WHAT DO I NEED TO HAVE FOR VARABLE RATE APPLICATION??

Here's a short shopping list of what you'll need to do VRA if you want to use a Pocket PC:

  1. A variable rate controller. Click here for a list of controllers that are supported by Site Mate. http://www.farmworks.com/?/support/vracontrollers.html
  2. Site Mate VRA retail $750
  3. Pocket PC - Farm Works is recommending the HP 2495 iPAQ.   The main thing to look for is a device that has the Pocket PC, Windows Mobile or Windows CE operating system that has a decent processor and both CF and SD card slots (the CF is useful in case you ever want to use an inexpensive GPS such as the Farm Works CF GPS and the SD is for a data card to log data to). A CF Card Slot is also a must so you can have two serial ports (one for GPS & one for the controller). The other thing to be careful of is that if you will be using an external GPS (Raven, Trimble, etc.), you are best to stick with the HP iPAQ as it can be tough to find GPS cables for some of the other Pocket PCs. Retail around $450.
  4. A good mount such as an Otterbox or RAM Mount. Retail around $200.
  5. If you'll be working with an external GPS, and you are not using a mount with a serial port, you'll need a GPS Cable Retail $75. Or you can go with an IFB2 box & GPS Cable. This includes cabling to go from the GPS to the iPAQ. But it also includes wires to hook into a boom master or other switch so Site Mate only makes maps when the switch is on. Retail price is $180 (however, you do not need a $75 GPS cable as this is included). The IFB2 is really only needed if you are creating as-applied maps with Site Mate Basic, Scouting or a combination of Site Mate and Trac Mate. If you are using Site Mate VRA, and you are hooked to a VRA controller, Site Mate can detect the boom status from the controller.  If you are using a mount with a serial port (such as a powered RAM mount or Otterbox), you will not need the GPS to IPAQ cable as your GPS can plug directly into the serial port on these mounts.
  6. You'll also need a Ruggedized Serial I/O Card to hook your Raven controller to. Retail $100
  7. You may also need an Auto Charger Adapter for power.  Some mounts such as the RAM mount include these while others such as the Otterbox do not. Retail $20

Total retail is roughly $1,500 (excluding the cost of a controller).