Looking at adding a BLK2GO I have some questions - looking for user feedback

[Augusto 3D]

Good afternoon everyone,
As the title says, we are evaluating adding a BLK2GO.

I have downloaded some datasets from the Leica website and the common theme is that the point clouds look stringy (not really a problem) but I do see different degrees of slice noise from dataset to dataset. Some have quite a bit and some are pretty nice. I do see that there is no way to make out "smaller" details - for instance identify a floor drain, or ceiling-mounted devices.

I also noticed that the colorization has a lot of contrast (darker) and I come across quite a few posts here and on the internet that walk about the panos images being very low quality and resolution, and that the BKL2GO can't seem to close looks property (in induces error).

Looking at the hefty price tag and seeing what I am seeing, I just wonder if you are paying for the "brand" ?
What are you guy's experiences with it (those who own one).

I like the size, and the fact that there is app to see your scanning tractory (helpful on facilities with many rooms).

We have a geoslam horizon, with no color - it's a larger device, and adding a camera makes it even bulkier and intrusive looking - and real-time displaying (app) is very expensive but seeing what I am seeing, it doesn't seem like a bad option.

Not bashing Leica, I am really looking for some "non-sales pitch" feedback.
Thank you

[wmta]

I use the BLK2Go for site mapping, I have done over 30 site this last year

I usually bring in a lgs file into autocad to use as my model. The main positive is the speed of scanning. I enclosed is a scan of my home that loaded to DXdr. the scan time was less than 30 minutes start to finish plus about an hour to register the data together and export a file for autocad

Lecia has the only scan to cad system that really works. I use an add on to autocad to process the cloud file in autocad. The autocad recap is not very good in my opinion

hxdr.app/shared-asset/f731b0ae-8fd2-47b9-b7c5-828a2614f9a9?code=4db0acae-c27a-4cd7-ae9d-d45f7c633bfb

Where are you located?

William Tucker

[Augusto 3D]

Hi William, I look at your link last night from another thread. The panos did not work, but seeing how it's your home it makes sense.
You mentioned autocad, are you doing mostly 2D work?

have you had any issues with loop closure, here is one of the examples files Leica provides, the scan didnt seem to line up and the building facade has a weird curve to it.

blk2go_Screenshot 2023-06-19 155646.png

blk2go_Screenshot 2023-06-19 155551.png

I am on the east coast.

[wmta]

There are so inaccuracies in the scans but not bad overall. I use AutoCAD for 2d drawing for civil and structural work. Www.Wmta.com grew up in va

[smacl]

Hi Augusto,

I wrote a short article on the BLK2GO when it first came out here. My main issue with it is that LGS format and the photography is still not readily available to non-Leica applications. There are a lot of small details you simply won't see in the point cloud that you do see in the photography, see this Geoslam based video as to why this is important https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMdu4V1m314 I would ask your Leica rep what their recommended solution is to this or whether you will be forced to use Leica software only with the BLK2GO if you want images? My opinion is that reasonable quality images add huge value to handheld SLAM systems, to the extent I'd be reluctant to purchase one that did not offer this functionality,

Just my 2c,

Shane

[josteinr]

Hi,

We have had it since release and it has improved a lot with software updates, but it still sits there collecting dust 99% of the time. Still feels like I'm beta-testing it, and I never ever trust the data coming out of it without additional measurements for QC (TLS, Total station, GNSS etc.). Very underwhelming, although I have no experience with other SLAM units other than demo datasets, and user feedback.

For creating floor plans where relative heights are not a concern, and you don't need good panos, it's OK. Also for outdoor topos where 2-5 cm is fine, then it's OK if it manages to close the loop.

Pros:
- Speed of capture
- Noise levels in optimal conditions not that bad
Cons:
- Image quality is absolutely horrendous
- A lot of drifting, often not able to close loops
- No way of using control to post process / adjust the trajectory (yet?)
- One-button control is somewhat frustrating

Would we buy it again? No.

[Tanguy Nédélec]

My experience seems to match that of others. A recent software update has improved the accuray (see this post).

I would add that the data doesn't come out very well levelled. It's OK for measuring ceiling heights, not for knowing if a floor slab is levelled or not, or flat or not.
It is sufficient for quick drawings at a 1:100 scale where you don't need an extreme accuracy. For 1:50 detailed architectural surveys, or for exteriors, I would only use it in addition to a static scanner or a total station.

[badam]

I would not trust it at all. Noisy, drifting a lot, pano images useless. I'd stay with a TLS device instead.

[smacl]

I never ever trust the data coming out of it without additional measurements for QC (TLS, Total station, GNSS etc.). Very underwhelming, although I have no experience with other SLAM units other than demo datasets, and user feedback.

This is very important and true of all SLAM units. In my opinion, for accurate results and reasonable QA with SLAM derived point clouds, you need additional control using an independent method of measurement. This can be targets positioned using a total station or RTK, or for external work, RTK attached to the SLAM unit. Without this you can get significant drift and gross errors which may not be obvious in the data unless you do multiple repeat loops or figure out another way to add redundant measurements for QA purposes to your data.

[landmeterbeuckx]

Hi William, I look at your link last night from another thread. The panos did not work, but seeing how it's your home it makes sense.
You mentioned autocad, are you doing mostly 2D work?

have you had any issues with loop closure, here is one of the examples files Leica provides, the scan didnt seem to line up and the building facade has a weird curve to it.

blk2go_Screenshot 2023-06-19 155646.png

blk2go_Screenshot 2023-06-19 155551.png

I am on the east coast.

I once looked at these datasets. They are so bad. No single wall is vertical, all are crooked.

Makes me wonder who decides to put such crap datasets on the main website trying to sell the gear.

Same happened to me once a few years ago with Kaarta datasets. When i asked the rep about the inconsistencies he told me "that is was alright".