Laser scanners are one of the most powerful and versatile tools in a surveyor’s arsenal. Whether you’re looking to perform as-built surveys or generate high-quality point cloud data for Building Information Modelling (BIM), a laser scanner can transform your surveying workflow – but only if it’s the right fit for your specific needs.

In this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at the FARO Focus S70 3D laser scanner. The Focus S70 is one of the most versatile and user-friendly laser scanners on the market, so read on to find out more about its key features and applications – as well as how it compares to popular alternatives.

FARO are pioneers in the space of 3D measurement and imaging technology, and the Focus S70 is one of their most popular offerings in the laser scanner market. It offers an impressive range of features, including:

• Accuracy and range. The Focus S70 uses the most advanced sensor technologies to deliver survey-grade accuracy at up to 70 metres.

• Fast scan speed. With a 97Hz vertical scan speed, the Focus S70 is a great choice for sites that require multiple scans to obtain full coverage.

• Powerful HDR camera. The Focus S70 features an integrated colour camera with HDR capabilities, offering up to 165 megapixels for high-resolution photogrammetry.

• Portability. The Focus S70 uses a compact, lightweight design to make it easy to move around on larger job sites.

• Durability. With an IP54 rating indicating that it can be used in wet weather and an expansive temperature range of -20°C to 55°C, the Focus S70 is suited for even the toughest conditions.

The Focus S70 also comes with an extensive accompanying kit, including:

• 1 x battery power block and 1 x battery power dock
• 1 x carbon fibre tripod
• 1 x 90W power supply
• 1 x 32GB SD card and 1 x SD card reader
• 1 x rugged transport case

In sum, the FARO Focus S70 is a versatile, powerful and easy-to-use laser scanner. It’s an ideal choice for those who need to deliver accuracy at pace on more challenging job sites.

Let’s take a closer look at the wide range of applications the Focus S70 is suited for, before comparing it with some of its main competitors.

The FARO Focus S70 is a significant investment in your surveying capabilities – but is it one that will provide real benefits for your business?

Before deciding on whether the Focus S70 is the right choice, it’s important to understand how it will contribute to your workflows and help deliver tangible results. With that in mind, let’s consider some of the key applications of the Focus S70.

As we’ve discussed in a previous post, laser scanners play an essential role in Building Information Modelling (BIM) – and the Focus S70 is no exception. By delivering detailed point cloud models, the Focus S70 provides a solid foundation for your BIM processes.

But that’s not the only key application for your new FARO Focus S70. It also contributes to:

• Topographic surveys. Accurately capturing the terrain and surface features of a site for detailed mapping, land use planning, and engineering projects.

• As-built surveys. Creating precise 3D models of existing structures for documentation, renovation, or construction planning, ensuring that new work aligns with the existing building.

• Progress monitoring. Tracking the progress of construction projects to ensure compliance with design plans, identify potential issues early on, and optimise resource allocation.

• Facility management. Creating 3D models of buildings and facilities for space planning, asset management, maintenance scheduling, and safety assessments.

• Heritage preservation. Recording historical sites and artefacts in 3D for documentation, preservation, and research purposes, helping to preserve cultural heritage for future generations.

As you can see, the Focus S70 can tackle a wide range of surveying tasks, making it a highly versatile and effective addition to your surveying toolkit.

Nevertheless, it’s important to recognise that a new laser scanner is a significant investment. The best scanner isn’t the one with the most features or the latest tech, or even the broadest capabilities – it’s the one that best fits your specific needs.

Let’s look more closely at the factors you’ll want to consider before you commit to the Focus S70.

There are a number of factors you’ll want to consider when deciding whether the Focus S70 is right for you. Before making a purchase, take some time to think about:

• Application. What are your most common – or most challenging – surveying tasks, and how will the Focus S70 benefit them? Think about the size and scale of jobs you tackle, the nature of the site conditions you work on, and any other factors that might affect the S70’s usefulness.

• Battery life. If you are often spending long days on the job with limited access to a power supply, it’s important to consider whether the Focus S70’s battery life is sufficient. A drained battery can make all the difference when it comes to meeting tight deadlines.

• Price. An obvious point, but a fundamental one – is the Focus S70 within your budget range? If so, compare it to other scanners at a similar price point – is it going to deliver the same level of impact as these alternatives? (Read on below for an overview of some key competitors to the S70.)

• Compatibility. Does the S70 integrate smoothly and effectively with your other equipment and software? Compatibility issues can make even the most powerful new instrument a net negative for your productivity.

Of course, it’s impossible to evaluate the benefits of the Focus S70 in isolation. When assessing whether it’s going to meet your needs, it’s important to compare it to other laser scanners on the market. With that in mind, let’s look at some of its major competitors in the laser scanner market at present.

The Focus Core is FARO’s newest mid-range scanner and is designed to offer high levels of functionality at an accessible price point. It matches the 70m range of the S70 and offers a similar scan speed, while incorporating some innovative features, including smartphone-enabled control and fast WiFi connectivity. If these kinds of time-saving features are a key benefit for you, it’s a strong competitor to the S70.

As the name suggests, the Focus Premium is FARO’s top-of-the-range option for those who need cutting-edge laser scanning capabilities. Offering fast scanning speeds, super-high resolution and an impressive 350m range, the Focus Premium is the perfect choice if you work on demanding, large-scale projects.

The X7 is Trimble’s most direct competitor to FARO’s S70, with a similar range (80m) and a shared focus on user-friendliness. The X7’s main selling point is scanning speed – with a speed of up to 500kHz, the X7 can deliver high-quality scans in as little as 94 seconds. If speed is of the essence when you’re on site, the X7 is well worth considering.

The X9 is Trimble’s most powerful offering, a high-end competitor to the FARO Focus Premium. The X9 doesn’t quite have the range of the Focus Premium, but is still capable of capturing high-resolution point clouds at up to 150m, and its 1000 KHz scan speed ensures it can deliver short scan times without sacrificing detail.

If you’re looking for a truly innovative option, then look no further. The RS10 Handheld Laser SLAM Scanner combines a powerful laser scanner with advanced GNSS positioning technology. As a result, you’re able to bring together the benefits of high-accuracy RTK surveying with 3D reality capture – all in a single, highly efficient instrument.

The FARO Focus S70 is a versatile, user-friendly and effective laser scanner. It offers a perfect entry-point into the market, especially if you’re focusing on smaller-scale projects or need to be able to tackle more challenging environments.

Nevertheless, it’s vital that any laser scanner you invest in can deliver long-term benefits for your business. And with the range of options available, it’s not always easy to decide which is the best fit for your needs.

That’s where SEP comes in. We’ve got over 35 years of experience supporting professionals across a range of industries with their surveying needs – and we’re more than happy to share our knowledge. If you need advice on choosing the right laser scanner, get in touch today and our friendly team will be more than happy to help.