Your All-Band GNSS Solutions for Limitless Applications
Since 2018, I’ve had the pleasure of introducing Emlid’s products to customers as solutions for a wide range of requirements. I enjoy learning every detail about these products so I can provide the best possible experience for my clients. The use cases are so varied and exciting that it’s hard to choose just one!
Back in September, I had the honour of attending the Emlid International Partner Conference in Budapest. During the event, Emlid announced some exciting news, the launch of several impressive new products.
The Emlid Reach RX2 is a pocket-sized, rugged, all-band RTK GNSS rover that delivers centimetre-level accuracy. It’s incredibly easy to use, simply add corrections and you’re ready to work in seconds.
The Emlid Reach RS4 is a robust, magnesium-alloy, all-band RTK GNSS receiver with built-in IMU tilt compensation, taking everything learned from the RS3 and making it even better.
The Emlid Reach RS4 Pro is the ultimate solution, featuring IMU tilt compensation and dual Full-HD cameras for AR stakeout and visual point capture, delivering centimetre-level accuracy for advanced surveying workflows.
These new products aren’t just for surveying, they’re designed for a variety of applications, including construction, utilities, agriculture, and environmental projects. For example, in utilities such as gas lines, imagine the ease of measuring exact locations without physically touching the pole on the gas line. Or in infrastructure, capturing an inaccessible point from a safe position. Both scenarios keep workers safe while collecting essential data.
The RS4 Pro, RS4, and RX2 share a common architecture. All feature All-Band GNSS, meaning they can utilise signals from multiple bands across multiple satellite constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, L1–L6). For those new to GNSS, satellite signals can be weak, so having a device that can see as many signals as possible is invaluable for achieving high accuracy.
They all work with third-party corrections (NTRIP) or a Base/Rover setup to achieve centimetre-level accuracy. For those familiar with the Emlid ecosystem, the RS4 Pro, RS4, and RX2 all integrate seamlessly with the Emlid Flow app and Flow 360 (desktop version). For newcomers, Emlid hardware is fully configurable via the Emlid Flow app.
Emlid Flow itself has recently evolved, now offering collaboration tools in both its free and Pro editions, enabling multiple colleagues to contribute to a project. Flow Pro (formerly Survey+) adds advanced features such as linework and stakeout tools, COGO calculations, surface handling, automated point collection, code libraries, CAD/GIS file support, and team collaboration with cloud storage for professional field-to-office workflows.
The RS4 Pro, RS4, and RX2 are all designed to be rugged yet aesthetically pleasing, why settle for a device that just works when you can have one that looks great too? All three offer long battery life and Bluetooth connectivity for easy, continuous operation. The RX2 relies on Bluetooth to connect to the host device for correction services.
Emlid has always been proactive and responsive, delivering products that are exceptionally well-engineered and perform to a standard once thought exclusive to other “geospatial-grade” systems, at a fraction of the cost. Make no mistake: Emlid’s solutions are truly geospatial-grade, delivering essential functionality for countless use cases, and doing so at a significantly lower price point.
Let’s, explore the key features of each of these latest GNSS solutions from Emlid.
Emlid’s Reach RS4 Pro
It would be remiss of me not to call this Emlid’s flagship product! The RS4 Pro is a high-end GNSS receiver that rivals any professional-grade system, delivering exceptional performance at a fraction of the cost.
Don’t just take my word for it, try it yourself! I’ve been genuinely impressed by its speed and reliability, and I can’t wait to get it into the hands of customers and hear their feedback.
The Reach RS4 Pro is an all-band RTK GNSS receiver featuring dual cameras and tilt compensation.
Let’s break that down:
All-Band RTK GNSS
The RS4 Pro tracks signals from every available GNSS frequency, improving accuracy, reliability, and speed in achieving a fixed position. Using RTK corrections from a base station or NTRIP service, it delivers centimetre-level accuracy.
Dual Cameras
Equipped with two fully calibrated, computer-vision-grade Full HD cameras, the RS4 Pro introduces survey-grade augmented reality. Why rely solely on maps when you can switch on the camera and visually locate your point? The Emlid Flow app still shows distance to the point, but now you can see it too!
These cameras also enable visual point capture, allowing measurements in locations previously inaccessible due to safety concerns or physical barriers.
Tilt Compensation
Building on the success of the RS3, the RS4 Pro features next-generation IMU tilt compensation, five times faster, powered by the latest 6-axis MEMS technology. Factory calibration ensures consistent accuracy in every use.
Additional Innovations
- Advanced Antenna System: 8-pin feed architecture for superior signal-to-noise ratio, plus dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 & 5 GHz).
- Magnesium Alloy Body: Rugged IP68 design for harsh conditions, shielding the antenna from interference and multipath.
- High-Power Radio: Up to 2W output across 450 MHz and 915 MHz bands, ideal for construction workflows.
- Outstanding Battery Life: Over 16 hours on a single charge (two full working days), with rapid 35W USB-C charging.
And the best part? No need for a total station, everything is controlled from your mobile device. It really is that easy!
In a nutshell, the key features of the Emlid Reach RS4 Pro:
- All-band RTK GNSS for centimetre-level accuracy
- IMU tilt compensation for fast, precise measurements, even with a tilted pole
- Dual Full-HD cameras enabling AR stakeout and visual point capture
- Rugged IP68 magnesium alloy body for harsh environments
- Long battery life, USB-C fast charging, and seamless Emlid Flow Pro integration
Emlid Reach RS4
The Emlid Reach RS4 delivers all the core capabilities of the RS4 Pro, minus the dual cameras, making it ideal for users who want advanced GNSS performance without the need for AR stakeout or visual capture.
The Reach RS4 is an all-band RTK GNSS receiver equipped with Emlid’s second-generation tilt compensation.
Let’s break it down:
All-Band RTK GNSS
The RS4 supports every major GNSS frequency, ensuring faster fixes, greater reliability, and superior accuracy. With RTK corrections from a base station or NTRIP service, it achieves true centimetre-level precision.
Tilt Compensation
Building on the success of the RS3, the RS4 introduces next-generation tilt compensation, five times faster, powered by a cutting-edge 6-axis MEMS IMU. Factory calibration guarantees consistent, dependable performance in every job.
Redesigned from the Ground Up
Emlid has reimagined the RS4 with a host of new features:
- Advanced Antenna System
8-pin feed architecture for exceptional signal-to-noise ratio, plus dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 & 5 GHz) for robust connectivity. - Magnesium Alloy Body
Rugged IP68 design for durability in harsh conditions while shielding the antenna from interference and multipath errors. - High-Power Radio
Up to 2W output across two bands (450 MHz and 915 MHz), making it ideal for demanding construction environments. - Extended Battery Life
Over 16 hours of operation on a single charge, enough for two full workdays, plus rapid 35W USB-C charging for minimal downtime.
And the best part? Everything is controlled from your mobile device, simple and intuitive.
In a nutshell, the key features of the Emlid Reach RS4:
- All-band RTK GNSS for centimetre-level accuracy using real-time corrections
- Next-generation IMU tilt compensation for fast, precise measurements, even with a tilted pole
- State-of-the-art antenna with 8-pin feed architecture and dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 & 5 GHz)
- Rugged magnesium alloy body for durability and interference protection
- High-power radio (up to 2W) supporting 450 MHz and 915 MHz for long-range communication
- Extended battery life (16+ hours) with rapid 35W charging
- Full mobile app control via Emlid Flow
Both the Reach RS4 Pro and Reach RS4 have the option of an additional rubber bumper which will further protect the devices from the rigours of day-to-day use.
Emlid Reach RX2
The Emlid Reach RX2 is an all-band RTK GNSS rover with tilt compensation, designed for ultimate simplicity and portability.
The original Reach RX was created to make GNSS accessible to multiple teams without the complexity of a full receiver like the RS3. The RX2 takes that vision even further, making it easier than ever to achieve survey-grade accuracy.
I received my Reach RX2 in November and was immediately impressed by its ease of use and reliability. Straight out of the box, I added corrections and had a FIX within moments, even under a tree canopy!
A FIX is the key to turning GNSS from “rough positioning” into “high-precision surveying.”
The RX2 combines an all-band RTK receiver with the same second-generation IMU featured in the RS4 Pro, making it ideal for challenging environments while maintaining the simplicity that defined the original RX.
Pocket-sized and ready to use with minimal training, the RX2 is perfect for teams who need fast, accurate results without complexity.
Key Features of the Emlid Reach RX2
- Pocket-sized RTK GNSS rover for ultimate portability
- All-band GNSS support (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) for reliable positioning
- Centimetre-level accuracy using RTK corrections via NTRIP
- IMU tilt compensation for fast, precise measurements, even with a tilted pole
- Seamless integration with Emlid Flow app for easy control and data collection
- Long battery life (up to 16 hours) with USB-C charging
- Rugged IP67 design for durability in the field
Which device is best?
There’s no simple answer, all three devices are exceptionally powerful GNSS receivers. The best choice depends entirely on your specific requirements.
To help you decide, here’s a comparison table produced by Emlid, which also includes the Reach RS3:
Criteria | Reach RS3 | Reach RS4 Pro | Reach RS4 | Reach RX2 |
Industry focus | Individual surveyors, small surveying businesses | Large-scale construction, mining, and high-demand fieldwork | Utilities, infrastructure, topo, general construction | Construction, utilities, GIS, landscaping, asset mapping |
Surveying conditions | Reliable GNSS in mixed environments | Complex/limited-access sites, hazardous or restricted areas | Any locations, including rugged, forested, and urban sites | Areas with good mobile/NTRIP coverage |
Setup | Base or rover | Base or rover | Base or rover | Rover only |
Connectivity | LoRa radio, UHF for reception only, network NTRIP corrections | LoRa and UHF radios with region-aware power and frequency, network NTRIP corrections | LoRa and UHF radios with region-aware power and frequency, network NTRIP corrections | Network NTRIP corrections |
PPK support | RINEX logging | RINEX logging | RINEX logging | N/A |
Hazardous-zone and stakeout options | IMU tilt compensation | 2nd-generation tilt compensation; robust all-band reception; visual guidance and capture for hard-to-reach points | 2nd-generation tilt compensation; robust all-band reception | 2nd-generation tilt compensation; robust all-band reception |
Learning curve | Low–medium | Medium (adds visual capture workflow) | Low–medium (familiar RTK workflows) | Low (zero-setup) |
Budget | ££ | ££££ | £££ | £ |
Why Choose Innovelec?
As an official Emlid dealer in the UK since 2018, we’ve gained extensive knowledge of the Emlid ecosystem and watched it evolve. This experience puts us in the best position to help you choose the right receiver for your requirements and provide the support you need when your device arrives.
We pride ourselves on fast, reliable support, typically responding within two hours. Many queries can be resolved immediately without needing to escalate to Emlid, and when specialist input is required, we know exactly how to engage with Emlid to speed up response times.
Have a requirement? Call or message me today, I’m always happy to discuss Emlid’s products and help you find the perfect solution.
Written by Graeme Woodall, Geospatial Product Manager, Innovelec Solutions