Susan,

Are the bids itemized? Can you determine where the differences in cost lies(pun). Why not a third quote? Can you give us the breakdown of quantities.

Hunter Review link: http://austin.citysearch.com/review/44659312

Weathermatic: http://www.amazon.com/Weathermatic-SL1600-Zone-Irrigation-Controller/product-reviews/B001PMY6QQ/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

$1,500 is what percent of the total average bid?

Aloha

I work as an irrigation service tech,we use Hunter in general.the clocks are easy for the homeowner to operate,the heads can last upwards of 20 years. Weathermatic is nothing bad either,their valves are better than hunter by far.a valve is a valve as long as it lasts,you wont do much with the valves. but weathermatic have a little tab as a bleeder rather than a screw type on hunter. RAIN BIRD is another GREAT NAME. they are always on the cutting edge of technology. if you have any questions,just post them. i love answering peoples questions about my line of work lol. i cant get the knowledge out fast enough.