GPS on a Budget

[BFL4437]

Looking at getting a GPS for drilling but not one that cost a fortune. Wanting it to have some sort of autosteer or assisted steering. What's out there and people's thoughts on them.
Cheers in advance.

 

[BuskhillFarm]

AOG is the only budget system out there. Circa £1000

There’s some Chinese one that are £5000

Or Trimble about £10000

Ag open GPS can do auto steer and or section control. Don’t need to know a lot about computers as you can get all pre made.

@Andy26

 

[PSQ]

AOG is the only budget system out there. Circa £1000

There’s some Chinese one that are £5000

Or Trimble about £10000

Ag open GPS can do auto steer and or section control. Don’t need to know a lot about computers as you can get all pre made.

@Andy26

It's not that long ago that Trimble were supplying the FM-750 for £2600, and an EZ-Steer for £2000 with the tractor 'platform kit' included, and free RTX Rangepoint for 12 months. More than adequate for drilling.

 

[Northern farmer]

It's not that long ago that Trimble were supplying the FM-750 for £2600, and an EZ-Steer for £2000 with the tractor 'platform kit' included, and free RTX Rangepoint for 12 months. More than adequate for drilling.

Useful information but I assume the OP wants to keep farming after first 12 months too. Why not share Rangepoint fees for further years.

These things are also difficult in the sense that some feel RTK accuracy needed for proper drilling (no need to watch after drift etc.). Centerpoint could probably be considered giving about RTK accuracy but at a very different cost.

Then again, Trimble too can be used with a free (usually private) RTK correction signal. Some activation fees to be considered. An AgOpenGPS style private base would be ridiculously cheap.

 

[Andy26]

AOG is the only budget system out there. Circa £1000

There’s some Chinese one that are £5000

Or Trimble about £10000

Ag open GPS can do auto steer and or section control. Don’t need to know a lot about computers as you can get all pre made.

@Andy26

@BuskhillFarm sums it up well,

Chinese FJD or CHCNav RTK autosteer with electric steering wheel circa £5k
Trimble autosteer with small GFX350 screen circa £5-6k
Trimble RTK autosteer £10k
AgOpenGPS RTK autosteer circa £1000-1500.

With AgOpenGPS you get RTK autosteer, headland U turns, up to 64 section controls, no unlock fees.

 

[Andy26]

@BFL4437 a Fiat F130 running AgOpenGPS here:

 

[Bramble]

Second hand Trimble 750, ez steer unit and annual Rangepoint subscription for £3-3.5k. Works fine on our drilling, plenty of back up from Vantage who I have found very helpful

 

[Dave]

Patchwork Blackbox Air GPS System | Agricultural Supplies D W Whitson Ltd

The Patchwork Blackbox Air GPS System is the simplest addition to Patchwork’s range of guidance systems for farmers and contractors.

www.davidwhitson.co.uk

 

[BFL4437]

It's not that long ago that Trimble were supplying the FM-750 for £2600, and an EZ-Steer for £2000 with the tractor 'platform kit' included, and free RTX Rangepoint for 12 months. More than adequate for drilling.

Had 2 quotes for trimble with the ezi-steer and all that and both are in the region of 7500-9500. That's fitted onto a none autosteer ready tractor but that's why I put this post up looking what else is out there.

 

[BFL4437]

@BuskhillFarm sums it up well,

Chinese FJD or CHCNav RTK autosteer with electric steering wheel circa £5k
Trimble autosteer with small GFX350 screen circa £5-6k
Trimble RTK autosteer £10k
AgOpenGPS RTK autosteer circa £1000-1500.

With AgOpenGPS you get RTK autosteer, headland U turns, up to 64 section controls, no unlock feefees

So I've had a look at the Agopen since your comment and I'll be honest confuses me. New to this whole gps beyond a light bar. Would such as yourself be able to fit it into the tractor and run me through how to use it. And what's it like on modern tractors that aren't guidance ready.

 

[PSQ]

Had 2 quotes for trimble with the ezi-steer and all that and both are in the region of 7500-9500. That's fitted onto a none autosteer ready tractor but that's why I put this post up looking what else is out there.

I forgot to add some crucial information: Trimble products are available from both Trimble dealers and the entire NH dealer network.
In my experience the quotes from my local NH dealer have always been significantly cheaper for the same products, of which we have purchased 5 full retrofit systems over the years.

Just out of interest, what head unit are they pricing for in the above quote?

 

[BFL4437]

Useful information but I assume the OP wants to keep farming after first 12 months too. Why not share Rangepoint fees for further years.

These things are also difficult in the sense that some feel RTK accuracy needed for proper drilling (no need to watch after drift etc.). Centerpoint could probably be considered giving about RTK accuracy but at a very different cost.

Then again, Trimble too can be used with a free (usually private) RTK correction signal. Some activation fees to be considered. An AgOpenGPS style private base would be ridiculously cheap.

Yes I plan on continue using it after the first 12 months and don't think I require the full rtk accuracy. 10-15cm would do me. Like the idea of a base station but with land all over can't see it working out cheaper as would need about 4.

 

[BFL4437]

I forgot to add some crucial information: Trimble products are available from both Trimble dealers and the entire NH dealer network.
In my experience the quotes from my local NH dealer have always been significantly cheaper for the same products, of which we have purchased 5 full retrofit systems over the years.

Just out of interest, what head unit are they pricing for in the above quote?

Both quotes are from trimble reps. 2 different companies. Priced up the 350 screen with ezi steer Pro wheel and nav 900 receiver. Also asked for a price of the next screen up and that is significantly more. Prices both include fitting to a non guidance ready tractor. May have to ask the Case dealer the tractor was got from for a price as believe they may sell trimble gps and if not the local NH dealer

 

[Bramble]

Nav 900 receiver is the expensive one as it can be upgraded to more accuracy, a Nav 500 might be more suitable if you are only working to 10-15cm. The steering wheels are expensive, if you can put up with a motor next to the steering wheel get a price on an Ez Steer motor instead

 

[B'o'B]

Yes I plan on continue using it after the first 12 months and don't think I require the full rtk accuracy. 10-15cm would do me. Like the idea of a base station but with land all over can't see it working out cheaper as would need about 4.

Base station on mobile phone network should good for a 50-60 km radius (30-35 miles). you would loose a bit of accuracy the further away you get from the base you go.
I've just got a couple of AgOpenGPS units from @Andy26 which I hope to get set-up tomorrow.
On the Trimble front you'll get a lot more from a GFX1050 (or 750) than a GFX350, if think you'll want to upgrade things in the future.

 

[BuskhillFarm]

So I've had a look at the Agopen since your comment and I'll be honest confuses me. New to this whole gps beyond a light bar. Would such as yourself be able to fit it into the tractor and run me through how to use it. And what's it like on modern tractors that aren't guidance ready.

andy26 has very kindly done a how to guide on this and knows much more that I do.

https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/agopengps-rtk-autosteer-how-to-guide-for-£1000.382244/


I was in your position at start of the winter and been looking at new/used trimbles.

Vantage ireland I find are horrendously over priced and very arrogant with it.
Section control…. Go buy a new sprayer not worth putting on my old thing.
AOG one video and £30 later bam full section control.
Quoted €10k for autosteer if I made my tractor autosteer ready, as I don’t like their cheap looking wheels.

AOG will be £1100 roughly. And that will include hydraulic steering.

Regarding accuracy you can use other people’s rtk stations for free, that’s how much of a lovely community the whole system is, along with lots of very friendly people just wanting to help, and any who offer their services do so for very reasonable rates, not £70 an hour that another company quoted.

Down load the AOG first and have a play on a pc, it is a bit more footery than a Trimble TBH and takes a bit of setting up for a novice like myself, but it’s the only way I’d ever afford a decent set up. My FM750 has thankfully been sold with its wondering ab lines

 

[PSQ]

Yes I plan on continue using it after the first 12 months and don't think I require the full rtk accuracy. 10-15cm would do me. Like the idea of a base station but with land all over can't see it working out cheaper as would need about 4.

The required unlocks will be the killer for the higher precision services.
RTX Rangepoint is sufficient for drilling, as long as you use a side marker for the 'last pass' before any extended stoppages.
And if memory serves, there may be a discount on RTX fees if you buy 4 years for the price of 3, which might mean you get 5 years for the price of 3 if they're still offering a years free RTX with initial purchase.

 

[BFL4437]

Nav 900 receiver is the expensive one as it can be upgraded to more accuracy, a Nav 500 might be more suitable if you are only working to 10-15cm. The steering wheels are expensive, if you can put up with a motor next to the steering wheel get a price on an Ez Steer motor instead

I'll have to have a look at the nav 500. Just spoke to the reps about what i wanted and that's what they both suggested. Not sure if the 500 has the ability to keep it accurate on slopes which there's plenty of round here but I know the 900 does. Think the motor will be more of a pain than its worth as going onto a loader tractor so think it will be in the way.

 

[davidroberts30]

So I've had a look at the Agopen since your comment and I'll be honest confuses me. New to this whole gps beyond a light bar. Would such as yourself be able to fit it into the tractor and run me through how to use it. And what's it like on modern tractors that aren't guidance ready.

if agopen confuses you so will any of the others

 

[BFL4437]

The required unlocks will be the killer for the higher precision services.
RTX Rangepoint is sufficient for drilling, as long as you use a side marker for the 'last pass' before any extended stoppages.
And if memory serves, there may be a discount on RTX fees if you buy 4 years for the price of 3, which might mean you get 5 years for the price of 3 if they're still offering a years free RTX with initial purchase.

I'll have to look further into it. Rtk 2.5cm would be more than I require bit still the cheaper option if I can get it cheaper I'll try.