CHCNAV i83 GNSS Receiver

Data Sheet | User Guide
Training Videos

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What’s Included

The CHCNAV i83 Rover Kit – Part Number 8001 010 239 includes:

• 1× A19318980901070002 – CHCNAV i83 GNSS Receiver
• 1× 4101 030 004 – UHF Whip Antenna, 450–470 MHz
• 1× 4103 010 096 – USB Type-C Cable
• 1× 4106 040 164 – 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 i83 user documentation identifies the rover configuration as including the receiver, UHF antenna, USB Type-C connection, range pole, H.I. accessory, and transport case.

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Overview

The CHCNAV i83 is a professional IMU-RTK GNSS receiver built for surveying, construction layout, mapping, and engineering applications. It combines a 1408-channel multi-band GNSS engine, CHCNAV iStar technology, 200 Hz AUTO-IMU tilt compensation, integrated UHF and 4G communications, and long battery life in a rugged field-ready receiver.

Designed as a versatile base or rover solution, the i83 supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC/IRNSS, SBAS, and supported PPP signals. Its third-generation GNSS antenna and iStar processing are designed to improve satellite tracking efficiency and provide dependable RTK performance in demanding field environments.

With RTK accuracy of 8 mm + 1 ppm horizontal and 15 mm + 1 ppm vertical, up to 34 hours of rover operation, and a calibration-free IMU, the i83 is well suited for crews that need a dependable GNSS receiver without the camera-based visual features found on models such as the i89 and i93.

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Key Features

• 1408-channel multi-constellation GNSS
• CHCNAV iStar positioning technology
• 200 Hz AUTO-IMU tilt compensation
• Pole tilt support from 0–60°
• RTK accuracy of 8 mm + 1 ppm horizontal
• Integrated 410–470 MHz UHF Tx/Rx radio
• Integrated 4G cellular modem
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity
• Up to 34 hours of RTK rover operation
• Built-in 9,900 mAh battery
• 1.1" OLED color display
• 8 GB internal memory
• Supports RTK rover, RTK base, static, and PPK workflows
• IP67 dust and water protection
• Designed to survive a 2-meter pole drop
• USB Type-C charging and data transfer

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1408-Channel Multi-Constellation GNSS

The i83 features a 1408-channel GNSS engine designed for high-performance multi-constellation tracking.

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

CHCNAV states that its third-generation high-gain antenna can increase satellite signal tracking efficiency by up to 30%, helping the receiver maintain strong RTK performance in less-than-ideal environments.

*Certain signals may depend on firmware or service availability.

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Professional RTK Accuracy

The i83 is designed for centimeter-level real-time positioning.

CHCNAV specifies:

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

For post-processing applications, the receiver also supports PPK, static, rapid static, and high-precision static workflows.

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200 Hz AUTO-IMU Tilt Compensation

The i83 includes a 200 Hz calibration-free IMU for pole-tilt compensation.

Instead of requiring the survey pole to remain perfectly vertical for every measurement, the IMU allows points to be collected while the pole is tilted. This helps increase productivity near:

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

The i83 supports tilt angles from 0–60°, with additional horizontal pole-tilt uncertainty typically less than 8 mm + 0.7 mm/° when tilted up to 30°. The IMU is also designed to remain unaffected by magnetic disturbances.

CHCNAV positions this feature as a way to improve conventional GNSS field productivity by reducing time spent leveling the pole before each shot.

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Integrated UHF Radio

The i83 includes an internal UHF Tx/Rx radio, allowing it to operate directly in traditional radio-based RTK base and rover configurations.

Specifications include:

• Frequency: 410–470 MHz
• Transmit power: 0.5 W to 2 W
• Protocols: CHC, Transparent, TT450, Satel
• Link rate: 9,600–19,200 bps
• Typical range: 3–5 km
• Optimal conditions: Up to 15 km

The included 450–470 MHz whip antenna allows the rover to receive corrections directly from a compatible UHF base station.

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Integrated 4G Network RTK

Alongside its internal UHF radio, the i83 includes an integrated 4G cellular modem for network RTK operation.

The receiver can connect to NTRIP correction services through cellular data, allowing crews to operate without a local radio base station where compatible correction networks and cellular coverage are available.

The receiver also supports a Nano-SIM card and can operate as either a network rover or a conventional UHF rover depending on the jobsite configuration.

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Long Battery Life

The i83 uses a built-in 9,900 mAh, 7.2 V lithium-ion battery with smart power management designed for extended field operation.

CHCNAV specifies up to:

• 34 hours – UHF / 4G RTK Rover
• 16 hours – UHF RTK Base
• 36 hours – Static operation

This extended runtime helps reduce the need to carry spare batteries during typical field days. The receiver can also be powered or charged through USB Type-C or an external power source.

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Base or Rover Operation

Although this package is configured as a rover kit, the i83 receiver itself can operate in several GNSS modes.

The receiver supports:

• UHF RTK rover
• Network / NTRIP rover
• Internal UHF base
• External UHF base
• Cellular base
• Static GNSS
• PPK workflows

CHCNAV’s user guide shows dedicated base and rover setup procedures, including internal UHF, cellular, and external radio configurations.

Additional base-station mounting hardware is required when configuring this rover kit as a conventional tripod-mounted base.

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Field Connectivity

The i83 includes a broad range of communication options for integration with modern survey workflows.

Connectivity includes:

• 4G cellular modem
• Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
• Bluetooth 5.0 and 4.2 + EDR
• NFC
• NTRIP Client
• NTRIP Caster
• RS-232 communication
• USB Type-C
• UHF radio

The receiver can be configured through compatible CHCNAV field software or its built-in web interface.

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Rugged Field Design

The i83 is built for surveying and construction environments where equipment is regularly exposed to dust, moisture, impacts, and temperature extremes.

The receiver features:

• IP67 dust and water protection
• Temporary immersion protection to 1 m
• Designed to survive a 2-meter pole drop
• MIL-STD-810H vibration compliance
• 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)
• Waterproof and breathable membrane
• Magnesium alloy construction

 

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Integrated OLED Display

Unlike receivers that rely entirely on a data collector for status information, the i83 includes a 1.1" OLED color display on the front panel.

The display allows operators to review information such as:

• Satellite status
• RTK working mode
• Battery level
• Differential correction status
• Data logging status
• Receiver information

The receiver also includes physical function and power buttons for basic field operation.

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Ideal Applications

The CHCNAV i83 is well suited for:

• Boundary surveying
• Topographic surveying
• Construction layout
• Site development
• Cadastral surveying
• Road and highway work
• Utility surveying
• Earthwork and grading
• As-built surveys
• RTK base and rover operation
• Network RTK surveying
• Tilt-compensated point collection
• Static GNSS observations
• PPK surveys
• Mapping and engineering applications

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Technical Specifications

GNSS Channels: 1408

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

Code Differential

• Horizontal: 0.4 m RMS
• Vertical: 0.8 m RMS

Autonomous

• Horizontal: 1.5 m RMS
• Vertical: 2.5 m 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
• E-Bubble leveling

Built-In UHF

• Tx/Rx: 410–470 MHz
• Transmit power: 0.5–2 W
• Typical range: 3–5 km
• Optimal range: Up to 15 km
• Protocols: CHC, Transparent, TT450, Satel

Cellular: Integrated 4G modem

Wireless

• Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
• Bluetooth 5.0 / 4.2 + EDR
• NFC

Storage: 8 GB internal memory

Ports

• 1× 7-pin LEMO RS-232 port
• 1× USB Type-C
• 1× TNC female UHF antenna port

Display: 1.1" OLED color display

Battery: Built-in 9,900 mAh, 7.2 V lithium-ion

Operating Time

• UHF / 4G RTK Rover: Up to 34 hours
• UHF RTK Base: Up to 16 hours
• Static: Up to 36 hours

External Power: 9–28 V DC

Ingress Protection: IP67

Drop Rating: 2-meter pole drop

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

Dimensions: Ø152 × 78 mm (Ø5.98 × 3.07 in)

Weight: 1.15 kg (2.54 lb)

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Versatile IMU-RTK for Everyday Surveying

The CHCNAV i83 combines high-accuracy RTK positioning, a 1408-channel GNSS engine, 200 Hz AUTO-IMU tilt compensation, integrated UHF and 4G communications, and extended battery life in one rugged receiver. It is a strong fit for surveyors and construction professionals who need a dependable base-or-rover GNSS system with modern connectivity and efficient tilt-compensated workflows.