This Irrigation Insights information package brings together information on current equipment and techniques for measuring and monitoring soil water status, extending to their use as controllers in automatic irrigation systems. The main part of the package focuses on equipment with agents and backup within Australia. The hub of the publication is a collection of tables summarising the main product features. This enables product features to be compared quickly. As well as technical data, there is also commercial information on suppliers, contact details, availability and price (accurate at October 2004). Case studies from personal experience and from the literature provide further insight into the advantages and limitations of each device in relation to its potential applications.