Hello… We use gps for utility locating and i want to improve speed and accuracy.
We currently use a geode gns3, and I tried an rtk surveyor kit last year, but the ntrip corrections don’t seem consistent in the field using cellular Hotspot.
Is there a better device? Ideally all in one like our geode. We really just need sub 10cm accuracy, but ease of use and consistency is what we need.
Any suggestions?
Any of the Facet FP’s or the TX2 would be a great choice.
But I’d like to dig into your experience with NTRIP last year.
What correction service were you using ?
When you mentioned inconsistency, do you mean the connection or position accuracy ?
A Facet FP or a TX2 with a PointPerfect (RTCM) NTRIP Plan is about as easy to use as it gets, and better than 10cm. Repeatability will be in the cm range.
What Country/State are you working in? There may be a free service also.
I was using corrections from the state of mn, they provide them for free.
Worked great when on wifi, but when it moved to a cellular data connection(the area we work in doesn’t have good service) the accuracy went way downhill.
It was using mncors, I had to sign up thru the state to use the service.
You can have better luck with a data collection app with built-in NTRIP client verses the wifi route. That’s not an option for everyone, but letting the data collector app on a smartphone handle the NTRIP and send over Bluetooth is pretty seamless. I only mention it incase it’s an option for you.
Truck Satellite Service will work with NTRIP, if you are within WiFi range.
Starlink Mini is also an option for the bad cellular Areas.
PointPerfect should have their new L-Band Service available any day now, if you are considering the X20P, but it’s not going to be as accurate as PointPerfect Flex. However, PP Global doesn’t require Cellular/Internet Access.
I can say that my testing in several of the Southeast states have shown PP Flex (RTCM) to be superior to the State RTK Networks…except Florida. Florida is on it’s own level. So it might be worth it for you to try a PP Flex and see how it works for you in the Marginal Cellular Areas ?
Our app on the tablet has the ntrip built in, we tried it several ways. We concluded that the cellular connection was the problem, in the area we were working, you sometimes can’t even make a phone call. Go back to our office and it works perfect. In an area with better cell service, it’s better, 10cm, but not 1cm. At our office it’s sub 1cm.
We just gave up because getting the corrections seemed very difficult.
Question, if I get a subscription to point perfect, and get the SparkPNT FPX-T, does it need any outside connections like cellular data, or is it self contained?
I’m after sub 10cm accuracy as easy as possible.
Galileo has doesn’t seem like it would provide enough accuracy? I am trying to avoid over thinking this. Our current solution is turn it on and go.
Currently Yes…until the PointPerfect Global (L-Band) is released for the general public.
You can think of PP Global as a “better” HAS, but it’s a paid service.
Most of the RTK devices will work with all the various forms of correction delivery methods. There are a few chips that wont use the Galileo HAS free service.
You will likely see ~1m deviation between a RTK position corrected from MN CORS Network, but that’s the difference in refrence frames.
For utility mapping, PP Flex has proven the be the easiest for me, and HAS/E6 as the automatic backup.
1 meter on MNCORS? What is the cause of that? Can you tell me more? I definitely wouldn’t want to go that route if it’s all 1 meter off.
Thx.
It’s not a ~1m error, just a different system.
MnCORS RTK network is likely broadcasting data based on the NAD83 (2011) realization (epoch 2010.0), as most States’ DOT do. Note: I’d guess they will transition to the new NATRF2022 late in 2026 or next year, so you have to plan for that.
I made the (~1m) comment to make sure you were aware that positions will change when you swap correction sources (w/ different reference frames). Your data collector (or office) software can handle this, if you tell it to.
PointPerfect operates natively in a global, dynamic frame (ITRF2020), NATRF2022 is a continental reference frame fixed to the movement of the North American tectonic plate. Both Systems have their pros/cons for any particular application, and serve different purposes.
It’s best to decide “who” will be using the data in the future, and how. IE: What reference frame would they want/need ? Then publish your positions in that frame, with the frame’s epoch date, etc.