Q. When will the X20 be released?
Q. What are the main differences between the existing X15 and the X20?
Q. What applications do you think will need the power of the X20?
Q. What do you think is driving this trend towards precision agriculture?
Q. What will happen to the X15?
Q. Why have you chosen to go with the Windows XP Operating System?
Q. Where can find out more information about Topcon Precision Agriculture?



Q. When will the X20 be released?

A. The X20 will be released on October 30, 2005 at the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association Convention in Las Vegas. First customer shipments to North American customers will commence at the end of November 2005 with the rest of the world following in January 2006.



Q. What are the main differences between the existing X15 and the X20?

A. The X15 was released in 2002 following on from the X10. The X10, X15 and X20 all run the X20 Precision Agriculture software set. The main difference is the X20 has a larger, brighter touch-screen, a faster processor and more memory and the X20 uses the Microsoft Windows® XP Professional Operating System. The bigger screen as standard has been requested for some time but the more powerful computer and Windows XP will enable us to support future advances in technology that we are currently working on.



Q. What applications do you think will need the power of the X20?

A. We aren't saying too much right now about the types of applications we are working on for competitive reasons. But we are working with some of the most progressive farmers and equipment manufacturers in the world and we see a real need to tap into the more powerful X20 system, for its graphical, networking, and multi-tasking capabilities. This will give farmers unprecedented power to make their farming operations more cost effective, generating larger yields with reduced input costs.



Q. What do you think is driving this trend towards precision agriculture?

A. Agriculture is one of the last industries to be automated. We have automated the office, the factories, transport systems and the like. Giving farmers the tools to better control and monitor their operations and reduce costs and improve yields is the real driver. Satellite Guidance, Positioning Systems and automated steering systems, which we've had on the X20 for sometime, is just the tip of the iceberg.



Q. What will happen to the X15?

A. We will be retaining the X15 alongside the X20 in the market for the foreseeable future. It's a great little system and supports all of the X20 applications we currently have available.



Q. Why have you chosen to go with the Windows XP Operating System?

A. Don't tell our competitors this but we know that Windows XP provides our customers with the most familiar and easy-to-use system. It also offers the most flexibility for development, design, and expansion - like being able to add USB devices, printers and wireless networking cards. We can also use the X20 as a platform for many other rugged in-vehicle applications.



Q. Where can find out more information about Topcon Precision Agriculture?

A. Check out our Dealers and Contacts pages for your local Topcon reps.