3D Scanner Comparison

Emlid RS3 vs RS4 vs Reach RX: GNSS Receiver Comparison

An expert comparison to help you choose the right equipment for your project.

Feature	Emlid RS3	Emlid RS4	Emlid Reach RX
Bands	L1/L2 (184 channels)	L1/L2/L5/L6 (672 channels)	See Emlid's Reach RX specification
Accuracy	RTK 7 mm + 1 ppm H / 14 mm + 1 ppm V	RTK 7 mm + 1 ppm H / 14 mm + 1 ppm V	See Emlid's Reach RX specification
Weight	950 g	927 g	See Emlid's Reach RX specification
Battery	18 h RTK rover with tilt (22 h logging)	16 h RTK rover with tilt (22 h logging)	See Emlid's Reach RX specification
Price	Value	Moderate	Lowest

Pricing shown reflects average US rates — indicative ranges, not a quote. Actual costs vary by location based on local market conditions, regulations, and project logistics — both within the US and internationally. Get a custom quote

Option A Emlid

Emlid RS3

Previous Generation

The RS3 offers reliable dual-band GNSS with tilt compensation at an affordable price point.

Pros

Affordable
Proven reliability
Tilt compensation (RTK + 2 mm + 0.3 mm/°)
Longest rover autonomy of the three at 18 h

Cons

L1/L2 only — no L5 or L6
184 channels vs the RS4's 672
UHF is receive-only (antenna sold separately)

Best For

Budget RTKBasic surveyingReliable work

Option B Emlid

Emlid RS4

Current Flagship

The RS4 is Emlid's current all-band receiver, adding L5/L6, NavIC, 672 channels and a stronger radio.

Pros

672 channels with L5/L6
Six constellations including NavIC
IP68 and -40°C to +65°C
LoRa and 2 W UHF transmit

Cons

Higher cost
Same published RTK precision as the RS3
Shorter rover autonomy than the RS3 (16 h vs 18 h)

Best For

Professional RTKSurvey gradeMaximum accuracy

Option C Emlid

Emlid Reach RX

Compact Rover

The Reach RX is a compact, affordable rover for budget RTK workflows.

Pros

Most affordable of the three
Ultra compact
Very light
Simple network-RTK rover workflow

Cons

Rover only
Shorter battery
Needs base

Best For

Budget roversLight setupsAdditional receivers

Our Expert Verdict

Depends on Your Needs

The RS3 and RS4 publish identical RTK precision (7 mm + 1 ppm horizontal); what separates them is signal coverage and radio — the RS4 adds L5/L6, NavIC, 672 channels, IP68 and a 2 W UHF transmitter, while the RS3 actually runs two hours longer as a rover. The Reach RX is the compact network-RTK rover.

Choose Emlid RS3 if...

Choose RS3 for affordable, proven RTK capability and the longest rover day.

Choose Emlid RS4 if...

Choose RS4 when difficult sky, L5/L6 signals or a transmitting UHF radio matter.

Choose Emlid Reach RX if...

Choose Reach RX for the most affordable and compact RTK rover.

Download the Spec Sheets

Original manufacturer documents, free with no email required — verified against each manufacturer's live copy.

Emlid Reach RS3

Datasheet — 2023-09-22 (PDF) · 0.7 MB

Source: Emlid ↗

Emlid Reach RS4

Datasheet — 2026-03-23 (LoRa & UHF) (PDF) · 0.2 MB

Source: emlid.com ↗

Browse the full library: Equipment Spec Sheets & Downloads →

Frequently Asked Questions

Emlid vs Trimble/Leica?

Emlid offers excellent accuracy at a fraction of the cost. Trimble/Leica have larger ecosystems and support.

Equipment Used

Professional Equipment In This Comparison

The professional equipment in this comparison, compared spec by spec. Specifications shown are the manufacturers' published figures. Models THE FUTURE 3D operates are identified on their own pages.

EMLID

Legacy

EMLID