Rain Bird unveils new integrated course control solution

By Golfdom Staff| January 7, 2020 0 Comments

Rain Bird’s Golf Division introduced a new integrated course control solution that makes it possible to install satellites and the IC System on the same wire path. This new course control solution, Integrated Control Interface Plus (ICI+) allows superintendents to renovate or expand their existing satellite system in phases, at a lower cost and with less disruption to the golf course, the company said.

Rain Bird’s new ICI+ two-wire system communicates with existing and new Rain Bird Satellite and IC Systems. (Photo: Rain Bird)

Available in two different versions: ICI+ two-wire and the ICI+LINK. The ICI+ System replaces Rain Bird Golf’s current MIM (MAXI Interface Module) and MIM LINK Satellite interfaces, as well as the current ICI (IC System interface). The ICI+ two-wire version communicates with existing and new Rain Bird Satellite and IC Systems, and the ICI+LINK version communicates with existing and new LINK satellite systems (with the option to add the IC System).

“This interface is the first in the golf irrigation industry to offer fully integrated course control, allowing the golf course to splice into the nearest satellite wire path and add integrated control modules (ICMs) without running wire all the way back to the maintenance facility,” Carolyn Maloney, product manager for Rain Bird Golf, said. “With the ICI+, courses with satellite systems can now easily get the benefits of our IC System and its companion IC Connect devices — benefits like advanced diagnostics, easy expansion, precision watering and the ability to integrate and interact with sensors and other field equipment.”

Rain Bird has also developed a new IFX Satellite Board that will be installed in all new PAR+ES Satellites and is also compatible with Rain Bird’s older satellites and the MIM Satellite interfaces. This board allows courses to put IC rotors or Integrated Control Modules (ICMs) on a satellite’s wire path. The IFX board is both backward and forward compatible, and courses can connect their current satellite systems to the technology offered by IC and IC CONNECT.

“We believe the ICI+ is absolutely the best solution for phased renovations,” Maloney said. “It’s far easier and more economical to add the IC System to an existing satellite system than to start over from scratch. By introducing this new integrated solution, Rain Bird is leading the way in two-wire technology for the golf course market.”