A method of monitoring a planter using a monitor system comprising a monitor device, a communication module and a display device, the method comprising: transmitting authentication data from said monitor device to said communication module; comparing said authentication data to a key stored in a memory of said communication module; permitting communication of data between said communication module and said display device if said authentication data corresponds to said key; the monitor device accepting configuration input entered by a user and transmitting configuration data to the display device via the communication module, the configuration input comprising parameters including operational parameters of an implement actuator (170, 172, 174) of the planter; the display device accessing a prescription data file, reconfiguring the prescription data file for use by the monitor device and transmitting a resulting prescription data to the monitor device via the communication module; as the planter is drawn through a field, the monitor device sending command signals to the implement actuator (170, 172, 174) and receiving as-applied data from downforce sensors, ride quality sensors and a GPS receiver; the monitor device processing said as-applied data to generate processed as-applied data; the monitor device transmitting said processed as-applied data to the display device via the communication module; the display device receiving and storing the processed as-applied data in a memory and rendering a map representing said processed as-applied data, wherein said map represents a spatial variation of parameters of the implement actuator (170, 172, 174) including one of ride quality and downforce; and displaying said map on said display device. transmitting authentication data from said monitor device to said communication module; comparing said authentication data to a key stored in a memory of said communication module; permitting communication of data between said communication module and said display device if said authentication data corresponds to said key; the monitor device accepting configuration input entered by a user and transmitting configuration data to the display device via the communication module, the configuration input comprising parameters including operational parameters of an implement actuator (170, 172, 174) of the planter; the display device accessing a prescription data file, reconfiguring the prescription data file for use by the monitor device and transmitting a resulting prescription data to the monitor device via the communication module; as the planter is drawn through a field, the monitor device sending command signals to the implement actuator (170, 172, 174) and receiving as-applied data from downforce sensors, ride quality sensors and a GPS receiver; the monitor device processing said as-applied data to generate processed as-applied data; the monitor device transmitting said processed as-applied data to the display device via the communication module; the display device receiving and storing the processed as-applied data in a memory and rendering a map representing said processed as-applied data, wherein said map represents a spatial variation of parameters of the implement actuator (170, 172, 174) including one of ride quality and downforce; and displaying said map on said display device.