The new Reach RS2+ with LTE

olga.utiugova · August 1, 2022, 10:23am

Meet the new Emlid GNSS receiver—the Reach RS2+. It’s the evolution of our flagship Reach RS2 receiver. We have developed the Reach RS2+ based on the feedback received from our users over the past few years. The Reach RS2+ has a built-in LTE modem and features a range of design improvements to enhance Reach usability in the field. The Reach RS2+ is available from stock in the Emlid online store or from Emlid dealers in your country.

Stay connected no matter where you go

With the phasing out of 2G and 3G networks across the globe, we are upgrading Reach to ensure high-speed and robust 4G connectivity to a corrections source.

If your country is deprecating 2G and 3G networks (check 2G/3G Network Sunset Dates here), you can still get the most out of RTK surveying with Reach. The new Reach RS2+ comes with a power-efficient LTE modem, ensuring connectivity in all modern networks while staying backward compatible with 3G and 2G.

Our users who survey with LoRa or 2G/3G Internet connections can continue their work with the Reach RS+ and Reach RS2 receivers and do not necessarily need to upgrade their fleet. We will continue to deliver firmware updates and provide full technical support for Reach RS2 and Reach RS+ receivers.

Dual LTE antennas and design improvements

An LTE modem is not the only Reach RS2+ novelty. The receiver features dual diversity LTE antennas for improved cellular reception on the edge of networks or in adverse conditions. Now you can go even further and still maintain a stable connection to NTRIP.

What’s more, we have added multiple design improvements to the Reach RS2+. It is now even better protected from shocks and harsh weather conditions.

The best from Reach RS2 receivers

The Reach RS2+ has all the Reach RS2 features. The multi-band receiver gets a fix solution in seconds, using L1/L2 bands on GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou and L1/E5 on Galileo.

The receiver supports both RTK and PPK modes. RTK corrections between a base and rover are transmitted via LoRa radio or NTRIP. The maximum distance from a base is over 60 km in RTK and 100 km in PPK. Onboard, there are 16 GB of storage for RINEX data logs that are compatible with all PPP services.

The receiver only weighs 950 g and works for up to 22 hours on a single charge. The Reach RS2+ comes with a survey app, ReachView 3, which is available on both Android and iOS.

Get your Reach RS2+ for $2199

The new Reach RS2+ is available in the Emlid online store for $2199 and ships worldwide from our warehouse. You can also buy the Reach RS2+ from official Emlid dealers—find your local dealer here.

mark1st.john · August 1, 2022, 4:27pm

Hi Olga, Is there any path to get the previous RS2 updated with the new LTE Modem?

Currently just using an cell phone or portable hotspot for the cell/internet connection which works fine and serves multiple connections if needed. Though sometimes it would be handy to have the cell connection directly at the receiver when going back country.
Thanks, Mark

apg · August 2, 2022, 4:11pm

Hi Olga,
Is there a buy back program for Reach RS2? We recently purchased an RS2 but have not been happy with the performance as many of the 3G towers have been phased out.

svetlana.nikolenko · August 2, 2022, 5:32pm

Hi Mark,

Adding LTE support isn’t only about changing the cellular modem. It also requires reworking the board and firmware. That’s why we released the new product with LTE support.

I agree that having the cell connection makes things easier. But Reach RS2 needs 2G or 3G coverage. Another way, as you said, is working via mobile hotspot.

svetlana.nikolenko · August 2, 2022, 5:39pm

Hi Andrew,

but have not been happy with the performance

Is this related to 3G shutdown only, or are there some other difficulties you faced?

Currently, we don’t have such a program. Reach RS2 still can be used with 2G or with a mobile hotspot. Is there 2G coverage on your worksite?

mauricioranzan · August 3, 2022, 1:25pm

Hello,
We are experiencing issues with connecting via sim card on RS2.

Is this eliminated in RS2+?
What else are differences and gains in the receiver upgrade?
What advantage do I have in switching from RS2 to RS2+?

svetlana.nikolenko · August 4, 2022, 5:13pm

Hi Mauricio,

I remember you reported this SIM card issue. It was this thread, right?

I can hardly say if this eliminated in Reach RS2+, as we didn’t finish the troubleshooting. Would you mind investigating it further? Most likely, we’ll be able to solve it for Reach RS2 as well.

I’d say RS2+ is made to work in even more severe conditions than RS2 handles. This is what we mean when say “body design improvements”. For example, Reach RS2 can deal with heavy rain, but RS2+ sealed even better so that not a single drop leaked through the plugs.

And of course, with LTE, you can go to a more far away place. But there is no catch: Reach RS2 may still work fine for you. Decide depending on your own needs!

mauricioranzan · August 4, 2022, 5:32pm

That,
The problem with the SIM card continues.
I couldn’t solve it.

If I connect the RS2 to the Wifi it is wonderful.
If I connect with the SIM card it keeps connecting and falling.

Brocxen · August 5, 2022, 10:45pm

It’s a little disappointing as we only just purchased the RS2 the other week, and were not informed about the new version. We almost didn’t buy the RS2 because of the lack of 4G support. And now I see the RS2 has been discounted…

javipined · August 7, 2022, 8:02pm

Bueno, acabamos de adquirir el rs2 hace dos semanas. No nos han avisado de ninguna parte. Es decepcionante tener un equipo con obsolecencia programada sin avisar. Gracias Emlid

svetlana.nikolenko · August 8, 2022, 5:48pm

Mauricio,

I’m ready to troubleshoot it further. But can we move this discussion to the thread I shared above? Just to not mix things up.

I’d really like to check the Full system report. It should tell what exactly Reach misses in your SIM card settings.

svetlana.nikolenko · August 8, 2022, 5:55pm

Hi @Brocxen, @javipined,

We recently released BLE support for field-ready devices, including Reach RS2. There is also NTRIP-over-BLE option.

It uses the Internet connection of your mobile phone to connect Reach to NTRIP. So, if you have a 4G/5G SIM card in your mobile phone, you can work with Reach RS2 in remote areas as well as Reach RS2+.

Reach RS2 is still fully supported product. We continue to release firmware updates and provide technical support for that. Also, we add such features as BLE to make your workflow easier.

javipined · August 8, 2022, 6:41pm

Perfecto!!! Gracias por la respuesta.
Siendo así, veo que poneis medios para solventar problemas.
Un saludo.

geodezja-skwierzyna · August 9, 2022, 7:28am

Hello. half a year ago I reported a problem with GSM communication in RS2, the fault is the poor quality modem that is installed in this device. As usual, the problem was not solved, the introduction of the RS2 + model only convinced me that it was so. The RS2 isn’t worth a cent. you can kick me out of the forum for writing the truth about this equipment, but I will advise anyone not to buy the Emlida RS2.

svetlana.nikolenko · August 9, 2022, 5:12pm

Hi @geodezja-skwierzyna,

The reach RS2+ release doesn’t mean we’re not going to work on your issue and any other issues, which may appear on Reach RS2. But as I said before, not all issues can be solved fast.

BLE can be a workaround for your case as well. If you face any difficulties with the BLE, we’re ready to sort it out.

svetlana.nikolenko · August 9, 2022, 5:12pm

¡Gracias por tus comentarios!

geodezja-skwierzyna · August 9, 2022, 5:44pm

BLE works only with your ReachView software. I work on the surpad there is no ble and the bluetooth connection does not work when GSM is in the controller I can not skip this problem because I am trying to do it since I have an emlida or 1.5 years.