Not decided wi-fi or not

[Meat Matt]

New to the community. Saying hello. I’m interested in purchasing a pro series 3.5 digital or digital with wi-fi. In reading past posts seems to be a continual complaint on temperature fluctuations. Can anyone help with going wi-fi or not. I’m thinking maybe digital without the wi-fi could be less confusing and more user friendly. Feeling like the cook schedule with temperature fluctuations still need some work.
I’m I wrong or missing something?
Look forward to any advice between the two different models.
Thanks.

 

[old sarge]

Welcome Matt. Some folks have has some problems with the temp fluctuations. It is important to know that the majority of owners smoke and enjoy and have no problem worth mentioning. Those who have reported a problem might be using an analog which will fluctuate 10 to 20 degrees high/low of the set point which is normal. All is good. As for the digital models, they lock on pretty reliably. Mine fluctuates a couple or 3 degrees high/low as the element powers on and off. When the fluctuation is 'extreme', one may need to perform auto- tune which is setting the parameters of the PID. However, those parameters are set at the factory and should prove to be just fine. As for wifi, I suppose it is convenient for many people. Necessary? Personal choice.

 

[Meat Matt]

Appreciate your information. I assume you can set your cook schedule on a non wi-fi unit. Is setting a cook schedule on a non wi-fi unit as simple as it looks on your phone?
I live in an area of Idaho where cell service is not always available.

 

[old sarge]

I have had no problems setting the controller. A couple times I moved the smoker to where sunlight did not obscure the screen. Pretty simple. I need to say I smoke only by internal temp or time. No fancy multiple steps etc.

 

[Meat Matt]

I’m in the same frame mind as you. Not really wanting all the fancy cook schedules just time and temp without huge temperature swings. Smoken it model 3.5 pro series seems pretty solid.
Thanks for your help.