How to Choose a Reliable GNSS Device for Measuring Land Plots

In modern agriculture, it is crucial for every farmer to quickly and accurately measure land plots. This task is especially relevant when hiring contractors for fieldwork since calculations are based on the processed areas in hectares. But how accurate is your navigator? Can you rely on devices designed for tourism when performing professional tasks? In this article, we will explain why it is important to choose specialized GNSS devices and how they are better than tourist navigators and smartphones.

The Problem of Choosing Tourist Navigators

Many farmers, in an attempt to save money, opt for tourist navigators or even rely on the built-in GNSS modules of their smartphones. However, such devices are often unsuitable for accurately measuring agricultural land, and here’s why:

1. Outdated Technology

Tourist GPS-navigators, while still convenient for orientation in the field, are based on outdated technologies. They cannot receive signals from additional satellite systems such as GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou, which significantly limits their accuracy. They are designed for everyday use, such as hiking or cycling, not for professional land measurement tasks. The built-in software has limited functionality.

2. Limited Accuracy

The accuracy of tourist navigators often ranges between 5-10 meters. This may seem insignificant for tourists, but for farmers, such errors can lead to significant financial losses. Every hectare counts as money, and even a small measurement error can result in incorrect calculations.

3. Modern Smartphones - an Alternative?

Some believe that modern smartphones can replace navigators. However, built-in GNSS modules in smartphones, while more modern, are also limited in their accuracy. Typically, they provide accuracy only within 3-5 meters, which is insufficient for agricultural tasks.

The Problem of Choosing Car Navigators

A similar problem arises among users of car GPS-navigators who try to use them for measuring areas. Most of these navigators run on outdated platforms like Windows CE and are equipped with obsolete GPS modules that only support a single satellite system - GPS. They also cannot receive signals from additional satellite systems such as GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou, which significantly limits their accuracy. In the modern world, using such limited equipment becomes ineffective and risky for accurate measurements. The software on these devices is not updated and lacks convenient modern features such as wireless connectivity or the ability to transmit data via the internet. The absence of these features not only complicates the process of transferring results to a computer but also increases the risk of receiving inaccurate data. For example, the error of car navigators when using the "Navigate to Point" function can exceed 30 meters, which is unacceptable for agricultural tasks.

The Advantages of GNSS Devices from Geometer

Geometer offers specialized solutions for farmers, designed with their needs and tasks in mind. The product range includes GNSS devices of varying accuracy that will help you quickly and reliably measure field areas. Of course, software also plays an essential role. Geometer has developed and continues to support the geometer SCOUT program for Android, specifically designed for agricultural measurements. The geometer SCOUT program offers many useful features, including measuring field areas, marking important points, entering custom coordinates, navigating to a point, working with densimeters and RTK receivers, adding lines and other objects to the map, dividing fields into sections, determining lengths and distances by objects, exporting and importing KML files, and synchronizing with the Agroprofile portal, where you can print field maps, view the weather for each field, plan work, and store the history of work seasons.

Why You Should Choose Specialized GNSS Devices from Geometer

1. Specifically Designed for Agriculture

Unlike tourist navigators, Geometer’s GNSS devices are professional tools for accurate area measurement. We understand that you need not just orientation points on a map but specific data that can be used for contractor payment calculations and resource management.

2. High Accuracy for Confidence

The GM Spike device provides accuracy up to 1 meter, which is already better than any tourist navigators. For more demanding tasks, you can choose the GM PRO model S with an accuracy of up to 0.5 meters. And if you need absolute confidence in the results, the geodetic device Walker RTK offers an accuracy of up to 1 cm, which is perfect for farms that require high precision.

3. High-Quality GNSS Modules and Antennas

Unlike tourist navigators, our devices are equipped with more reliable and modern GNSS modules. The GM PRO and Walker RTK receivers use professional geodetic antennas, which ensure stable signal reception even in challenging conditions such as forested areas or rugged terrain.

4. Meeting the Farmer’s Needs

Specialized devices from Geometer will help you avoid unnecessary costs when paying contractors for inaccurate data. With these devices, you will receive reliable information about the processed areas, allowing you to allocate the budget properly and avoid overpayments. In addition, you can see the measurements on Google Maps in real time.

Right now, every farmer can make a choice: continue relying on outdated tourist navigators or trust the measurements to reliable, specialized devices from Geometer. We offer solutions that pay for themselves through accuracy and reliability, eliminating financial risks associated with inaccurate calculations. Make the right choice — and every hectare of your farm will be under complete control.

GNSS Device Accuracy Comparison

Switching to specialized GNSS devices is not just a choice between old and new technologies. It’s an investment in the future of your farm, a guarantee of accuracy, and a reduction in risks. Geometer products will help you save both money and time, offering precise and reliable solutions for agricultural tasks.