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/48345
Irrigation and Water Management Irrigation Innovations E ach year, there are some amazing inno- vations in irrigation. The Irrigation As- sociation (IA) recognizes many of these technologies during the Irrigation Show via the IA's New Product Contest. The following is an overview of this year's New Product Con- test winner, and the rest of this year's nominees, in the Turf/Landscape category. Cyber-Rain XCI Cloud Cyber-Rain, maker of Internet-based Rain Bird HE-VAN nozzle (2011 IA New Product Contest award winner, Turf/Landscape division) The Rain Bird HE-VAN nozzle combines the water savings of a high-efficiency nozzle with the simplicity and versatility of a variable- arc nozzle. Features include the following: * Greater flexibility: With full adjustability from 0 to 360 degrees, the HE-VAN helps you water landscapes of all sizes and shapes, while carrying fewer nozzles in your truck. * More uniform coverage: Patented Flow Notch technology delivers superior close-in watering and more uniformity over the entire spray pattern. * Shorter run times: With HE-VAN noz- zles, you'll be able to reduce run times by 35 percent over typical VANs and by 10 percent over traditional MPR nozzles. * Lower list pricing: You'll be able to install this innovative technology on virtually any landscape, regardless of budget. * More options: Available in popular 12- and 15-foot radii, HE-VAN nozzles also offer matched precipitation with Rain Bird MPR nozzles, so you can install both nozzle models on the same zone. * Cleaner edges: ExactEdge takes the guess- work out of arc adjustment, delivering a clean, consistent right edge. www.landscapeirrigation.com Smart irrigation control systems, extended the functionality of its XCI Cloud product. XCI Cloud allows managers of commercial and res- idential properties to manage an unlimited number of sites and controllers from any Internet-connected computer — and even through their Smart phones. Cyber-Rain products are so efficient that they qualify for water-efficiency rebates around the country. Cyber-Rain central irrigation control systems automatically adjust watering schedules based on local weather information. Cyber-Rain does not charge a monthly fee for weather feeds, which helps managers of properties dra- matically reduce operational costs. Among the features offered in the latest version of the XCI Cloud product are the addition of odd-even water scheduling, full integration with Black- berry mobile devices alongside its existing iPhone functionality, and GPS site and con- troller location information. lids and bolt holes. An optional base, also known as the Dirt Skirt, will keep out any bur- rowing rodents, insects or amphibians; and an optional under-lid accessory plate will keep any electronics organized, clean and easily servicea- ble. A rubber-sealed compression lock is achieved when tightening the bolt in the cen- ter of the lid, which in turn compresses a gas- ket, forming a tight seal around the internal circumference of the valve box. The seal, while compressed, will exert an outward and upward pressure to ensure a secure, tight seal and "Lid Lock" function. An optional "Snap Tight" base may also be purchased. Using a series of unique opposing molded ridges, 16 Snap Tight Tabs, and a rubber gasket, will create a bottom seal to ensure no intrusion. ET Water HermitCrab ET Water Systems' HermitCrab is a univer- The Dry Box by Dura Plastic Products, Inc. Dura Plastic's new Dry Box is a water-, insect- and rodent-resistant line of valve boxes. These compression-sealed valve boxes prevent water, insects, snakes, rodents and other un- wanted pests from entering through unsecured sal controller accessory that converts conven- tional irrigation controllers to Web-connected Smart systems. HermitCrab is a small, self- contained, weatherproof unit that easily plugs into a broad range of existing conventional irri- gation controllers, immediately converting them into smart controllers that operate ET Water's award-winning Web service to efficiently and remotely manage landscape irrigation. Ear- lier this year, HermitCrab received a perfect score on the Irrigation Association's Smart Water Application Technology (SWAT) Performance Protocol test. HermitCrab received a 100- percent score in irrigation adequacy, which rep- resents how well irrigation met the needs of the plant material. HermitCrab also received a 100- percent score in irrigation efficiency, which re- flects how well irrigation cycles avoided direct runoff, soak runoff, and exceeding the root zone storage capacity. Landscape and Irrigation 17