Hello From Birmingham

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KestaIH
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Hello From Birmingham

Post by KestaIH »

Hello to the Laser Scanning World

We're about to take the plunge and get a scanner for use in the construction industry. Over the last five years we have rented scanners to survey large interior spaces on commercial projects, typically using the Leica P series.

At the time this gave us great results and seemed relatively easy to do considering the final benefits of the scan. The actual scanning could be quite challenging, getting the scanner level, fixing the targets and spending days trying to get the registration correct. BUT NOW... everything seems to have changed with the mid-ranged scanners which seemed to be specifically targeted at people like us, not needing ultra accurate scans but nonetheless requiring accurate scans to make sure everything in a building fits. The speeds, quality, quick set-up and ease of registration seem perfect for what we need.

So, the big question, Leica RTC360 or FARO S series (70 or 150). Both were impressive on demo. The Leica was very quick, allowed photos and notes to be attached to the onsite data and had hot swappable batteries (if swappable is a word) and the Cyclone system gave me a feeling it might be slightly more accurate than Faro's Scene software. The Faro is a bit cheaper ,the full onsite registration is impressive (if it works), all calibration done in the UK reducing our downtimes for calibration and the file sizes seem a lot smaller than on the Leica. Also the memory cards are bog standard, not the uber expensive USB sticks on the Leica.

Has anyone out there got experience of either of these units, good or bad. It would also be useful to know if the Faro S70 had any serious drawbacks over the S150 when just scanning large, open interior areas.

We currently qualify for a grant to help with this which we need to action soon so, time is of the essence. Your help would be appreciated
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Re: Hello From Birmingham

Post by stevenramsey »

A minor point but the Leica USB sticks are free not expensive at all.
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Re: Hello From Birmingham

Post by Tookie »

We have the RTC360 and are based in Birmingham UK I can probably arrange for you to have a good look at it if you like. Send me a PM

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Re: Hello From Birmingham

Post by Carbix »

stevenramsey wrote: Wed May 22, 2019 5:17 pm A minor point but the Leica USB sticks are free not expensive at all.
LOL :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :evil: $1,000 a pop :cry:

But I would go RTC if you wanting to do inside stuff mostly. Outside it would be a toss-up for a FARO on your range you would need. That said the RTC has greate range and auto filters rain.
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Re: Hello From Birmingham

Post by KestaIH »

Thanks for getting in touch so quickly.

Yeah, I was told a replacement USB would be upwards of £500.

Carbix, why do you think Leica is better than the Faro for indoors stuff?

Thanks for you offer Iain, I have had the chance to use one and do some scanning around our office but I haven't had the chance to use one in anger. how are you finding it?

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Re: Hello From Birmingham

Post by sim.herrod »

We had demos of the RTC and S150 and decided to go with the S150.

That said, coming from a history of Leica scanners, we still prefer to register in Cyclone.

We've tried the OSR on the Faro and it's worked for us, but it'd definitely better to use a high end laptop/tablet in our opinion.

We've found the support from both Faro and Leica is good with nothing to split them.
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Re: Hello From Birmingham

Post by KestaIH »

Sim, I see your company does a lot of external stuff. We've been recommended by Faro the S70 as opposed to the 150. Is this something you would have considered if you only did internal surveys?
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Re: Hello From Birmingham

Post by sim.herrod »

KestaIH wrote: Thu May 23, 2019 11:55 am Is this something you would have considered if you only did internal surveys?
Given the difference in price, possibly, yes.
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Re: Hello From Birmingham

Post by VXGrid »

KestaIH wrote: Wed May 22, 2019 4:48 pm [...]
not needing ultra accurate scans but nonetheless requiring accurate scans to make sure everything in a building fits. The speeds, quality, quick set-up and ease of registration seem perfect for what we need.

[...]
Since you are located in the UK and are not looking for the highest accuracy:
Did you check out GeoSLAM?

For your other question if Faro or Leica:
One advantage of Faro: The SDK is open so you don't need to buy Scene, but you can go with the Registration software which best fits your needs / workflow, depending on what you are going to do with the point cloud. With Leica it will come down to Register360 / Cyclone.
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