How to Choose the Right Laser Scanner

 

The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry is moving at a faster pace than ever before and detailed project data is in high-demand. Long gone are the days of relying solely on manual methods and paper-based drawings. Today, advanced technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM) are revolutionising the industry, enabling stakeholders to collaborate effectively, visualise projects in 3D, and make data-driven decisions.

Laser scanners have an essential role to play in this ongoing evolution. They are a flexible, accurate, and – most importantly – quick way to generate large quantities of positioning data, providing the foundation for sophisticated 3D models and digital twins. That makes them an essential part of the modern surveyor’s arsenal.

But if you’re looking to invest in a laser scanner, how do you find the right one for your needs? With so many scanners on the market, offering a range of compelling features and competing specifications, making the best choice is no simple feat. And that’s why we’re providing this in-depth guide on how to choosethe right laser scanner.

Read on below for a full breakdown of the key features to focus on and some suggestions of top-quality options for a range of budgets.

Before we break down the key considerations when choosing a laser scanner, let’s outline the basics of how these devices work and what benefits they are.

Laser scanners allow surveyors and other location professionals to gather an enormous amount of positioning information very quickly. They do this by scanning the environment with a laser beam – that is, a highly focused and targeted beam of light. The scanner measures the time it takes for the beam to be reflected back to its point of origin – known as its time of flight – and uses this to identify how far the beam has travelled.

Using this method, a laser scanner rapidly – in a matter of minutes for more advanced devices – generates a point cloud. This is a collection of discrete data points that, taken as a whole, form a 3D representation of the space you’ve scanned. And these data points aren’t necessarily just physical coordinates – they can also include other data like colour or beam intensity.

Many scanners also include inertial measurements and GPS for additional positioning data, while some also offer photogrammetry – a technique for using photographs to obtain detailed environmental information. Taken altogether, this data can be used for advanced “reality capture”, in which a detailed representation of a physical space is generated – all by a single device.

Laser scanners have a vast array of uses within the geospatial industry and in AEC projects. This includes:

• As-built surveys. Laser scanning accurately captures the existing conditions of buildings or structures, providing a 3D representation for renovation, retrofit, or documentation purposes.
• Site mapping. A laser scanner allows you to quickly and efficiently generate detailed topographic maps and terrain models, essential for site planning, earthwork calculations, and infrastructure design.
• Architectural modelling. A 3D model is a vital tool for a range of architectural and construction tasks, including facilitating architectural design, visualisation, and historical preservation efforts.
• Clash detection. By overlaying 3D models from different disciplines (e.g., structural, MEP), laser scanning data helps identify potential conflicts between building systems before construction, minimising costly rework.
• Industrial inspection. Laser scanning enables non-contact inspection and measurement of complex industrial facilities, pipelines, and equipment, improving safety, maintenance planning, and asset management.

Needless to say, laser scanners are highly versatile tools that can transform your surveying workflows and help you deliver complex projects at pace. But if you want to reap the real benefits of laser scanning, you need to invest in the best tool for the job.

With that in mind, let’s break down the key considerations for choosing the right laser scanner for your needs.

Recent advances in accuracy and portability have meant the number of high-quality laser scanners on the market has exploded in recent years. And, as in every other area, technological advancements mean new features and innovations are being introduced on what feels like a monthly basis.

While the range of features and capabilities on offer is great for ensuring you can find a laser scanner that fits your needs, it can also be overwhelming. And that’s especially true if you’re looking for an entry point. Without practical experience to help guide your decisions, you might worry about making an expensive mistake.

Well, we’re here to help make sure your new laser scanner delivers tangible, long-term benefits for your surveying work. Let’s look at the key considerations that should factor into your decision.

• Defining your needs

Before we break down the features you’ll want to focus on, it’s important to remember that there is no “best” choice – only the right choice for your particular needs. The same laser scanner might be the perfect tool for one surveyor and an expensive mistake for another.

With that in mind, the first step should be to get a clear picture of your needs. What size of space do you typically survey? What level of detail do you need to achieve your aims? How tight are your deadlines? And, of course, what’s your budget?

By taking some time to clearly define your requirements, you can avoid getting lost in the details and keep your focus on what really matters – delivering the best possible results for your surveying projects.

• Range and resolution

Range and resolution are the basic parameters that define how much data your laser scanner can offer you. As such, they should be the first consideration. After all, you don’t want to choose a laser scanner that isn’t actually capable of delivering the data you need. Range, as you’d expect, defines the physical area that the scanner can capture. If you are largely going to be scanning building interiors, then a smaller range may well suffice. But for larger-scale projects – scanning industrial facilities or mapping construction sites, for instance – then you’ll need to make sure your scanner has sufficient range.

Otherwise, you’ll have to perform multiple setups and scans to get the data you need, which can extend the time you need to spend on-site. Resolution, meanwhile, refers to the density of data points the scanner will generate. This is usually measured in terms of the distance between any two points in the point cloud – the smaller the distance, the more detailed the model that will result. How much detail you need will depend on the purpose your model will serve – industrial inspections may require much finer details, whereas a preliminary site survey will likely not need the same level of granularity.

Finally, it’s worth noting that there is often a tradeoff between range and resolution. Maintaining resolution over longer ranges is technically challenging, and scanners that are designed for larger-scale projects will tend to offer lower resolution than those designed for intricate, close-up work.

• Accuracy and precision

Once you’ve decided how much data you need your scanner to generate, next you need to think about how closely this data needs to match real-world conditions. That means you’ll want to look at the scanner’s accuracy – how much a given measurement might deviate from the actual distance to the target. The higher this deviation, the less sure you can be that your point cloud model resembles that physical space.

Precision, on the other hand, is about repeatability. If you repeat the scan, will the scanner get the same results? Higher precision means a greater consistency across multiple scans, whereas lower precision means more variance in your results.While accuracy and precision are distinct and you can have one without the other – a scanner could consistently get the same, completely inaccurate measurement – generally speaking you’ll need a balance of both if you want to be sure your 3D model reflects reality.

The key question here is how much is enough? With accuracy and precision, it’s easy to fall back on the assumption that more is better. But the reality is that, much as with resolution, there’s no benefit to choosing a scanner that exceeds your requirements – especially as more accuracy can mean a higher price and longer scan speed.Again, the most important thing is to be clear about how much accuracy your projects will need. For as-built surveys and clash detection, millimetre-level accuracy may be necessary. For progress monitoring or initial site surveys, on the other hand, lower levels of accuracy will likely suffice.

• Scan Speed

This is a fairly self-explanatory factor – faster scan speed means less time in the field and quicker project delivery. Scan speed is usually measured in pps (points per second), and so tends to require a trade-off with resolution – a higher pps won’t result in a faster scan if you’re also measuring a larger number of points.

Nevertheless, scan speed can be an important consideration if you tend to work to tight deadlines or if time spent in the field is at a premium. It’s also worth prioritising if you are going to be working on projects that require multiple scans to achieve the coverage you need – for example, if you’re working on large industrial projects or performing an extensive topographic survey with disrupted lines of sight.However, it’s important to recognise that scan speed isn’t the only determining factor when it comes to reducing your time in the field – as we’ll see in the next two points.

• Ease of use

Your laser scanner might have great range and a ultra-fast scan speed, but if it’s complex and unintuitive to use, you might not see significant benefits for your overall efficiency. You could still find yourself facing long delays in the field while you try to troubleshoot some unexpected issue or navigate an unclear user interface. On the other hand, there are also software features that can boost your productivity even if you choose a model with a relatively slow scan speed.

Many newer laser scanners come with automated routines built into their software, allowing you to perform basic tasks like setting up and calibrating your scanner much more quickly. They may also include data analysis and error detection features that can help you spot issues while you’re still on site – potentially saving you hours or even days of extra work. So, if speed and efficiency are key considerations, don’t just look at the technical specifications.

Consider how user-friendly the interface is and if the software offers any productivity-boosting features. It’s also worth exploring how much manufacturer support there is – if you’re having an issue in the field, easy access to technical support can make an enormous difference.

• Profitability and durability

If we turn to focus on the physical qualities of the laser scanner, it’s clear that these can also have a major impact on your fieldwork. For larger sites or complex multi-scan projects that require you to move the laser scanner frequently, portability can have an enormous impact. A large, unwieldy scanner can significantly slow down your workflow, making it cumbersome and time-consuming to transport and set up in different locations.

You may even find it difficult to set it up at all in particularly constrained space. Durability, on the other hand, can mean the difference between expensive repairs – and the project delays that go with them – or delivering on time and under budget. If you’re going to be working on construction projects or working in adverse conditions on more demanding job sites, make sure you check the IP rating before you make a purchase. These will let you know if the scanner is water- and dustproof.

• Price

Whatever piece of equipment you’re looking to purchase, price needs to be factored in – at the very least, you need to be clear about how far your budget can realistically stretch. However, when comparing two laser scanners, price should really be one of your final considerations. That’s because you should see your new scanner as an investment – if you make the right choice, then the benefits can more than offset the initial outlay. And of course, the reverse is also true – choosing a cheaper model that doesn’t really deliver the results you need is a false economy.

So, while paying for functionality you don’t need is best avoided, making a saving in the short-term isn’t always your best bet. It’s also important to think beyond just the up-front amount you need to pay. Instead, look at total cost of ownership (TCO). This means factoring in both the additional costs you might face over the lifespan of the scanner – repairs and maintenance, for instance – as well as indirect costs arising from unexpected downtime or additional training needs. By looking at TCO, you can look beyond the initial price point and get a fuller sense of what the scanner will set you back over its full lifespan. And once you factor this in, you may find that what appears to be the cheaper option is anything but.

• Trimble’s X7 laser scanner

Now that you’ve got a clear sense of what to look for when choosing the right laser scanner for your needs, it’s time to take a look at some of the most popular devices on the market at the moment. Read on for a breakdown of the key features of SEP’s top-selling scanners.

Trimble’s X7 laser scanner is a great option if ease-of-use and a simple, streamlined workflow is your top priority. The X7 offers survey-grade self-levelling, which means you’ll be able to set up faster with fewer errors – a great option if you’re working in a building with lots of smaller rooms or on terrain with line of sight issues. It also integrates seamlessly with Trimble’s user-friendly Perspective software, which allows you to view, manage and validate scan data right there in the field.

And that’s not to say it can’t also deliver high-quality scan data at a respectable pace. With scan times as low as 94 seconds (154 seconds with images) and a 2 mm range accuracy, you don’t need to worry that you’re trading speed and efficiency for quality.

• Trimble X9 Laser Scanner

The Trimble X9 Laser Scanner takes all the benefits of the X7 and adds superior speed, range and accuracy. With scan times as low as 50 seconds and range of up to 150m, it’s an excellent choice for tackling large-scale projects at pace. It may lack the sheer range of the FARO Focus Premium, but its scan speed and calibration features make it ideal if time is of the essence.

• FARO Focus Core laser scanner

The FARO Focus Core laser scanner is an excellent entrypoint for those who need a highly functional and versatile scanner but who don’t necessarily need the highest levels of accuracy and are willing to accept slightly longer scan times.

Though this is positioned as a budget option in FARO’s Focus range, making it extremely competitive on price, don’t overlook the quality and depth of the features it offers. Like the more advanced alternative the Focus Premium (see below), it offers high colour resolution for effective reality capture, as well as an optional panoramic camera add-on.

• FARO Focus Premium

The FARO Focus Premium, as you would expect, is the more advanced, feature-rich alternative to the Focus Core. It has a faster scan speed – just 1 minute to complete a typical scan – and an extensive 350m scanning range, as well as 266 megapixel colour resolution. It also offers smartphone-enabled remote control capabilities via a dedicated app.

This top-end functionality makes the Focus Premium an industry-leading mix of range, resolution and speed. Inevitably, it also comes at the higher end of the price bracket. If you’re looking for core functionality rather than cutting-edge features, it may be worth considering the Focus Core or the Trimble X7.

• CHCNAV RS10 Handheld Laser SLAM Scanner

If you’re looking for a truly groundbreaking option, then look no further. The CHCNAV RS10 Handheld Laser SLAM Scanner integrates advanced GNSS RTK positioning technology into a highly mobile scanner, allowing you to generate georeferenced point clouds without the need for post-processing. The RS10 represents a major step forward in Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) capabilities, offering an entirely new approach to geospatial surveying – perfect for those looking for advanced efficiency and speed in generating top-quality data.

Investing in a laser scanner can have a transformative impact on your surveying workflow. It allows you to generate high-quality 3D point cloud data at speed, providing a foundation for Building Information Management (BIM) models and a range of other uses. But if you want to reap the real benefits of 3D laser scanning, it’s essential that you choose the right scanner for your needs.

Hopefully, our guide above has helped you to cut through the noise and zero in on your key priorities. Maybe you’ve even managed to narrow it down to the model or manufacturer that best fits your situation. But if you need further guidance, don’t worry – here at SEP, we’re always happy to help.

For more than 35 years, we’ve been offering expert advice and solutions for construction, engineering and geospatial professionals. If you’d like to discuss your laser scanner needs, just get in touch with us below and we’ll do our best to help you make the right choice.