Getting Reach coordinates on Android via BT

This guide describes how to get precise coordinates from Reach on an Android device over Bluetooth.

Overview

In most cases, you can configure a correction stream in the Emlid Flow app and transmit the corrected position to a third-party GIS or data collection application. If the third-party app does not allow adding an external GNSS receiver and only accepts the phone’s internal location, refer to the Use Android mock location section below. It explains how to integrate using the Lefebure NTRIP Client app to provide corrected positioning data.

In the list below, you can find some of the survey and GIS apps for Android used with Reach:

• Mobile Topographer Pro
• PointMan
• ESRI ArcGIS Collector
• Mapit GIS
• LandStar
• Autocad360
• QField

Workflow

Access Reach using Emlid Flow

You can connect to your Reach in two ways:

• Using the BLE connection option. Using the BLE connection option. This is the recommended connection method. It is especially useful when working with corrections from an NTRIP provider. In this setup, the receiver uses your mobile device’s internet connection, so you only need to select the NTRIP over BLE option when configuring the receiver’s correction input.
• Using the Wi-Fi connection option. In this case, your device and Reach must be in the same Wi-Fi network.

To connect to your Reach, follow the steps below:

Bluetooth connection

1. Enable Bluetooth on your smartphone or tablet.

2. Open Emlid Flow. When prompted, tap Configure access and allow location permissions. This is required for full receiver functionality.

note

Reach prioritizes the current connection when using BLE, regardless of type:

• If Reach is connected via Bluetooth Classic to third-party software, disconnect it before using BLE in Emlid Flow.
• If another device is connected to Reach, disconnect it before reconnecting using BLE in Emlid Flow.

After granting permissions, your receiver will appear in the list. The app will connect to it automatically.

Hotspot connection

1. Go to Wi-Fi settings on your device.

2. Connect to Reach hotspot. It appears as reach:XX:XX.

3. Enter password emlidreach.

4. Open Emlid Flow and connect to your Reach.

tip

For more information on connecting to your Reach device, refer to the Connecting to Reach guide. A Bluetooth connection is the recommended method.

note

Reach name is displayed just above its MAC. In this guide, we used the unit named as Reach.

Configure corrections in Emlid Flow

Check the following guides to configure receiving corrections on your Reach RS3 rover:

• How to set up RTK over NTRIP service
• How to work with third-party base over UHF radio
• How to set up RTK over LoRa radio

Configure Bluetooth connection in Emlid Flow

Enable Bluetooth discoverability, so your device can be found by other devices. To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Go to Settings in Emlid Flow and tap Bluetooth.

2. Tap Discoverability and turn on the Discoverability option. Tap Save to apply changes.

   

Enable tilt compensation

Reach RS3 supports IMU-based tilt compensation, allowing you to collect and stake out points even when the survey pole is tilted. The software calculates the tilt angle and distance to determine the pole tip position on the ground. To enable tilt compensation, follow the How to enable tilt compensation guide.

Set up NMEA stream in Emlid Flow

To send position data to external applications, configure position streaming in NMEA format as follows:

1. In Emlid Flow, go to Settings.

2. Tap Position streaming 1 and select Bluetooth.

   

3. To configure position streaming, tap the Edit button in the Bluetooth cell.

   note

   When connected to your Reach via Bluetooth, Emlid Flow will prompt you to connect to the Reach hotspot to access the streaming configuration settings.

   

4. Tap Format and choose NMEA.

   

5. Apply necessary changes.

6. To send compensated NMEA messages, you need to enable it in Emlid Flow.

   
   

7. Set the antenna height. You only need to enter the pole height. Emlid Flow automatically applies the antenna phase center offset and adjusts the measurements accordingly.

   caution

   When sending compensated NMEA messages, set the antenna height only in Emlid Flow. Setting it in third-party apps as well may cause discrepancies.

   

Now you can start receiving the corrected position in a third-party GIS or data collection application.

Pair an Android device

1. Navigate to the Bluetooth configuration screen. Activate the Bluetooth connection.

2. Wait for Reach to be listed as an available device.

   tip

   Keep Reach within a few meters from your Android device.

   

3. Tap the name of your Reach in the list of available devices on the Android device.

4. You should receive a pairing request from Reach.

5. Enter the PIN code of your Reach unit and confirm it.

   

Reach and Android device are now paired.

Use Android mock location

caution

Follow the steps in this section only if your third-party application does not support external GNSS receivers and relies only on the phone’s internal GPS for location data.

We provide a guide on how to use Reach with Lefebure NTRIP Client.

Besides being an NTRIP Client, this app also allows NMEA data input via Bluetooth and supports Android feature called mock location. This feature allows substituting your device's built-in GPS receiver with an external location provider.

note

Lefebure NTRIP Client allows the survey and GIS apps on the Android device to use accurate coordinates from Reach.

1. Install the app Lefebure NTRIP Client in your Android device.

2. Open Developer Options on your Android device and choose Lefebure NTRIP Client in the Select mock location app field.

   
   
   
   note

   It is recommended to switch off the power-saving mode on your phone as it may limit background data usage for the Lefebure NTRIP client app.

3. Launch the Lefebure NTRIP Client app and tap on the settings icon (gear in the upper right corner).

   

4. Go to the Receiver Settings.

   
   
   
   Inside Receiver Settings:

   1. Configure Receiver Connection as External via Bluetooth.
   2. Change Bluetooth device to the Reach you are paired with.
   3. Change Bluetooth Connection Method to Secure via Reflection.
   4. Enable GPS Mock Locations.
   
   
   
   

5. Go back to the main screen and tap the Connect button.

   tip

   Check the log messages to confirm the Bluetooth connection got established and the information about satellites is updated.

   

From this moment on, all apps on the Android device that use location services will automatically have access to the positional data streamed from Reach. You can just open a survey or GIS app you want to use and start surveying.

note

Tapping the Disconnect button in the Lefebure NTRIP Client will revert back to the Android built-in GNSS.