When comparing Next Engine 3D Scanner HD vs EinScan-Pro, the Slant community recommends EinScan-Pro for most people. In the question“What are the best 3D scanners capable of capturing colour?” EinScan-Pro is ranked 4th while Next Engine 3D Scanner HD is ranked 8th. The most important reason people chose EinScan-Pro is:
The EinScan Pro has four modes (though two of them require an add-on), each matching a specific need. With no add-ons, the device can be used on the Handheld Rapid and HD Scan modes, which offer differing levels of accuracy and methods for stitching. With the industrial add-on pack, the EinScan-Pro can also detect color and texture, and the Automatic and Free Scan modes use a turntable for very fast, accurate scans of small objects.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Captures color and textures
This scanner can capture color and texture details.
Pro Hands Free
With the included turntable, setup is easy and capture is automated.
Pro Nice resolution
This scanner's macro mode has 0.005 inch accuracy, with 400dpi. Its wide mode accuracy is 0.015 inch, with 150dpi.
Pro Four modes can suit most scanning needs
The EinScan Pro has four modes (though two of them require an add-on), each matching a specific need. With no add-ons, the device can be used on the Handheld Rapid and HD Scan modes, which offer differing levels of accuracy and methods for stitching. With the industrial add-on pack, the EinScan-Pro can also detect color and texture, and the Automatic and Free Scan modes use a turntable for very fast, accurate scans of small objects.
Pro Good cost-to-quality ratio
The EinScan-Pro boasts professional quality similar to the Artec Eva, at a third the price. While still costly for the basic tinkerer, this scanner is of sufficient quality to appeal to more advanced users.
Pro Software can automatically stitch scans together
When multiple scans of an object are taken, to form the 3D model, there is often a step that requires the user to manually align scans to form the whole image. Some exceptions aside, the software used alongside the EinScan-Pro can do this automatically with surprising accuracy, making everything much easier.
Pro If enabled, free and automatic scans are incredibly fast
If one purchases the Industrial Add-on Pack, which adds a turntable and a tripod for $700, objects on the turntable can be scanned with uncanny speed: one or two 2 second scans can produce a very high-quality 3D model, even on a glossy surface: example
Pro Slick look
While not necessary to the functionality of the scanner, the EinScan-Pro has a nice, sharp look that goes well in any modern office or home.
Pro Very light
The EinScan-Pro only weighs 0.8 kg (less than 2 lbs), allowing for an easy, smooth, and comfortable scanning process, even over long periods of time.
Cons
Con Much slower than instant capture solutions
Scans can take a while. Buying the PRO software option unlocks faster performance, which when optimized can take ~5 minutes for full-turntable scans at minimum resolution and no texture. The time to scan scales up from there depending on scan resolution and texture capture.
Con Not very portable
Despite being a relatively small device, this scanner is not very portable, especially when compared to handheld scanners.
Con Requires high-end hardware
EinScan recommends at least 2GB of dedicated video memory, 8GB of RAM, and an i5 processor or higher. While the processor requirements aren't too severe, the dedicated video memory minimum is quite high. However, when compared to the cost of the scanner, a computer like this may not be too much to ask.
Con Does not operate outside
As is the case for many optical scanners, the EinScan-Pro has difficulty dealing with very bright light. Scanning outside, during the day is difficult, if not impossible.
Con Does not scan color or texture by default
An additional module is required to enable the scanning of color and textures.
