@dalehileman,
I installed and relied on
one drip irrigation system so I'm not trying to pose as an expert. My experience, however, was very positive. The problems in drip irrigation systems seem to have more to do with the water system than the drip emitter delivery system. You need to compute the diameter and spacing of your tubing and drip points based on the size of the irrigated plot, and account for grade and distance. Whether you're using a well, a cistern, or a reservoir, you'll be dealing with electric pumps, manifolds, valves, filters, and gauges. This is where you'll end up performing the bulk of system maintenance. I have seen micro-drip installations with individual bags and tubes set up, much like the IV tree in a hospital. For very small plots, a gravity fed system would eliminate the need for a lot of plumbing.