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Irrigation caddy?

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Roklem

New Member

Posts: 11

Location: Greenville SC

1

Thursday, March 29th 2012, 12:56pm

Irrigation caddy?

I'm starting to design my home sprinkler setup and am evaluating what all has changed since the last time I built one (5 years ago or so). I'm actually somewhat surprised at the lack of network or more advanced controllers on the market.

This brand seems to be a little known/reviewed outfit, yet it looks pretty solid.

Thoughts? Anyone used one?

http://www.irrigationcaddy.com

mrfixit

Moderator

Posts: 1,308

Location: USA

2

Thursday, March 29th 2012, 1:19pm

It looks complicated. People aren't going to want to learn how to reconfigure their router just to program their sprinkler timer. Blog
This product might be ok for an individual but there's no way I want to be the guy maintaining someone elses system when their computer is involved. Something goes wrong with their computer and they'll be calling me wanting me to fix the sprinkler system. I'm not interested.
Just the name Irrigation "Caddy" suggests this is for golf courses.
No doubt you'll have others chiming in on this. Pro or Con. Time will tell.

Roklem

New Member

Posts: 11

Location: Greenville SC

3

Thursday, March 29th 2012, 1:23pm

I'm a network engineer, so that part is cake :D

Being that I'm not finding much, I don't know if they're just a small outfit or if the product is just inferior and poorly supported. Then again as you said, it might just be too "complicated" for the average sprinkler pro (absolutely no offense meant as I completely agree and understand the support issues you mentioned... you don't need to be a computer AND sprinkler engineer).

GatorGuy

Moderator

Posts: 465

4

Thursday, March 29th 2012, 1:26pm

Never heard of it but that doesn't mean much. New products out there every day.
Specs seem ok.


There are a number of Ethernet based controllers out there. You don't hear much about them because they have just recently broken through to the collective conscious. Don't forget, most irrigators are very conservative and like to go with things they know. Myself included.

We liked THIS ONE best. Have been having pretty good luck with it.

I'll have to leave it to someone else to give you an opinion on yours.

Roklem

New Member

Posts: 11

Location: Greenville SC

5

Thursday, March 29th 2012, 1:28pm

I will throw out as well, we're looking at under 10 zones, likely 6-7.

mrfixit

Moderator

Posts: 1,308

Location: USA

6

Thursday, March 29th 2012, 1:46pm

Don't get me wrong. I'm not computer illiterate at all. I've been inside MY router hundreds of times. I'll even fix an occasional computer for a client. I don't want it to be part of my job description though. I surely don't want to have to look up how to configure THEIR router while I'm there. Who has time for that.

GatorGuy

Moderator

Posts: 465

7

Thursday, March 29th 2012, 2:01pm

The people buying our comparable (superior, of course) product, the Cyber-Rain , are all comfortable with the programming required. It's like they have to have a certain level of confidence to even consider it, as Roklem does.

I have two concerns FROM AN INSTALLER VIEWPOINT, not a user and not as a product slam.

1. I get calls from people who have messed with and lost their controller settings on the simplest controllers out there. I'd be scared to give someone one of these and my phone number. They'd have to pass a test or something first...

2. The second is the fact that I can't find anything online on this controller other than a couple of sites selling it. It gets decent to good reviews but I'm a little concerned about support when problems arise. I can't find any support hours on their website.

Sure would like to find someone who has used it.

Wet_Boots

Supreme Member

Posts: 3,618

Location: Metro NYC

8

Thursday, March 29th 2012, 2:03pm

Pros who charge by the hour don't need anything that requires a homeowner's computer, and homeowners who depend on professionals will have nothing to do with this sort of thing, because the professionals will have nothing to do with them. In some parts of the country, controllers are mounted outdoors, giving repair and programming access when no one is home.

Roklem

New Member

Posts: 11

Location: Greenville SC

9

Saturday, March 31st 2012, 8:16am

Anyone with experience?

Wet_Boots

Supreme Member

Posts: 3,618

Location: Metro NYC

10

Saturday, March 31st 2012, 10:37am

Strictly from an energy-consumption standpoint, these toys are wasteful. Standalone sprinkler controllers are very low-energy devices, as befits something that might have the need for extended battery-powered timekeeping during power failures. If you want to do it right, use a standard controller, and investigate one of these toys as an add-on.

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