I had to deal with the "c-wire" issue. In the end, for me it was a simple operation of attaching an existing unused wire to the C terminals in my "Taco ZVC406-EXP-4" controllers (if you happen to have those things). Aside from that, connecting to Wifi was a bit clunky but eventually worked. The approach is not different than many other IoT type things (e.g., early Alexa Echos): Make a temporary connection to Wifi network broadcast during setup by the thermostat so the app can send down your actual wifi info. I think the problem is new security features of recent iOS that block "discovery" until you're prompted and accept "Allow Vine app to search for devices" (or something like that). Otherwise, after a bit of time (have patience), the app will connect and that allows you to snap a pic of the QR code which registers the device with your Vine web/app account.Programming a schedule is simple with the ability to copy between multiple days. And, most fun, the Alexa "skill" stuff works quite well, e.g., "Alexa, what's the temperature in the Kitchen".One tip: As others mentioned, you can actually connect the device to wifi and your Vine account BEFORE installing on the wall. Just plug in a micro-usb for power and walk through the install as if it's connected. Once it's all good, go ahead and get your screwdrivers, level, wire strippers, etc. out and wire up and bolt the thing on the wall. It should work right after you restore power to your heating system. If you truly can't get the wifi working, at least you haven't spent time with the install and all the parts are nice and clean for return.Cheers.

I thought the ratings for this product looked good. I bought this and now regret it. I got this installed easily enough. However, the problem lies in the software. You cannot program this without your phone. Instead of just letting you enter your wifi credentials into the thermostat itself, you are required to download an app that clearly does not function properly to set this thermostat up initially. This of course requires you to set up an account with Vine as well. After entering your wifi network's name and password (this screen has no instructions by the way), you are then required to connect directly to the device through it's own wifi hotspot. After connecting, the thermostat takes the credentials you entered and uses them to attempt to connect to the wireless network. It doesn't connect in my case. You can't even schedule this thermostat manually at the thermostat in case the thermostat's wifi can't connect. There is an SD card slot on the side of mine but the manual doesn't even mention it. If I can create my own config file and put it on an SD card, I would love to. The hardware may be good. The software required to run it flat out is useless. I had to uninstall and reinstall it twice before it would even let me select the thermostat model. To make matters worse, they have two apps on the store. One works, one does not. I suspect my wifi antenna on the thermostat went out. I regret buying this.This thermostat can no longer connect to the wifi

This thermostat works just fine! The directions for connecting to wifi are poor, but it still took under 10 minutes.The app works perfectly and it also works perfectly with Alexa. Much to my surprise considering all the bad reviews!! One tip: for some reason, when logging in to Vine Control on the Alexa app, your email address used as your username in the Vine Control app is case-sensitive. Typed as you typed it when creating the account. My phone capitalizes my email address because it contains my name, so when I was trying to log in to set up with Alexa, it kept saying my username/password was wrong. Once I figured that out, it works just fine with Alexa and it is a delight to have in the apartment.The scheduling only lets you choose a range for which it’ll either turn on the heat or cold AC to stay in that range. It won’t just wait for the temperature to go high enough to turn on the AC, it’ll turn the heat on to get back up to the set range. We live in Florida, so obviously we don’t want the heat turning on EVER. It doesn’t let you turn off heat all together with the scheduling. Or perhaps it does and I just haven’t figured out how yet. I only played around with it for a few minutes because I wasn’t planning on using scheduling anyway.However, on the thermostat itself (not on the app) it does let you turn off heat. So I did that and opted to not use scheduling as well. I’ll probably explore that more in the future.As for the wiring, it was pretty straightforward. However, I did have a problem with the c-wire, as we did have a spare wire but no access to the control panel of the AC unit in the apartment. Tried calling technical support and there was no answer. I wasn’t confident that they would call me back so I didn’t leave a message either. BUT, it does come with a micro USB port that you can just plug into the wall outlet, which is GREAT!! I don’t think this is a common thing with the more expensive ones.Perfect alternative to the Ecobee or Nest and $100+ cheaper. We use Alexa to control all the lights, so we really only wanted a thermostat that would allow us to control the AC without getting out of bed or when we forget to turn it off when we leave the house. We didn’t really care to have any scheduling features, but I’m sure we’ll play around it with more in the future. Overall we’re super satisfied with it or I would’ve returned it in a heartbeat. Would definitely recommend.

Way cheaper than the expensive brand names, works great. App is decent, looks a little rougher than the super clean nice fancy apps, but who cares. The only thing, is that you can only program 8 sets in a day. We run classes in our gym and wanted it to turn on and then turn off (which each one takes up one of the 8 sets), so we used them up really quick. Don't see why they had to do add that limitation, it's all software so don't see the reason for it.Other than that, it's awesome! Love it.

I purchased this not knowing if I could hook it up or that it would do what I wanted but I am blown away, it was fairly easy to wire up, looks great and does everything I could want. First thing is I didn't have a 'C' wire so I also purchased a 24VAC power unit. My HVAC is a simple heat on and off unit, so only uses 2 wires, I connected these to RH & W/E, and connected the 24VAC between RC & C, powered it up and it worked straight up. When it first powers up you follow the screen to set it up and connect to the WiFi, fairly easy. This unit allows me to turn on and adjust the heating remotely, better than a simple timer, if I'm leaving work early I can turn on the heat and the house will be toasty warm when I get home... love it!

Just received this item and installed it exactly the same way my old thermostat was wired up but I am not getting any power to it. Followed instructions and wired it up accordingly and can't get any power to it..Usb port works and I can use and program it that way but not while it's wired up to my furnace..anyone have any suggestions please?

I love this thermostat but it is not hooked to my internet or my alexaI have tried everything and followed all instructions but can not get my i phone 11 pro max connectedor get my thermostat on the internet or connected to alexa

Bad. Could not even get set up with the app. Thing puts out its own Wifi signal and you are somehow supposed to connect it to your wifi via this. Incredibly overcomplicated and the provided instructions are awful. Need C wire, no batteries. Returned.