Emlid RS4 Delivers RTK Cost Savings

For many contractors, machine control relies on ongoing Network RTK subscription fees or expensive proprietary base stations. But a recent project has demonstrated there's another option.

Working alongside GeoSurvey and civil contractor Straight Up Civil, Ferntech helped implement the Emlid Reach RS4 as a local RTK base station, replacing an annual Network RTK subscription while delivering faster corrections, improved accuracy and support for multiple machines from different manufacturers.

The Challenge

Straight Up Civil operates a fleet of machine-controlled equipment across drainage, earthworks and civil construction projects.
Like many contractors, the business relied on a Network RTK subscription to provide positioning corrections for machine control. While effective, the service came with several drawbacks:

• Ongoing subscription costs of approximately NZ$6,000 per year
• Individual modem configuration for each machine
• Performance dependent on distance from the nearest reference station
• Variable correction latency over cellular networks

The team wanted a solution that reduced operating costs without compromising accuracy or reliability.

 

The Solution

GeoSurvey supplied and configured an Emlid Reach RS4, sourced through Ferntech, to operate as a dedicated on-site RTK base station.

The Reach RS4 broadcasts RTK corrections over its built-in UHF radio, allowing multiple machines to receive corrections from a single receiver without ongoing subscription fees.

Designed as Emlid's flagship all-band RTK GNSS receiver, the Reach RS4 offers:

• All-band GNSS tracking (L1/L2/L5/L6)
• 672 tracking channels for improved performance
• Integrated LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and UHF radio
• Up to 2W UHF transmission
• Rugged IP68-rated magnesium alloy housing
• Fast next-generation tilt compensation
• Quick-release mounting system for efficient deployment

Real-World Results

Once installed, the Reach RS4 simultaneously provided RTK corrections to:

• Two Cat GRADE excavators
• One Topcon-equipped bulldozer

The same receiver also supplied corrections to third-party survey rovers, allowing both machine control and surveying teams to work from a single base station.

The project delivered measurable benefits:

• Approximately NZ$6,000 per year in subscription savings
• Return on investment in under two years
• Support for three machines simultaneously
• Improved correction responsiveness compared with Network RTK
• Cross-brand compatibility across Cat, Topcon and survey equipment

More Than Cost Savings

Beyond reducing operating costs, the project demonstrated how a modern GNSS receiver can simplify site operations.

The Reach RS4 can be installed as a permanent base station or quickly repositioned around site using its quick-release mounting system. Once configured, operators simply mount the receiver each morning and begin work, with corrections automatically resuming after startup.

Its integrated UHF radio and support for licensed frequencies provide reliable, low-latency correction delivery without relying on mobile network coverage, making it well suited to demanding construction environments.

 

A Proven Solution for New Zealand Contractors

This project demonstrates that the Reach RS4 is more than a surveying receiver.

For contractors running machine control, it offers an opportunity to:

• Reduce ongoing RTK subscription costs
• Operate mixed machine fleets from a single base station
• Improve correction performance on site
• Support both machine control and survey workflows with one receiver

Whether you're upgrading an existing machine control workflow or exploring alternatives to ongoing Network RTK subscriptions, the Reach RS4 provides a flexible, high-performance solution backed by Ferntech's local product knowledge and support.

 

Learn More

Interested in whether the Emlid Reach RS4 could work for your operation?

Explore the Emlid Reach RS4 product page or get in touch with the Ferntech team to discuss your machine control or surveying requirements.

 

Shop Emlid Reach RS4

 

Download the full case study (PDF) to explore the complete project, technical setup and results.