CHCNAV i89 GNSS Receiver

Data Sheet | User Guide

Training Videos

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What’s Included

The CHCNAV i89 Rover Kit – Part Number 8001 010 366 includes:

• 1× A11551980007070507 – CHCNAV i89 GNSS Receiver
• 1× 4101 030 004 – UHF Whip Antenna, 450–470 MHz
• 1× 4103 010 096 – USB Type-C Cable
• 1× 4106 040 057 – Rover Transport Hard Case
• 1× 4106 040 152 – Rover Hard Case Inner Carton
• 1× 4106 040 158 – Rover Hard Case Outer Carton
• 1× 0103 051 069 – CHCNAV GNSS Receiver Case Label
• 1× 4102 020 026 – Range Pole
• 1× 4102 070 001 – Auxiliary H.I. Tool, Silver
• 1× 4104 060 069 – 5 V / 2.4 A Power Adapter

CHCNAV’s rover kit documentation also identifies the i89 package as including the receiver, UHF antenna, power adapter, USB Type-C cable, 2 m range pole, auxiliary H.I. tool, and transport hard case. 

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Overview

The CHCNAV i89 is a compact Visual IMU-RTK GNSS receiver designed for professional surveying, construction layout, mapping, and engineering applications. It combines a 1408-channel GNSS engine, CHCNAV iStar2.0 technology, 200 Hz AUTO-IMU tilt compensation, dual integrated cameras, internal UHF radio, and visual surveying capabilities in a lightweight receiver weighing just 750 g (1.65 lb).

The i89 is designed to handle both conventional RTK surveying and more advanced visual workflows. Its integrated cameras support Visual Survey, Visual Navigation, Visual Stakeout, and 3D Modeling through LandStar, making it possible to measure difficult or inaccessible points and provide camera-based stakeout guidance.

With RTK accuracy of 8 mm + 1 ppm horizontal and 15 mm + 1 ppm vertical, long battery life, IP68 environmental protection, and a compact form factor, the i89 provides a versatile rover solution for crews that want advanced visual capabilities without moving to a larger receiver.

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Key Features

• 1408-channel multi-constellation GNSS
• CHCNAV iStar2.0 positioning technology
• Dual integrated cameras
• Visual Survey point measurement
• AR Visual Navigation and Stakeout
• Video-based 3D Modeling
• 200 Hz AUTO-IMU
• Pole tilt compensation up to 60°
• RTK accuracy of 8 mm + 1 ppm horizontal
• Built-in 410–470 MHz UHF radio
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity
• Up to 16.5 hours of RTK rover operation
• 18 W fast charging
• Compact 750 g receiver
• IP68 environmental protection
• Designed to survive a 2-meter pole drop
• 8 GB internal memory

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1408-Channel GNSS with iStar2.0

The i89 uses a 1408-channel GNSS engine with CHCNAV iStar2.0 technology and an integrated SoC architecture for full-constellation satellite tracking.

CHCNAV states that the system is designed to improve RTK availability in challenging environments, with advanced ionospheric modeling and interference mitigation intended to maintain a high fix rate during periods of strong ionospheric activity. CHCNAV also specifies up to a 15% improvement in fix rate in difficult environments and a 20% improvement in data quality through narrow-band multipath mitigation.

Supported signals include:

• GPS: L1C/A, L2C, L2P(Y), L5
• GLONASS: L1, L2, L3*
• Galileo: E1, E5a, E5b, E6*
• BeiDou: B1I, B2I, B3I, B1C, B2a, B2b*
• QZSS: L1C/A, L1C, L2C, L5
• NavIC/IRNSS: L5
• SBAS: L1, L5*
• PPP: B2b-PPP and E6B-HAS support

*Certain signals may depend on firmware or service availability.

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Visual Surveying

The i89 uses its dual cameras and video photogrammetry workflow to measure points that may be difficult, unsafe, or inconvenient to occupy directly with a GNSS pole.

In Visual Survey mode, the operator records video of the target area and can then select the required point from the captured imagery. The system processes the imagery to calculate the point’s coordinates.

CHCNAV specifies typical Visual Survey performance of:

• Accuracy: 2–4 cm
• Working range: 2–15 m

The system uses dynamic panoramic capture, and CHCNAV states that its visual workflow can improve measurement efficiency significantly compared with conventional point-by-point occupation.

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AR Visual Navigation and Stakeout

The i89 supports Visual Navigation and Visual Stakeout through LandStar.

Instead of relying only on traditional numerical directions and distance-to-point values, the operator can use a live camera view with visual guidance to locate the stakeout point. CHCNAV’s VPT™ — Virtual Pole Tip — technology is designed to visually represent the pole tip and target point within the stakeout view.

This is especially useful for:

• Construction layout
• Boundary stakeout
• Line stakeout
• CAD-based stakeout
• Projects where less experienced operators benefit from visual guidance

CHCNAV states that this workflow can reduce stakeout time by up to 50% in some applications.

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200 Hz AUTO-IMU Tilt Compensation

The i89 includes a 200 Hz AUTO-IMU designed to allow accurate measurements while the survey pole is tilted.

This helps reduce the need to keep the pole perfectly vertical and is particularly useful around:

• Buildings
• Fences
• Vegetation
• Trenches
• Vehicles
• Other physical obstructions

CHCNAV specifies:

• Tilt range: 0–60°
• IMU update rate: 200 Hz
• Additional horizontal pole-tilt uncertainty typically less than 8 mm + 0.7 mm/° when tilted up to 30°
• Calibration-free IMU
• Resistant to magnetic interference

 

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3D Modeling

The i89 can also record video for 3D modeling applications.

In modeling mode, the operator captures the target from multiple heights, distances, and angles. The recorded imagery can then be exported and used with compatible 3D modeling software.

CHCNAV specifically positions this capability for:

• Building and facade modeling
• Site documentation
• Combining UAV and GNSS RTK data
• Larger-area 3D modeling workflows

The 3D Modeling feature may require activation through a function code.

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Integrated UHF Radio

The i89 includes an internal UHF radio for direct base-to-rover communication.

Specifications include:

• Frequency: 410–470 MHz
• Transmit power: 0.5 W or 1 W
• Protocols: CHC, Transparent, TT450, Satel
• Link rate: 9600–19,200 bps
• Typical range: 3 km
• Optimal range: Up to 8 km

The included 450–470 MHz whip antenna allows the receiver to work as a UHF rover with a compatible base station.

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Compact and Lightweight Design

One of the i89’s biggest advantages is its size.

At just 750 g (1.65 lb) and measuring approximately Ø133 × 87 mm, the receiver integrates GNSS, IMU, UHF, and dual-camera systems into a compact package that is easy to carry and use throughout a full day in the field.

For crews that perform a high volume of rover work, the reduced receiver weight can make the system more comfortable to operate over long periods.

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Long Battery Life and Fast Charging

The i89 uses a built-in 7.2 V / 4900 mAh lithium battery.

CHCNAV specifies operating times of up to:

• 16.5 hours – UHF or 4G RTK Rover without camera use
• 9.5 hours – Visual Stakeout / Visual Survey
• 10 hours – UHF RTK Base
• 22 hours – Static operation

The receiver also supports 18 W quick charging, with a full charge specified at approximately 3 hours.

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Rugged Field Performance

The i89 is built for daily field use and includes environmental protection appropriate for professional survey work.

It features:

• IP68 ingress protection
• Designed to survive a 2-meter pole drop
• Vibration compliance with ISO 9022-36-08 and MIL-STD-810H
• Operating temperature from -40°C to +65°C (-40°F to +149°F)
• Storage temperature from -40°C to +85°C (-40°F to +185°F)
• 100% non-condensing humidity resistance

 

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Ideal Applications

The CHCNAV i89 is well suited for:

• Boundary surveying
• Topographic surveying
• Construction layout
• Site development
• Point stakeout
• As-built surveys
• Cadastral surveying
• Utility surveying
• Road and infrastructure work
• Tilt-compensated GNSS surveying
• Remote or obstructed point measurement
• Visual Survey workflows
• AR-assisted stakeout
• Building and facade modeling
• Static and PPK GNSS work

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Technical Specifications

GNSS Channels: 1408 with iStar2.0

RTK Accuracy

• Horizontal: 8 mm + 1 ppm RMS
• Vertical: 15 mm + 1 ppm RMS
• Initialization time: <10 seconds
• Initialization reliability: >99.9%

Post-Processed Kinematic

• Horizontal: 3 mm + 1 ppm RMS
• Vertical: 5 mm + 1 ppm RMS

High-Precision Static

• Horizontal: 2.5 mm + 0.1 ppm RMS
• Vertical: 3.5 mm + 0.4 ppm RMS

Static / Rapid Static

• Horizontal: 2.5 mm + 0.5 ppm RMS
• Vertical: 5 mm + 0.5 ppm RMS

Visual Survey

• Typical accuracy: 2–4 cm
• Range: 2–15 m

Visual Stakeout

• Horizontal: 8 mm + 1 ppm RMS
• Vertical: 15 mm + 1 ppm RMS

Positioning Rate: 1 Hz, 5 Hz, and supported 10 Hz operation

IMU

• 200 Hz AUTO-IMU
• Tilt range: 0–60°
• Calibration-free
• Magnetic interference resistant

Built-In UHF

• Tx/Rx: 410–470 MHz
• Power: 0.5 W / 1 W
• Typical range: 3 km
• Optimal range: Up to 8 km

Wireless

• Bluetooth 4.2
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac
• 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz
• NFC touch pairing

Storage: 8 GB internal memory

Ports

• 1× USB Type-C
• 1× TNC female UHF antenna port

Cameras

• Dual global-shutter cameras
• 2 MP + 5 MP
• 75° field of view
• 25 fps video

Battery: Built-in 7.2 V / 4900 mAh lithium-ion

Operating Time

• RTK Rover without camera: Up to 16.5 hours
• Visual Survey / Stakeout: Up to 9.5 hours
• UHF Base: Up to 10 hours
• Static: Up to 22 hours

Quick Charge: 18 W, approximately 3 hours

Ingress Protection: IP68

Drop Rating: 2-meter pole drop

Operating Temperature: -40°C to +65°C (-40°F to +149°F)

Dimensions: Ø133 × 87 mm (Ø5.24 × 3.43 in)

Weight: 750 g (1.65 lb)

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Compact Visual GNSS for Everyday Surveying

The CHCNAV i89 combines professional RTK accuracy, AUTO-IMU tilt compensation, dual-camera Visual Survey, AR stakeout, integrated UHF communication, and 3D modeling capability in a compact 750 g receiver. It is a strong choice for surveyors and construction professionals who want advanced visual GNSS features in a smaller, lighter package for everyday field work.