In today’s fast-paced construction industry, accuracy and efficiency are critical to staying on schedule and within budget. That’s where GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) technology comes in. By enabling construction surveyors to measure, stake out, and verify positions with centimeter-level accuracy, GNSS systems have become essential on today’s jobsites.
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Unlike traditional surveying tools that rely on optical line-of-sight, GNSS receivers work with satellite signals to deliver real-time or post-processed coordinates — no need to move reference points or battle obstructions manually.
Whether you're investing in your first GNSS receiver or replacing an aging rover or upgrading to a more advanced setup, this guide is designed to help you evaluate, choose, and deploy the right GNSS system.
GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System, which refers to any satellite-based positioning technology that determines location anywhere on Earth. While GPS (Global Positioning System) is the U.S. version, GNSS includes multiple constellations like GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (Europe), and BeiDou (China).
Modern GNSS receivers often track signals from multiple constellations simultaneously, improving accuracy and reliability in tough environments such as around buildings, under tree cover, or near heavy equipment. Few of the well-known brands are Stonex and Geomax.
GNSS can be used in different ways depending on the level of accuracy required, the project size and how fast results are required. In construction surveying, the three most common GNSS methods are autnomous, static and RTK.
RTK stands for Real-Time Kinematic - a GNSS positioning technique that delivers centimeter-level accuracy by using a base and rover setup.
In a typical RTK workflow:
To run a fully functional RTK GNSS system, you'll need:
For tough terrains, we recommend buying a GNSS receiver with tilt compensation, so you take measurements even when the pole isn't perfectly vertical.
Tiger Supplies offers GNSS system packages designed specifically for construction surveying. These kits include all the essentials (pre-configured) - ready to deploy out of the box.
RTK GNSS systems allow surveyors to quickly stake out building corners, utility lines, road centerlines and grade elevations. They eliminate the need for string lines, tapes, and repeated station setups.
Tools/Accessories Required: RTK GNSS base and rover, Tripod and tribrach (for base), Survey pole with bipod (for rover), UHF radio or NTRIP correction method, Controller with layout software, Stakes, paint, hammer
Contractors use GNSS to map underground utilities before trenching and to guide excavation depths for water, sewer, or conduit runs. When paired with utility locators, this workflow reduces risk and improves coordination.
Tools/Accessories Required: RTK rover with IMU (for tight areas), Utility locator (GPR or EM), Mapping software + controller, GNSS antenna bracket, Flagging tape, stake flags, spray paint, Tape measure or depth rod
RTK GNSS can quickly verify finished grades, slopes, and elevation differences with real-time cut/fill readings that reduce rework. This is especially useful for foundation prep, road subgrade and drainage features.
Tools/Accessories Required: GNSS rover with tilt compensation, Grade rod or leveling rod, Base station or NTRIP correction source, Layout or elevation-checking software, Benchmark references, stakes
Setting project control is essential for long-term layout consistency. GNSS lets you establish reference points quickly, even on remote or unprepared sites.
Tools/Accessories Required: Base + Rover RTK system with static logging, Tribrach with optical plummet, Long-range UHF radio (if needed), Field software with site calibration support, Control point nails, markers, field notebook
While total stations and lasers are helpful for indoor jobs or where line of sight is required; GNSS systems are the go-to solution for outdoor construction surveying.
Depending on your job, workflow and budget, not every feature matters equally. Below are the key specifications to look for when comparing GNSS systems.
There are two types of accuracy to look for when buying a GNSS system: RTK Accuracy and Static/PPK accuracy. Real-time correction accuracy is ideal for layout, stakeout and checking elevations. Static/PPK accuracy is for situations where real-time correction is not possible. Accuracy is higher but it takes time to process. Benchmark's BM900 and BM080+ offer static and RTK accuracies.
Tilt Compensation is a must-have for uneven construction sites. A built-in IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) detects the angle of the pole and automatically corrects the position of the receiver.
Look for “calibration-free IMU support” when buying a receiver with tilt compensation. Benchmark BM850+ and Geomax Zenith60 come with built-in tilt compensation and is activated by default.
The more satellite systems your receiver can access, the more reliable your corrections will be, especially in high-interference zone. Some receivers even allow users to prioritize constellations or auto-switch them based on condition.
A “channel” is a signal-processing path for a satellite. The more channels a receiver has, the more signals it can track simultaneously.
While you don’t necessarily need the highest number, anything below 300 channels may restrict you if you are working in urban, hilly or forested areas.
How the base station and rover “talk” to each other impacts the workflow speed and reliability.
We recommend looking for GNSS systems that support both UHF and cellular-based corrections for flexibility.
While 8-12 hours of field runtime is sufficient, if you plan to work for extended hours then look for GNSS systems that offer hot-swappable battery, smart battery management tools or separate charging docks. Benchmark BM980+ has 15 hours operating time and BM900+ comes with 2 hot-swappable batteries.
IP ratings indicate dust and water resistance. IP67 offers dust-tight and waterproof upto 1m depth for 30 minutes. IP68 is better for submerged use and high-pressure sprays.
In addition, shock/vibration resistance as well as operating temperature must be considered when looking to buy a GNSS system.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Full frequency 3D Choke ring antenna. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Not every GNSS receiver is right for every job. Your ideal setup depends on how often you're using it, what kind of work you do, work environment and budget.
A GNSS receiver is the core of your system but it’s not the only thing that matters. The right accessories complete your workflow and keeps you efficient.
Browse our selection of GNSS accessories to find compatible gear for your system or contact us to check compatibility with what you already have.
At Tiger Supplies, we offer pre-configured GNSS packages designed specifically for construction surveyors - with options to suit first-time buyers, growing teams, and advanced field professionals. These packages are tested, dependable, and ready to deploy out of the box.
Ideal for: GNSS users and construction surveyors looking for a basic, budget-friendly RTK GNSS solution for layout, staking and site prep.
Key Specifications
View BM850 Base and Rover Package details
Ideal for: Surveyors who need a long-lasting, all-weather GNSS system with extended field time and robust signal performance in challenging environments.
Key Specifications
View BM900 Base and Rover Package details
Ideal for: Surveyors looking for fully-featured GNSS receivers with advanced field capabilities like tilt, dual-frequency communication and camera based data structure.
Key Specifications
View BM999/BM980+ Base and Rover Package details
Looking to build a custom kit? Our inside sales teams can help match your needs with gear that fits your existing workflow - saving you time and money.
A well-configured GNSS system is key to getting reliable results from day one. Here's a simplified overview of how to get your GNSS system up and running on a construction site.
GNSS receivers are built tough, but like any high-performance field tool, they need regular care to stay accurate, reliable, and jobsite-ready. The following tips will help extend the life of your equipment and protect your investment.
Daily Field Care Tips
Battery Best Practices
Software and Firmware Maintenance
Environmental Protection
Periodic Checks
GPS is a satellite navigation system owned by the U.S. government. GNSS refers to a broader category that includes GPS as well as other global constellations like GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. A GPS receiver uses only GPS signals. A GNSS receiver uses multiple constellations for better coverage and accuracy.
A GNSS receiver is used in construction for layout, stakeout, elevation checks and mapping utilities. GNSS receivers provide accurate, real-time positioning, helping surveyors save time, reduce rework and improve jobsite efficiency.
With a good satellite fix and correction signal, RTK GNSS delivers centimeter-level accuracy — typically within ±1–2 cm horizontally. That makes it ideal for layout, grading and any task requiring tight tolerances.
Yes. The base transmits correction data to the rover. However, if you're using NTRIP services via the internet, you may be able to operate a rover alone — as long as you're connected to a virtual base station network.
Tilt compensation (via IMU) lets you measure points even when the survey pole isn’t perfectly vertical. It’s especially helpful near walls, slopes, and tight areas. IMU-enabled systems save time, reduce setup effort, and improve safety on uneven terrain.
Yes - but performance depends on the receiver. Systems with multi-constellation tracking and high channel counts are much better at maintaining accuracy in obstructed environments. IMU support also helps reduce fix loss due to momentary signal blockage.
Yes - most base stations can transmit corrections to multiple rovers at once, as long as they're within communication range. This setup is ideal for multi-crew operations or large job sites.
Only if you're using NTRIP (internet-based corrections). If you’re running a local UHF radio-based RTK setup, internet access is not required.
With proper care, most GNSS systems last 5-10 years.
The unique 3D choke ring design of SA ensures an excellent multi path reduction performance across all GNSS frequency bands including L-Band. It is ideal for applications of CORS stations, bridge and building deformation monitoring or geological monitoring due to its sub-millimeter phase center stability.
The strong ability to receive low elevation signals with high gain and wide beam width makes SA an excellent choice for tracking visible satellites and provide stable and precision GNSS data under complex environments, such as obstructed environment of tree lines or construction.
The antenna LNA features an excellent out-of-band rejection performance, which can suppress the EMI, providing the stability and reliability of GNSS signals. Also it effectively avoids disconnection dangerous when receivers are being interfered by wireless communication systems, for example power grid, communication base station or radio modem applications.
The SA cover is made of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer(GFRP) material and is structurally strong and reliable. The IP67 ruggedised cover is also designed for added protection for inside antenna avoid from dust and water.
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