CHCNAV i93 GNSS Receiver

Data Sheet | User Guide |  Training Videos

---

What’s Included

The CHCNAV i93 Rover Kit – Part Number 8001 010 304 includes:

• 1× 110102003Y – CHCNAV i93 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

The CHCNAV user guide also identifies the i93 rover 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.

Overview

The CHCNAV i93 is a professional Visual IMU-RTK GNSS receiver designed to combine high-accuracy RTK positioning with advanced visual surveying, AR stakeout, 3D modeling, and tilt-compensated measurement.

Built around a 1892-channel GNSS engine, CHCNAV's iStar technology, and a hybrid positioning engine, the i93 is designed to maintain dependable satellite tracking and RTK performance in demanding surveying environments. It supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC/IRNSS, SBAS, PPP services, and CHCNAV PointSky.

Dual integrated cameras extend the receiver beyond conventional pole-based GNSS surveying. With compatible LandStar workflows, the i93 can perform visual surveying, visual stakeout, and video-based 3D modeling, allowing field crews to measure or stake points using imagery where directly placing the pole may be inconvenient, obstructed, or unsafe.

The receiver also includes a 200 Hz AUTO-IMU, integrated UHF and 4G modems, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, a large internal battery, and IP68 environmental protection for a highly versatile field solution.

Key Features

• 1892-channel multi-constellation GNSS engine
• CHCNAV iStar technology and hybrid positioning engine
• Visual surveying with dual integrated cameras
• AR visual stakeout
• Video-based 3D modeling
• 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
• CHCNAV PointSky satellite correction support
• Up to 34 hours of UHF/4G rover operation without camera use
• IP68 dust and water resistance
• Designed to survive a 2-meter pole drop
• 32 GB internal memory
• USB Type-C connectivity and charging
• Built-in 9,900 mAh battery

1892-Channel GNSS Performance

The i93 uses an 1892-channel GNSS engine combined with CHCNAV's iStar technology and RF-SoC processing architecture.

According to CHCNAV, this combination provides a 15% improvement in survey-grade RTK performance, while its hybrid engine and narrowband interference mitigation improve GNSS signal tracking and data quality by more than 20% in challenging environments.

Supported satellite signals include:

• GPS: L1C/A, L1C, L2P(Y), L2C, L5
• GLONASS: G1, G2, L1OC*, L2OC*, L3OC*
• Galileo: E1C, E5a, E5b, E5AltBoC, E6
• BeiDou: B1I, B2I, B3I, B1C, B2a, B2b
• QZSS: L1C/A(B), L1C, L2C, L5, L6D/E*
• NavIC/IRNSS: L5
• SBAS: EGNOS L1 and L5
• PPP: B2b-PPP and E6B-HAS
• PointSky: CHCNAV L-band service

*Certain signals may depend on firmware or service availability.

Visual Surveying

The i93 incorporates dual cameras and video photogrammetry technology to collect survey-grade 3D coordinates from captured imagery.

Instead of physically placing the pole on every target, operators can record a short video of the area and select the required point from captured imagery. This makes it possible to collect coordinates for hard-to-reach, obstructed, or potentially hazardous points that may otherwise be difficult to occupy directly.

CHCNAV specifies a typical visual survey accuracy of 2–4 cm over a working range of approximately 2–15 meters.

The i93 user guide also supports a visual survey workflow in which recorded imagery is processed and individual points can be selected from photographs to obtain their coordinates.

AR Visual Stakeout

Visual stakeout uses the i93's cameras together with LandStar to provide an augmented-reality view of the stakeout location.

Instead of relying only on conventional directional arrows and numerical distance values, the operator can follow visual guidance directly through the controller display. The target stakeout point is represented in the camera view, providing intuitive navigation as the user approaches the point.

The system can use the front camera for navigation at longer distances and transition to the bottom camera as the operator approaches the target.

This visual workflow is particularly useful for construction layout and point stakeout where improving speed and reducing directional confusion can increase field productivity.

3D Modeling with Video Capture

The i93 can also collect video imagery for 3D modeling workflows.

In modeling mode, the operator records the target from multiple angles, distances, and heights. The captured image data can then be exported for use in compatible modeling software.

This gives the i93 an additional role beyond conventional GNSS point collection, allowing one field instrument to support both survey positioning and image-based documentation or modeling workflows.

200 Hz AUTO-IMU Tilt Compensation

The i93 includes a 200 Hz AUTO-IMU for pole-tilt compensation.

Once initialized, the IMU allows measurements to be collected without keeping the survey pole perfectly vertical. This is especially useful next to buildings, fences, vegetation, vehicles, trenches, and other obstructions where conventional vertical pole positioning can slow down a survey.

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 design
• Resistant to magnetic interference
• Electronic bubble leveling

PointSky Satellite Corrections

The i93 supports CHCNAV PointSky, which provides real-time positioning corrections through satellite and cellular delivery.

PointSky can provide centimeter-level positioning without requiring a local RTK base station or conventional NTRIP connection in supported regions. CHCNAV specifies horizontal accuracy of 2.5 cm CEP95 and vertical accuracy of 5 cm RMS, with typical convergence under five minutes and under one minute in specified regions.

This can be particularly useful for remote or large-area surveying where setting up a local base station or maintaining a cellular NTRIP connection may be impractical.

PointSky availability, coverage, subscription status, and performance depend on region, environmental conditions, and service configuration.

Integrated UHF and 4G Connectivity

The i93 is equipped to work in a wide range of RTK configurations.

Its integrated UHF radio supports:

• Frequency: 410–470 MHz
• Transmit power: 0.5 W to 2 W
• Protocols: CHC, Transparent, TT450, Satel
• Link rate: 9600–19200 bps
• Typical range: 3–5 km
• Optimal conditions: Up to 15 km

The receiver also includes an integrated 4G modem, allowing it to connect to network RTK correction services where cellular coverage is available.

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

Long Battery Life

The i93 uses an integrated 9,900 mAh, 7.2 V lithium-ion battery designed for extended field operation.

CHCNAV specifies operating times of up to:

• 34 hours – UHF or 4G RTK rover without camera
• 24 hours – Visual Stakeout / Visual Survey
• 16 hours – UHF RTK Base
• 36 hours – Static operation

Actual runtime varies with temperature, radio use, camera use, connectivity, and receiver settings.

The receiver charges through its USB Type-C port, and the rover kit includes the required power adapter and USB cable.

Rugged Field-Ready Design

The i93 is built for daily professional field use with a rugged magnesium alloy body and environmental protection designed for demanding survey environments.

The receiver features:

• IP68 dust and water resistance
• MIL-STD-810H vibration testing
• 2-meter pole-drop survival
• 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
• Waterproof and breathable membrane

Ideal Applications

The CHCNAV i93 is well suited for:

• Boundary surveying
• Topographic surveying
• Construction layout
• Point stakeout
• As-built surveys
• Site development
• Cadastral surveying
• Utility surveying
• Road and infrastructure projects
• Remote or obstructed point measurement
• Visual surveying
• AR-assisted stakeout
• 3D modeling and documentation
• Static GNSS observations
• RTK base and rover workflows

Technical Specifications

GNSS Channels: 1892

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

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

PointSky

• Horizontal: 2.5 cm CEP95
• Vertical: 5 cm RMS
• Standard convergence: <5 minutes
• Specific regions: <1 minute
• Re-convergence: <1 minute

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

• Rx/Tx: 410–470 MHz
• Power: 0.5–2 W
• Typical range: 3–5 km
• Optimal range: Up to 15 km

Cellular: Integrated 4G modem

Wireless

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

Storage

• 32 GB internal memory
• Supports up to 128 GB external expansion

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 Rover: Up to 34 hours
• Visual Survey / Stakeout: Up to 24 hours
• UHF Base: Up to 16 hours
• Static: Up to 36 hours

Ingress Protection: IP68

Drop Rating: 2-meter pole drop

Vibration: MIL-STD-810H

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

Dimensions: Ø152 × 81 mm (Ø5.98 × 3.19 in)

Weight: 1.15 kg (2.54 lb)

Advanced GNSS with Visual Productivity

The CHCNAV i93 combines high-performance RTK GNSS, AUTO-IMU tilt compensation, dual-camera visual surveying, AR stakeout, 3D modeling, integrated UHF and cellular communications, and PointSky support in one versatile receiver. For surveyors and construction professionals who want more than conventional pole-based RTK, the i93 provides multiple ways to collect and stake points while maintaining the accuracy and ruggedness required for daily field work.