[springhollowhayfarm]

Been running a GreenStar 1800 Display and ITC receiver for past 2 years. I sold the Tractor it was in and just sold the GreenStar system too. 90% was used for Spraying (60ft booms) with manual steering and doing Strait A-B lines and watching field map to turn boom sections on and off.

Anyway I need something in a hurry to start spraying Wheat. Need order today or tomorrow and get on the way.

Was at the NFMS yesterday and thought I would narrow it down there to want I would buy but my selection only got bigger.

Budget ~$2500.

Options: Trimble 250 or 750, Ag Leader Compass, or TopCon.

I want the most accuracy for the buck but don't want spend anymore than I have too.

Fire away.........

 

[skgrain]

I think you forgot a 0 on your budget.

 

[springhollowhayfarm]

I think you forgot a 0 on your budget.

LOL. No, thats right, $2,500. I know where your coming from, but Im not that big.

 

[farmallman1949]

If you have not looked at the TeeJet Matrix system I would strongly recommend it. But of the choices you gave I would have to say go with the Ag Leader system.

 

[SouthernSK]

If your buying Trimble the 750 has a lot more capability down the road for prepaid signals etc. and sectional control over the 250.

 

[lanwickum]

$2500? If you can find a Trimble 750 that would be my option for sprayer because of future capabilities. If all you will do is manual steering/guidence, most anything will be more accurate than I have seen anyone steer. Trimble ez-steer is hard to beat for the the price is plan to add steering. I would go with 750 over 250. I have much larger budget for these things.

 

[Combine Pilot]

Trimble 250 with the upgraded antenna will cost around $2000, thats all i use, it's good enough just for a small guy.

 

[springhollowhayfarm]

So I just go off the phone with TopCon Dealer in AL. They offer a X14 console with Receiver and cabling for $1995. He said it had 0.9Meter pass to pass accuracy, about 3 ft. I don't know much about TopCon. AGCO recommend them to me yesterday at the NFMS.

I wonder if the Trimble 250 is more accurate than 3ft pass to pass?

 

[V876]

How about Outback STX?
Probably one of the fastest set up easy to run units out there.

 

[SWFarmService]

Good reasonable option just a little outside your budget would be outback, best bang for your buck if you want to go new, but eBay and such usually have some good used systems for reasonable money

 

[farmallman1949]

The pass to pass accuracy depends on what signal you are using (WAAS, OMNISTAR, RTK) and I believe the 3ft. pass to pass is the WAAS signal which is free, where as most of the others you have to pay some type of subscription fee.

 

[springhollowhayfarm]

Now the AG15 antenna on the Trimble 250 or 750 say it is capable of 6-8in pass to pass accuracy. Is this true? Or do you have to buy a subscription to get the 6-8in pass to pass accuracy?

 

[rauseran]

I have ag leader (Trimble) ez guide plus and also ez guide 500 with ez steer. I just run on WAAS and 6-8 inch pass to pass is easily achievable here in wide open ND. Not sure about there. Ez guide plus is old and not fancy but you can find them cheap. Sounds like it would do what you want but not upgradable.

 

[hwy19farm]

Outback all the way,my 13 ,70,76 yr.old help can figure them out not so easy with the Trimble stuff.

 

[custom_farmer]

We have an Outback in a 864 Ro Gator, and 3 Trimble/Ag Leader set ups. The Outback has been fine, other than a broken screen. We were still able to get parts for it. The Trimble/Ag-Leaders have been great for performance. We're getting some age on our stuff and we are now finding out who services their stuff down the road. Ag Leader is by far, hands down the winner. Trimble is the loser for this department. Be careful if you decide to buy used. Sometimes, you do indeed, get what you pay for.

 

[bear]

i just upgraded my trimble 500 to the 750 running field iq on a 60 ft boom;i am really happy with it all ,was on free to air for the steer with 500 now gone to range point rtk with 750 bout $400 aussie per year. buying a 250 or 500 would give upgrade options later ,

 

[albertabuck]

I will also suggest Outback. Easy to use and understand. I bought my Sts used for a $1000 and I'll admit I wouldn't want to spray without it again, beats the helll outta following the drill runs I found it to be very accurate and they do have the ability to be upgraded to auto steer and controls ect. I am only using the WAAS signal, never any issues.

There are still brand new Sts systems available for sale from some Outback dealers at a decent price which is right in your price range. The Sts was replaced with the Stx I believe, but is still fully supported by Outback. That was the route I was going to go until I happened upon the used system I bought. I was able to check it all out ahead of time to see it work and it even came in the original box and documentation. Very happy with it.

A quick search on Google turned up this one, used to be several on eBay, not sure if there still is or not.
Outback STS Precision Ag Equipment/Software | GIBBSVILLE IMPLEMENT WALDO, WI

 

[springhollowhayfarm]

I hate having to make quick decisions.

Here is where I am at right now:

Trimble 250 ~$1500 with AG15 antenna
Ag Leader Compass ~$2000 with GPS1600 antenna
TopCon X14 ~$2000 with antenna
Trimble 750 ~$2500 with AG15 antenna
Outback STX ~$2500 not sure on antenna.

The TopCon unit is close to home and can have in couple days, but no one seems know anything about them. Probably leaning toward the Ag Leader Compass with 1600 antenna, just not sure yet. The Outback looks nice but for $2500 could just go with the Trimble 750. Torn.

 

[NESASK]

Get the Trimble 750. Get an EZ Steer for auto steer and then get RTX Range point. The Range Point program is only $250 a year and it has never been out more than 3 inches in the two years i have used it on the drill.

 

[Combine Pilot]

I hate having to make quick decisions.

Here is where I am at right now:

Trimble 250 ~$1500 with AG15 antenna
Ag Leader Compass ~$2000 with GPS1600 antenna
TopCon X14 ~$2000 with antenna
Trimble 750 ~$2500 with AG15 antenna
Outback STX ~$2500 not sure on antenna.

The TopCon unit is close to home and can have in couple days, but no one seems know anything about them. Probably leaning toward the Ag Leader Compass with 1600 antenna, just not sure yet. The Outback looks nice but for $2500 could just go with the Trimble 750. Torn.

the Trimble 250 with the AG15 ant will be accurate only if you have no hills, the Terrain compensation is in the Auto steering module. on the flat, yes, it is easily 6-8" accuracy but when you get into bad side hills it could go 4', all i know Trimble, the 750 is really desirable because i think it is a touch screen (sic). but if you can get terrain upgrade in that price in the 750, i would go that route. But it is easy to creep into auto steering and rtk and then blow your budget, You will hardly find this stuff used on flea bay, and the sorts because they are easily sold, so whatever you go with, you can always sell and upgrade down the road.
As for the other stuff i don't know, to me, because i have a 250, my biggest beefs are buttons instead of touch screen (real pain) and terrain compensation not there, the others may have this included, then i would go that route.