There are five types of garden sprinklers: Stationary sprinklers, Rotary sprinklers, Oscillating sprinklers, Pulsating or impulse sprinklers and Traveling sprinklers. The garden sprinkler one should purchase is determined by the type and size of coverage needed and price range.

1. Stationary Sprinklers:
Stationary sprinklers spray water through a pattern of holes in the top of the sprinkler. They are low cost sprinklers. Small garden areas are watered quickly and effectively by stationary sprinklers. Stationary sprinklers come in a variety of designs including rings, full and half circle, which spray water through rows of holes along the top edge for a circular pattern. Also available are salt shaker types having a single pattern on a sled or spike, multiple salt shaker patterns which can be set to different patterns such as square, rectangle, strips, circles or swirling type spot sprinklers.

2. Oscillating Sprinklers:
Oscillating sprinklers spray multiple streams of water out of openings in a spray tube that "oscillates" back and forward, watering in a rectangular pattern. Traditional designs use curved aluminum tubes whereas contemporary designs use corrosion-free, molded straight tubes with jets set at progressive angles. Oscillating sprinklers water medium to large areas and are popular designs. Recent designs on some models allow full operation at lower water pressures. Pattern adjustments are usually full sweep, left, right, or center and units with multi-position dials allow fine tuning coverage settings between these basic settings.

3. Pulsating or Impulse Sprinklers:
Pulsating or Impulse sprinklers are the one of the most efficient and versatile. A pulsating sprinkler operates on lower pressure yet discharges more water in a given period of time and covers a greater area than other sprinklers. The spray is strong, wind-resistant and the large orifice prevents clogging, unlike oscillator holes. Pulsating sprinklers are available in materials like brass, zinc, aluminum, plastic, stainless steel and combinations.

4. Rotary Sprinklers:
Rotary sprinklers spray water from the tips of spray arms that spin while the sprinkler waters the lawn. These spray arms have fixed or adjustable tips and are designed for watering small to medium-sized areas.

5. Traveling Sprinklers:
Traveling sprinklers are self propelled and designed to cover large, irregular areas. They are of two types namely wind-up and tractor. A shutoff valve is a feature on both types. Garden is watered by two arms like a rotary sprinkler and area of coverage can be changed by adjusting these arms. Wind-up units have a laid cord, two speeds and large hose capacities. Tractor units drag the hose behind them.

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