About Outback Guidance
About Outback S
About Ordering Outback

About GPS guidance

Q. What is GPS?
A. GPS stands for Global Positioning System.  It's a satellite based signal operated by the Department of Defense and is available to anyone to provide position information to receivers on the ground.  Usually, several satellites are used by the receiver to pinpoint the exact position.  For more information, go to http://gps.faa.gov/faq/index.htm

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Q. What is DGPS?
A. The D stands for Differential Correction.  It just means that a second signal is used to correct inherent errors in the GPS signal making it even more precise.  Outback® can utilize either WAAS or L-Band correction.

Q. What is WAAS?
A. WAAS stands for Wide Area Augmentation System.  It is a satellite based correction signal delivered on the L-Band frequency range and operated by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and is free to those who use it.  The service works throughout most of North America from Mexico north to the 55th parallel in Canada.  WAAS is not available currently anywhere else in the world. For more information about WAAS contact the FAA at http://gps.faa.gov/Programs/WAAS/waas.htm.

Q.How accurate is Outback® DGPS?
A. In normal operations where each subsequent pass is being made within minutes of the last, swath to swath accuracy is just a few inches.  The more lapsed time from one pass to the next may increase the chance for additional error.  Driving error is usually greater than GPS error.  The Outback® S provides a Steering Guide to improve driving.

Q. Can I plant using GPS Guidance?
A. GPS guidance is a great planting aid.  Especially for making the straightest rows possible.  We recommend combining the use of disk and GPS giving the driver every possible advantage he could have.

Q. How does weather affect the GPS signal?
A. Weather normally does not affect the GPS signal.  This includes rain, sleet, snow, thunderstorms and wind.  Lightning isn't a problem unless it's a close strike.  A direct lightning strike will damage the unit.  Snow and ice accumulation on the antenna can also cause a problem.

Q. How do power transmission lines affect the GPS signal?
A. Normally, high voltage power transmission lines do not affect the GPS signal at all.

About Outback® S

Q. What's the difference between Steering Guide and Current Position?
A. The Steering Guide calculates the nose heading for the driver to steer in order to correctly follow the intended path.  Current Position only reports the distance left or right of the intended path.  The operator drives using the Steering Guide and checks results using Current Position.

Q. Can I use the Outback® S as a receiver for other uses?
A. Yes.  Outback® S accommodates both NMEA and CAN communication protocol.  You may contact the factory at any time to get the latest compatibility list.

Q. How long does it take Outback® to attain a usable signal?
A. It normally takes 2 - 5 minutes.  The GPS signal will be acquired first giving a yellow light.  DGPS correction will then be acquired which gives a green light.  The vehicle can be in motion during this process.

Q. Does the Outback® S have memory?
A .The Outback® S records all movement as long as guidance is on.  When the Stop button is used to pause the job, movement is not being recorded. When the job is finished, the memory is erased.  If historical data needs to be collected and stored, another accessory is required to be plugged into the Outback® S to perform that function.

Q. What's Straight Guidance?
A. In straight mode, the Outback® S generates perfectly straight, parallel lines based on the first A - B pass.  It then records in memory the actual movement over those lines as you guide.  A new line can be generated at any time with the Outback® S.

Q. What's Contour Guidance?
A. In contour mode, all movement is recorded as the machine moves around.  During the first pass, no guidance is given.  When the operator attempts to make a second pass, the Outback® S begins to guide along the previous pass.  All movement is recorded in memory.

Q. Can I switch from Straight to Contour in one job?
A. The operator can switch back and forth between Straight and Contour.  Since contour guidance follows other passes, it will attempt to follow any pass that was recorded in the current job no matter if that pass was done in straight or contour mode.

Q. How do I perform headlands?
A. This is very easy.  Usually headlands are performed in contour mode.  Make one pass and then use the guide on the second pass.  Do this wherever turning will be done.

Q. How do I mark the A-B Line?
A. When doing straight passes, the initial pass is defined by marking two points in the field.  The Outback® S will generate a line through the two points defining the first pass.  When bordering the edge of a field, mark the A point at one end of the pass and the B at the other end.  When cutting the field in half, mark the A point at the start, start heading in the right direction and mark the B point.  Then guide the rest of the way across the field.

Q. Can the Outback® S store a waypoint?
A. A waypoint can be stored so the operator can guide back to that point.  It's used primarily when a job is paused.  For example, when stopping for a refill the operator would pause the job, save the point and return back to that point to resume.

Q. How do you mount the console?
A. The console is equipped with a vacuum mount that works great on glass.  The best location is directly in front of the operator, immediately above and behind the steering wheel.  Wipe the glass with a damp cloth, attach the vacuum mount, then use the swivel and tilt adjustments to get the right viewing angle.

Q. How do you mount the antenna?
A. It is to be mounted on the exact centerline of the vehicle as close as possible over the steering axle. Avoid close proximity to a transmitting radio antenna. Do not drill holes in the cab roof. Use the adhesive plate provided for mounting. Additional plates are available for multiple vehicles..

Q. What is Antenna Offset?
A. Antenna offset is the distance from the antenna to the working part of the implement (the boom in case of a sprayer).  This tells the Outback® S where the work is actually being done.  This can be important when going back and forth or when collecting the application data for use in a map.

Q. How does the Outback® S account for implement lag in turns?
A. It doesn't, but that's good.  We assume turning lag will be about the same on each pass.  As long as tractor spacing  is right, implement spacing will follow.  This also goes for side hills.  Do not attempt to put the antenna on the implement to account for lag

Q. What electrical power do I need for the Outback® S?
A. You need a standard DC power supply between 9 and 36 volts.  Current is 1 Ampere at 12 VDC.  The unit won't be damaged by reverse polarity (positive to negative), but it will not operate.

About Ordering Outback® S

Q. How do I know you have received my order?
A. You will receive a confirmation E-mail indicating that it has been received. Phone and fax orders will also receive an E-mail confirmation, if an E-mail address is provided.

Q. When will I receive my order?
A. Most orders will be shipped within 1-2 business days of order confirmation. The carrier will be UPS. Actual delivery times (see shipping/delivery) will vary based on method of shipment chosen and your geographic location.

Q. How do I check the status of my order?
A. You may check the status of your order at any time by visiting our Web Site. Simply click on Order Status on the OutbackGuidance.com homepage. Order status will include where the order is currently (in packaging or transit) and order detail (customer order ID, item detail, shipped date, anticipated arrival date, shipper tracking number and the number of packages).

Q. What payment options do you offer?
A. We accept Telecheck, Visa and MasterCard.

Q. Is it safe to shop with Outbackguidance.com?
A. All transactions are completed on our secure server (128 Bit SSL, Checkpoint Firewall, Encrypted Cybercash Cash register). In secure mode, your computer and our server begin communicating, sending data back and forth in an encrypted format. All of your personal information including name, address, and credit card number are encrypted so it cannot be read as the information travels across the Internet.

Q. Do you share customer information?
A. We don't sell, trade, rent or otherwise distribute your personal information to any company outside of Outbackguidance.com. The information we collect on the site is used to make shopping at Outbackguidance.com possible and to enhance your overall shopping experience. We may use the information to periodically notify you of important functional changes to the Web site, new products and services.

Q. How do I contact Outbackguidance.com if I have a question?
A. Feel free to contact us with your questions, comments or suggestions. You may contact us via our Contact Us page.