Does NanoSteer navigation work without the internet? What happens if you lose signal?

Often before buying, farmers ask if agricultural navigation works without the Internet. It's not surprising, since fields are often in hard-to-reach places with poor signal. So, does that mean if we lose Internet, our navigation will stop working? Of course not, because we still have a satellite signal.

Does a tractor's GPS need the Internet?

The GNSS receiver doesn't need the Internet to pick up satellite signals. The antenna on the roof communicates with the satellite system and determines the machine's position based on that. The Internet is used for slightly different tasks. It's mainly responsible for sending additional correction data, which helps improve the accuracy of the machine's passes. So, a tractor in an area without coverage doesn't stop seeing satellites, it just keeps working but with less precision.

Do you need fast Internet for agricultural navigation?

This is another common concern. Navigation for pinpointing your exact position uses relatively little data containing positioning information. That’s why signal stability is more important than connection speed.

So what happens if the Internet disappears in the middle of the field? First of all, the receiver won’t stop picking up satellite data, which means you can still drive the tractor, just with less accuracy.

Is a SIM card necessary for agricultural navigation?

A SIM card is one of the most convenient solutions with a data plan. This way, the system doesn't have to be constantly connected to a hotspot shared from your phone. The tablet can then use the cellular network on its own. It's a very convenient solution because the connection is automatic as soon as you turn on the navigation.

How does it work in the NanoSteer 210 navigation?

The navigation offers 2.5 cm accuracy when connected via RTK, which uses the Internet. This is a good option used during precision work, such as sowing, cultivation, or many other field tasks. Switching to the PPP signal, the navigation uses the satellite signal. After a few minutes of buffering, the system is ready to work, but this time with higher accuracy. 

If you’re still wondering about buying agricultural navigation but aren’t sure if it will work well on your tractor, get in touch with us. We’ll discuss fitting the right steering wheel adapter and clear up any doubts about the features and benefits.