Sponsored by Bad Elf

As the saying goes, “accuracy is addictive”. With the convergence of CAD and GIS, accuracy from plan to as-built embodies a critical need. Companies that monitor assets, support compliance needs or manage infrastructure, require systems that support high rigor for geospatial data. In this post, we talk with Larry Fox, Bad Elf’s VP of Marketing and Business Development, to discover the changing needs for GNSS data collection.

What is the Bad Elf Flex?

We listened to our customers’ feedback about existing GNSS products. Despite increased competition over the last few years, traditional survey rovers lack innovative change in form and cost. Bad Elf Flex not only changes the form, it changes the business model. For those collecting either survey-grade or mapping-grade geospatial data, Bad Elf Flex provides a unique alternative. Fundamentally, Bad Elf Flex represents the democratization of GNSS by reducing the cost of entry without limiting capability.

How does the Bad Elf Flex change the business model of high accuracy GNSS?

Traditionally, the purchase of a GNSS receiver followed a common theme. Customers have two primary options for the purchase of hardware and services.

• One-time initial sale with optional post-sale field upgrades.
• Additional subscriptions for satellite or IP network corrections.

Unique to the industry, Bad Elf Flex provides for daily access to key features such as RTK, multi-frequency/constellation, and L-Band corrections. With the Bad Elf Flex, no need exists for field upgrades of hardware or additional firmware capability updates. Some users will prefer to purchase the Bad Elf Flex similar to other GNSS receivers. For users that use the receiver a significant portion of the year, they may purchase the unlocked version.

Our customers have shared the need for a cost-reduced GNSS solution with a full RTK rover workflow. Bad Elf Flex delivers this solution with an introductory base price of USD $2499.99 and a daily rate of USD $25 for “extreme accuracy.” The daily rate includes full access to both an unlocked RTK workflow and the world-wide Atlas L-Band correction service. Bad Elf Flex provides the first receiver having a daily choice with no limitation switching between L-Band and RTK.

How is Flex differentiated from other survey-grade GNSS receivers?

As companies work to keep systems and infrastructure operating, they must become more efficient and cut costs. Bad Elf Flex enters the market with a competitive price point for a 30 cm – 60 cm horizontal accuracy SBAS capable receiver. Using a 24-hour Bad Elf Flex Token enables RTK at 2 cm horizontal or 4 cm horizontal via L-Band satellite corrections. Bad Elf leads the market combining these features in a rugged stand-alone package.

Customers spoke, Bad Elf Delivered.

Through discussions with our customers, some common themes began to emerge:

1. They required the acquisition of hardware as an expense versus a capitalized procurement.
2. They needed one set of hardware used by more of their field crews with minimal training.
3. They needed more flexibility with services such as subscriptions and variable costs applied to operational budgets or projects.

Companies that use Bad Elf Flex as a total geospatial solution have a new advantage. A single GNSS receiver removes the need to bring multiple devices into the field. Surveyors and their crews have a scalable survey-grade receiver. GIS managers can focus on flexible field choices for work crews with varying skill levels. Businesses have the operational and financial efficiency they seek. Bad Elf Flex fulfills all these needs in one product.