Iphone/pad GPS based apps on Tractor?

LightheartCellars · Dec 2, 2011

I use my iphone/pad nav apps (MotionX-GPS and others), while sailing, hiking, biking and they can keep up just fine at those speeds, creating a "breadcrumb trail" log file.

As well as displaying position on maps, they include waypoints (e.g. ran out of spray HERE), averaged ground speed to tenth MPH resolution.

Anything that's Ag specific?

Thinking of putting an otterbox on my Kubota to have combination of features and tunes while spraying/tilling.

jenkinsph · Dec 3, 2011

Curious what kind of resolution in feet can you expect with your gps setup?

I get about 7 feet in my boat at best.

The gps plotting would be helpful with seeding and fertilizing too.

LightheartCellars · Dec 5, 2011

I doubt I would get better than 3 meters accuracy, though short term repeatability would be perhaps better. As I am in 6' rows of vines, I can pretty much know where I would need to be, as I use Shaving cream to tag the posts when I am doing something that's not obvious look at such as spraying on a damp day.

It's where in the row did I stop that would be good to know, as well as speed to get consistent applications.

Glen Watkins · Dec 5, 2011

Try GPS Site Survey or Open Gps Tracker.

http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/tools/gps-site-survey_hblh.html

http://code.google.com/p/open-gpstracker/

MessickFarmEqu · Dec 6, 2011

We have a Messicks parts app thats pretty cool... that should be on every tractor owners device! (iOS or Android).

phones don't have the accuracy you need for real repeatability. If you want an inexpensive AG GPS they cheapest is about $1000 (Outback sLite). The Trimble stuff is great, that starts about $1500.

s219 · Dec 7, 2011

If you have to do any surveying or engineering measurements, this app might be useful:

Theodolite iPhone App: Augmented Reality Compass, GPS, Map, Zoom Camera, Rangefinder, Inclinometer

I have been using the Pro version on my iPhone 4S to survey some land, and it has been working out great. You just need to keep an eye on the GPS accuracy for a given location and be aware of the limitations (for instance, the accuracy drops a lot if there is overhead tree clutter). The inclinometer and compass seem to be quite good.

LightheartCellars · Dec 8, 2011

I used the Theodolite to survey the slope for a new vineyard, hard part was hitting "add" button while iphone was sitting on a 12' 2x4. Gvae a nice lat/lon/alt file with both slopes.