Ground penetrating radar for sale (plus rentals)
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is an electromagnetic technique that provides high-resolution 2D and 3D subsurface images. This geophysical method, developed over the past 30 years, is primarily used to investigate the shallow subsurface of the earth, building materials, and infrastructure like roads and bridges.
In this guide, we explore how GPR works and why RTK corrections can significantly improve its accuracy. We'll also discuss where you can find ground penetrating radar for sale and some rentable GPR tech.
How exactly does ground penetrating radar work?
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a geophysical method that uses radar pulses to create images of subsurface structures. This technology allows us to detect buried objects without the need for digging. To operate GPR, you need several key pieces of equipment, including transmitter and receiver antennas, display and data storage devices, mounting and transport systems, an (ideally RTK-enabled) GPS unit for location tracking, and a control unit.
Choosing a frequency
The process begins with choosing an appropriate frequency for the antennas based on the required resolution and depth. Lower frequencies penetrate deeper but provide less detail, while higher frequencies offer better resolution but shallower penetration.
Measuring pulse reflections
Once the equipment is set up and calibrated according to the site conditions, the GPR device emits radar pulses into the ground. These pulses encounter materials or objects like pipes, reflecting back to the surface. The device records the strength and timing of these reflections, creating a scan of the subsurface.
The strength of the reflection varies based on the dielectric properties of the materials encountered. For example, moving from dry sand to wet sand creates a strong reflection. The signal's speed depends on the material it's traveling through, with some energy reflecting back to the antenna while the rest continues deeper until it fades or the device stops recording.
Collecting data
As the GPR device moves across the surface, it collects data in parallel lines. This data is combined using software to create horizontal views of the ground at specific depths, known as depth slices. The software also helps remove background noise, adjust hyperbolas, and calculate accurate depths.
This comprehensive approach allows users to effectively utilize GPR to uncover hidden structures and materials beneath the surface.
Is ground penetrating radar accurate?
Yes, ground penetrating radar is accurate, but for the highest precision, integrating real-time kinematic (RTK) technology is essential. While not required for GPR, RTK significantly enhances its effectiveness by correcting errors in standard location data, resulting in exceptionally precise positioning data. This allows for the creation of detailed and accurate maps of subsurface structures, thereby improving the reliability and effectiveness of GPR surveys.
The high precision of RTK ensures that the spatial coordinates of the GPR data are accurate, which is crucial for applications such as utility detection, archaeological surveys, and geological investigations. For instance, combining Point One’s Polaris RTK system with GPR enables pinpointing exact locations and depths with the highest accuracy. Polaris RTK can be set up in five minutes by connecting to a single NTRIP mount point and automatically assigns itself to the nearest base station, providing access to local datums. And you’ll access centimeter-accurate positioning, lightning-fast convergence times, and 99.99% network uptime.
Using RTK with GPR ensures that you achieve the most accurate and reliable results possible–making it an invaluable tool for a wide range of subsurface exploration applications.
Ground Penetrating Radar Pricing
Understanding the costs–and benefits–associated with ground penetrating radar is helpful when deciding whether to buy or rent a system.
Ground penetrating radar for sale
Purchasing a GPR system can be a significant investment, with new units ranging from $10,000 to over $40,000, depending on the model, features, and capabilities.
However, buying is more cost-effective in the long run if you plan to use GPR technology regularly. Additionally, owning the equipment allows you to customize it based on your specific needs and claim depreciation expenses, which can reduce your taxable income.
Ground penetrating radar cost per hour
For those with short-term projects or one-time needs, renting GPR devices offers financial flexibility, access to the latest technology, and reduced maintenance concerns. Renting rates typically range from $100 to $300 per hour, with daily or weekly rates available for longer projects.
Renting is also an excellent way to try various GPR models before committing to a purchase, ensuring you choose the best equipment for your needs.
Used ground penetrating radar
Purchasing a used GPR system can be a cost-effective alternative to buying new equipment. Prices for used GPR units typically range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the condition, age, and capabilities of the device.
This option is ideal for those on a budget, but it's essential to ensure that the used equipment is well-maintained and comes from a reputable source to guarantee reliability and performance.
Best Ground Penetrating Radar for Sale
Choosing the best ground penetrating radar (GPR) is essential for reliable subsurface imaging. Here are some of the best ground penetrating radars for sale.
GSSI Ground Penetrating Radar
GSSI provides GPR products for concrete inspection, construction surveying, forensics and archaeology, transportation, and geophysics. Its products can reach depths of up to 70ft and are designed for specific use cases like locating rebar/conduits, mapping underground utilities, identifying bridge deck deterioration, and measuring pavement layers/thickness.
GPR Products:
- Utility Scan pro
- 200 HS antenna
- UtilityScan
- UtilityScan DF
- BridgeScan
- 200 HS antenna
- RoadScan
USRadar Ground Penetrating Radar
USRadar GPR products enable users to collect subsurface information in real-time to locate buried utilities, assess the condition of concrete structures, and map geological features. They also support archeological surveys and noninvasive excavation. USRadar also offers GPR software with features like a radar studio, GPS integration, and 3D imaging and modeling.
GPR Products:
- GPRover utility mapping system
- Quantum imager triple frequency GPR system
- Q5 series GPR system
- Q10 utility and geotechnical locating system
- Q25 geophysical radar system
- 100 series geophysical scanner ground penetrating radar system
Leica Ground Penetrating Radar
Leica’s GPR solution is designed for surveying, civil engineering, and utility repair/maintenance companies. It is a portable hardware GPR with integrated software that creates a 2D/3D utility map on the field and automates data analysis. The software also enables users to store, access, and export data to major cloud service providers.
GPR Products:
- Leica DSX utility detection solution
- Leica DS2000
Sensors & Software Ground Penetrating Radar
Sensors & Software GPR is utilized across various industries, including the military for locating and detecting buried devices, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and tunnels. Additionally, it is used in agriculture and forestry, mining operations, road and bridge construction, and more.
Industries leverage Sensors & Software GPR to locate buried pipes, cables, and gas lines, marking their location on the ground in real time while on-site.
GPR Products:
- LMX150 FINDAR utility locator
- Conquest 100 concrete scanner
- LMX200 utility locator
- Rescue radar
- LMX100 utility locator
- pulseEKKO®
- SPIDAR®
OKM Ground Penetrating Radar
OKM is a GPR solution located in Germany. It is built for treasure hunting, archaeology, and geotechnical engineering.
OKM’s GPR can reach depths of up to 132 ft (40 meters) using an omnidirectional unshielded transmission system. It operates using live stream and ground scan and can detect underground objects like cables, conduits, cavities, and pipelines.
GPR Products:
- OKM Gepard GPR 3D
Screening Eagle Ground Penetrating Radar
Screening Eagle ground penetrating radar is used by civil and structural engineers, subsurface engineers, utility locators, asset owners, and NDT specialists. It allows users to detect and map the complex networks of underground utilities, such as pipes, cables, and conduits.
Screening Eagle GPR products are powered by stepped-frequency continuous-wave (SFCW) technology, and have a maximum penetration depth of 150 cm / 60 in.
GPR Products:
- GP8800 handheld concrete scanner
- GP8000 portable concrete scanner
- GP8100 ultrawide concrete scanner
- GS8000 subsurface GPR
Where to Rent Ground Penetrating Radar
Renting GPR equipment offers a cost-effective alternative to purchasing. This option eliminates the need for maintenance and servicing while providing access to the latest technology and GPR models.
Several companies specialize in renting GPR equipment. Here are some primary options:
- GPR equipment manufacturers: Many manufacturers offer rental services for their equipment. These services provide direct access to the latest technology and often include technical support. For example, Sensors & Software offers GPR rental through a network of partners.
- Geophysical equipment rental companies: These companies specialize in renting a variety of geophysical equipment, including GPR. They often have a wider range of options and can provide additional equipment for your project. TerraPlus provides GPR and other geophysical equipment rentals for various applications.
- Construction equipment rental companies: Some larger construction equipment rental companies may offer GPR as part of their inventory. Herc rentals offers GPR but with limited availability.
More about Ground Penetrating Radar
We’ve answered some common questions that you may have about GPR
What is better than ground penetrating radar?
Electromagnetic (EM) locators can be faster and more affordable than GPR for detecting metallic underground utilities. The major difference between both is that GPR can find both metallic and non-metallic objects, whereas EM is best at finding metallic objects.
How deep can radar penetrate the ground?
The depth of a GPR survey depends on several factors, including the radar antenna’s frequency, the material properties of the subsurface, and the specific application. In low conductivity materials such as dry sand or granite, GPR can reach depths of up to 100 feet (30 meters). Moist clays, shale, and other high conductivity materials, may attenuate or absorb GPR signals, greatly decreasing the depth of penetration to 3 feet (1 meter) or less.
Is ground penetrating radar worth it?
Yes, ground penetrating radar is worth it, especially when combined with RTK technology like Polaris RTK to achieve exceptionally precise positioning data.
Which GPR is best?
Determining the best GPR system is highly dependent on specific project requirements. Factors such as target depth, ground conditions, desired resolution, and budget all play a crucial role in selecting the optimal equipment.
Regardless of the GPR equipment you’re using, combining them with RTK correction services allows you to achieve exceptionally precise positioning data, which allows for the creation of detailed and accurate maps of subsurface structures, improving the reliability and effectiveness of GPR surveys.
Improve your GPR Accuracy
Combining GPR with RTK corrections is the best way to improve the accuracy of your GPR. With RTK corrections, you can access centimeter-level accuracy helps you find the exact location of subsurface objects like pipes and cables and ensures worker safety.
If you’re looking for the best RTK solution on the market, look no further than Point One’s Polaris. Polaris is a state-of-the-art RTK solution that offers centimeter-accurate positioning and 99.99% network uptime. The network is easy to use and only requires setting up once–so you can access RTK-enabled GPR quickly and efficiently.
Here’s what to expect:
- The most comprehensive network with unmatched density and the most modern, reliable base stations.
- Connect to a single mount point, and Polaris intelligently assigns you to your closest base station and provides results in the relevant datum for your continent/country.
- Complete transparency about the location of base stations.
- The only network that works with almost every GNSS receiver–and a self-service portal for device activation, credentials, and management.
- Support and automatic assignment of either ITRF2014 or local datums including NAD83, ETRS89, NZGD2000, GDA2020, JGD2011, and KGD2002.
- Survey-grade precision (cm-accurate) across the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Korea (and growing!)
- Connect your survey devices to Polaris in minutes.
- Save hours on every job site configuring and setting up base stations or harder-to-use RTK networks.
- Connect to a fully managed network built entirely on industry-leading Septentrio receivers, with 99.99% uptime.
- Ditch the expensive base station rental or purchase.
- Untether your business from the constraints of geography and region.
And you get everything at one transparent monthly price—$150 a month or $1,500 a year.
