We would like to invest in a small range laser scanner as a surveyor firm in order to have an extra tool in toolbox. Also as we he have associates architectural offices and maybe will do for them indoor and outdoor plans.
What is your thoughts is it effectivelly ?
Our budget is 20.000 $ and we think about leica BLK 360.
Anyone of you use something like this ?
johnymal, post: 448744, member: 7096 wrote: We would like to invest in a small range laser scanner as a surveyor firm in order to have an extra tool in toolbox. Also as we he have associates architectural offices and maybe will do for them indoor and outdoor plans.
What is your thoughts is it effectivelly ?
Our budget is 20.000 $ and we think about leica BLK 360.
Anyone of you use something like this ?
Leica BLK 360 seems very cool and Leica makes fantastic equipment, but I have not used or even seen one. But I am sure it will be more than 20k. We bought a Leica P40 Scanner last year and use it all the time, and it has opened us up to more (different) clients.
For your budget I would look here:
https://www.faro.com/products/construction-bim-cim/faro-focus/
Some other things to plan for are software and the right computers to handle the clouds well. Depending on what you get into you may need to upgrade your other hardware to handle it all. Everything from servers, wiring to up to date versions of software. 20k will get you some options on the scanner but it is only the start of where the money goes. You won't need to upgrade everything on day 1 so you will likely increase revenues to handle some of it. Best to study that part up front and plan for it. Good luck!
I would second looking at Faro. Keep in mind that if you want the full cloud processing software package, prices for those vary a lot by brand as well. A full seat of Leica Cyclone is almost twice your budget. There are more affordable options from other makers.
StLSurveyor what software do use for cloud procesing is it easy and affordable to use it for everyday works ? Also i hear about point cab, topodot software too many options, any suggestions?
StLSurveyor, post: 448748, member: 7070 wrote: Leica BLK 360 seems very cool and Leica makes fantastic equipment, but I have not used or even seen one. But I am sure it will be more than 20k. We bought a Leica P40 Scanner last year and use it all the time, and it has opened us up to more (different) clients.
For your budget I would look here:
https://www.faro.com/products/construction-bim-cim/faro-focus/
From what I have seen the BLK 360 is roughly $16k as a kit, including the app for the iPad Pro (price does not include the iPad).
You don't need to buy a full Leica Cyclone software package to be productive, you probably wouldn't use all of the features anyway. You can look at the BLK360 as a first scanner and who knows - maybe that's all you'll really need. If you'll use it for creating floor plans then this will be a really great scanner in my opinion. Though, if you want to be able to scan some architectural elements really(!) precisely and accurately, then in my opinion something else would be more appropriate. If you choose BLK360, for the software (only scan registration) i would suggest the new Leica Cyclone Register 360, saw it at Intergeo and it looks really awesome - modern, simple, visual and easy to use.
You should get a demo (if it's possible, have heard the there's a supply problem) for this scanner - if it does what you need with the desired accuracy and you can get the necessary end deliverables, then take it - the price is good!
johnymal, post: 448758, member: 7096 wrote: StLSurveyor what software do use for cloud procesing is it easy and affordable to use it for everyday works ? Also i hear about point cab, topodot software too many options, any suggestions?
For the P40 I use clone. For our Mobile LiDAR I use Trident.
Once you get a solid point cloud you can do most of the drafting in C3D. Cyclone and Trident both have a "virtual surveyor" or feature extraction which will automate linework extraction, symbols, etc., but most of the time you are just topo'ing by hand in the office - which isn't so bad when it is raining or 115 degrees - or 5 degrees.
BLK360 is your goto in this scenario. Quite simy, its speed will offer up to just about any situation, short-range. The ability of ReCap to flow direct into Civil3D makes it a no brainer for most.
Also found a new nctech scanner in a very affordable price 14.000$. Still wants someone to tell me if it easy and time saving to work with point cloud.
johnymal, post: 448813, member: 7096 wrote: Also found a new nctech scanner in a very affordable price 14.000$. Still wants someone to tell me if it easy and time saving to work with point cloud.
Get your local dealer to supply a 30 day demo license - they will all do that. Then load up some point clouds and play around.
For me, point clouds are simple to work with, but I've been doing it for more than 10 years. It's a decision you have to make, what is easy for one person can be difficult for another.
There is a learning curve with anything. With scanning the tasks have gotten easier compared to 15+ years ago. Software and Hardware both help with that. There remains a lot to learn about doing this type of work. Some will jump into and produce some nice looking clouds that arent really registered together all that well. They have a struggle ahead because they don't know what they don't know. You have a lot of research ahead of you and plan on spending more money and a lot of unbillable time working on projects while you learn.
Also feel free to ask more detailed questions as you learn more. Sometimes cheap scanners are what they are...cheap. Doesn't mean they won't serve a purpose but they may not fit the purpose that you want and then you have to buy a second cheap scanner for those tasks. Not saying you should spend a huge amount more than you plan but you should be fully aware of what those scanners do and any problems that will arise in its use. Mainly finding out what those scanners can not do is just as important as knowing what they can do. There is lots of opinion and reviews out there on these things. Sometimes it takes a while to separate into useful vs useless. Get real good at filtering sales talk... 😉
As to your time savings question, scanners will save you lots of time in capturing large amounts of information. Then you will spend lots of time managing and processing that information. Bit of a double edged sword but overall it gives a better product than virtually anything else out there for many projects.
So for small projects does not worth to work with laser scanner simle is best total and disto. In larger project i must find how easy is mananging point cloud..
