GPS ROUND-UP ▶▶▶
PATCHWORK BLACKBOX AIR
Patchwork is well known for its farmer- friendly lightbar guidance systems that typically cost less than US$2,665. But now the Welsh company offers a
tablet-based version that comes in at less than half that price. Called Blackbox Air, it’s based on an
Android app that can be downloaded from the Google Play store. This looks similar to the maker’s higher-end systems, with a digital lightbar displayed at the top of the screen. The GPS signal itself comes from a
separate 10Hz receiver, which is included in the kit. This gives an accuracy of 20 to 30cm (8-12in). To set the system up, the operator
mounts the tablet in the cab and plugs the small GPS unit into a 12V socket. The two will then communicate wirelessly by Bluetooth so the tablet can make use of the GPS unit’s signal. Standard features include field boundary
recording and storage, area measurement and automatic field recognition. A number of (paid for) extras such as vehicle tracking are also available.
SYSTEM SUMMARY Components: Android app and Blackbox Air Bluetooth GPS unit Compatibility: Android Accuracy: 20-30cm (8-12in) Subscription fees: None Price: From $944 plus VAT
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AGRICISION ONTRAK
Recent start-up Agricision takes a slightly different approach to the other systems in this group, offering a separate lightbar unit that mounts on the tractor’s bonnet. The theory is that mounting the lightbar
at the centre of the bonnet helps the operator drive more accurately, because they don’t have to constantly adjust their focus from the field to a screen. The waterproof unit is magnetic and for those with plastic or composite bonnets magnetic stickers are available. The lightbar is also home to the 10Hz GPS receiver, which works with several satellites and correction signals to give an accuracy of 20-30cm (8-12in). This is rechargeable, has a 24-hour battery life and does not require a phone signal to work. The system communicates via Bluetooth with either an Apple iPhone or iPad mounted in the cab so the driver can keep tabs on bouts and see the area worked. The app will also record A-B lines and boundaries, calculate field sizes, record the area worked and allow you to adjust implement width. This is free to download from the Apple app store.
SYSTEM SUMMARY Components: iPhone or iPad and lightbar/GPS unit Compatibility: Apple Accuracy: 20-30cm (8-12in) Subscription fees: None Price: $926 (excl iPhone or iPad)
▶ FUTURE FARMING | 9 NOVEMBER 2017
SIXTY-5 TECHNOLOGIES
Belfast-based Sixty-5 Technologies offers an Android app-based GPS system that comes preloaded on to a 18cm (7in) Samsung Tab 4 tablet. This gets its GPS fix from a 10Hz Novatel
Ag-Star dome receiver mounted on the vehicle’s roof. It communicates with the tablet via Bluetooth. As with most of the systems here, this offers accuracy of 20- 30cm (8-12in). Sixty-5 Technologies says the system has been specifically designed for grassland farmers who want to use GPS for jobs such as fertiliser spreading, spraying and reseeding. That means it keeps the operation fairly
simple, offering predicted guidelines for the operator to follow, rather than a lightbar. There are also bout markers and a coverage map so it is clear which areas of the field have been worked. This system also displays forward speed and area worked. Once the field operation has been
completed the finished map can be sent to a secure webpage where the information can be downloaded to the office computer.
SYSTEM SUMMARY Components: Samsung Tab 4 tablet, 10Hz Novatel Ag-Star GPS receiver Compatibility: Android Accuracy: 20-30cm (8-12in) Subscription fees: None Price: $2,657 plus VAT
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