Leica CS20 Field Controller | Basic, LTE & Disto Options

Need something else that isn't included below? Contact us!

Data Sheet

Overview

The Leica CS20 Field Controller is a rugged, purpose-built data collector designed for Leica Captivate field software. Built with a 5-inch sunlight-readable screen, full QWERTY keypad, touchscreen operation, and a durable field-ready housing, the CS20 is made for survey crews who need a dependable controller for GNSS, total station, and robotic workflows.

Unlike general-purpose tablets, the CS20 is built specifically for Leica field work. Its ergonomic shape, physical keypad, bright display, and rugged construction make it a strong choice for users who prefer a handheld controller over a larger tablet. Leica lists the CS20 with Windows EC7, a 5-inch WVGA 800 × 480 color display, a 67-key QWERTY keypad, IP68 protection, and 8-hour battery life.

What’s Included

• 1 × Leica CS20 GS Sensor Quick Guide, multi-language (p/n: 896293)
• 1 × GEB334 Li-Ion Battery, 10.8V / 3450mAh (p/n: 954518)
• 1 × Power Supply Configuration (p/n: 1432)
• 1 × GKL311 Single Charger Prof 3000 (p/n: 799185)
• 1 × GEV192-1 AC/DC Adapter for GKL112/311, US (p/n: 733272)

Available Models

Leica CS20 Basic

The CS20 Basic is the standard field controller option for Leica Captivate workflows. It includes core connectivity, the 5-inch display, physical keypad, 5 MP camera, flash, and long-range Bluetooth.

This is a good choice for users who need a rugged Leica field controller for standard survey and layout work but do not need integrated LTE or the built-in DISTO laser distance meter.

Leica CS20 LTE

The CS20 LTE adds an integrated UMTS/LTE cellular modem for mobile data connectivity in the field. This is useful for crews who need internet access, data transfer, GNSS correction services, cloud workflows, and connected Leica Captivate operations.

Choose this version if you want the CS20 field controller with built-in cellular connectivity for stronger field-to-office communication.

Leica CS20 LTE + Disto

The CS20 LTE + Disto is the most fully featured CS20 configuration. It includes LTE connectivity and an integrated Leica DISTO laser distance meter, along with additional internal sensors such as compass, accelerometer, gyro, expansion pack support, and onboard charging.

This is the best option for users who want the most capable CS20 setup for advanced field workflows, integrated distance measurements, and maximum flexibility.

Model Comparison

Key Features

• Purpose-built Leica Captivate field controller
• Available in Basic, LTE, and LTE + Disto configurations
• 5-inch sunlight-readable color display
• 800 × 480 WVGA screen resolution
• Full QWERTY keypad with 67 keys
• Touchscreen and on-screen keyboard support
• Windows EC7 operating system
• TI OMAP4430 1GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor
• 4 GB internal storage
• Integrated Bluetooth and WLAN
• USB client, USB host, RS232, SD/SDHC, and power jack connectivity
• Long-range Bluetooth support
• 5 MP camera with flash
• IP68 dust and water protection
• 1.2 m shock resistance
• MIL-STD-810F rugged design
• Operating temperature from -30°C to +60°C
• Battery life up to 8 hours

Built for Leica Captivate Workflows

The Leica CS20 is designed to work seamlessly with Leica Captivate field software. It gives surveyors a practical handheld controller for measuring, staking, coding, linework, data management, and robotic total station or GNSS workflows.

Ideal for:

• Robotic total station control
• GNSS surveying
• Construction layout
• Topographic surveys
• Stakeout and as-built work
• Field data collection
• Leica Captivate Measure & Stakeout workflows
• Survey and construction field crews

The combination of a physical keypad and touchscreen makes the CS20 easy to operate in real field conditions, especially when gloves, rain, dust, or bright sunlight make touchscreen-only devices less convenient.

Rugged Handheld Design

The CS20 is built for demanding field environments. Leica lists the controller as IP68 dust- and water-resistant, with 1.2 m shock resistance, and an operating temperature range of -30°C to +60°C.

This rugged design makes it a dependable option for surveyors and construction professionals working outdoors in tough job-site conditions.

Optional Leica Captivate Software

The Leica CS20 can be configured with perpetual Leica Captivate software, giving you a permanent license without an annual subscription.

None

Select this option if you already have a compatible Leica Captivate license or plan to purchase and activate the software separately.

Measure & Stakeout Perpetual

Adds a perpetual Leica Captivate Measure & Stakeout license for the CS20.

This is the core Captivate license for everyday surveying and construction workflows when the CS20 is connected to a compatible Leica total station or GNSS sensor. It provides the primary tools needed to measure, collect survey data, and stake out design points in the field.

Includes:

• Leica Captivate for CS20
• Standard measuring and survey workflows
• Point stakeout
• Coding and field data collection
• Job and data management
• Compatible total station and GNSS measurement workflows

This is the best choice for users who primarily need standard measuring and point stakeout capabilities without the additional specialized Captivate apps included in the full package.

Captivate Software Package Perpetual

Adds the complete US Leica Captivate Software Package for CS20 with perpetual licenses, expanding the standard Measure & Stakeout functionality with additional apps for advanced survey, construction, surface, volume, and field calculation workflows.

Includes:

• 827698 – Leica Captivate for CS20 / Measure & Stakeout
• 827699 – Line - Measure & Stake
• 827700 – Plane & Grid Scan
• 827701 – Area Division
• 827702 – DTM Stakeout
• 827703 – Volume Calculation
• 827708 – Hidden Point
• 827709 – Traverse
• 827711 – Sets of Angles
• 827712 – QuickVolume
• 834301 – Set Orientation
• 850623 – ESRI Shapefile Exporter

The full Captivate package is the better option for surveyors who want a broader set of tools directly on the CS20, including line-based measurement and stakeout, DTM and surface work, field volume calculations, traversing, hidden-point measurements, orientation routines, and GIS shapefile export.

All software options shown above are perpetual licenses and do not require an annual Captivate subscription.

Additional Leica Captivate Software Add-Ons

The Leica CS20 can be further customized with additional Leica Captivate apps and licenses for specialized surveying, construction, monitoring, inspection, BIM, mining, and data-management workflows.

The available add-ons depend on which Captivate software option you select. The Measure & Stakeout Perpetual license can be expanded with the full range of individual Captivate apps below. The Captivate Software Package Perpetual already includes several of these applications, so its remaining optional add-ons are listed separately.

Contact us if you would like to add any of these Captivate apps or licenses to your CS20 configuration. We can help determine which modules are required for your workflow and configure them with your order.

Add-Ons Available for Measure & Stakeout Perpetual

• 827699 - Line - Measure & Stake
• 827700 - Plane & Grid Scan
• 827701 - Area Division
• 827702 - DTM Stakeout
• 827703 - VolumeCalculation
• 827704 - Road - Measure & Stake
• 827705 - Tunnel - Measure & Stake
• 827706 - Rail - Measure & Stake
• 827708 - Hidden Point
• 827709 - Traverse
• 827711 - Sets of Angles
• 827712 - QuickVolume
• 834295 - Offset+
• 834296 - Athletics
• 834298 - Forward Intersection
• 834299 - Zenith Line
• 834301 - Set Orientation
• 834303 - Quick Setup
• 834305 - Auto Setup
• 834308 - GSeismic Export
• 834310 - Seismic Stakeout
• 834322 - Forward Station
• 834323 - Piling
• 836670 - Profile Generator
• 839679 - Inspect Surfaces
• 846827 - TPS Survey Streaming
• 848368 - Inventory (Mtl)
• 848370 - TPS Monitoring
• 848372 - Inspect Road
• 848374 - Inspect Tunnel
• 850623 - ESRI Shapefile Exporter
• 865038 - Pipeline (Mtl)
• 865658 - Compaction Control
• 867334 - Stakeout Auto Points
• 869756 - Structural Steel
• 870552 - Trig Levels (Mtl)
• 870555 - Quick Ground (Mtl)
• 878184 - Captivate Pulse CS20
• 889052 - Capt. ADSK BIM360 Docs CS20
• 889055 - Capt. ADSK BIM360 1y Lic CS20
• 903367 - Captivate ConX 1y Lic CS20
• 903369 - Captivate ConX 2y Lic CS20
• 903370 - Captivate ConX 3y Lic CS20
• 920743 - Captivate Resection Sets CS20
• 920746 - Captivate TS Mining for CS20
• 923923 - Bricsys 24/7 1y CS20
• 923926 - Bricsys 24/7 2y CS20
• 923929 - Bricsys 24/7 3y CS20
• 939878 - Captivate PTS Exporter CS20
• 944939 - Custom Field Data Export CS20
• 957604 - Captivate Quick Stake CS20
• 982372 - Captivate Piles for CS20
• 982376 - Captivate Grid North for CS20
• 985311 - Nested Attributes for CS20
• 996550 - Site Inspector for CS20
• 1023245 - Measurement Styles CS20
• 1026109 - Resection Match for CS20
• 1029683 - Captivate Field Book for CS20
• 1047849 - Captivate Bathymetry for CS20
• 1049805 - Captivate Auto Search for CS20

Add-Ons Available for Captivate Software Package Perpetual

The Captivate Software Package Perpetual already includes Line - Measure & Stake, Plane & Grid Scan, Area Division, DTM Stakeout, VolumeCalculation, Hidden Point, Traverse, Sets of Angles, QuickVolume, Set Orientation, and ESRI Shapefile Exporter. The following additional apps and licenses can be added separately:

• 827704 - Road - Measure & Stake
• 827705 - Tunnel - Measure & Stake
• 827706 - Rail - Measure & Stake
• 834295 - Offset+
• 834296 - Athletics
• 834298 - Forward Intersection
• 834299 - Zenith Line
• 834303 - Quick Setup
• 834305 - Auto Setup
• 834308 - GSeismic Export
• 834310 - Seismic Stakeout
• 834322 - Forward Station
• 834323 - Piling
• 836670 - Profile Generator
• 839679 - Inspect Surfaces
• 846827 - TPS Survey Streaming
• 848368 - Inventory (Mtl)
• 848370 - TPS Monitoring
• 848372 - Inspect Road
• 848374 - Inspect Tunnel
• 865038 - Pipeline (Mtl)
• 865658 - Compaction Control
• 867334 - Stakeout Auto Points
• 869756 - Structural Steel
• 870552 - Trig Levels (Mtl)
• 870555 - Quick Ground (Mtl)
• 878184 - Captivate Pulse CS20
• 889052 - Capt. ADSK BIM360 Docs CS20
• 889055 - Capt. ADSK BIM360 1y Lic CS20
• 903367 - Captivate ConX 1y Lic CS20
• 903369 - Captivate ConX 2y Lic CS20
• 903370 - Captivate ConX 3y Lic CS20
• 920743 - Captivate Resection Sets CS20
• 920746 - Captivate TS Mining for CS20
• 923923 - Bricsys 24/7 1y CS20
• 923926 - Bricsys 24/7 2y CS20
• 923929 - Bricsys 24/7 3y CS20
• 939878 - Captivate PTS Exporter CS20
• 944939 - Custom Field Data Export CS20
• 957604 - Captivate Quick Stake CS20
• 982372 - Captivate Piles for CS20
• 982376 - Captivate Grid North for CS20
• 985311 - Nested Attributes for CS20
• 996550 - Site Inspector for CS20
• 1023245 - Measurement Styles CS20
• 1026109 - Resection Match for CS20
• 1029683 - Captivate Field Book for CS20
• 1047849 - Captivate Bathymetry for CS20
• 1049805 - Captivate Auto Search for CS20

Need a specific Captivate workflow? Contact us before ordering and we can help configure your CS20 with the appropriate Leica Captivate software and optional apps for your surveying, construction, monitoring, inspection, or specialty application.

Reliable Leica Handheld Field Controller

The Leica CS20 Field Controller is a strong choice for crews who want a rugged, compact, and Leica-specific data collector for Captivate workflows. With Basic, LTE, and LTE + Disto configurations available, users can choose the level of connectivity and integrated functionality that best matches their field work.

Whether used for GNSS surveying, robotic total station control, construction layout, or general data collection, the CS20 gives Leica users a dependable handheld controller built for daily field production.