Recently, we have expanded the range of Emlid Reach receivers with two new products—Reach RX and Reach RS2+. Identifying all the features and choosing the right receiver for your workflow may be confusing. This article will help you to figure out which option is right for your use case.
Defining your workflow
When considering a new receiver, your purposes and workflow are the key factors that impact your decision.If you need an easy-to-use rover for RTK (Real-time kinematic) surveying on sites with Internet access, then Reach RX is your choice. It is compact and lightweight, so you can take it wherever you go. Reach RX works with any corrections network (NTRIP). Paired with the ReachView 3 app, it’s suitable for areas with cellular coverage. ReachView 3 uses the Internet connection on your phone or tablet to access NTRIP corrections and send them to Reach RX over Bluetooth. With Reach RX, you can get precise data in RTK mode on your survey site, and you may export it for further use in CAD or GIS software. No post-processing is required. Reach RS2+ is a full-fledged receiver applicable for more types of jobs. Stick to Reach RS2+, if you survey in areas with no Internet and different techniques, including RTK, PPK (Post-processed kinematic), and PPP (Precise point positioning). If you prefer PPK, with Reach RS2+, you can log RINEX data for further post-processing. You can also seamlessly use RINEX logs with OPUS, AUSPOS, and popular PPP services. For an RTK survey in a location with cellular coverage, use Reach RS2+ with a built-in LTE modem to set up a connection over NTRIP. When there’s no Internet on your job site, you can survey with two Reach RS2+ units connected via LoRa radio.
Base and rover setup
When choosing the right receiver for your job, you should recognize the difference between base and rover capabilities.
Reach RS2+ can act as a base transmitting GNSS corrections and as a rover receiving the corrections from another source. This allows you to survey with Reach RS2+ in multiple scenarios, for example:
- 2 x Reach RS2+ units as a base and rover connected via LoRa,
- 2 x Reach RS2+ units connected via Emlid NTRIP Caster,
- Reach RS2+ as a base for another receiver or RTK-capable UAV,
- Reach RS2+ as a rover connected to a corrections network.
Reach RX is a network rover that needs GNSS corrections to achieve cm-precise positioning. To stream corrections for Reach RX, you can apply one of these scenarios:
- Connect Reach RX to any public NTRIP service
- Use Reach RS2 or RS2+ as a base and free Emlid Caster as a way to send the corrections for Reach RX.
Configuration
Reach RX is designed to simplify data collection, so you don’t have to spend much time on the receiver’s setup. All you need to get started is to enter the credentials for your corrections network. Zero configuration equals zero chance of a wrong setup.
Ease of use is also one of the major features of Reach RS2+. This professional fully-featured receiver provides the option to choose your settings depending on your workflow. If you need advanced GNSS settings such as SNR or Elevation masks, you can configure them in the ReachView 3 app.
Compare Reach RX and Reach RS2+ specs
Choose the receiver for your job
The bottom line, Reach RX is a handy rover for RTK surveys in urban areas with cellular network coverage. You’ll enjoy its pocket-sized format and simplicity with no settings. In other cases, if you deal with various working conditions and need to survey in both RTK and PPK, then Reach RS2+ comes helpful.
Think you’ve made a choice? You can order Reach RX or Reach RS2+ on the Emlid online store. We ship worldwide from Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and the USA. You can also order the required receivers from Emlid local dealers.