AutoFarm ParaDyme GPS is the latest product to come out of the precision farming company from California.”It’s all integrated into the dual antenna ParaDyme roof module,” explained Joe Robertson of AutoFarm.He said when ParaDyme runs through an Ag Leader screen, the customer gets planter control, steering, yield monitor, application control and data logging, plus correction for tractor pitch, roll and yaw all in one package.Robertson said the optional ReadyConnect service provides RTK accuracy without a local RTK base station or subscription to an RTK tower network.”There’s no need to buy a cell modem and there’s no third party cell contracts. The two-way cell communication modem is built in and we activate it at the factory when you take delivery at the dealer.”And we take care of all arrangements with signal providers.”Although the system taps into more than 50 wireless partners across North America, with Horizon and Sprint currently the two main signal providers, service is limited in areas like the Canadian Prairies.According to Winnipeg based Jay Fretz, AutoFarm representative for Western Canada, the company has teamed up with all the major carriers on the Prairies to enable Remote RealTime Service. “This gives us the capability for our dealers to go on the internet and communicate directly with a farmer’s ParaDyme unit for immediate diagnostics and servicing in the field,” said Fretz. Remote servicing is a standard feature on all ParaDyme systems. The technician at the dealer sees the same screen the customer sees in his cab. He can walk the customer through the steps or take full control of the ParaDyme to correct problems by remote control. “But as for sub-inch RTK correction signals, that’s a totally different beast from remote servicing. “Right now, there’s not a lot of strong cell coverage for prairie farmers. The coverage is still all centered around the major cities, except in Alberta. CanNet is very strong in much of Alberta.”Fretz said each cell tower is good for a radius of only 80 kilometres. The signal providers for rural Manitoba and Saskatchewan simply don’t have enough towers to provide sub-inch accuracy. “Until the signal providers see there’s a demand in farming areas, they won’t develop a better tower network,” said Fretz.The optional ReadyConnect promoted by AutoFarm will not work in most areas of the Prairies unless the customer can find someone to provide the signal. Fretz said the business relationship between AutoFarm and Raven may provide an alternative for some ParaDyme customers. “Raven is our competitor in some respects, but they’re also our partner on some things. Raven Slingshot communicates through a website for the correction signal.”Our ParaDyme roof module is able to communicate with Slingshot for a correction signal. So if a Slingshot owner is willing to sell that signal to a ParaDyme customer, then he can get sub-inch RTK.”In many cases, the Slingshot owner may be willing to sell the signal as a means of generating revenue to offset the investment in his system.”When I go into my AutoFarm menu, if I have a password and user name, then my ParaDyme can read the Slingshot correction signal.”If you can’t make a deal to access a Raven signal, then you simply go ahead and buy your own base station for $10,000. There’s nothing new about that.”He said customers who farm within an eight-kilometre radius of their yard often don’t even bother with the internet correction system. They find it easier to buy their own base station and pay the $10,000 upfront so they own their own tower and eliminate all subscription fees in the future.In those areas where signals are strong, Robertson said ParaDyme is designed to automatically and continuously select the best available signal as the vehicle operates in the field. In areas covered by multiple carriers, he said the system is less likely to lose signal because it’s always honing in on the strongest one.Although the Remote Real-Time Service connection operates through the high speed internet, Robertson said there is no customer available high speed internet yet with ParaDyme, but it’s probably in the works.For guidance, Robertson said the system provides hands-free GPS steering via WAAS, EGNOS, OmniSTAR HP/XP, GLONASS and RTK. Customers activate Ready Connect RTK only when needed and for the duration of time needed: one month, four month or 10 months.The basic entry level OnTrac2 steering assist clamps to the steering column like a large handcuff. It does not require steering wheel removal, making it easy to move from one implement to the next. It steers through a positive drive gear system rather than a friction system. The complete OnTrac2 Edge 1500 unit sells for $6,900 US with a single antenna WAAS only GPS unit. OnTrac2 steering assembly is compatible as a steering system for the more advanced ParaDyme.RTK with ParaDyme roof module, Integra controller and hydraulic install kit will run around $23,000, said Robertson. “It can be more or less, depending on what model of vehicle you’re installing it on. Hydraulic install kits generally range from $1,200 to $4,000.”Asked about the accuracy of ParaDyme without a base station, Robertson said sub inch accuracy is possible as long as there is a correction signal from a fixed base.Because the system is new, Fretz said only a half dozen units have been sold to prairie farmers. He said the trained and certified dealers are Drummond’s Farm Service in Manitoba, Banga’s Equipment in Alberta and Farmers of North America in Saskatchewan.For more information, contact Jay Fretz at 204-801-3602 or visit www.gpsfarm.com.
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