Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/217788
Irrigation and Water Management IRRIGATION INNOVATIONS he Irrigation Show's New Product Contest recognizes products in three irrigation categories (landscape/golf, agriculture and specialty). Products are evaluated by a panel of judges based on innovative and/or "changed for T the better" qualities, increased water efficiency, ease of use, cost benefits, time savings and design quality. The following products were finalists in the landscape/golf category at Irrigation Show 2013, Nov. 6-7 in Austin, Texas: Agrifim Universal Conversion Kit The Agrifim FR2 17-710 Universal Conversion Kit and Cap Pop have been engineered to be universal and work with all types of spray head zones. This Universal Conversion Kit features a 30-psi regulator, 150 Mesh filter, and a flow of 6.5 gallons per minute. It features a low-profile design to provide an at-grade connection to the tubing. In addition, the unit was designed to incorporate a built-in connection for both tee or elbow configurations. The unit's 6.5-gpm flow rate allows installations to be completed with fewer units. The Cap Pop is Agrifim's solution to capping off a spray head. This innovative product provides a simple universal solution to cap off water-wasting spray heads. The two-piece design works with all popular spray head designs. It can be used when converting spray head zones to drip irrigation, as well as to cap off spray heads no longer necessary in the landscape. Avidz BlueSpray Avidz LLC launched a Web-enabled irrigation controller named BlueSpray. Designed to keep homeowners out of the garage, BlueSpray has no dial or buttons at all. Access is done via WiFi-enabled devices such as computer, tablet or smart phone. The user interface features a picture of the homeowner's property with drag-and-drop zones, making it very easy to use and intuitive. BlueSpray offers unlimited programs, start times and seasons, which enables user to configure different watering schedule for each season — thus saving water. When it runs in "Internet" mode, the controller can get on the Internet through the homeowner's WiFi network and access NOAA weather data to delay watering when rain is in the forecast or when it's too cold or too windy. BlueSpray is available in 8 to 24 zones (residential) and can go up to as much as 128 zones for commercial installations. ETwater HermitCrab 2 with flow monitoring HermitCrab 2 is a self-contained communication and control device that plugs into the remote control port of most major brands of controllers to provide all the benefits of an ETwater Smart irrigation management system without the cost involved in re-wiring an entire site. HermitCrab 2 connects wirelessly to ETwater Web servers to compute and implement ideal daily irrigation schedules to provide 20 to 50 percent in water savings. HermitCrab 2 has upgraded from 2G to 3G modems and networks, allowing for better coverage and signal strength. This means better access to irrigation installations over wireless networks and faster navigation on wireless devices. Also in this new generation, HermitCrab 2 adds the capability to monitor and manage flow, with reporting on learned flow rates per controller and per station. HermitCrab 2 customers can capture real-time data on breaks, leaks, blockages, and other events that cause high flow, with automatic shut-off for high-flow events. Ground Cover Industries Zip Fill n Go tree watering bag The Zip Fill n Go tree watering bag is a slow-release watering system designed for newly planted or existing trees. It delivers a high volume of water (up to 20 gallons) directly to the tree without runoff or evaporation. Super-easy installation — simply "zip" it around the tree, "fill" the bag with water and "go" do something else. Hunter G885 TTS and DIH golf rotor Hunter's new G885 golf rotor was introduced in spring 2013. Versatility, durability and water efficiency are the hallmarks of this new Total Top Serviceable (TTS) and optional Decoder-In-Head (DIH) model. The specifications include flows from 8 to 58 gpm with a radius range from 40 to 90 feet, as well as dual-trajectory capabilities with a standard wind-fighting trajectory of 22.5 degrees and a low-angle trajectory of 15 degrees. The 60to 360-degree adjustable-arc G885 can be converted to true non-reversing full-circle mode with a simple rotation of the arc adjustment ring and optionally to an opposing nozzle configuration. Every G85 includes a ratcheting riser for easy arc orientation, as well as contour back-nozzle capabilities with a wide selection of nozzles. Water efficiency is optimized as a result of Hunter's exclusive PressurePort nozzle technology. 22 Landscape and Irrigation November/December 2013 www.landscapeirrigation.com