Leica BLK360 SE Essentials and the Leica BLK360: Which should I buy?

Let’s check out some similarities and differences between our Leica BLK360 SE Essentials solution and the BLK360 laser scanner so you can decide which scanner (and solution) is best for you! 

For background, the BLK360 is our flagship Leica BLK imaging laser scanner, and it is sold standalone. The BLK360 SE scanner, a simplified version or “standard edition” of the BLK360, is offered as part of the BLK360 SE Essentials solution.  

BLK360 SE Essentials contains the BLK360 SE imaging laser scanner, the Cyclone FIELD 360 app, and PinPoint processing and modeling software. While the BLK360 scanner is compatible with the same apps and software, they need to be purchased separately to use them with the BLK360. But they are included in BLK360 SE Essentials, which is one of the biggest differences between each product. 

That said, let’s take a look at the technology and software, dive into scanner and solution comparisons, and help you make the right choice.
 

Form factor and design

Both laser scanners are rocking the same compact design the Leica Geosystems BLK series is known for.  

With single-button operation, both scanners remain accessible to all levels of scanning, from new to expert. The operation of both scanners remains intuitive and straightforward so users can capture 3D data easily. Simply mount the BLK360 or BLK360 SE on a tripod, press the button, and you’re off to the races. 

Standing about six inches (155 mm) high and weighing just under two pounds (0.85 kg) (with battery included), the BLK360 SE and the BLK360 look similar. But let’s take a peek under the hood.  

 

Technology and performance  

Scan Speeds and Imagery 

The BLK360 SE captures the same exact quality of data as the BLK360, but it takes a little longer to scan. The capture rate, or the time it takes for the scanner to scan the area around it, differs with the BLK360 SE capturing up to 340,000 points per second while the BLK360 can capture up to 680,000 points per second.  

The BLK360 SE can capture a full-dome scan with HDR images in just under one minute, while the BLK360 can do the same in 20 seconds. Both scanners use the same imaging system to capture HDR images of the same quality. And the BLK360 SE and BLK360 offer the same range, up to 45 meters. 

However, the BLK360 has VIS (Visual Inertial System) technology, which tracks the scanner’s location from setup to setup and pre-aligns all data before transferring to the desktop software, thus speeding up the scanning and registration process. Combined with faster capture rate, this makes the BLK360 well-suited for bigger projects, or for environments where high speed is key. 

The BLK360 SE does not have VIS technology, making it more suitable for small- to mid-sized projects. However, the BLK360 SE comes with a field app and software that helps users scan easily and work with data in the office quickly, creating a complete workflow that is just as intuitive as the scanner itself. 

 

Software and workflow 

The BLK360 SE Essentials uniquely offers a complete package of a scanner plus in-field app and point cloud processing software.  

While the BLK360 includes VIS technology and high-speed scanning, the BLK360 SE benefits instead from the entire workflow included in the solution. Leica Cyclone FIELD 360 (BLK Edition) allows for in-field scanner control, and PinPoint software processes and registers point clouds, allowing for 3D modeling, 3D and 2D floor plans, measurements, analysis, and data cleanup tools.  

Users can access a simplified process from registering data to working with that data directly in PinPoint. Users can also create surfaces right in the point cloud, insert architectural elements like windows and doors, create floor plans, and, of course, measure directly in the point cloud data.  

This 3D software for point cloud processing is also compatible with popular 2D and 3D CAD and BIM applications, so users can seamlessly integrate their scan data into their unique workflows.  

PinPoint and Cyclone FIELD 360 also work great with the BLK360 and can be purchased separately, yet they are included in the BLK360 SE Essentials solution. 

 

Apps  

Available for both the BLK360 and the BLK360 SE Essentials are our companion apps, the Cyclone FIELD 360 and the BLK Live app. These apps are designed to assist in capturing scan data with real-time previews of the data users capture on-site, measurement tools for quick, accurate measurements of structures and objects, and scanning feedback for 3D data quality assurance.  

Again, the BLK360 SE Essentials solution includes the Cyclone FIELD 360 (BLK Edition) app, available for iOS and Android. The BLK360 differs a little; it includes the BLK Live app for iOS and Android, but not Cyclone FIELD 360. 

While they differ in appearance, operation, and feature sets, these apps come with intuitive interfaces that allow users to work with data how they need to on-site. 
 

Users Best Suited for Leica BLK360 SE Essentials 

The BLK360 SE Essentials is an end-to-end complete package for users to quickly scan, process, and model their 3D data. Here are some specified use cases where the BLK360 SE Essentials shines. 

AEC pros with small- to medium-sized scan projects  

With the BLK360 SE Essentials, AEC professionals can expect to capture small to medium-sized areas and structures, such as single-family homes and comparably sized spaces. 

AEC professionals will also benefit from a straightforward workflow that allows for efficient scanning on-site and a streamlined workflow for processing, registering, measuring, and modeling with 3D data.  

Newcomers to Reality Capture 

BLK360 SE Essentials is a more straightforward starting point for new reality capture users, especially those who desire a complete workflow right out of the box. Experienced users will also benefit from a reality capture workflow for small- to mid-sized projects. 
 

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