Concur with Matt Dildy. I was just at some continuing education classes and no body even mentioned them. There was an irrigation expo where vendors set up shop and share all of the new technology.
If you do want to save water, look at the Toro O series or precision series nozzles and the Hunter MP rotators. The solar sync is a good option, because from a repair option your issues will be above ground. The moisture sensors can give you headaches down the road and give your system a point of vulnerability. RainBird has a controller and weather station option that is pretty cheap too.
You are the customer, as you discuss with your installer keep in mind most installers are pretty set in their ways, but we are learning all of the time.
Have a great project!