RTK for Surveying:
Achieve 1-2 cm Accuracy
- 1-2 cm horizontal, 2-3 cm vertical
- Emlid, Trimble, Leica & any NTRIP receiver
- One-person operation, no base station needed
- RTK FIX in 5-20 seconds
What Is RTK for Surveying?
RTK surveying uses correction data from a network of permanent reference stations to reduce GNSS error from several metres to 1–2 cm in real time. A rover connects over NTRIP via a mobile data link, so no local base station is set up on site. Whether you call it GNSS RTK survey, survey RTK, or simply RTK positioning, the principle is the same: corrections from a known reference point fix errors in your rover’s satellite observations.
RTK has become the standard for boundary, topographic, and construction surveys because it eliminates setup time, range limitations, and the cost of a dedicated base receiver.
RTK GPS Surveying: Precise in 3 Steps
01
Choose a Plan
02
Enter NTRIP Credentials
03
Verify FIX
Ready to eliminate 30-minute base station setups?
Why Use RTK GPS for Surveying?
RTK Boundary & Cadastral Surveys
Locate property corners and close boundaries with centimeter confidence. RTK survey solutions eliminate the base station bottleneck, letting crews complete up to 50 parcels per day.
Topographic RTK Surveys
Collect 500+ points in 3 hours for terrain models and contour maps. An RTK GPS survey captures the terrain faster than any total station workflow with no post-processing delays.
Construction Layout & As-Built
Stake out building corners, utilities, and grade control points with centimeter accuracy. RTK GNSS surveying delivers 40-60% time savings compared to total station layout on large sites.
GIS Data Collection & Monitoring
Collect sub-centimeter asset locations for GIS databases with QField/QGIS or SW Maps. Also ideal for long-term deformation monitoring using permanent NTRIP reference stations.
Compatible GNSS Survey Receivers
GNSS Survey Receivers
| Receiver | Brand | Use Case | Setup Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emlid Reach RS3 | Emlid | Survey, stakeout, GIS | Setup Guide → |
| Trimble R12i | Trimble | Boundary, topo, construction | Setup Guide → |
| Leica GS18 | Leica | Cadastral, topo, monitoring | Setup Guide → |
| Septentrio mosaic-X5 | Septentrio | OEM, high-precision integration | Multi-band, multi-constellation |
| ArduSimple simpleRTK2B | ArduSimple | Custom builds, robotics, research | u-blox ZED-F9P module |
View all 15+ compatible receivers and setup guides →
Field Software
| Software | Platform | Setup Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Emlid Flow | iOS / Android | Setup Guide → |
| Carlson SurvPC / SurvCE | Windows Mobile / CE | Setup Guide → |
| MicroSurvey FieldGenius | Windows / Android | Setup Guide → |
See all compatible field software →
Ready to Survey Without a Base Station?
Trusted by Surveyors Worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RTK surveying and how does it work?
Is RTK GPS accurate enough for professional surveying?
How much does RTK surveying cost?
An RTKdata subscription costs $40 per month, $400 per year (equal to $33.33 per month), or $1,920 once for five years (equal to $32 per month), with a 30-day free trial and no credit card required. Compared with buying a base station at $10,000–$25,000, an NTRIP subscription removes the hardware cost entirely.