Products
Emlid Reach RX2 vs Reach RX: Which Rover Receiver is Best for You?
Comparison of the Reach RX2 and Reach RX, from tilt compensation and multi-band RTK to app integration and field performance
In-depth comparison between the new Emlid Reach RX2 and Emlid Reach RX;
Reach RX2 key upgrades include IMU tilt compensation for faster, more flexible point collection and expanded all-band GNSS support;
The Reach RX2 and Reach RX are portable, easy-to-use rovers;
heliguy™ in-house survey team can help you integrate the Reach ecosystem into your workflows through consultancy, supply, and support.
Emlid has launched the Reach RX2, the successor to the original Reach RX, with major upgrades including IMU tilt compensation, multi-band RTK support, and extended app integration.
In this blog, we compare the RX2 with the RX Rover, highlighting key features, applications, workflows, and our Survey Team’s first impressions.
Richard Dunlop, Geospatial Lead at Heliguy said:
“The RX2 builds on what was already a successful surveying tool in the EMLID RX. It provides surveyors with the expanded GNSS support with 672 channels, surveyors and professional users now have a more reliable, robust and portable tool for their operations.”
Key features and upgrades
The Reach RX2 builds on the success of the original Reach RX, keeping its lightweight, pocket-sized frame while adding major upgrades.
Key improvements include:
IMU tilt compensation for faster, more flexible point collection
Expanded all-band GNSS support with 672 channels
Compatibility with L-band corrections for global accuracy.
The RX 2 also introduces a larger battery and a quick-release mount, making it more versatile and robust for professional fieldwork.
Reach RX2
Emlid Reach RX vs RX 2: Key specs comparison
Here’s how the two recievers compare side by side.
Feature | Reach RX | Reach RX2 |
RTK Precision | H: 7 mm + 1 ppmV: 14 mm + 1 ppm | H: 7 mm + 1 ppmV: 14 mm + 1 ppm |
Tilt Compensation | Not supported | RTK + 2 mm + 0.3 mm/° |
GNSS Support | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou | All-band GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC) |
Channels | 184 | 672 |
Battery Life | Up to 16 hrs (5200 mAh) | Up to 16 hrs (7000 mAh, faster charging) |
Weight | 250 g | 280 g |
Mount | 5/8”-11 UNC | 5/8”-11 UNC + quick release |
Ingress Rating | IP68 (1.5 m water, 30 min) | IP68 (1.5 m water, 30 min) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C | Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C |
Certifications | FCC, CE, IC, Apple MFi* | FCC, CE, IC, Apple MFi |
Special Features | – | All-band RTK (L1/L2/L5/L6), L-band corrections (<10 cm global), quick-release |
*Only the RX Rover Apple MFI Certified version
Both GNSS receivers share the same sturdy, portable build and simple operation.
The Reach RX Rover (Apple MFi Certified) was designed as a pocket-sized RTK rover, weighing just 250 g.
Reach RX
It delivers centimetre-level accuracy using GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and BeiDou, achieving a fix in under 5 seconds.
The RX Rover’s industrial-grade battery offers 16 hours of use and over 2,000 charge cycles, while IP68 protection, Apple MFi certification*, and Bluetooth connectivity made it reliable for surveyors and non-specialists alike.
*Only the RX Rover Apple MFI Certified version, not the original RX.
The Reach RX2 adds IMU tilt compensation for accurate measurement without levelling, and an IMU-based system that avoids magnetic interference.
Reach RX2
Its 672-channel GNSS chip tracks all major constellations, including GPS L5, BeiDou-3, QZSS, and NavIC, with readiness for SSR and Galileo HAS corrections.
This makes it more reliable in complex environments such as under canopy or where RTK coverage is limited.
Reach RX 2
Other upgrades include a larger 7,000 mAh battery with fast USB-C charging, a redesigned high-performance antenna, and a secure quick-release pole mount designed to maintain tilt accuracy.
The new quick-release adapter makes attaching the RX2 to the survey pole more efficient, and the new quick release fits onto the standard ⅝ survey thread if you’re not using an Emlid survey pole.
Reach RX2 with the Quick-Release Adapter
Like the RX Rover, it remains IP68-rated, under 300 g, and compatible with iOS, Android, and popular GIS apps such as Emlid Flow, Pix4D Catch, and Esri Collector.
Overall, the Reach RX Rover is a simple, reliable entry point for high-accuracy GNSS, while the Reach RX2 adds tilt compensation, all-band GNSS, L-band corrections, and stronger hardware—making it the better choice for advanced surveying and GIS workflows.
Applications and workflows
The Reach RX Rover is a simple entry point to high-accuracy GNSS, while the RX2 offers greater accuracy, versatility, and stronger hardware for advanced surveying.
The RX Rover still has its uses, but the RX2 is generally the stronger choice.
Emlid Reach RX vs RX2 applications comparison table:
Application | Reach RX Rover (MFi Certified) | Reach RX2 |
GIS & Esri | Good for basic GIS tasks, integrates with iOS apps | Tilt compensation and all-band GNSS improve accuracy, works seamlessly with Esri ecosystem |
Utilities | Suitable for simple data capture in open areas | Compact, tilt compensation helps in trenches and hard-to-reach spots |
Construction | Useful for simple site tasks like checkpoints | Handles layout, elevations, and markers with tilt accuracy and app support |
Landscaping | Can support basic layouts and checkpoints | Centimetre-level accuracy and simplicity improve design and layout |
Terrestrial Scanning | Not supported | Supports scanning with handle and app integration |
General Survey | Great entry-level rover for quick surveys | Advanced features make it more robust for professional survey workflows |
When it comes to workflows, the RX and RX 2 are quite similar.
Both receivers use the same straightforward process with the Emlid Flow app: connect via Bluetooth, configure an NTRIP profile, and begin collecting points.
The RX2, however, introduces upgrades that make fieldwork faster and more versatile. With the RX Rover, the pole must remain level to achieve full accuracy, which works well for open sites and uncomplicated projects.
The RX2 overcomes this limitation with IMU tilt compensation, enabling precise measurements without levelling—ideal in trenches, near obstacles, or on uneven terrain.
It also benefits from a quick-release pole mount and a larger battery, helping teams work efficiently throughout the day.
Both devices* integrate seamlessly with iOS, Android, and GIS applications, but the RX2’s all-band GNSS and L-band compatibility give it the edge in more challenging environments, such as under canopy or where RTK coverage is limited.
*Only the RX Apple MFI Certified, the original RX is not compatible with IOS.
Overall, the RX Rover is a reliable entry-level tool for fast, accurate surveys, while the RX2 enhances the same workflow with tilt compensation, broader GNSS support, and greater efficiency for professional use.
Summary
The Emlid Reach RX Rover and RX2 both deliver centimetre-level accuracy in a compact, easy-to-use package.
The RX Rover is a lightweight, reliable entry point for everyday data collection, while the RX2 expands the platform with tilt compensation, all-band GNSS, and advanced features for demanding workflows.
Get in touch
Contact the Heliguy Survey Team to learn more about Emlid receivers and how we can help you integrate them into your operations.
