Choosing The Right Remote Control Made Easy

Eagle Sales has represented TRC Irrigation Remotes for more than 15 years. Over those years we have matched landscape contractors, municipalities, water managers, and even homeowners with systems that best fit their needs. However, this process is not always easy due to the diversity of controllers in the field. Unfortunately, there is no "one size fits all" solution, but TRC does offer the most affordable, hassle free, options no matter what your requirements. The following will hopefully shed some light on the features of the different TRC remotes to assist in the selection process. But if you are like 99% of our customers, you may want to speak with one of Eagle Sales' 7 field representatives to help you across the finish line. No problem, we love to help. We'll even meet you at the job site so you can try a remote for yourself. So here goes:

All remote control systems consist of a portable hand held transmitter and a temporary or permanent receiver with antenna at the controller. That's pretty much what we call a remote system. TRC makes remotes and receivers for specific controller brands as well as universal systems for all brands. If you are selecting a remote system for a specific controller only, you will simply need to purchase the appropriate TRC Sidekick Controller Specific remote. We offer 5 different models and they can be found at:

www.irrigationremotes.com/irrigation/irrigation-new-sidekick.htm

However, say you are a maintenance contractor and need to be prepared for any situation, you have 3 options available to you; good, better and best. These are a the Commander 32 , the Sidekick 24 and the Sidekick 12.  The main differences between the Commander and Sidekick systems is the maximum number of stations (12,24,32) the three different models can turn on if no DCI (Direct Controller Interface, also called the Remote Ready Port) is available on the controller. A more common way to describe the DCI feature would be "Plug & Play". This allows the user to simply walk up to the controller and plug in the receiver as if you were plugging your IPOD into a computer. It's ready to go. The absence of a DCI is usually limited to older commercial grade and most small residential controllers. However, if there is a DCI available, with the appropriate connector between the receiver and controller, all stations on most controllers can be operated by the Sidekick 12, Sidekick 24, or Commander 32 systems. The Commander 32's major benefit beyond the 8 extra stations it can operate in the absence of a DCI are: It can operate multiple receivers or receiver cards and offers timed operation.  Usually a Sidekick System with the right connectors covers the needs of most maintenance contractors. TRC connectors can be found at www.irrigationremotes.com.

If there is no DCI present on the controller, you will need to use one of TRC's  Permanent or Temporary Connectors. This will allow you to take your screw driver and attach each station wire of the receiver directly to the terminal strip of the controller. Not as easy as the other way but if you chose the Permanent Controller Connector you only have to wire it once.  TRC offers one for every situation.

Of course you don't need to buy everything all at once. Most buy a system and add connectors as needed.  Moreover, 32 station connectors will cover 24,18,12,8 station controllers so no need to buy them all, just the biggest one for your worst case scenario if you have to wire the damn thing.  My recommendation for most is this: If the majority of what your remote control system will be used for is newer DCI equipped, commercial controllers (last 10 years or so) I would go with the Sidekick 24 system. This will provide full operation on most "Plug & Play" controllers and 24 stations on the rest ( all with the proper connectors). Furthermore, you can also wire your 24 station connector to most DCI equipped controllers until you are ready to cough up the dough for the DCI connector.  Again, all Eagle sales people  have the ability to demo TRC as well as all of our product lines quickly and easily over the web via  www.gotomeeting.com if an in person meeting won't work. Just ask.