Choosing the Right GPS/GNSS Receiver for Your Work

Choosing the Right GPS/GNSS Receiver for Your Work

Introduction

Selecting the right GPS/GNSS receiver is critical for achieving reliable positions in GIS, utilities, and surveying.
This guide explains the differences between mapping-grade and survey-grade receivers, the limitations of built-in mobile GNSS, and how to select the best Bad Elf Flex receiver for your workflow.

What You’ll Learn

  1. Differences between mobile-grade, mapping-grade, and survey-grade receivers
  2. Expected accuracy levels for each category
  3. Recommended Bad Elf Flex receivers for different field requirements
  4. Best practices for field collection and corrections
  5. Links to related workflows and store pages

Accuracy Levels Explained

Notes
Accuracy figures assume good sky view and adherence to best practices. Factors such as multipath (signal reflections near buildings or trees), canopy, nearby structures, radio interference, and weak correction signals can reduce performance.
Vertical error is typically 1.5× horizontal accuracy.

Receiver type
Typical horizontal accuracy
Corrections
Common uses
Mobile-grade (phone/tablet built-in)
3–20m in open sky
Cell towers, Bluetooth beacons, Wi-fi beacons, RFID, etc.
Navigation and rough mapping
1.5–2.5m standalone
SBAS
Asset mapping, field GIS where meter-level is acceptable.
Advanced mapping & RTK-ready: Bad Elf Flex Mini Extreme
~1m with SBAS; ~2 cm with RTK fix (good conditions)
SBAS, RTK
High-accuracy GIS, utility compliance, engineering-grade work in low-multipath environments
Survey-grade: Bad Elf Flex
30–60cm with SBAS; 
sub-cm with RTK in Extreme Mode
SBAS, RTK
Professional surveying, construction, compliance workflows, work in high-multipath environments
Off network survey-grade: Bad Elf Flex with Base/Rover KitSub-cm (survey-grade).Private RTK link (base ↔ rover)
High-accuracy field survey in areas without cellular coverage

Recommendations

GIS and Field Mapping

Choose the Bad Elf Flex Mini Standard if you need reliable sub-meter accuracy and want a compact, cost-effective receiver that pairs easily with iOS or Android devices.
  1. Dual-band L1/L5
  2. Quad-constellation (Beidou, Galileo, Glonass, GPS)
  3. 1.5–2.5m in standalone mode
  4. Easy Bluetooth pairing with iOS/Android tablets and phones

Professional Accuracy and RTK

Use the Bad Elf Flex Mini Extreme for mobile field crews that need ~2 cm positions with a network RTK service.
Bad Elf Flex Mini Extreme (all the features of the Bad Elf Flex Mini Standard listed above) plus:
  1. ~1 m with SBAS
  2. ~2 cm with a strong RTK fix

Survey Grade

Choose the Bad Elf Flex for heavy-duty survey workflows or where multipath resistance is important.
  1. Survey-grade engine with a helical antenna for better multipath resistance
  2. 30–60cm with SBAS
  3. sub-cm accuracy with RTK

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I connect a Bad Elf receiver to my phone or tablet?
A: Pair the receiver via Bluetooth. On iOS devices, Bad Elf GNSS receivers use their MFi certification to automatically take over all location services. On Android devices, the same functionality is available by enabling mock location through the Bad Elf Flex App.

iOS pairing instructions: Bad Elf Flex Pairing with Android →

Q: Which apps work best with Bad Elf receivers for GIS?
A: Popular choices include ArcGIS Field Maps and Pointman. The Bad Elf Flex App is capable of standalone data collection.

Q: Do I need corrections for sub-meter or centimeter accuracy?
A: With the Bad Elf Flex you do NOT need corrections for sub-meter accuracy, the device gets 30-60cm with just a clear view of the sky.

Q: What if I work in a remote area with no cellular service for RTK?
A: Use the Bad Elf Flex with Base/Rover Kit to set up a private radio link between a base and a rover. This allows you to achieve ~1 cm accuracy without relying on a cellular network.

Q: What affects the quality of my GNSS positions in the field?
A: Whenever possible, work in areas with an open sky view. Accuracy can degrade near tall buildings, dense tree canopy, or power lines due to multipath interference. The helical antenna on the Bad Elf Flex helps reduce these effects, and using RTK corrections further improves resilience in challenging environments.

Q: How accurate are elevations?
A: Vertical error is typically about 1.5× horizontal accuracy.

For more information about vertical accuracy here are some suggested articles


Q: Can I use the same receiver for both mapping and survey work?

A: Yes. The Bad Elf Flex Mini Extreme can serve as a compact mapping unit with SBAS or as a centimeter-grade receiver when used with RTK.
For heavier survey workflows or when you need better multipath mitigation, use the Bad Elf Flex.

Q: Do the devices have screens for field visibility?
A: Yes. Both the Bad Elf Flex Mini and the Bad Elf Flex have on-device screens that display key status information such as satellites, fix type, and corrections.


Additional Information

Confirm that your field app supports external GNSS and reports identical accuracy as your Bad Elf GNSS receiver.

Check local RTK network availability and subscription details while planning your first RTK-based job.



    • Related Articles

    • Best Practices for GNSS Data Collection with Bad Elf Receivers

      Best Practices for GNSS Data Collection with Bad Elf Receivers Introduction High-quality GNSS data collection is essential for accurate positioning and successful projects. This article outlines best practices to ensure you get the most out of your ...

    • Bad Elf Flex: Choosing the Right RTK Network for Your Bad Elf GNSS Receiver

      Introduction This guide explains how to achieve centimeter-level accuracy with your Bad Elf Flex and sub-foot accuracy with your Bad Elf Flex Mini Extreme receiver by connecting to a real-time network (RTN) in the USA. What You’ll Learn What are ...

    • Bad Elf Flex: Using the Bad Elf Flex with PIX4Dcatch

      Overview This guide walks you through connecting, mounting, and configuring the Bad Elf Flex™ GNSS receiver with PIX4Dcatch on an iPhone or iPad. By combining high-accuracy GNSS with mobile 3D capture, this setup enables RTK-enabled workflows for ...

    • Bad Elf Flex App: Known Point Testing

      Bad Elf Flex App: Known Point Testing Introduction Test the accuracy of the Bad Elf family of devices against a known point such as an NGS Monument. Step-by-Step Start by Identifying Survey Monument Coordinates: Use an application like the NGS ...

    • Using Point One Navigation with Flex and Flex Mini

      Getting Started Point One Navigation (P1N) services provide ubiquitous access to Real Time Kinematics (RTK) throughout the continental United States. P1N services require no configuration and may be used with any phone or tablet running the Bad Elf ...