Topcon’s GRS-1 Windows Mobile-based handheld, built for surveying, brings a whole new level of precision to positioning. The 3.7-inch touchscreen device not only utilizes GPS with 72 channels–compatible with US and Russia’s Glonass satellites–but is WAAS-compatible (wide area augmentation system) and has a snap-on RH-1 accessory that when combined offer a positioning margin of error of 1 centimeter horizontally and 1.5 centimeters vertically.
The GRS-1 runs on a relatively powerful 806 MHz Marvell PXA320 CPU with Windows Mobile 6.1, 256 MB of RAM and 1 GB of flash storage. Aside from GPS and real-time kinematic (via RH-1) positioning connectivity, the GRS-1 features Bluetooth, 802.11b wireless LAN, and an optional GSM or CDMA cellular radio. It has a 2 megapixel camera though I’m not sure if there’s native picture geotagging support. Memory expansion is possible via an SD slot and there is also a single USB port.
The 1.5 pound Topcon GRS-1, including a 2500 mAh battery, is available now for an undisclosed price and is packaged with the company’s TopSurv surveying software.
