The numbers
- Einscan SE V2
- up to 0.05 mm on small parts
- Einscan H2
- up to 0.05 mm on fine detail, typically 0.1–0.3 mm on larger objects
- Matterport Pro3
- centimetre class — plenty for measuring rooms and buildings
A number on its own says nothing. 0.05 mm on a handheld scanner means one thing in a properly lit studio and something else on fabric moving in the wind.
What affects accuracy
- Surface properties: a glossy, black or transparent surface doesn't scan as accurately as a matte one
- Lighting: even, diffuse light gives a better result than direct sun or hard shadow
- Movement: the object being scanned has to hold still; a person is allowed to breathe
- Size: a small object gets more detail than a whole room in one scan
When you need millimetres, and when centimetres are plenty
Spare part or technical detail
Tenths of a millimetre matter here. I use the most precise scanner and check the dimensions afterwards.
A room or virtual tour
Centimetres matter here, not millimetres. The Matterport gives plenty of accuracy for measurements and floor areas.
Artwork or museum piece
Both shape and surface matter here — I use a scanner that captures colour texture too.
An honest limit
Scanning is not geodesy or legally weighted measurement. If you need a document that holds up in court, a licensed surveyor produces that. If you need to know whether a cabinet fits or a part matches, this is exactly the right tool.
Describe the object and I'll tell you what accuracy you actually need.
Ask