MI Software for Rain Bird Cancel The title field is required!

1. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   3/6/2013 3:03 PM

   I have a couple of questions for those that use the MI Software,
   
   What advantages do you see having it vs. not having it?
   
   Any idea of how much average data you use during the season?
   
   Can having log me in do the same thing for you?
   
   Those that do have it, do you use your iPhone or an ipad?
   
   If you have the program on an ipad do you have to use the data plan?
   Can you make notes and changes in the field then download the changes back in the office?
   
   Not knowing enough about how all this works, just trying to get some info on what these programs can do for me and how I might be able to justify upgrading and moving into the 21st (or is it 22nd?) century.
   
   Thanks for any and all answers!
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
2. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   3/6/2013 4:03 PM

   I don't have the MI, but I do use LogMeIn with a tablet computer to access my Irrigation Computer Running Nimbus II. I can also do it through my iPhone and my assistant uses his Android phone. I'm sure my set-up is nowhere as slick as MI, but if money wasn't a issue, many other things would be different. I had to pull the plug on my Freedom radio repeater due to the high cost of buying a new narrowband compliant repeater. Close to $7k when said and done if I remember. I got a 7" Android tablet through Sprint for $99 and they had a special $99 rebate at that time so that was free and I pay $19.95/month for 1Gb of data. Downside...Only one person at a time can be logged in, If you need to get instant access to turn something on or off it can take 30-60 sec to log in, Not the most efficient interface to control a computer, but I've gotten use to it and it works well for us.
   
   Brian Lentz at Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club is the first guy I would talk to about Rainbird MI.

   
   
   
   
3. Brian Lentz

   

   0 posts
   
   3/10/2013 9:03 PM

   Hi Mel,
   
   Having the MI is just like having the freedom only easier and more accurate to use. Not only can you do everything the freedom can but you can update runtime data, adjust and run programs or turn the entire system on and off all from your cell phone, ipad or computer.
   I mainly use my ipad but also use my blackberry, there are times I use SplashTop to connect directly to the Cirrus computer but usually only for diagnosing problems with our link system or adjusting programs from home. I would say I use less then a 1/4 gig per month of data, it's hard to judge due to other usage. You do need the data plan for the ipad and you need to have Internet access on your irrigation computer. My assistants use a Playbook linked through their blackberries so there's no additional data plan needed for them.
   Rainbird has made the MI even easier and more efficient to use with every upgrade. If I'm not mistaken Rainbird has a free 30 day trial offer. We recently trained our new irrigation tech on the MI and unplugged our Freedom. MI is the way to go if your turning stations on and off or just making adjustments in the field, it's much faster than using Logmein. It is costly but I feel it's worth the expense to have total control of your system.
   
   Brian Lentz
   Lakewood Ranch Golf & CC
   Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

   
   
   
   
4. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   3/13/2013 8:03 AM

   Thanks Brian for your answers.
   
   I know I keep coming up with more questions, and my limited tech knowledge, I am having a hard time figuring all the benefits, (just like when we got our iPhones)
   
   My first question is, and it sounds like I can, be sitting at home, have it raining at the course and I can shut down my system from there too? (it sounds like you use your phone if needed, could that be done with the iPad with data?)
   
   It sounds like I can replace my freedom radio as well? (although I do like using my freedom) Can I still use my freedom or someone else on staff while having the MI program too? Or use my freedom to just pop on and check heads to save from using data? I guess in being more accurate then my freedom, I have less chance punching in the wrong numbers and getting golfers wet?
   
   If I have a wi-fi hot spot (either at home, or I know a couple of our facilities have them) can I log in and not use my data on my plan?
   
   Do you have a weather station hooked up to your central control and would you have access to that information too?
   
   I know this doesn't apply to the MI part, but what else are you able to do with your iPad?
   
   Just trying to see everything more that the iPad and MI can do compared to the radio, or running back to the computer to adjust times and stuff. I know that will be the question I get, "well, it only takes you five minutes to get back to the shop" of course I know how distractions occur and things do not get done.
   
   The big deal from what I see is, if I can, turn off the system from home when it rains to help conserve water. Just looking for the most justification I can.
   
   Or, I'm really looking for help explaining the benefits to those that would have to approve it.
   
   As for cost, our GSP subscription is up this year and Rain Bird was running a promotion at the show, renew either with the yearly or single payment option and we can upgrade with MI and tablet. We currently are used to doing the monthly option. I know the service has paid for itself the past nine years with multiple board replacements, a mim box, and last summer a rebuilt computer.
   
   Thanks!
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
5. Brian Lentz

   

   0 posts
   
   3/16/2013 7:03 PM

   Hopefully I can answer some of your questions,
   
   The MI is actually a website run from your central control computer so it can be accessed from any Internet accessible device or location.
   
   You can still use your freedom along with the MI, they work great together. You can use hot spots to access the site but the best option is to have a data plan.
   
   I don't have a weather station but the MI does provide an interface with the weather station on your system. Our courses are spread out so we use several rain cans to turn off the system during storms.
   
   There are some threads on the forum about iPads and their uses but I use mine for a number of my daily duties. Time is money, the more you can do from the course the better, having the ipad and the MI allows me to spend more time on the course where I should be. We renewed our GSP before they offered the bonus of adding the MI to the renewal, it's an option well worth the cost.
   
   Brian Lentz
   Lakewood Ranch G&CC