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...

Depends upon what plants you have and their layout. Some folks combine macro and micro, each on its own valve.

Thanks lehua13 and mike1059. I've read the installation and setup manual for the ESP-SMT and I agree there's a lot of information needed but I'm sure I could eventually gather it all. I decided to continue using our Hunter timer with Rain Bird WR2 rain sensor because we get very little rain here I'm guessing the ESP-SMT would want to run the irrigation a lot. Over watering here with our red clay is not the problem. If we were in an area where frequent rain was normal, then I think the unit would be more suited for monitoring and controlling the irrigation.

That's what I do now, but it's a PITA. I'm forever adjusting the run times, turning it off, turning it on. My controller at the old house at least allowed me to specify a number of rain delay days and to make percentage seasonal adjustments. The current one requires a step ladder, a flashlight and a lot of button tapping for the same activity. By the time it rains again, the battery has died on the rain sensor. My real problem, though, is that when I travel in the spring and fall. rain and Santa Anas always seem to arrive while I'm gone!