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News » GPS line guidance – Annoyance or indispensable help?22 May 2017 15:58

Saying has it that a GPS line guidance system costing less than HUF 500,000 is not worth it. Can this be true? 

 

 In part yes, as in case of a couple of brands the cheapest line guidance systems are around this price level. It is much more the nature of use that will determine which guidance system will serve the farm in a useful way for many years. 

Many ask why it does matter which system you buy. All of them have GPS, all of them are in the range of 0 to 30 cm, so why does it matter? There is a good reason why the different types are different, so it is practical to be familiar with the following notions.

1 Hz, 4 Hz, 10 Hz – What is the meaning of the refresh rate per second?

It is very important that the GPS receiver captures 4, 10, etc. signals per second. It is clear that the given position can be determined better on the basis of more signals. Another practical importance of this feature is whether the screen will be scratched when turning at the end of the table, as the signal is refreshed only once in a second. In terms of catching a row, it is not negligible if the screen waddles for 20 or 30 meters, or it catches the next signal within a couple of meters. Of course, the same applies to following a row.

Does the guidance system also catch the signals of the Russian GLONASS satellites?

The GLONASS satellites complement the American GPS satellites. Using them makes it possible for the device to work in a more stable and more accurate way, as it catches the signals of almost twice as many satellites. So, working in a hilly land or at the edge of a forest strap you can still enjoy accuracy. Buying a device without GLONASS capability is not worth it anymore.

Display size – You do not like winking, do you?

On a small 4,3” screen, information is not so well visible, as on a 7” display, especially for older persons. If required, devices with 8” and 10” displays are also available.

You should also choose useful features!

In addition to line guidance, area calculation and hectare counting are among the basic features in almost all guidance systems. The displaying of sections in small tables is very useful. “Reference point calibration” increases the precision. Extended statistics provide figures about missed and double-processed areas. Saving and retrieving table data, or recording and forecasting obstacles are also indispensable. You may consider how easy it is to transfer data to a computer, and whether there is a free computer visualization program available for the guidance system.

Sensibility to disturbing factors

GPS receivers are not disturbed by high voltage overhead lines, but occasionally they are by radar stations, radio based industrial remote control, a high frequency relay antenna or a high frequency transmission line. These can behave in a tricky way to cheaper GPS receivers.

Are you sure you need only software for you tablet or smart phone? Do you want to use a Bluetooth GPS receiver?

If you buy only software for your existing device, do not be surprised at inaccuracies in line guidance as big as 1 meter. The internal GPS receivers and amplifier antennas of tablets and smart phones are not convenient for precision work in farming. If you buy an industry grade GPS receiver for such devices, which has only Bluetooth connectivity, frequent interruptions of the connection can also cause problems. As to an expensive and sensible iPad, we think that it does not belong to a shaky tractor.

May you be interested in robot-piloting in the future?

In this case, choose a device which offers development possibilities in this direction. It is practical to buy the device with a GPS receiver, which can also work with the robot pilot. You can be sure that there is an incremental development solution which suits your needs.

Choose only once: a good and reliable device. Our product experts and our national sales network are at your disposal to answer your questions relating to the LD-Agro line guidance systems.

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