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IDIGBEST reviews?

Scott1996

New Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2018
Messages
1
Location
Ohio
I have been looking into the system and it seems great I just can’t find any reviews. Anyone have any experience with it?
 

Tim Modine

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2019
Messages
78
Location
Rocky Point NY
Can Phil from I dig Best give an up to date review. Id like to hear how it compares to the Trimble Earthworks 2d for an excavator which costs around $15k incl installation and 7" display as they quoted me Nov. 2020 No automatics though but can be added for around another $10k
 

IDIGBEST

Active Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2015
Messages
29
Location
noblesville, IN.
Occupation
excavator
The IDigBest system is far superior in many ways. The IDigBest system uses a nine axis gyro sensor control system. The system's accuracy is so fast the cab can be rocking back and forth and the bucket will still cut perfect 3D grade. The incredible benefit of the system is it is 3D without satellites. It automatically measures your rotation in space. The great advantage to the hydraulic assist is that it actually feels the operator's digging speed and can correct at any speed. You must use the lights located out by the bucket because sound cannot keep up because we calculate exact grade within one hundredth of a foot within one hundredth of a second. To compare to a CAT/Trimble system, the moment the chassis rocks in any direction they shut down due to slow sensors. New features coming to the system is our plug in GPS no base station needed. You will only have to hotspot off your phone. You will have 28 satellite accuracy within millimeters per inch. Our GPS system will list at approximately $10,000. There are several other updates I would like to share with you. Please text or call at 317-210-0220 for pricing quotes and any other questions you may have.
 

Tim Modine

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2019
Messages
78
Location
Rocky Point NY
The IDigBest system is far superior in many ways. The IDigBest system uses a nine axis gyro sensor control system. The system's accuracy is so fast the cab can be rocking back and forth and the bucket will still cut perfect 3D grade. The incredible benefit of the system is it is 3D without satellites. It automatically measures your rotation in space. The great advantage to the hydraulic assist is that it actually feels the operator's digging speed and can correct at any speed. You must use the lights located out by the bucket because sound cannot keep up because we calculate exact grade within one hundredth of a foot within one hundredth of a second. To compare to a CAT/Trimble system, the moment the chassis rocks in any direction they shut down due to slow sensors. New features coming to the system is our plug in GPS no base station needed. You will only have to hotspot off your phone. You will have 28 satellite accuracy within millimeters per inch. Our GPS system will list at approximately $10,000. There are several other updates I would like to share with you. Please text or call at 317-210-0220 for pricing quotes and any other questions you may have.
My issue with I dig best is id have to install and thats not a liability id be willing to take on, and the other is logistical proximity from your home base to mine. Could you post any current videos of the system in action within the last year?
 

IDIGBEST

Active Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2015
Messages
29
Location
noblesville, IN.
Occupation
excavator
about installing. It's made simple for anyone to install we give unlimited help 7 day a week. There is no liability you can take it to any machine dealer of your choice. they will install for you. Or a local excavator repair facility. They just call us and we set them up and it's all done. Very basic install. System the fax machine warranty in no way. System fits all machines.

haven't been posting a lot this year with COVID-19.

Been working on new Gps add on.

Here is one from Facebook for you.

0CD1E37D-342E-490C-800E-6083584C54B8.jpeg
here is a link for video face book;
https://fb.watch/1NHBp71gc-/

 

IDIGBEST

Active Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2015
Messages
29
Location
noblesville, IN.
Occupation
excavator
Also working on new Skidsteer and dozer Add one to IdigBest;image.jpg
Also you can follow us on Instagram. Facebook. There's some good information there. Or you can always call me anytime with any questions of help or what you don't like at 317-210-0220

Saturday we just received eight more kits we've been sold out for the last two weeks.
 

fourwheel1

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2015
Messages
24
Location
Millersburg ohio
Occupation
excavating & farming
I installed an I dig best in January on a kobelco 140... Was a little difficult to install even with watching lots of videos. My son helped and did most of it,, he is cat tech
 

fourwheel1

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2015
Messages
24
Location
Millersburg ohio
Occupation
excavating & farming
Yes have been using it and it's very accurate.... But..... That's where the good seems to end... Install is complicated, not sure I'd do another one. There is no install book or directions, just a lot of videos which leave a lot to figure out. Phil was very available during install but became difficult to get ahold of, he seems to run business himself. He wanted us to"learn" system before using auto. Didn't make sense since this is supposed to make things simple but ok. Had to dig by sound because LED lights on boom burned out first time we turned them on because system over powered them and had to set system to 50 percent power?? Still waiting on them. Had to replace one cable already that cost 170.00,,, was not pinched or scuffed but one strand inside shorte out.. Was trying to use yesterday without laser, that's another issue,,, and the main module flashed a code and quit... Was told it has a short. Something in system will not allow us to use laser and bench from it.. Talked to Phil and tried multiple things and he is stumped... I run full gps on my farm and love technology but this is way over complicated. Yes it can do a lot but could be much simpler. Demoed a wireless I dig system and was slow but very simple to operate, was very accurate, dug footers without grade man, no wires to go bad, could move to other machines, and cost half as much. Would return tomorrow if I could... I'm trying to let people know what I ran into. 3 months and all I have is nice looking, expensive monitor.
 

Tags

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2012
Messages
1,610
Location
Connecticut
Sounds like "I dig just fine" without it and the headaches. To be fair though,you could have gotten one made on a Friday, but the last thing you want to hear as an end user from the manufacturer is "we are stumped", gee thanks, you're stumped and I'm a lot lighter in the pocket.
 

fourwheel1

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2015
Messages
24
Location
Millersburg ohio
Occupation
excavating & farming
I did get system figured outa little more, had a bad monitor that was covered under warranty. Digging with the lights is much better than by sound only...my lights were not working at first and they are easy to see even in bright sunlight. Yes its super fast and accurate when i check it with the tip of the bucket teeth. For some reason i have trouble with auto steer either coming up towards end of stroke or with getting deep if i only have an inch to shave off. I've tried different attack angles and speeds but struggle with accuracy on auto. Does save me having a stick man tho and have dug over a dozen basements without stick man at all. Great tool for the toolbox, just need to keep an eye on the grade.
 

IDIGBEST

Active Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2015
Messages
29
Location
noblesville, IN.
Occupation
excavator
Yes have been using it and it's very accurate.... But..... That's where the good seems to end... Install is complicated, not sure I'd do another one. There is no install book or directions, just a lot of videos which leave a lot to figure out. Phil was very available during install but became difficult to get ahold of, he seems to run business himself. He wanted us to"learn" system before using auto. Didn't make sense since this is supposed to make things simple but ok. Had to dig by sound because LED lights on boom burned out first time we turned them on because system over powered them and had to set system to 50 percent power?? Still waiting on them. Had to replace one cable already that cost 170.00,,, was not pinched or scuffed but one strand inside shorte out.. Was trying to use yesterday without laser, that's another issue,,, and the main module flashed a code and quit... Was told it has a short. Something in system will not allow us to use laser and bench from it.. Talked to Phil and tried multiple things and he is stumped... I run full gps on my farm and love technology but this is way over complicated. Yes it can do a lot but could be much simpler. Demoed a wireless I dig system and was slow but very simple to operate, was very accurate, dug footers without grade man, no wires to go bad, could move to other machines, and cost half as much. Would return tomorrow if I could... I'm trying to let people know what I ran into. 3 months and all I have is nice looking, expensive monitor.
 

HighFlyerAK

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
77
Location
Alaska
Hi all!
According to Phil (owner of iDigBest), there are 1,100 systems of his iDigBest out there.
Anyone of those 1,100 willing to share their thoughts, field experiences, and perhaps with tilt-rotor attachments?
I would greatly appreciate it.
I like the display of it better than that of the iDig (European counter part).
And the performance promises are all over - especially with the 3D hydraulic assist function claims. But is it really the David of Machine Control Systems?
I am thinking of adding it to my new Wacker ET90, if that matters.
And I would have it installed by the dealer direct, due to warranty considerations.
Thanks in advance,
Andreas
 

NepeanGC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Messages
203
Location
Ottawa, Ontario
Occupation
#dirtherder
I have an idigbest system installed on my bobcat e42. It has a Steelwrist tiltrotator, and I had the idb system prior to the Steelwrist. Unfortunately the 2 don't work together since the Steelwrist has no rotation sensor, and thus no way to feed rotational data to the idigbest system. This is more of a Steelwrist problem than a idb problem though.

When I had normal bucket and thumb setup, the system worked very well, without any major issues once set up. The screen and user interface leaves a bit to be desired. Screen is very retro feeling, and bulky for what it is. It's a rather generic ruggedized off the shelf unit. Install support and training also leave a bit to be desired. Training was non existant, and I felt rather left out in the cold. I purchased my system back in 2019.

More recently on my e85, I chose a Trimble earthworks system. Screen and user interface is much nicer in my opinion. I haven't needed any support as of yet, but I feel there are significantly more options for Trimble support than IDB, and training and videos are plentiful online. I have no topcon dealer locally, otherwise I would have also considered them.
 

HighFlyerAK

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
77
Location
Alaska
NepeanGC,
That is some VERY helpful info you are providing. And dare I say, it seems to fit in very much to what I have read so far. It‘s a shame actually, but also an open market and in the end, it seems as there are too many questions unanswered.
What I can tell with a fairly high level of confidence, install seems to lack severely. And I have seen a video, where either Phil himself or someone is showing off all the parts laid out on a table. They make sense, but going into a brand new machine and taking off hydraulic hoses and adding fittings - Not necessarily what I would like to take chances on.

No training is big as well. Just going out and start pushing buttons while the machine is running endlessly - Nope.
It‘s really a bummer you have the steelwrist and can‘t really take advantage of it to it‘s fullest.

Not too stoked about the ‚retro‘ screen looks/design either. Especially since that will be my interface for a long time to deal with.
That reminds me to check with the Rototilt sales man on whether the R3 does have rotation/tilt sensors. But it should have them

I really appreciate your input!
I will make sure I will share my decision and experience with my new setup, once I have made up my mind.

Cheers
 

NepeanGC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Messages
203
Location
Ottawa, Ontario
Occupation
#dirtherder
My 2 cents having had automatics on my e42, I actually chose to go for an indicate only system with Trimble.

For what I do, which is dig trenches for pipe, basements, and slabs, although automatics are certainly nice, they weren't worth the added cost to me. The big thing I needed to speed up operations was to eliminate the guy holding the grade rod, not help me run the shovel. Automatics buy skill, and if you have super tight tolerances, they do have value. But for basements and slabs, the concrete guys that follow me are over the moon if I'm +/- 1/2"-3/4". With many of these systems they can be configured to emit a tone, just like a laser receiver. Eventually you learn to just grade by ear.
 

KSSS

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,318
Location
Idaho
Occupation
excavation
Trimble and Leica both offer the position sensor that is attached to the Steelwrist or Rototilt attachment. I don't think you would ever see that come on the attachment itself since there are several possible options on what brand the customer chose for a guidance solution and some may not want that option at all.
 

NepeanGC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Messages
203
Location
Ottawa, Ontario
Occupation
#dirtherder
Trimble and Leica both offer the position sensor that is attached to the Steelwrist or Rototilt attachment. I don't think you would ever see that come on the attachment itself since there are several possible options on what brand the customer chose for a guidance solution and some may not want that option at all.

For Trimble and IDB, they both need to read the rotation from the tiltrotator directly. Trimble/IDB position sensors pick up the tilt axis, but not rotate. As far as I know, my problem is truly a Steelwrist only problem as I understand both Rototilt and Engcon tiltrotators have a rotation sensor in their smaller units. What should also be noted, is this isn't a problem on Steelwrists larger units. My Steelwrist X12 has a rotation sensor, my little X06 does not, and has no way to retrofit per my discussions with Steelwrist. Practically, grade control isn't really used all that much on smaller excavators anyways, so there's no real market incentive to fix that I imagine.

I have no experience with Leica, but I don't see how they could pick up rotate either.
 
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