Market guide
Choose station count, local control and an expansion path
Price the controller required over its service lifeThe right controller starts with the wire map, current station count, credible expansion, mounting location and the amount of local control needed when the connected path is unavailable.
01
Stations
Count real outputs and future work
Map every valve, master valve, pump relay and spare conductor before comparing fixed and modular platforms.
- Fixed
- A separate larger chassis is not the same as adding a field module later.
- Modular
- Price the base, station modules, cabinet space and total output load at the expected final size.
02
Local
Choose the offline operating model
Separate stored-schedule execution, controller-face editing, nearby Bluetooth or guest mode and full remote access.
- Fallback
- Write a locally compliant conservative schedule that survives loss of the app or internet.
- Account
- A connected feature may depend on registration, location, permissions and continuing vendor service.
03
Site
Define the installed system
Include enclosure, transformer, relays, sensors, modules, network reach, service access and labor.
- Mounting
- Indoor and outdoor labels, high- and low-voltage separation and conduit details matter.
- Boundary
- Controller replacement does not repair pressure, coverage, backflow, valves or buried wiring.
Evidence used
First-party sources behind this guide
- 01Weather-based irrigation controllersU.S. EPA WaterSense · checked August 18, 2026Open source
- 02Weather-based controller resourcesIrrigation Association · checked August 18, 2026Open source
- 03Residential irrigation controllersRain Bird · checked August 18, 2026Open source