Outback GPS purchase question

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   Our dealer showed us the Outback Guidance S-Lite GPS system. Basically it's a suction mount setup with a small screen that shows the driver which direction to keep the tractor pointed. Cost is $900. Given the price of diesel fuel it seems to be worth considering, so I'm curious to hear anything pro or con about this model.

Thanks in advance.

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Holstein50 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 12 May 2010 Location: St. Cloud, MN Points: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote Holstein50 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Outback GPS purchase question Posted: 21 Apr 2012 at 3:14pm
	Our dealer showed us the Outback Guidance S-Lite GPS system. Basically it's a suction mount setup with a small screen that shows the driver which direction to keep the tractor pointed. Cost is $900. Given the price of diesel fuel it seems to be worth considering, so I'm curious to hear anything pro or con about this model. Thanks in advance.

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tl12 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 07 May 2012 Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote tl12 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 2012 at 6:17pm
	I purchased one last year. It works great. I like being able to skip over 5 rows, make 5 passes and the last pass is completely covers the last strip. I have used it on a 12 disk and 13 foot field cultivator and 8 foot mower. This is my first tractor GPS. It did have a software quirk that made the unit malfunction below 40 degrees (I needed to keep the cab heater on), but I contacted them and they sent me a software fix to install and the problem never appeared again. This was about a year ago so and they were in the middle of recalling and fixing units when I discoverd it. If something were to happened to this one I would order another just like it.

Adam Stratton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: SW MO Points: 1363	Post Options Post Reply Quote Adam Stratton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 2012 at 7:03pm
	I have been toying with one also. The thing you might want to consider is that the cheaper units like that dont have real tight accuracy. Like the ones I was looking at was 4-6", which is probably better than my depth perception, but still not that spectacular for precision planting. After looking at a lot of them, I decided that if I was going to go with a GPS unit at all, I wanted one of the $1500 type units that are a little more accurate, and do fancy things like programmable to skip passes, put little flags where you want to mark something in the field, calculate acres, etc. I havent pulled the trigger on one yet. I find myself wanting one pretty bad when I have to lay off lands for some jobs, or cant hardly see where I am driving in bad field conditions, but never want to spend the money when I'm not in the middle of the work.

Adam Stratton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: SW MO Points: 1363	Post Options Post Reply Quote Adam Stratton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 2012 at 7:05pm
	PS. Unless you really want a local dealer, Check on Ebay or other similar shopping sites for Trimble systems also. Prices are basically identical to Outback, but have some different features.

tl12 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 07 May 2012 Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote tl12 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 May 2012 at 8:05pm
	Your location also makes a difference. I am pretty close to the error correction transmitter (I don't recall the correct terminology) so I have pretty good accuracy. I am sure there are some places in the US where you are at a greater distance and the correction is not as accurate. I only had it jump 6 foot to the right once (a fluke I am guessing). Luckly I was mowing and not planting.

monitordoc Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Location: Minnesota Points: 187	Post Options Post Reply Quote monitordoc Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 May 2012 at 9:53pm
	I have worked with NUMBER OF DIFFERENT BRANDS AND HAVE FOUND THE CHEAPER UNITS AREN'T AS ACCURATE AS THE ADVERTISING. OUTBACK BRAND I HAVE FOUND TO BE ONE OF THE BETTER BRANDS AT ALL LEVELS. PERSONALLY I FIND A LITE BAR CONFUSING IF I TRY TO FOLLOW IT-- IF I LOOK AT IT OFF AND ON AS A REFERANCE IT'S OK.
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