SOUTH Insight V3 Visual IMU RTK GNSS Rover and Base Set

Complete RTK GNSS Rover and Base System

The SOUTH Insight V3 Rover and Base Set provides a complete dual-receiver solution for accurate surveying, mapping and construction positioning. One receiver is installed over a known or calculated point as the local GNSS base, while the second receiver is carried around the site as the rover. The base sends live corrections to the rover so the operator can obtain centimetre-level coordinates without depending entirely on a third-party RTK network.

This configuration is suitable for land surveyors, building contractors, civil engineers, road crews, utility teams, GIS professionals and drone operators. It can be used for topographic surveys, construction stakeout, earthworks, site control, infrastructure measurement, utility mapping, boundary work and the collection of ground control or checkpoints for aerial surveys.

Work Independently of a Public RTK Network

A rover-and-base setup is useful in areas where mobile coverage is unreliable, no compatible NTRIP service is available or a project requires its own local correction source. After the base has been established, it transmits corrections directly to the rover through the receivers’ integrated UHF radios.

This gives crews greater control over their field setup and avoids relying on a correction provider for every project. Network RTK remains available through the built-in 4G modem when a suitable CORS or VRS service is preferred, allowing the same rover to be used in either operating method.

Dual-Camera AR Stakeout

The Insight V3 rover uses front and downward-facing cameras to provide visual stakeout guidance in SurvStar. Directional information is displayed over the live camera image, helping the operator see where to walk and how the target relates to the survey pole.

The front camera guides the user while approaching a point from a distance. As the rover moves closer, the downward-facing camera supports the final positioning of the pole tip. This makes the process easier to interpret than relying only on compass arrows, northing and easting differences or conventional distance values.

Visual guidance can be used for points, lines and curves, making it useful for foundations, building grids, kerbs, road alignments, utilities, piles, drainage features and other design elements that must be transferred accurately from a plan to the site.

Visual Positioning for Hard-to-Reach Features

The Insight V3 can calculate coordinates from a group of photographs or video recorded by the rover. This allows the operator to measure certain features without physically placing the pole tip on every target.

Visual positioning is useful for façades, roof edges, trench features, points behind barriers, water edges, areas close to traffic and other locations that are difficult or unsafe to occupy directly. Under suitable conditions, points more than 10 metres away can be measured remotely. Actual range and precision depend on image quality, geometry, lighting, movement and the surrounding environment.

Multiple points can be extracted from the captured visual data, helping crews document complex areas efficiently. The imagery also provides useful field context when measurements are reviewed later in the office.

Fifth-Generation IMU Tilt Compensation

The built-in IMU compensates for pole tilt up to 60° without routine field calibration. Instead of levelling the pole carefully for every observation, the operator can position its tip on the required location and record the point while the receiver remains tilted.

This speeds up regular detail surveys and makes it easier to measure beside walls, underneath vegetation, close to machinery, around building corners and on uneven ground. Because the system does not rely on a magnetic compass for normal tilt operation, it is also practical around many metal structures and construction materials.

Correct pole-height settings and normal survey checks remain important, but the IMU reduces the time spent centring the bubble during repetitive measurement and stakeout work.

1698-Channel Multi-Constellation Tracking

Each Insight V3 receiver uses the SOUTH S805 GNSS platform with 1698 channels. It tracks multiple frequencies from GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS and supported augmentation services, giving both the base and rover access to a broad range of satellite observations.

Using several constellations can improve satellite availability and help the rover obtain or maintain a fixed solution around partial obstructions such as buildings, roadside trees and site equipment. Dense cover, reflective surfaces and limited sky visibility can still affect every GNSS receiver, so actual performance depends on satellite geometry, correction quality, atmospheric conditions and the local environment.

Dual-Engine Positioning Technology

The Insight V3 incorporates two GNSS positioning algorithms. If unusual ionospheric activity causes an apparently fixed VRS solution to produce an increased position error, the operator can enable the enhanced positioning mode in SurvStar and use the alternative processing engine.

This provides an additional option during difficult network conditions. It complements, rather than replaces, normal quality-control procedures such as measuring known control points, repeating important observations and checking closure.

Farlink 2.0 Base-to-Rover Communication

Both receivers include an integrated 410–470 MHz UHF radio. When one unit is configured as the base, correction data can be transmitted directly to the rover using the Farlink 2.0 protocol.

SOUTH states a base-to-rover range of approximately 10–12 km in ideal open conditions. The real working range varies with antenna height, terrain, buildings, vegetation, radio power, interference, correction format and local frequency regulations. On many sites, positioning the base in a clear and elevated location improves radio coverage.

The lock-base function helps the rover remain connected to the intended transmitter when several GNSS bases are working on the same frequency. Support for commonly used radio protocols also provides flexibility when working alongside compatible equipment.

Flexible Base Setup

The base receiver can be installed on the supplied tripod and tribrach over a project control point. Depending on the job, its coordinates may be entered from known control, calculated from a static observation or established using another approved survey method.

SurvStar guides the user through base and rover configuration, correction format, radio channel and project settings. Establishing the base correctly is essential because any error in its position is passed directly to every rover measurement.

SOUTH H9 Controller and SurvStar Software

The included SOUTH H9 data collector provides the field interface for both receivers. It is designed for outdoor surveying and allows the operator to create projects, select coordinate systems, configure the base and rover, collect points, set out designs and export field data.

SurvStar includes standard surveying functions alongside the Insight V3’s visual workflows. Depending on the software version and project configuration, users can work with points, lines, surfaces, CAD data, road elements and other common field information.

The visual layout and camera guidance are particularly useful for construction personnel who need a clear indication of where a design point lies, while experienced surveyors retain access to detailed GNSS and quality information.

Ground Data for Drone and 3D Projects

The set can be used to establish accurate ground control points and independent checkpoints for drone mapping. The rover records the coordinates required to georeference and verify aerial photogrammetry projects.

The camera system can also collect supported ground imagery for 3D modelling workflows. Ground-level photographs can help fill gaps where a drone has not captured vertical surfaces, areas beneath overhangs or other features that are difficult to see from above.

Rugged Equipment for Daily Field Use

The Insight V3 receiver housing is IP68 rated for protection against dust and temporary water immersion. It is also specified to withstand a natural 2 metre pole drop onto concrete, providing durability for everyday surveying and construction environments.

The internal rechargeable battery supports extended rover and static operation. Actual battery duration depends on UHF transmission, 4G communication, camera use, temperature and receiver settings. The integrated display, status indicators and voice prompts provide clear information during setup and measurement.

A browser-based Web UI can be opened through Wi-Fi or USB to monitor receiver status, configure communication settings, manage recorded data and perform firmware-related tasks.

Common Data Formats and Connectivity

The receivers support commonly used GNSS and surveying formats, including RTCM corrections, NMEA navigation output and RINEX static observations. Internal storage and USB transfer make it straightforward to move recorded files into office processing software.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi provide additional connections between the receiver, controller and supported devices. Compatibility with office software, local coordinate files and existing equipment should be confirmed for the intended workflow.

Who Is This Rover and Base Set For?

Land surveyors can use the system for control, detail surveys, boundaries, topographic mapping and setting out. Construction crews can position foundations, building grids, piles, kerbs, utilities and earthworks. Civil engineers can document roads, structures, drainage and public infrastructure, while GIS teams can map assets with accurate coordinates and supporting visual information.

Drone operators can use the equipment to measure ground control and checkpoints, and contractors working away from established RTK networks can create a private correction source directly on the project site.

Complete Configuration from Global GPS Systems

The SOUTH Insight V3 Rover and Base Set includes the two GNSS receivers, SOUTH H9 data collector, SurvStar surveying software, survey pole, controller bracket and base-station accessories such as a tripod, tribrach and adapter. Exact package contents and regional radio configurations should be confirmed when ordering.

Global GPS Systems can help configure the system for the intended correction method, coordinate system, UHF frequency range and field application. This helps ensure that the rover, base, controller, software and accessories form a practical workflow for the country and project where they will be used.