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So, you’re looking for a new irrigation controller for your commercial property? But unlike your last controller, you want something that has the latest tech, and also makes your job easier. You're looking for a smart irrigation controller. But you need to be careful. Not all smart irrigation controllers are the same. Each one has its benefits and its drawbacks. There are also quite a few smart irrigation controllers to choose from. But what is the best smart irrigation controller? Luckily, Smart Rain is here for you. We did the research so that you don’t have to. Here are our picks for the six best smart irrigation controllers for commercial properties:
Things To Consider Before Buying a Smart Irrigation Controller
Before making your decision, you’re going to need to find out what is good for your property. Commercial irrigation controllers are designed to make watering large areas easier and more efficient. Before purchasing a commercial irrigation controller, it is important to consider several factors such as the size of the area that needs to be watered, the type of vegetation that needs to be irrigated, and the available water resources in order to choose the right system for your needs.
The cost of installing and running a commercial irrigation controller should also be taken into consideration, as it can be quite expensive. The compatibility of the controller with existing infrastructure should also be checked to ensure that it will integrate seamlessly.
Finally, the maintenance requirements for each type of irrigation controller should be examined in order to determine which system is most suitable for your needs and budget. By taking all of these factors into account, you can ensure that the irrigation controller you purchase is the best one for your commercial landscape needs.
What is a smart irrigation controller?
The top irrigation controllers all have one thing in common: they are all smart irrigation controllers. They run and opporate smart irrigation systems that help you to effeciently irrigate your property. It's important for you to understand that these are tools, but a whole smart irrigation system is the ideal solution for commercial properties.
Check out the main features of Toro TMC Series Controllers:
Maximum number of zones: 24
EPA WaterSense Certified
Uses Toro Precision Soil Sensors for weather data
Ablility to control other landscape fixtures from controller
The Toro TMC is for smaller properties. It doesn’t have the power that other commercial irrigation controllers have. Every controller certainly has its place, and maybe the Toro TMC is right for you. But here are some drawbacks you may want to consider:
The maximum zone capability is low, compared to other controllers.
Unlike other controllers that use off-site weather data, Toro TMC Series is limited to one weather source.
Does not have predictive scheduling for severe weather.
As stated before, the Toro TMC has some great features but may be lacking in some basic capabilities that could make the job of a facility manager much easier.
5. Rain Bird ESP Series
Here is a list of the features from the Rain Bird ESP Series controllers:
Maximum number of zones: 240 (when installed with ESP-LXIVM)
EPA WaterSense Certified
Uses World Weather Online to gather data about weather for responsive irrigation monitoring
Rain delay is either automatic or manual, which isn’t something that other controllers do
Rain Bird is a household name when it comes to residential sprinklers and irrigation. But how do they measure up to the competition in the commercial irrigation market? The ESP series certainly packs a punch, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t drawbacks to their offerings. Here are some things to note when looking at the Rain Bird ESP series:
Additional add-ons to make your controller WiFi capable. This comes at an extra cost.
There is no zone customization, making it difficult to get the coverage you need.
Controller may be overkill for a property that has less zones.
Rain Bird may be popular and well known, but these drawbacks make choosing Rain Bird a hard choice. To get the coverage you need and to save money, you may want to look elsewhere.
4. Hunter Industries HCC Irrigation Controller
Here are some of the features for the Hunter HCC:
Maximum number of zones: 54
EPA WaterSense Certified
Touch-Screen Interface
Predictive Watering Adjustments
The Hunter HCC has several valuable tools for a property manager who's considering an irrigation controller. The weather-based adjustments make the Hunter HCC an obvious choice because it can save you money and water. But there are certainly some drawbacks to the Hunter HCC. Here’s a quick overview of the drawbacks:
No zone customization. This could make it difficult to get adequate coverage on your whole property.
Connectivity is limited to WiFi only, while other controllers have other methods of connectivity.
Rain delay isn’t automatic, but manual.
Though the HCC is a quality controller, it may be lacking in some of the latest features that may come from some competing controllers. Keep these things in mind as you are shopping for smart irrigation controllers.
3. HydroPoint WeatherTRAK
HydroPoint WeatherTRAK contains the following features:
Maximum number of zones: 100
EPA WaterSense Certified
Collects data from 45,000+ government-related weather stations across North America
The HydroPoint WeatherTRAK utilizes current local weather and forecasting data from weather stations to source rain data to get the most accurate information to your system. This helps you save money with automatic weather adjustments. They also have features for multisite management portals for easier multi-user access. Here are the drawbacks to the HydroPoint WeatherTRAK smart irrigation controller:
It has a lot of power and may have a bigger capacity than what you need.
Only uses LTE connectivity
2. Hydro-Rain HRC 900 Series
Hydro-Rain HRC 900 Series contains the following features:
Maximum number of zones: 63
EPA WaterSense Certified
Uses Aeris Weather zones to get weather data
It has several connectivity options: WiFi (2.4 GHz), bluetooth, cellular, and radio frequency.
One of the biggest benefits of the Hydro-Rain HRC 900 Series is the options that are available for connectivity. With these capabilities, you’ll have the ability to have back-up plans for connectivity in case of an interruption. It also comes with built-in audit options that help with water conservation. This controller comes in at number two on our list because of all the features and this single drawback to having the Hydro-Rain HRC 900:
The Rain Delay function has to be programed manually by the user and isn’t automatic.
Very impressive feature coming out of Hydro-Rain, but not being able to have auto rain delay may be a function you want. If that is something you are looking for, you may want to look elsewhere for your irrigation controller.
1. Smart Rain SmartController® Irrigation Device - The Best Smart Irrigation Controller
The Smart Rain SmartController® is the industry standard when it comes to smart irrigation controllers. Just from the features alone, it's objectively clear that the SmartController® is the best smart irrigation controller for commercial properties. The most sought after features from all controllers can be found packed inside the SmartController®:
Uses predictive scheduling in case of rain or freeze
Gives you zone customization for maximum coverage
Will use cellular and WiFi connectivity and will also operate if there is no internet connection
ET (evapotranspiration) data is gathered by our system. This is something that is being studied and heavily utilized in the Smart Rain SmartController®. The Developers at Smart Rain are seeing a huge benefit to understanding how ET is affecting our landscapes. The SmartController® can also self-diagnose problems that occur in your landscape.
The SmartController® gives automatic over-the-air software updates to your system that make it simple and easy to keep it up-to-date. Plus, if there are any problems that are occurring with your system, Smart Rain has a 24/7 customer support team that can help resolve any issues simply and quickly.
Smart Rain also offers different types of SmartControllers®. The SmartController® Original Gen 4 offers high power and capacity for larger properties. Our SmartController® 2-Wire gives you the same capabilities of the SmartController® Original Gen 4 but in a 2-wire controller. Lastly, there is the SmartController® Lite, which has a lower zone capacity for smaller commercial properties.
A unique feature that the SmartController® offers is the easy-to-use touchscreen interface. With this intuitive interface, you will be able to easily program your SmartController® to the exact specifications that you need. This is a key feature that sets the Smart Rain SmartController® apart from other smart irrigation controllers on the market.
When comparing the Smart Rain SmartController®, it’s easy to see why Smart Rain has developed our number one pick for the best smart irrigation controller. Along with our SmartSolution®, Smart Rain will be able to provide you with the best smart irrigation system in the industry.
After looking at all the latest, greatest, and most technologically-advanced smart irrigation controllers on the market, we hope this list can help you make the best and most informed decision for your property. Whether you oversee a larger area of landscaping, or a smaller commercial property, we hope this list will give you an idea of what controller would be just right for your property.
