Post by kens on Feb 13, 2021 11:01:59 GMT -6
I am considering switching GPS systems. Currently running all John Deere in everything and I have been fairly happy with. Been running JD guidance for the past 15 years, for the most part I've really liked it, easy to use and simple. We have a 2600, 2630 and 4640, all have 3000 globes. Running RTK on the 4640 for seeding now, rent a signal from a neighbour. The only problem I have with the JD system is them going to the subscription model, and the cost of everything. The reason I am considering switching as we bought a newish xerion tractor and we have to buy another bridge make the JD gps work bridge and its worth close to $4000. So if I switched systems I could get away from having to buy a bridge, and perhaps sell a couple of the GPS units and replace them with something cheaper. For the most part I am only using the JD gps for steering and yield monitoring in our combine. I used to use the JD GPS systems for variable rate and section control, so I got a lot more out of them back then, now its only steering. Irregardless I would have to keep one JD system for our sprayer.
Option one would be to activate the gps and steering unlocks on our Topcon x35 monitor, which controls the BG drill. Cost of going that route is approximately $10,000. How hard and expensive are these systems to set up on a better GPS signal. Are guys happy with their steering. Would be really nice to reduce monitor clutter in the drill. Biggest draw back is still cost, not that cheap of a system. If I went this route it would almost have to be dedicated to this tractor as this would be the harrow tractor in the fall. I would probably keep a couple of the JD screens with this option, perhaps go with a different brand for the combine.
Outback Rebel. We used to run outback ten years ago and I liked it, had some features that where superior to the JD. I loved the fact you could make a headland pass, and come back and it would make a guidance line automatically, not like the JD where you have to remember to record a curved line, which honestly sucks in comparison. If I got the outback system would it be able to record yield monitor data from our lexion combine without much hassle. Would be nice to have a smaller screen, in the air drill to reduce cab clutter as all it would be doing is steering, but then you would still need cables to connect the GPS to the topcon system. I know they used to be significantly cheaper than anything else, not sure if that's still the case. Do those E drives still have to be put in the cab. If I bought two outback systems it would be the same in all the equipment dad and the hired men use, make it easier for them to learn.
If I sold the 4640, and the 2600 with 2 or 3 globes, plus 2 JD bridge systems(combine and old xerion), I figure I should be money ahead going to a different system. Or else I could leave well enough alone and buy the new bridge and run JD gps in the new drill. I do like the fact that I can make guidance lines and field boundaries etc... in apex, and now JD operations centre. Do any other companies have anything that compares where you can get everything set up on the computer ahead of time.
I know its all a bit convoluted, just wanting other peoples opinions. Farmer gps would be an option if someone sold it as a neat package with all the cabling etc.. But I am looking to reduce cab clutter, not increase it with putting a laptop in the cab. Are there any other systems I should be considering.
Option one would be to activate the gps and steering unlocks on our Topcon x35 monitor, which controls the BG drill. Cost of going that route is approximately $10,000. How hard and expensive are these systems to set up on a better GPS signal. Are guys happy with their steering. Would be really nice to reduce monitor clutter in the drill. Biggest draw back is still cost, not that cheap of a system. If I went this route it would almost have to be dedicated to this tractor as this would be the harrow tractor in the fall. I would probably keep a couple of the JD screens with this option, perhaps go with a different brand for the combine.
Outback Rebel. We used to run outback ten years ago and I liked it, had some features that where superior to the JD. I loved the fact you could make a headland pass, and come back and it would make a guidance line automatically, not like the JD where you have to remember to record a curved line, which honestly sucks in comparison. If I got the outback system would it be able to record yield monitor data from our lexion combine without much hassle. Would be nice to have a smaller screen, in the air drill to reduce cab clutter as all it would be doing is steering, but then you would still need cables to connect the GPS to the topcon system. I know they used to be significantly cheaper than anything else, not sure if that's still the case. Do those E drives still have to be put in the cab. If I bought two outback systems it would be the same in all the equipment dad and the hired men use, make it easier for them to learn.
If I sold the 4640, and the 2600 with 2 or 3 globes, plus 2 JD bridge systems(combine and old xerion), I figure I should be money ahead going to a different system. Or else I could leave well enough alone and buy the new bridge and run JD gps in the new drill. I do like the fact that I can make guidance lines and field boundaries etc... in apex, and now JD operations centre. Do any other companies have anything that compares where you can get everything set up on the computer ahead of time.
I know its all a bit convoluted, just wanting other peoples opinions. Farmer gps would be an option if someone sold it as a neat package with all the cabling etc.. But I am looking to reduce cab clutter, not increase it with putting a laptop in the cab. Are there any other systems I should be considering.
