Marcia, these ET controllers are great, IMO. This is how they work as I understand it: data about your specific landscape (actual types/quantities of plants & trees, turf areas, soil types, etc) is dialed in, then the constant data supplied from a local ET reporting station (temps, humidity, wind, et loss/gain) is then dialed up to a satellite that then beams down to yours & other ET controllers that are linked. The clock is activated only to replace what water that is actaully lost through evapotranspiration (et) for a set period (hours?), and it does this not on a schedule, but only as directed by the et data, so your system could come on anytime, or not at all. I think many new municipalities are drafting regs that will require these systems for commercial installs, and they are offering rebates (like your city is doing) to induce residential users to switch over. I went to 2 different presentations in the last 6 months concerning these systems. Both were done by a consultant, Tim Ashe (?) of Hydropoint, in Petaluma, www.hydropoint.com The seminar I just attended last wed. at the Nevada Landscape Assoc. annual wing-ding adressed the benefit$ to landscapers in retrofitting systems with this controller, and all the positive gain$ as a result to owners and contractors alike). There was a detailed portion of his talk addressing a proper water audit and budget, and realised returns on investment for HOA's and individual's. While the initial install price IS a bit hefty, ($500-$700, sometimes w/ a subscription service tacked on) I think the return on investment such as lowered water bills,healthier, more aesthetic landscapes, reduced paving repairs due to H2O run-off damage,less misdirected fert apps, etc. is significant enough data indeed to convince one to switch over. (One documneted example given was property values of some "test houses" on one street in a retrofitted 80's style track development increased 8%-10% w/in 4 mos. over the same type properties on the next street over, after the retrofit). Once everything is "dialed in" the system works very well. But - you still need to be vigilant about the physical aspect of your system, making sure heads are aligned & functioning properly, valves all ok & drip is up to snuff, etc. I have no first hand residential experience, but the Commercial Maint. div. of our company has participated in a program sponsored by TMWA, the local H2O utility here in Reno. 9 commercial properties (shopping centers, industrial parks) were retrofitted, and the results have been really promising...but it is a bit wierd to see the irr coming on at 3pm on a hot July day...

They used to talk it up. Perhaps there was consumer resistance. I know when I got my Miele coolers, my wi-fi was internal only, mostly for the stereo, and the remote vision module was expensive. It can do things like call you if someone leaves the freezer open, and phone home to tell the techs what the trouble is, but I've had a few reasons to call the techs and they speak human very well, and are very helpful and accommodating without the gizmo. The apps are newer, but I don't even use the Anova app for my circulator. It seems like a bother. I look up the times and temps I want and just set it manually. While there is potential there, it's more of "toys for boys" kind of thing so far, the gizmo that gets the missus her double the price of the big box store appliance. That's a standard kind of marketing tool that predates the world wide web. ;)

UPDATE ON RACHIO. CYBER-RAIN COMPANY APPARENTLY CAME BACK TO LIFE... BUT I DISCARDED THAT 4 YEAR OLD IRRIGATION CONTROLLER ANYWAY. I HAVE HAD THE RACHIO FOR 6 WEKS NOW. IT IS UNBELIEVABLY GOOD AS A PRODUCT. INSTALLATION A BREEZE. SOFTWARE FANTASTIC. CALLED SUPPORT 2 TIMES JUST TO CONFIRM MY UNDERSTANDING OF BEST WAY TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT I WANTED. MORE POWERFUL THAN I THOUGHT. CUSTOMER SERVICE FANTASTIC. IF YOU NEED A NEW OR REPLACEMENT IRRIGATION CONTROLLER. READ THE HUNDREDS OF REVIEWS ON AMAZON. YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG. HIGHLY RECOMMEND EVEN MORE, AFTER RUNNING 6 WEEKS.

I have measured flows on my hand held shower head: max flow = 8.5 l/min, min flow = 5.6 l/min. (max flow=volume control all the way clockwise, min flow=volume control all the way counter-clockwise, flow reduction of 34%) Even with the hand held shower head removed (no restriction at all, free flow out of the hose) my min flow stayed about the same while max flow obviously have increased therefore bumping up flow reduction to something higher than 34%. Since my max flow is fine for me and I would like to see my min flow decreased, the solution of removing flow restrictor will not work for me. There is an option of adding flow restrictor to the Smart Control Cartridge which will reduce max flow, but it should hopefully also reduce min flow which I would like to see. I might try it, but it is a bit painful to disassemble the whole setup. Hoping this info helps someone.