Mindful that not everyone needs state of the art technology, John Deere’s new StarFireTM 7000 receiver is aimed at enabling an easy entry into precision farming.

Without extra hardware, the receiver offers RTK accuracy of +/- 2.5cm and customers will benefit from better satellite network coverage, it said at launch.

More farmers want to use the precision of RTK, but shy away from the greater initial investment. Now, JD's StarFireTM 7000, with a completely new correction signal – StarFireTM RTK – can be easily activated by purchasing a renewable licence, with no investments in additional hardware, or activations necessary.

With a pull-in time of fewer than 10 minutes, field work can start up to three times faster than before. Recorded field boundaries have a repeatability of at least five years which means users can create guidance lines and tramlines in the same place in subsequent crops.

Like previous models, the new receiver offers the free SF1 correction signal as standard but can be upgraded to radio and mobile RTK for more accuracy.

The StarFireTM 7000 Receiver receives Galileo and BeiDou-Satellite signals, in addition to GPS and GLONASS. This ensures a stronger signal strength at no additional cost, which is more independent of interference, such as shading by trees.

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The receiver is available in both universal/transportable and integrated versions. The integrated version is built directly into the roof of the machine from the factory, while the universal receiver is suitable for add-on use.

With the new practical handles on the sides, it can also be moved from machine to machine, or to an implement. The receiver is compatible with new and existing machines and can be used across an entire fleet.

To ensure that the universal receiver is less attractive for thieves, John Deere offers users set up a PIN code. This can be defined for two access levels, for example an administrator and an operator. Additional protection with a mechanical lockable kit is available, though it can be removed after the job is done and stored safely.

The new StarFireTM 7000 will be available to order with new model year 23 X-Series combines, but will be available as a retrofit outfit in winter 2022/23.