Many companies rent 3D laser scanning equipment to document the existing conditions of a site. Renting a laser scanner requires some product knowledge. It is helpful to know which scanner has the correct range and accuracy for your project. Renting a scanner could also be a good option if you need a specialized laser scanner that you might not use on an ongoing basis.

Make sure you are educated on how to use the laser scanner. Much time can be spent learning to use the equipment. Time and money can also be spent fixing mistakes which arise from the scanner’s improper use. Your team member needs to be thoroughly trained on how to use the technology to obtain accurate site data.

There are in-person and online training courses for 3D laser scanning systems and software. Classes can cover 3D measurement workflows, alignment, registration, data cleanup, target usage, and software*.

• A complete Leica 3D training and support package is available for $2,985.

Additional 2-hour courses are available for $450 each session and include:

• Alignment & TIN’s
• Basic Cyclone Features & Operations
• Basic Cyclone Registration
• Cloud to Cloud Based Registration
• Data Clean-Up Training Class
• HDS Laser Scanning Field Operations Training Class
• Target-Based Registration

*Source: Onsite-Online Training (wide-format-inkjet.com)

However, merely knowing how to operate a LiDAR scanner is only about 10% of what you need to know to provide accurate measurements for your site or facility. After laser scanning a site, the point cloud must be registered, and deliverables, such as CAD drawings and BIM models, are created. Do you have the knowledge and resources to register the data and create the right deliverables for your project?

In most cases, a specialized team of CAD and BIM design specialists will take data from a LiDAR scan and create the point cloud registration, drawings, maps, and models. If you do not have someone in-house capable of creating those deliverables, you will need to hire a team to make them for you. The cost for creating such items can be near $0.50 per sq/ft depending on complexity.

With a scanner rental, there is no need to worry about servicing or maintaining the equipment. However, there can be additional charges such as targets, tripods, batteries, charger, USBs, and shipping. Most scanner rental companies also require proof of insurance and account pre-approvals. In addition to renting a laser scanner, you may have to rent CAD software packages to process the data and create the necessary deliverables.

Based on actual marketplace supplier quotes, the average cost for renting a 3D laser scanner* is:

• $743 /day
• $3,046 /week
• $9,188 /year

*Based on Actual KWIPPED Marketplace Supplier Quotes

Autodesk is a global leader in software for designers, builders, engineers, manufacturers, and production teams. Below is the cost of a yearly subscription to their software:

• Leica Cyclone Register 360 Plus - $4,460 /year
• Autodesk AutoCAD - $1,955 /year
• Autodesk Revit - $2,805 /year
• Autodesk Civil 3D - $2,680 /year
• Navisworks - $3,210 /year

*Source: Autodesk: Autodesk | 3D Design, Engineering & Construction Software

GPRS does not provide LiDAR scanner rentals. We train and deploy hundreds of elite Project Managers who are experts in 3D laser scanning to assess the scope of your project and our Mapping & Modeling team produces the highest quality data and deliverables using state-of-the-art equipment, software, and processes.