| What is a Time of Flight Scanner? | | | | is to consult with an impartial third party, such as |
| A time of flight scanner emits a laser that probes | | | | a laser scanning surveying provider. |
| the scanning subject. After reaching the object, | | | | How Much Does Laser Surveying Equipment |
| the laser instantly reflects back toward the | | | | Cost? |
| scanner where it is registered by a laser range | | | | Laser scanning equipment can range from a few |
| finder, which measures the round trip time of the | | | | hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of |
| laser toward the subject and back to the scanner. | | | | dollars, depending on the grade and complexity of |
| As one might image, time of flight scanners are | | | | the equipment. A hand-held scanner would be an |
| generally used to measure large objects or | | | | example of a more affordable scanner, while a |
| structures that must be scanned from a | | | | commercial grade trip scanner from a maker such |
| significant distance away, such as buildings and | | | | as Leica would be an example of higher end |
| landscapes. | | | | scanner. For most companies, the crucial |
| What is a Phase Shift Scanner? | | | | consideration in whether to buy scanning |
| A phase shift scanner works by emitting a ray of | | | | equipment or outsource their scanning is how |
| light at a specific frequency and then recording | | | | often they need 3D laser scanning. If a company |
| the "wave of light" that results from the light ray | | | | needs scanning infrequently, outsourcing would be |
| being shifted or displaced by the object's | | | | the more affordable option. |
| reflective surface, with the displacement of the | | | | How Much Does Outsourcing Laser Surveying |
| wave allowing for the calculation of distance | | | | Cost? |
| between the light ray's point of impact and the | | | | Several factors contribute to the cost of |
| scanner. Phase shift scanners are known for their | | | | outsourced laser scanning, such as: the equipment |
| flawless accuracy. But their requirement of a | | | | used, the distance that the scanning provider |
| reflective surface can be a drawback. While small | | | | must travel and the duration of the scanning |
| to midsized transparent and semitransparent | | | | project. Therefore, the best way to get a |
| objects can be dusted to offer a reflective | | | | ballpark estimate of outsourced scanning costs is |
| surface, extremely large, outdoor transparent | | | | to contact a scanning provider and describe your |
| objects make the process more difficult. | | | | needs. Most laser surveying providers charge |
| What is the Best Kind of Laser Scanner? | | | | roughly the same rates. |
| Choosing the best laser scanner means choosing | | | | Is Laser Surveying Principally the Same as Manual |
| the best laser scanner for your needs. While all | | | | Surveying? |
| laser scanners offer speed and accuracy, some | | | | Both laser and manual surveying intend to |
| scanners are more ideal for certain situations than | | | | accomplish the same thing. But their difference in |
| others. For example, if you need to scan smaller | | | | technology means that manual surveying generally |
| objects, using a contact scanner that gently | | | | ends up taking longer than laser surveying and is |
| probes the object to record its data points may | | | | therefore often more expensive. Whereas laser |
| be the best choice, while for the largest objects, | | | | surveying can finish a surveying project in as little |
| a time of flight scanner is often the preferred | | | | as one surveying session, the comparative |
| equipment. If you are in the market for scanning | | | | slowness of method of manual surveying results |
| equipment and you have questions, the best idea | | | | in more billable time. |