Positioning Solutions Brings You.....
The question – which receiver is better? The Trimble R8 GNSS, or the Trimble SPS882? We get a lot of questions regarding the differences between the two receivers, so we decided to put them to the test to determine which is the most advanced receiver on the market.
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To get an understating why Trimble has produced two different GNSS receivers, we need to understand that there are two separate groups within Trimble, the Survey group and the Construction group. The purpose of dividing the two markets is to provide better focus on the individual needs of their customers. The focus started with the controller software. Most surveyors that use Trimble products are familiar with Survey Controller software and have formal education in surveying. However, with the popularity of GPS growing in early 2000, Trimble realized that there was a demand for GPS for the non-surveyor, so they developed an easier to use software called SCS900 (Site Controller Software) for the Construction market. As the popularity of GPS and SCS900 grew, Trimble decided to divide the two groups with the purpose of developing products that better meet their customer’s needs. |
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SPS882 vs R8 GNSS
We started with the product literature provided on Trimbles website www.trimble.com Both receivers use Trimble Maxwell 6 chip and have 220 channels with the ability to track and provide corrections for up to 44 satellites. Both are GNSS and both, according to Trimble’s literature, are “committed to the next generation of modernized GNSS configurations by providing Galileo-compatible products, well in advance of Galileo system availability”. So what gives? What is the difference?
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Trimble product specification sheets
Overview
Based on the product specifications sheets, and our field tests, these receives seem to be almost identical. Both will work with either SCS900 or Survey Controller software** Both have the same accuracy, same initialization time, same power consumption, same shock, vibration, and temperature tolerances, and almost identical available options.
One difference we see is the R8 GNSS has R-Track with Signal Prediction™ technology, while the SPS882 has EVEREST™ multipath signal rejection. The internal radio offerings are also different - the R8 GNSS offers two radio options - either an internal UHF radio, or GSM cellular modems.
The SPS882 offers three internal radio options - UHF, 900Mhz, or 2.4Ghz (wi-fi).
Both of these receivers are amazing. Keeping a fixed RTK solution under trees and other obsructions is a simple task for either receiver. During our performance tests, we saw no difference in performace or accuracy. Both receivers were tested in RTK mode at 12 km from the base station. The base station used for testing was a Trimble R8 GNSS sending CMRx™ corrections. We used Trimble Survey Controller ver 12.49 software loaded on a TSC2 for testing both rover receivers.
Receivers were tested in the same locations (side by side), on the same days, at the same time, for the same duration. During our testing, both receivers performed identicaly, showing no clear winner.
The choice seems to come down to radio options and software codes. If you are using Survey Controller with the SPS882, just know that you will require an option code, which can make things difficult if you have several crews that interchange equipment.
However, based on our cost comparison, new and used, the SPS882 seems to be a less expensive option with more radio choices – while the R8 GNSS retains a higher resell and trade in value – which in the end, leaves both contenders standing strong.
Either way you go, if you have either of these heavyweight champions in your hands, the clear winner is you.
Final notes
** In order for our test receivers to work with either software, an option code was required for Survey Controller version 12.49 to operate the full set of features in the SPS882 receiver. This code was free of charge from Trimble. SCS900 version 2.9 software did not require any code to operate the R8 GNSS receiver. Additionally, Survey Controller 12.xx will start the SPS882 as a base station without the code – only requiring the code to use the SPS882 as a rover.
Testing was performed by Positioning Solutions for our own understanding of the product differences. Positioning Solutions in not affiliated with Trimble or any of its companies. Trimble R8, Survey Controller, SCS900, and SPS882 are registered trademarks of Trimble Navigation.
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