GROHE29141000 Grohtherm SmartControl Thermostatic Trim, Starlight Chrome

This is an incredible shower trim that we enjoy using more each day. The biggest plus is not having to try and dial the right temperature each time. You just set the temp dial once and you're good to go. Push one of the buttons and within 5 seconds, your water is at your desired temperature. The temperature gauge itself is very easy to use and has an anti-scald feature so you don't go past the hottest pre-set temp unless you unlock the dial (which is simple to use). We bounced back and forth with this shower control and the Hansgrohe with similar functions, but this won out because it includes the volume control the Hansgrohe did not. So with this shower trim, you can also control the flow of the water from each source.As for the installation, I can't speak too much to it since it was installed by our plumber. I can say that he had no issues and did not complain about it at all, so I assume all was fine on that front.

One of my valve cartridges was bad out of the package, and the whole unit was installed in my wall making a return impossible. So I had to call Grohe customer service to get the cartridge replaced.They picked up the phone immediately with no hold time whatsoever. After confirming a few basic details, they quickly shipped me a new valve cartridge with absolutely no hassle. For this sort of product customer service is super important since you can’t tear it out once it’s installed, and these guys are easily the best at that.As for the product, it works exactly as advertised. I just wish they had clearer instructions on how to calibrate the temperature, but there are some good YouTube videos on that and it’s very easy once you know that you simply need to pry out the grey inner piece till it’s free from the dial, then rotate the temperature valve with a screwdriver until it is set up the way you want it. Then simply push the grey piece back in.

Great product, excellent quality, it’s an EXPERIENCED installers DREAM....(I am a “plumber/contractor”)If you do it once, you will never look at it as a “challenge” again.The superior German engineering shines through on every bit of this valve.The Grohe rapido box required (pt# 35601) to install this 3 way diverter valve is where the whole job comes together.A 2x4 Wall with the the center stud notched to receive a 1x6” piece of pine Board is all you need to secure the rapido rough box.Level it, Screw it, done... easy.Connect the water with 3/4 full size female adaptors (if you can)... Bring 3/4 to the inlet of this valve.... period..(my recommendation) The stability/volume of flow when running all ports at once will really be worth it..I’m at a cumulative 3 fixture 10 gpm flow rate @ 55 psi street side water pressure.I have all grohe shower heads with 2 max flow ratings at 2.5 gpmEuphoria cube (shower head)Grohe mono 310 (shower head ceiling)Plus a grohe “cube” spray at 1.75 gpm.All purchased on Amazon.Tile redi shower pan 32x60 w lineal drain also purchased on amazon(Tile installer notice)Tile cut dimensions should be cut very tight to this box. The trim is not very large, and you will see a cut that is spaced any further than 1/4” away from the blue rapido box. Trust me on this! See pic..Avoid the integral stops if you can..They are cheap plastic, and not worth what a few ball valves can do in an access panel or basement access.Installing the the valve internals into the body is straight forward. Just take your time..make sure the volume knob splines get trimmed to the face of the orange jig caps, no more, no less..I’ve installed 100’s of showers, I used to only recommend the symmons temptrol, but now I recommend this valve for high end applications only.It’s very durable, and when piped correctly you will be impressed with the volume of flow and pressure this valve can produce.Your only problem following this install should be the annoyance of running out of hot water!

Great fixture. I love how I can turn on and off all my outlets (rain 1, rain 2, and handheld shower) independently. Even better is that I can dial in the temperature once and it is set for all three outlets, as well as for the next time (until somebody makes a change to the temperature dial). While each individual outlet has a flow control dial (besides the on and off putting), it cannot be reduced to a very small flow - it only goes from normal flow to a lot of flow). It would be cool if I could dial it to almost nothing or to a slow drip.Super easy to install and a beautiful piece of craftsman ship, you will love to I stall it, to look at it, and to use it. My shower experience has significantly improved since I I stalled this!

I knew this was the diverter/controls for me the minute I laid eyes on it: all in one -- not multiple knobs and temp controls -- and thank the lord, no pull-up diverter on the tub spout (my old set up never really worked correctly and broke twice in 9 years). The Grohe is BEAUTIFUL, flexible, and simple to operate. I'm very happy with mine.Now comes the "But..."1) Be warned, installation is NOT for amateurs. My very experienced plumber even said it was really fussy and complicated to put together -- lots of springs and little pieces to get in place on the trim side. I looked at the exploded schematic and it made my head spin.2) I had a a mishap with the valve (ahem, it involved a "helpful" man, a drill, and installing shelves in the linen closet behind the shower). After several panicked phone calls to plumbing supply places, a got confirmation direct from Grohe that the valve and the trim only come as one unit. You cannot buy just the valve or just the trim. So be aware, if anything happens to one part, you're going to have to pay another $400+ for the whole component. OUCH.I'm giving it 4 stars only for price, the fact you have to buy the Smartbox separately, and replacement parts are all or nothing.Otherwise I'm pretty sure it's the fanciest and nicest thing in my whole house.