There are all questions Landscape Contractors have asked themselves at one time or another. So as to help answer some of these questions, a variety of industry professionals were contacted and asked what factors they thought of when picking the right controller for the job.

One of the most popular factors among landscape professions was user compatibility, dictated by who was going to be programming the clock. For a residential project where the user is not technically savvy (the inability to set one's VCR clock was a common joke), an electromechanical controller is probably the best route, since programming is just a matter of pushing in or pulling out pins on a clock wheel on the unit. Some maintenance professionals speak fluent Spanish, so controllers with bilingual panels are ideal. "Sometimes it just has to be simple enough that the average person can operate it," noted Rod Crossman, Vice President of Business Development at Brookwood Landscape in San Diego, CA. "Some controllers are too complex and if they aren't programmed right, the landscape suffers for it."

The number of stations a controller has and the variety of programming options also plays a key factor. When a landscape has just basic trees and shrubs to irrigate, a small number of stations with limited capability is more than adequate. But regulating a landscape with many micro-climates increases the need for a complex system. "Being able to get all of the valves on one controller is important and more efficient than having four controllers," added Jim Eddy, Principal Irrigation Consultant at James D. Eddy Associates in San Ramon, CA. "To do this, a controller needs to have an adequate number of stations and must have flexible programming so that it can run a variety of systems, including long-period drip."

Some of the program features most desirable include: multiple start-and-stop times; fine-tuned water budgeting features; the ability to stack programs and run programs simultaneously without confusion; 365-day calendar which allows the user to micro-manage programs based on weather concerns, special events and overall climate type; and the ability to time-delay cycles and adjust run time in small increments.

Sensor interface is important in most areas, particularly areas know for inclement weather. Rain-senors and moisture sensors are ideal for areas where rain and water are sparse. Wind sensors are also effective, but a lot of contractors look for a combination of those functions with an Evapotranspiration-based controller. "It is definitely preferable to have an ET controller," remarked LASN Associate Editor/Irrigation Editor David Pagano. "The ET formula is created from weather data. The formula estimates how much water is going to evaporate from the plant material. Let's say on a day like today (about 85 degrees in Orange, CA) 2/10ths of an inch might be the rate for an area of turfgrass. Therefore, the controller would program itself to replace a combination of much water as the plant is using and the extra water which evaporated."

Cost can also be a major factor, cost is outweighed by reliability and durability. Eddy recommended that a Landscape Contractor ask his peers what controllers they like, which have had the best track records and the lowest callback rate. Also important is the environment, which may test the durability of the controller. "One problem I have with many digital controllers is the plastic casing," Bob Lavardo, President of Horticultural Management Systems in Arizona stated. "The plastic casing is sometimes not as durable as it needs to be." In places like Arizona, plastic is not feasible during the hot summer months, but even metal encasing is sometimes not enough and the micro-circuitry can be damaged. Some controllers for outdoor use can be equipped with internal fans to keep the heat down during the day. Likewise, some companies make light bulbs to help keep circuitry warm in places where snow is common (Eddy added that is some cases, like the high desert, temperature extremes often require both varieties of protection. Lightning protection is also a consideration for areas frequented by thunderstorms, but keep in mind, even the most durable digital controllers may not have enough protection to survive a lightning strike unscathed).

These are all important factors to consider when choosing the right controller for the job, but there are many smaller factors, including personal preference, which help the Landscape Contractor come to the final decision. "The key is getting the best value from a controller," concluded Crossman. "You want a controller which is reliable and has all the features needed for the job. You want the controller which will give you the most bang for your buck." lcm