The Benefits of Retro Fit GPS Products
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
In "uncertain times" the price tag on a brand-new tractor with factory-fitted guidance can be eye-watering. But here is the good news: you don't need to trade in your trusty machinery to access the latest precision technology. Retrofitting a GPS system like the BlackBox or SimplySteer to your existing fleet is often the smartest financial move a farmer can make.
Upgrade the Tech, Not the Tractor
Why spend a fortune buying new when your current tractor runs perfectly? Retrofitting allows you to bring modern accuracy to older vehicles. Whether you run a mixed fleet or just want to keep costs down, a retro-fit solution like the BlackBox Air gives you improved pass to pass accuracy or the SimpleSteer offers an affordable bolt on auto steer solution, without the five-figure depreciation hit.
Specific manufacturer unlock prices vary, they often run into the thousands just for the software license, not including the screen or receiver.
A complete ready to run SimplySteer system (auto-steer) is available for the starting price of £4,500.
The BlackBox Marine can be easily upgraded to add Variable Rate or Section Control to that system later, the software unlock is only £650. This is significantly lower than the industry standard for these advanced feature unlocks.
Universal Compatibility
One of the massive benefits of retro-fit systems is portability. Unlike integrated factory systems, a retro-fit GPS system is "easily transferable between vehicles". You can move it from your sprayer to your combine in minutes, unplug from the 12v power, remove the hardware, and reinstall.
Factory unlocks are proprietary; a John Deere unlock won't work on a New Holland.
Simple Setup: Patchwork systems are designed to be "Simple to Fit," meaning you can be up and running within minutes without expensive dealer installation fees.
SimplySteer is designed to retro-fit to most tractors. This allows a mixed-fleet farmer to have a consistent auto-steer experience across different makes and models without paying for multiple different manufacturer unlocks.
The "Unlock" Belongs to the Farmer Not the Tractor
When a farmer pays to unlock a built-in system, that value is often sunk into the specific vehicle. If the tractor is sold, the expensive unlock goes with it.
Because the BlackBox is "easily transferable between vehicles"—consisting of a movable Bluetooth module, receiver, and tablet—any investment made in upgrading the software stays with the business, not the machine.
SimplySteer is a bolt-on solution. Because it is not buried in the tractor's CAN bus or locked to a VIN, you can remove it from an older tractor you are trading in and install it on your new machine (or a different vehicle in your fleet). It transforms the purchase from a "sunk cost" into a long-term asset.
Immediate Financial Returns
The math remains the same whether the GPS is factory-fitted or retro-fitted. By reducing overlap and eliminating guesswork, users report saving 10% to 15% on fuel, inputs, and labour. If you spread 40 tons of fertiliser a year, the system can pay for itself in a single season by saving you up to six tons of product. This means you begin saving from day one, and since the initial investment for retro-fit systems is generally lower, you can see returns even more quickly.
Sustainable
Choosing to upgrade what you have rather than buying new aligns with a farm business that is "Designed for Sustainability". By optimising your current machinery with British-engineered tech, you are reducing waste and supporting local innovation.
Ready to Modernise? Retrofitting is about making your life easier and your business more profitable. With complete kits starting from just £1,200, you can stop guessing and start saving from day one.
Comments