New Carlson Viking GNSS receiver tested in early field use

With the release of the Carlson Viking, Carlson Software is tackling one of the toughest challenges in GNSS surveying: working reliably under dense tree cover. The new flagship GNSS base and rover receiver is positioned squarely at that problem, aimed at delivering consistent, centimetre-level accuracy in environments where signal obstruction, multipath and canopy interference are the norm.

For Dane Sherman, PLS, CFS, director of land surveying services at Acorn Engineering, the operating environment in Maine, USA, provided an immediate test case for the Carlson Viking, not least because the area has pine trees of 70-100 feet (roughly 21-30m) in height.

Sherman and his team at Acorn Engineering, which operates from offices in Portland, Kingfield and Bangor, began using the Viking shortly before its official release after purchasing the receiver through Carlson dealer Wachusett Survey Solutions. Having early access allowed the firm to put the system into active field use almost immediately. When Carlson shared the product release on LinkedIn, Sherman commented publicly: “It’s already helping Acorn Engineering to conquer the woods of New England!”

Early field use highlights performance under heavy canopy

The Viking is positioned as Carlson’s most advanced GNSS receiver to date. Central to its design is the company’s proprietary GAMA RTK engine combined with what Carlson refers to as “Triple-Fix” technology. The receiver integrates dual GNSS RTK modules and three independent RTK engines, producing a validated position only when all engines agree. This approach is intended to reduce false fixes and increase user confidence, particularly in challenging environments such as heavily forested or obstructed sites.

Sherman said his decision to adopt the Viking was informed by long experience with Carlson equipment. Over the course of his eight-year surveying career, he has worked with GNSS systems from multiple manufacturers, but noted that Carlson was the first platform he learned on. He previously used the BRx6 and BRx7 receivers and described them as systems that could be pushed hard in the field without extensive add-ons.

Now responsible for leading the surveying department at Acorn Engineering, Sherman said he draws on that broader experience when selecting equipment. “I’ll buy whatever is the best product,” he explained, adding that the Viking’s performance played a decisive role in the purchase. While pricing was not the primary driver, he said it was competitive, and that overall performance continued to stand out. “Carlson just gives us more confidence that we’re getting good data.”

Workflow, manufacturing and long-term outlook

One feature Sherman highlighted in particular was the Triple-Fix capability, which he said contributes to faster and more trustworthy positioning. Although Acorn’s team has yet to encounter a site that truly exceeds the Viking’s limits, he noted that the system appears well suited to the forested conditions common across New England. “It’s definitely made for this type of environment,” he said.

Beyond positioning performance, the Viking includes calibration-free tilt compensation, enabling accurate measurements with pole inclinations of up to 60 degrees. The receiver is equipped with dual hot-swappable batteries, supports a range of communication options including UHF radio, cellular, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and can be used as either a base station or rover. Integration with Carlson SurvPC and Layout software, along with a web-based interface for configuration and monitoring, is intended to support efficient field workflows.

The Viking also represents Carlson Software’s second GNSS receiver to be manufactured in the USA, following the VASCO-B. Assembly takes place at the company’s facilities in Maysville, Kentucky. While domestic manufacturing was not a deciding factor for Acorn Engineering, Sherman described it as “an added bonus”.

Customer support was another consideration. Sherman said that access to responsive technical assistance has been consistent across Carlson products and remains important from an operational standpoint. “That is pretty important to the bottom line here,” he noted, describing it as one of the reasons he has continued to work with Carlson systems.

Looking ahead, Sherman said the team expects the Viking to open up new opportunities as they take on more demanding projects: “Check back with us in a year!”