Guidance on the cheap

[EBF]

Hi all, I am considering a cheap GPS setup for fertiliser spreading only so I only need + or - 30 cm accuracy or so and no autosteer or anything fancy. I saw a FW article that tested a number of what they described as cheap units but they were all over £1k if I remember correctly.

Since I already have an android tablet, I am thinking about something along the lines of the machinery guide app (http://machineryguideapp.com/en#prices) for about £130, coupled with a compatible basic Bluetooth capable GPS such as a garmin GLO (http://www.gps.co.uk/garmin-glo-for-aviation-bluetooth-gps-for-mobile-devices/p-0-1232/) for £110.

Excluding a tablet mounting thingy for the cab or quad this should give me sub-meter GPS guidance for around £240.

My question is has anyone gone down this route and if so does it work OK? Are there any obvious pitfalls to this that I haven't spotted?!

Any comments gratefully received,

Thanks.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

I've not tried that app. The aviation gps receivers will probably be accurate to no more than 5m.

Have you looked at Agricision? It's around £650 and links to a free tablet app. It looked ok at LAMMA.

https://agricision.co.uk/

 

[AS_Comms]

Using GPS from a phone or Tablet has very poor accuracy, as Holwellcourtfarm says, no more than 5m.. which you might as well not bother with anything at all with that accuracy.
CFX Lite, would provide 30cm accuracy and with the option in the future to upgrade, as this will keep your options open for the future.

Regards,
Josh
AS Communications

 

[EBF]

Thanks All. Although the app is tablet based it does not use the tablet or phone internal GPS, instead it connects via Bluetooth to a 'proper' GPS receiver such as the garmin unit, which uses EGNOS overlay correction to achieve sub meter accuracy (in theory!). My worry is that the machinery guide app developer in Prague might not be too bothered about helping out if the a accuracy turned out to be not up to scratch.

Will check out agricision, thanks for the tip!

 

[Rob Graham]

I'm considering the very same, downloaded Field Navigator lastnight and had a shot but it was about 3-6m out on my Sony Xperia Z5
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...medium=Description&utm_campaign=Intro%20video
The app page says they recommend a Garmin Glo to correct this, considering giving it a shot as its a very user friendly app.
So: 10in Android tablet + case + bracket = £175 and Garmin Glo @ £110 seems ok

 

[Northern farmer]

As far as I understood right, Garmin Glo supports GPS and GLONASS but no EGNOS (their website states WAAS though). Your Sony would probably support GPS and GLONASS too, the main advantage from Garmin Glo would be a better antenna position if you dear to put it outside, on the roof or so.

Absolute accuracy would not improve much, pass-to-pass without EGNOS would be poor too.

 

[Rob Graham]

Have ordered a Garmin to give it a crack

 

[EBF]

Me too, just received the GLO, £77 from trekkinn. Just need to pray for rain so that I can get some fert put on, shouldn't be long! Will report back once used in anger. @DrDunc has a similar system that reportedly works well.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Have a look at this review.

http://gpstracklog.com/2013/04/garmin-glo-review.html

Doesn't look that hopeful for Ag use. It'll be interesting to see how you all get on with it.

 

[Little squeak]

How much was the Field Navigator app Rob Graham? will you write to tell us how you got on with it please.

 

[Rob Graham]

Tried it lastnight and it was almost perfect and tried it for the last few passes tonight with a landroller pass to pass and it was a fair bit out, albeit the last run along the hedge out was almost perfect. Correcting it may work better, if not a guy I know wants to map some assets so can sell the Garmin to him hopefully!

 

[Rob Graham]

 

[MickW]

I've been biting my tongue for a while, if you buy guidance on the cheap don't expect much, it takes a huge amount of money to develop, test then market a new piece of kit to a small number of farmers, once you've done that the product will need supporting. What about CE marking, try selling into Germany.
Basic GPS is not fit for agriculture ideally you need EGNOS (WASS) it makes a massive difference. To add this or GLONASS you need a decent antenna which will cost money.
Good guidance kit which is supported well is worth paying for, it will develop with you and be worth something when you move to the next level.
Buy cheap it will always be cheap and probably little more that worthless.
What's the point of becoming a bit more accurate do the job well, good basic guidance can be purchased for sensible money from people that support it who know what they are doing and will help sort things out.
Just think of the value of produce that you apply with the aid of this kit and the benifits is should bring in future years.
Im now retire so if I pee you off it matters less to me than it did but for Christ sake act as a business and buy something that will work now and in the future.
Rant over
Mick W

 

[ARW]

Guidance on the cheap, isn't that aiming for a gap in the hedge 2 fields away?

 

[Robt]

Well said mick

 

[JJT]

http://www.qstarz.com/Products/GPS Products/BT-Q818XT-F.htm
This has wass and egnos. Will it be any less accurate than a £1500 ag setup? Coupled with one of the free apps.
I still fail to see how even the cheaper ag ones are 10x the price of a commoner garden tom tom

Only sayin' like am no expert

 

[MickW]

It would need someone brighter than me (that's the easy part) to get that working.
I'm sure that it's possible but is it worth it.
A good number of companies offer proper kit to do the job out of the box, which is supported and build for the job not odds and ends thrown together.
When a good system is working well they are easy to follow etc etc.
Only my opinion, you spend your dosh as you please.

 

[Digester Man]

I would keep an eye out for a second hand unit rather than trying to invent your own.

 

[An Gof]

View attachment 500004

If that's the best it can do you have wasted your money.

 

[sleepy]

Personally I think just having guidance with a light bar is a bit of a waste of time, it's a mission following a lightbar all day and you end up hardly ever using it except when you have to.

For about £2500 you can buy Trimble EZ Guide 250 and an EZ Steer. This will give you proper autosteer which is a world apart from a light bar.

I have a couple and once it's setup it's as accurate as any of the more expensive ones and far better then any human could do reliably. I use it for literally every field job including drilling.
You get far better value for money out of it because you use it so much more.
Once you have had it a while you will never want to steer a tractor manually again.