I´m looking into the posibility to add a laser scanner to our workflow, but I would like to know what is the cheapest option that we could acquire, right now we use just photos, and I would like to add a bit more info with a scanner.
I am very interested in this as well. I know this is a huge topic, but maybe some of you experienced laser users out there have a rough overview. I expect lower cost equals lower resolution etc - but combining photogrammetry and a cheap (but supported) laser can hardly make it worse?
As with life, you get what you pay for. before any sort of answer what do you want to be scanning and what purpose the scanner will help with. there are many scanners out there both new and second hand. each will have pros and cons. especially when combining it with pics
Leica BLK 360 will be soon on the marker, but not expect miracles and the PRO class quality ( Faro 1xx or Leica Pxx series ) its not there. but still can help in many situations, but later this month will showcase another solutions that can be for pretty good price and with very nice parameters ( close range 0,5 - 5 m )
What would you be your target price for laser quality scanning device that can export PTX data for combo with photogramemtry ?
Then forget on laser scanning. the prices will be NOT there for many years to come. Quality have its price, and with laser scanning the price reflect ( not linear ) quality that you get. If dont want to buy it then better do GOOD planning and lease it for particular work. its how we all do it unless we have so many work that we can afford own laser scanner.
The structure.io scanner isn’t bad for the price… Sold with various apps and under different names as part of a package deal.
There are also the larger scale scanning portable units like the zeb-1 or zeb-revo (geoslam).
The precursor wobble stick version (https://confluence.csiro.au/display/ASL/Zebedee) was cool to watch but can’t help think it would have been a bit embarrassing to carry around (forgoes the rotating scanner system for random sweeping of the volume.)
Tons of these things are around now since so many devices are doing interior mapping/navigation.
The HP david structured light scanners are open hardware… but I’m not sure what they are charging for the modelling software.
all based on Kinect technology with again precision on cm range… so not comparable to laser scanners !!!
Yes the structure is a consumer, but cute tech.
on the revos - Our geotechs use these for measurements… and we sirovision for underground. The revos were supposed to be the new cheap model - guess the last model must have been _really_ expensive!
Do we need a data filter script for translation of their point cloud to something RC can read?
I’m starting to get nice results with RC now I’ve had all the pointers and help here!
My solution would also not be below 1000, but certainly cheaper than 16k.
I use a theodolite and measure some well distributed reference points (ground control).
That results in small mm errors for most models ranging from 5 to 50 m of size.
It is really fast and I am sure easier to learn than laserscanning - which is far from just pressing the notorious “button”.