XGRIDS L2 Pro VS. NAVVIS VLX2
In mid-February, we (3ds-scan.de / XGRIDS sales partner) together with our partner Tim Schrievers from Metrika360 – Kling & Schrievers Ingenieure AG (long-time NAVVIS users) carried out a comparison project with laser scanners from NAVVIS and XGRIDS and captured identical areas under the same conditions, indoor and outdoor.
We tested the following sensors: NAVVIS VLX 2, XGRIDS L2 Pro (32 channel, 120m range) and the XGRIDS K1. Our focus was on the evaluation of the SLAM algorithm (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) – the test was therefore carried out without a control point field. A static laser scan captured with the Leica RTC360 served as a reference. Unfortunately, a NAVVIS MLX device was not available to us at the time, but could be added later. In future, we will test all new sensors on our site in Kornelimünster and add them to the project in the Web Viewer.
NavVis VLX2
→ Range: up to 100 m
→ Accuracy: 8 mm (under ideal conditions)
→ Cameras: 4 × with 20 MP each, 360° field of view
→ Dot density: 2 × 600,000 dots/second
→ Filtering: min. 5mm grid (post processing)
→ Processing: Cloud (pay per use)
→ Output: point cloud (post processed)
XGRIDS L2 Pro
→ Range: up to 300 m (depending on model) in test: the variant with 120 m range
→ Point cloud accuracy: ±1 cm (relative), ±3 cm (absolute, real-time)
→ Cameras: 2 × 48 MP, ½” sensor, 190° field of view (56MPX panorama)
→ Scan rate: 320,000 to 640,000 points per second, depending on the model
→ Dot density: up to 1 million dots/m²
→ LiDAR + RTK for real-time point clouds
→ Filtering: min. 1mm grid (post processing)
→ Processing: local (free software)
→ Storage: 1 TB (SSD)
→ Output: point cloud RAW (.las), point cloud post processed (.las/.e57/.rcp), mesh (.obj), splat (.ply / .lcc), panoramas/individual images (.jpg), trajectory (geojson)
XGRIDS K1
→ Range: 40m
→ Point cloud accuracy: 1.2cm (relative), ±3 cm (absolute)
→ Cameras: 2 × 48 MP (max. 56MPX panorama)
→ Dot density: 200,000 dots/s
→ Storage: SD card
→ Output: point cloud RAW (.las), point cloud post processed (.las), mesh (.obj), splat (.ply / .lcc), panoramas/individual images (.jpg), trajectory (geojson)
Scanning time:
RTC: 2,5 Stunden + Registrierung (65 scans)
L2 Pro: ca. 20 min.
K1: ca. 20 min. (2 Scans; Indoor & Outdoor)
VLX 2: ca. 25 min
Number of panoramas:
RTC: 65 panoramas
L2 Pro: 680 panoramas
K1: 554 panoramas
VLX 2: 297 (101 of which were billed in IVION)
Number of points captured:
RTC: 91 million points (reduced from >1 billion points)
L2 Pro: 185 million points
K1: 138 million points
VLX 2: 163 million points
Data is worth a thousand words – that’s why we decided to share the results in the form of a web viewer and make all available data available for download. So you can get an impression of the differences / similarities for yourself. We are always happy to recommend CloudCompare at this point 😉
To the viewer: to ensure comfortable navigation, please switch to the “Earth Control” mode in the menu on the left-hand side under Tools / Navigation. Under “Scene” you will find the table of contents of the scan data of the four scanners – here you can switch the individual layers on and off. Prepared sections (e.g. section 01) are highlighted in different colors.
In addition to the data, we have compiled a list of the advantages and disadvantages of the different scanning solutions.
Overview Pros & Cons NAVVIS / XGRIDS
NAVVIS
Pros
- Web platform available – automated blurring of people/number plates in the panoramas
- Simple process – everything you need in the case, hard disk, off to the cloud, processing –> done
- Simple evaluation in IVION
- Coloring of the point cloud
- Fixed display installed, simple operation
- Reports
- 2 scan modules with different orientation – better coverage of angled areas
- Automatic filtering of the point cloud
- RAW images available
Cons
- No RTK available
- Control points can only be captured during measurement, but not in post processing
- SLAM is very sensitive
- Few intervention options if the “simple process” does not work
- Max. 5mm resolution
- Panoramas must be recorded from a standing position
- Updates can be uploaded à via LAN cable
- Large case & large device (but better with MLX)
- Local offline processing not provided as standard (if then only in Docker environment on Ubuntu)
- Difficult calculation of project costs
- Ongoing costs for processing (pay-per-use)
- No trajectory available
XGRIDS L2 Pro
Pro
- RTK available (survey grade)
- Very robust SLAM / high operating speed
- Simple operation
- Gaussian splatting!
- No costs for processing!
- Software is provided with the scanner (so far without extra charge/fees)
- Small case –> can be transported as hand luggage on airplanes
- Merging of segmented point clouds (map fusion, also splats)
- Manipulation in referencing possible (e.g. custom height system)
- Full access to all important data (except RAW images)
- Local processing, also possible offline
- Panoramas are created in motion (10000*5000 pixels)
- Very fast response from the manufacturer to customization requests/problems
- Output of structured .e57 point clouds
Con
- No built-in display -> smartphone
- Workflow in Lixel Studio a bit unusual
- 2 programs required (for point cloud and splats)
- No cloud solution for hosting the point cloud & panoramas (a web platform / local viewer is available for splats)
Download: Pointcloud XGRIDS L2 Pro
Download: Pointcloud XGRIDS K1
Download: Pointcloud NAVVIS VLX2
Download: Pointcloud Leica RTC360
Do you have questions about the XGRIDS scanners or do you need a demo? Please send us an email – info(at)3ds-scan.de
