I have a one-acre lot at the edge of the Texas desert (Live Oak county if you're looking it up). I have about 10,000 square feet in grass. I have an in ground system but prefer to use hoses and oscillators to target where the water goes. I have four 75-foot hoses and four oscillating sprinklers. Cost is under $200. With my climate I could probably run those for 4 hours, 3 days a week, moving them around to get full coverage once every week. Doing that for a full acre would be tedious. If you are not already mowing at your mower's highest setting, then make that adjustment immediately. I am doing an experiment on my lawn to see how tall grass affects the demand for water. I have one area under a tree that has not been watered since October of 2011. Here is a picture. Grass height is about 30 inches (St Augustine). That was taken a year ago after six months with only rainfall. There are other parts of the lawn, out in full sun, that must be watered weekly. The grass out in the full sun has not been able to grow up that tall. With that in mind, I would suggest mowing at the highest setting, mowing only every 3 weeks, and watching the grass for signs of wilting. Clearly from my experiment, tall St Aug can go longer without water than short St Aug. When it wilts, water it immediately and water deeply. Note also that there are no weeds in the tall grass. There is far too much shade for anything else to get started.

I don't know about the price, but I would stay away from Orbit. I don't like their heads at all, but I can't speak to their control systems or valves. In terms of brand, I greatly favor Rain Bird and Hunter for valves and heads. The only thing I've had to replace on my Rain Bird valves are diaphragms, and that's probably because a) the system was abandoned for 2 years prior to my purchase of the house and b) there were broken pieces of PVC in the line because the former owner broke off the pipe when he removed the irrigation pump (he was a real winner). I've helped other neighbors with their systems including their control boxes, and from that experience I can say with mild authority that Hunter and Rain Bird get it done. I hear good things about Weathermatics, but I haven't used them myself. In terms of your pricing, it's hard to say what's reasonable when we don't know about the number of zones and heads you'll have. Definitely get yourself multiple quotes and find out what control systems, valves and heads they'll be using. Get a projected layout as well.

I have had the best luck with a Craftsman Quiet Pulse Rotary Sprinkler. Its only available at Sears. There are two versions, one has a base that sits on the ground while the other has a spike that sticks into the lawn. The one with the base has a timer. With timer is $30 without is $20. I have gone through so many sprinklers its not even funny. This one is the only one that gives even coverage and covers a very large to very small area depending on your needs. You should definently try it. It really is fantastic and i know you wouldn't be disappointed with it.

Ok so it sounds like poly-pipe is still an option. My plan has coming out of the meter a master shut off valve then to a back flow device followed by a valve that will de-presurize the main line when not in use. It just seemed like on the website for that length of distance 1" and a 1/4" is required. I can't do a loop since the left of our property is a giant concrete driveway with a side entrance garage, the drive goes all the way to the property line. I live in a large city though so it should't be a problem to get either pipe. But if poly will do the job the way I'm planning, it seems like it would be a lot easier to work with. As to the heads, if I want the Hunter rotors to spray near 40 feet (overlaping with other rotors) does 3 sound like a good number for an average zone. I have a 3/4" copper connection to the street and 4 houses down 70psi is present. Or maybe I am under using the zones. They all would be 180 degrees in this set up. I suppose if pvc is smarter way to go I could deal with the extra gluing and fittings. Just my neighboor friend might not be as helpful going against his advice :( He said he'll come over with the trencher he is renting saturday and trench around the meter and help me get the master installed :)