During a GPS workshop organized for the European member states - and held by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission - rules were implemented which force the EU member states to use certified GPS equipment for field measurements. The JRC mentioned that this will also be put as a requirement into future tender specifications.

Reason behind it is that still a lot of member states are working with Garnin devices for area measurements and the EU has to ensure a correct area measurement. With this certificate Topcon will give its existing customers the confidence that they have chosen the right product.

There are 4 test categories:

Category A with buffer size < 0.40 m

Suitable for area measurements of parcels

Category B with buffer size < 1.20 m

Suitable for area measurements of parcels

Category C with buffer size < 1.40 m

Suitable for area measurements of parcels

Category D with buffer size > 1.40 m

Suitable for area measurements of parcels

The GMS-2 was tested with GPS and GLONASS measurements in autonomous mode without correction data and reached Category B. That means that even with the lowest resolution the GMS-2 is suited for area measurements.

Topcon broke new barriers in GIS applications by incorporating our industry leading dual-constellation satellite tracking into a small hand-held GNSS receiver, the GMS-2. An integrated electronic compass and digital camera powered by Topcon’s revolutionary imaging technology meant endless new possibilities. The powerful combination of dual-constellation satellite performance and digital imaging technology has set a new standard for GIS field mapping.