SkyeBrowse vs FARO Scanner: Laser Scanning Hardware vs Video-to-3D

FARO Focus laser scanners are tripod-mounted instruments that build point clouds one station at a time, starting at $40,000. SkyeBrowse converts video from any camera into a court-ready 3D model through patented cloud-based videogrammetry. Here is how they compare across every dimension that matters to operational teams.

Contents

• Capture Method
• Processing Speed
• Hardware and Setup Cost
• Accuracy
• Operator Training
• Compliance and Security
• Output and Sharing
• Comparison Table
• The Bottom Line
• Related Comparisons
• Get a SkyeBrowse Recommendation

Capture Method

FARO Focus scanners capture a scene from a fixed tripod position. The device rotates 360 degrees, emitting laser pulses that measure distances and build a dense point cloud. Because each scan covers only what the laser can see from that station, complex scenes require 8 to 30+ repositions. The operator sets the tripod, triggers the scan, waits 2 to 10 minutes, then physically moves the unit to the next position. Outdoor crash scenes, large building exteriors, and multi-vehicle incidents multiply station counts quickly.

SkyeBrowse uses patented videogrammetry. An operator records continuous video with any camera, a drone, a smartphone, a body-worn camera, or a 360 camera, and uploads the .MP4 or .MOV file. There is no tripod, no repositioning, and no station planning. A single operator walks or flies the scene in 5 to 15 minutes of uninterrupted capture. SkyeBrowse's Universal Upload means the camera you already carry is the only hardware you need.

Processing Speed

After FARO field capture, the operator imports raw scan files into FARO SCENE desktop software. Each scan station must be registered, aligned with adjacent stations, and cleaned. Registration alone can take 30 to 90 minutes for a moderately complex scene. Add the 45 to 90 minutes of field time across multiple stations and a single scene ties up an operator for 2 to 3 hours before anyone else can view the data.

SkyeBrowse processes video in the cloud at a 1:1 ratio. Ten minutes of video produces a finished 3D model in approximately ten minutes. There is no desktop software to install, no manual registration step, and no alignment workflow. The model is viewable and shareable the moment processing completes. What FARO delivers in hours, SkyeBrowse delivers in minutes.

Hardware and Setup Cost

A FARO Focus S350 runs $40,000 to $100,000+ depending on the model and accessories. Add FARO SCENE software licenses, annual calibration ($2,000 to $5,000), laser targets, a ruggedized laptop for field registration, and a protective transport case. A fully equipped FARO workflow represents $50,000 to $150,000 before the first scan. If the scanner is damaged in the field, replacement is another capital expenditure.

SkyeBrowse requires zero hardware investment. The platform accepts video from DJI drones, iPhones, Android phones, GoPros, body-worn cameras, and 360 cameras. Total cost is the subscription fee. There is nothing to calibrate, insure, repair, or replace. For departments that need 3D documentation but cannot justify a six-figure hardware purchase, SkyeBrowse removes the barrier entirely.

Need help deciding whether FARO hardware or SkyeBrowse is the better fit for your team? Reach out and we can map the right workflow to your mission, staffing model, and budget.

Accuracy

FARO scanners achieve sub-millimeter accuracy at close range, typically plus or minus 1mm at 10 meters. That precision requires controlled conditions: stable tripod placement, proper overlap between stations, calibration targets, and an operator who understands scan planning. In uncontrolled field environments, wind vibration, uneven ground, or rushed station placement can degrade results.

SkyeBrowse Premium Advanced delivers 16K resolution with 0.1 inch accuracy and AI-powered moving object removal that automatically strips passing vehicles and pedestrians from the model. Premium provides 8K resolution at 0.25 inch accuracy. These results are consistent regardless of operator experience because the cloud pipeline standardizes processing. For crash reconstruction, crime scene documentation, insurance claims, and construction monitoring, 0.1 inch accuracy meets the operational and legal standard without requiring a specialist behind the scanner.

Operator Training

FARO operators need weeks of specialized training covering scan planning (how many stations, where to place them, overlap requirements), field operation (resolution settings, scan modes, target placement), and post-processing (SCENE registration, noise filtering, export workflows). Most agencies send personnel to multi-day FARO certification courses before productive fieldwork begins. Turnover means retraining.

SkyeBrowse training takes a single session. The workflow is: record video, upload, receive model. There is no scan planning, no station strategy, no desktop registration software to learn. Any patrol officer, fire inspector, or site superintendent who can hold a phone or pilot a drone can produce a court-ready 3D model on the first attempt. Departments scale documentation across their entire roster instead of depending on one or two certified scanner operators.

Compliance and Security

FARO scanners store data locally on SD cards and process through desktop software. There is no built-in compliance framework, no audit trail, and no chain-of-custody controls. Agencies must layer their own security protocols on top of local file storage, which creates risk when evidence moves between personal laptops, external drives, and email attachments.

SkyeBrowse is built for public safety. All data processes and resides on AWS GovCloud (US) with FedRAMP Moderate alignment. Workflows are CJIS compliant with audit trails and controlled sharing permissions. Premium and Premium Advanced tiers include 5-year guaranteed data retention, ensuring evidence is preserved and accessible for the duration of legal proceedings. No bolt-on security. No manual chain-of-custody workarounds.

Output and Sharing

FARO outputs proprietary .fls and .fws scan files that require FARO SCENE or compatible third-party software to open. Exporting to standard formats (E57, LAS, RCP) adds steps. Sharing a model with a prosecutor, adjuster, or co-investigator means either exporting a derivative file or giving them access to expensive desktop software.

SkyeBrowse exports in three open formats: LAZ point clouds for forensic reconstruction and CAD tools, GLB meshes for interactive 3D walkthroughs that open in any web browser, and GeoTIFF orthomosaics for GIS integration and spatial analysis. Models are shareable via a secure browser link. Prosecutors, adjusters, and command staff view full 3D scenes without installing software or holding licenses. Evidence reaches the people who need it without format barriers.

Comparison Table

The Bottom Line

FARO scanners deliver sub-millimeter precision in controlled environments, but they demand six-figure investments, weeks of operator training, and hours of scene time. SkyeBrowse delivers 0.1 inch accuracy from a 10-minute video, processed in the cloud, with CJIS-compliant security, open export formats, and zero hardware cost. For public safety agencies, construction teams, and any organization that needs fast, reliable 3D documentation without a scanning lab, SkyeBrowse is the stronger choice.

Related Comparisons

• SkyeBrowse vs Leica BLK360
• SkyeBrowse vs Agisoft Metashape
• SkyeBrowse vs RealityCapture
• Lidar vs Photogrammetry

Get a SkyeBrowse Recommendation

If your team needs accurate 3D models but the cost and complexity of laser scanning hardware is a barrier, SkyeBrowse delivers forensic-grade documentation from video you can capture today.