New steering guide stays on track RHS Inc. claims its new Outback S GPS field guidance system is easier to use and more accurate than a lightbar - and makes anyone a better sprayer or tractor driver on straight or curved fields.

The steering guide is the heart of the Outback S, which mounts behind and slightly above the steering wheel. The steering guide looks ahead and displays simple heading instructions to follow. Match the nose heading of the sprayer or other machine to the steering guide and you're on your way. For straight fields, it guides you on parallel passes spaced the width you enter during setup. With contour fields, no setup is required; it guides along the first pass made through the field. A current position indicator instantly shows any course deviation. When it is necessary to stop partway through the job, the last field position is saved in memory.

A two-line display centered on the Outback S gives step-by-step instructions and system status information. Signals are fed from antennae mounted on the nose of the machine with a quick-mount magnetic pedestal. Outback S is available with WAAS and L-band correction and operates from a 12v DC or 1-amp power supply.

The company says installing and learning to operate the guidance system each require less than 15 min. Price: $3,990. For more information, go to OutbackGuidance.com, a new Web site that lists local Outback Guidance Centers, or contact RHS, Dept. Apply superscript *, 2005 W. Oregon, Hiawatha, KS 66434, 800/247-3808.

Swath XL adds contour Mid-Tech has added contour guidance to the Swath XL, which pairs a fully adjustable lightbar with a hand-held Smartpad to display a map of the field as the operator makes it. The lightbar also features an eight-character, real-time LED readout to report to the operator on the go. The data collected on the Smartpad can be viewed on a PC with Fieldware Tools or loaded into most GIS packages. Price: Swath XL with Smartpad, $2,995. Contact Mid-Tech, Dept. Apply superscript *, 2733 E. Ash St., Springfield, IL 62703.

Grand slam special Since Wag Corporation purchased the Vision System from Rockwell, it has expanded the architecture to make it compatible with almost all GIS software systems. The company now interfaces its technology with Agvance Mapping, AGIS, View-Point, Farm Site, Site Pro Mapping and SST software and expects to announce additional agreements with other suppliers. The new 6.6 version software for the Vision computer display (VCD) includes enhanced data management functions for soil sampling, field application, harvest, mapping and navigation. With Wag's "Grand Slam Special" program, ag retailers and custom applicators can purchase a new VCD with a beacon receiver and antennae for $2,995.

The company also offers a new L-band WAAS-compatible receiver for use with its Vision System package. The Wag Star DGPS 12-channel receiver simultaneously provides 1- and 10-Hz signals, permitting the use of variable-rate application (or planting) and a guidance system at the same time. Jim Denton, Wag president, says the company's precision systems are designed to allow users to add functions and technology as needed. "You can start out with the Wag Star receiver and control pad for data recording without guidance," he says. "Then you can expand that by adding the Approach lightbar for guidance, or expand beyond that with the Vision System to add soil sampling, yield monitoring or variable-rate input for seeding or fertilizer or chemical applications."

Prices, starting at about $3,000, vary with multiple options. Contact Wag Corp., Dept. Apply superscript *, 86 Hwy. W, Tupelo, MS 38801, 662/844-8478, www.wagcorp.com.

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