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Here’s the quick, practical breakdown for PointPerfect Flex NTRIP/RTCM vs Flex MQTT—with what matters for your RTK Torch in the East TN woods.
What’s the actual difference?
| Aspect | Flex NTRIP / RTCM | Flex MQTT (SPARTN over IP) |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol & format | TCP NTRIP streams industry-standard RTCM3 corrections direct to the receiver. Works with almost any RTK rover. u-blox | Uses MQTT to deliver compact SPARTN SSR messages; a client/library on the device turns SPARTN into RTCM for receivers like ZED-F9P. developer.thingstream.io |
| Time-to-fix & stability | Generally faster and more stable on SparkFun gear because it’s native RTCM end-to-end. Users report better, more consistent fixes vs SPARTN→RTCM path. docs.sparkfun.com | Extra decode/convert step can add ~60 s and introduce variability; “OK accuracy (not as good as RTCM service)” per SparkFun docs. docs.sparkfun.com |
| Bandwidth | A bit heavier; still small (kB/min), but continuous TCP session. trac.gateworks.com | Most bandwidth-efficient (SPARTN is compact) and resilient to brief drops thanks to message design. Still needs IP data. developer.thingstream.io |
| Device fit (RTK Torch) | Recommended / supported now on newer SparkFun firmware (Torch, EVK, etc.). docs.sparkfun.com | Historically available, but SparkFun guidance and user reports favor NTRIP/RTCM on current firmware due to reliability. docs.sparkfun.comSparkFun Community |
| Coverage when cell dies | Dies with cell data. | Also dies with cell data. (SPARTN over L-band satellite is the way to ride through cell gaps—but Torch lacks L-band hardware/antenna, so that’s not an option on the Torch.) developer.thingstream.io |
| Accuracy (service) | Flex is PPP-RTK: ~3–6 cm with seconds-level convergence in supported regions. (Same core service.) u-blox | Same core service & accuracy target; delivery path is the difference. support.thingstream.io |
Cost differences
For PointPerfect Flex the pricing is by connected-hours, independent of whether you pull via NTRIP/RTCM or MQTT over IP. Public references show entry plans around $5.90/month for 100 hours, with higher tiers lowering the per-hour rate. (Exact numbers can change, but protocol choice does not change the price.) portal.thingstream.iou-bloxArduSimple+1
What I’d use on your RTK Torch (Sweetwater, TN forests)
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Use Flex NTRIP/RTCM as your PointPerfect delivery on the Torch. It’s the path SparkFun currently documents as the better performer on their firmware, with fewer “gotchas.” docs.sparkfun.com+1
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MQTT/SPARTN over IP brings no cost advantage on Flex for the Torch and tends to be less consistent on that device family. docs.sparkfun.com