Want to see the fight between rain gun irrigation vs. sprinkler irrigation, then you might enjoy reading this.
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Overview of Rain Guns and Sprinklers
What is a Rain Gun?
Rain guns, also called impact sprinklers or rotor sprinklers, operate much like a sprinkler system. They emit water in a spraying mist or raindrop pattern.
Unlike traditional sprinklers, which have many nozzle heads, rain guns use a single large nozzle or impact head. It spins, emitting water in a wide-radius pattern like rain.
Rain guns are available in a variety of radii ranging from 20 feet up to over 80 feet to cover large areas.
They operate at higher water pressure than standard sprinklers. This allows the nozzle or rotating head to throw water droplets further. The droplet size varies according to the rain or water gun used.
The water distribution is very even across their coverage area. This makes rain guns an efficient choice for watering expansive lawns and gardens.
What is a Sprinkler?
A sprinkler is a device that emits water through holes, also known as nozzles, arranged around a central rotational axis.
Garden sprinklers are available in both stationary and mobile designs. Stationary have fixed heads buried underground. A network of pipes connects them to a permanent irrigation system.
A valve mounts mobile above ground. A hose is attached to the valve for portable watering.
Common types of this include pop-up spray sprinklers. They rise from the lawn surface only when water is flowing.
There are also impact or rotary sprinklers with many rotating nozzle heads. There is also an oscillating sprinkler.
An oscillating sprinkler has a nozzle that sweeps water in an arc. Stationary sprinkler heads range from 4-30 feet in radius, depending on nozzle size and pressure. Mobile sprinklers generally cover a smaller radius of 10-20 feet.
Rain Gun Irrigation vs Sprinkler Irrigation System: Key Differences
There are some notable differences between rain guns and traditional sprinklers:
Spray pattern: Rain guns simulate natural rainfall with a wide umbrella spray, while sprinklers distribute water in concentric circles from fixed or rotating heads.
Installation: Rain guns are more involved in setting up. They need to trench underground to bury supply and distribution pipes. To water the area, they need to trench across it. Sprinkler systems have a simpler setup. They have pop-up risers connected by narrow supply pipes.
Water Pressure: Rain guns need higher water pressure than sprinklers to eject water droplets in their widening-radius spray pattern. This means they are best suited for installation on irrigation systems with enough water pressure.
Water Coverage: Rain guns have a much larger coverage radius than standard sprinklers. They usually water an area 20 feet or wider. Many sprinkler heads would be needed to match the watering area of a single rain gun.
Cost: Due to their larger size and installation process, rain guns generally have higher initial costs than sprinkler systems. But their wider coverage area means fewer heads are needed for the same watered zone.
Maintenance: Rain guns have more complex internal components like jets and rotating spray heads that need occasional cleaning or repairs compared to basic sprinkler nozzles. Clogs are also more common in large-diameter rain gun supply pipes than in smaller lines.
Controlling Water Flow and Pressure
Effective watering requires matching the right flow rate and pressure to the application. Rain guns and sprinklers differ in how they regulate these factors.
Rain Guns:
- Flow rate is determined by nozzle size and cannot be adjusted once installed. Ensure the nozzle specs suit your water needs.
- Pressure is managed upstream using pressure regulators on the main line or built into individual guns. Precise pressure allows for optimizing the radius throw.
- Dial-in pressure is just enough to reach the perimeter without overspray beyond the target zone. Too much pressure wastes water, but too little won’t cover the intended area.
Sprinklers:
- Flow can be adjusted using decorative watering cans, impact wands, or built-in flow control nozzles on better models. This provides flexibility.
- Lower pressure needs mean a single pressure regulator may control multiple zones if sprinklers are gravity-fed by elevation changes.
- Smaller station zones allow activating individual areas precisely as needed without watering the full yard.
Coverage Area: Sprinkler vs rain gun sprinkler irrigation systems
The coverage area that can be achieved is an important factor to consider when choosing between a rain gun or sprinkler system.
Rain gun coverage: A quality rain gun spray pattern typically spans about 20-30 feet in diameter, allowing a single unit to soak around 4,000 square feet of lawn or garden space. Their umbrella-like dispersion works well in broad, open areas.
Sprinkler coverage: Coverage diameter depends on the irrigator type and manufacturer, but as a general guide:
- Pop-up and stationary impact dripper usually deliver around 1,000–2,000 square feet per head
- A higher-end rotating dripper may reach 2,000–3,000 square feet
- Sprinklers in the farm area and sports field sprinklers provide distances up to 50 feet or more
Cost Comparison: Sprinkler vs Raingun irrigation System
When assessing the expenses of rain guns versus sprinkler systems, both initial purchase prices and long-term costs should be weighed.
Rain gun costs:
- Basic models start around $20–30 for lighter-duty use.
- Mid-range guns range from $50 to $100 with better misting nozzles.
- High-end commercial guns exceed $150 for durability.
Sprinkler system costs:
- DIY starter kits with a controller, pipes, and 4-6 heads are $300–$600 installed.
- Professional installation of medium systems covering 5,000–10,000 square feet costs $1,000–3,000.
- Large complex systems may exceed $5,000 for multi-zoned coverage.
Operational and repair costs:
- Rain guns have negligible electricity or repair costs over years of use.
- Drippers require replacing irrigation parts, rewiring, and unclogging over a 15-20-year lifespan.
Water usage:
- Rain guns mimic natural rainfall usage for low water bills.
- Leaky sprinkler systems can unnecessarily drive monthly water costs higher.
Best Applications: Rain Gun Irrigation System vs Sprinkler
When considering a rain gun vs. sprinkler system, the intended application and specific property characteristics will help determine the best choice. Here are some general guidelines:
Rain Guns for Large Lawns/Gardens
For homeowners with:
- Yard sizes over 5,000 sq ft
- Open field-like landscapes
- Slopes under 30° Rain guns are well-suited due to their ability to efficiently cover large contiguous areas with consistent, wide-radius moisture application using fewer heads than sprinklers.
Sprinklers for Small Yards or Beds
It works better for:
- Compact yards under 2,000 sq ft
- Flower/shrub beds requiring targeted watering
- Irregularly shaped areas are hard to cover with rain guns Their flexibility, portability, and adjustable flow make this simpler for watering narrow zones or frequently shifting plantings.
Sprinkler Irrigation System: Better for Slopes or Hillsides?
While some rain guns are optimized for hillsides, steeply sloped yards over 30° grade are generally better irrigated with strategically placed pop-up spray to prevent runoff and evenly hydrate varying elevations that rain guns may over- or under-shoot.
For large open spaces, rain guns are the clear choice, while sprinklers offer more precise control in smaller areas, specialty beds, and extremely sloped terrain.
A drip irrigation system is also the best choice for slopes or hillsides. It can be successfully used in these areas to eliminate erosion and runoff.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Rain Guns Sprinkler System
Advantages
- Easy and quick to set up; no installation is required.
- Highly portable and flexible for irregular spaces.
- Mimic natural rainfall application.
- An inexpensive option for occasional watering.
Disadvantages
- Requires manual labor to move between areas.
- Less consistent coverage than stationary sprinklers.
- Not ideal for large, open lawn areas.
- It is easy to leave areas dry if they are not moved adequately.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Sprinkler irrigation system
Advantages
- Provide automated irrigation on a schedule.
- Covers large, contiguous areas uniformly.
- Set zones allow for different watering needs.
- Can run for extended periods to soak deeply.
Disadvantages
- Higher initial cost for installation.
- Requires setting up permanent underground infrastructure.
- There is less flexibility to adjust coverage areas.
- More prone to leaks, clogs, and repairs over time.
- Fixed spray patterns may leave dry spots in places.
- High upfront investment for a long-term system.
FAQs
Q. How long should I run my rain gun?
A. For most lawns and gardens, 10-15 minutes per zone is enough to apply around 0.1-0.25 inches of water. Clay soils may take slightly longer.
Q. Will my rain gun work with low water pressure?
A. Most rain gun models function well down to 25 PSI, though finer mist nozzles prefer 30 PSI or more. Above 50 PSI, it is fine.
Q. Should I winterize my rain gun?
A. It’s a good idea to drain residual water from hoses and rinse any mud or debris from your rain gun after the season to prevent freezing or blockages over winter.
Q. How often do I need to water with a rain gun?
A. Frequency varies by climate and plant types, but on average, lawns may need water every 5–10 days in the summer and less in the cooler months, while gardens may need watering 2-3 times per week.
Q. Can I attach multiple rain guns together?
A. Yes, using a hose splitter, you can connect two or more rain guns to a single water source and use them to increase coverage area.
Conclusion
It comes down to your specific yard and needs. Rain guns are handy for occasional watering without a long commitment. Target their flexibility in irrigation for various plants.
But if you’ve got a huge lawn or want set-it-and-forget convenience, an underground sprinkler system could serve you better in the long run.
Combine these two rain guns and sprinklers. Rain gun is used for bed and tricky spot, and sprinkler for the big, open areas. Make sure to care for whatever you choose so it lasts.
At the end of the day, both will get the job done, as long as you pick smart based on your space and watering habits.