Artec Jet vs. Artec Ray II: Which LiDAR Scanner Is Right for You?

Both are professional-grade Artec LiDAR scanners. Both deliver survey-quality point clouds. But they solve very different problems — here’s how to choose.

The short answer

The Artec Jet is a mobile, SLAM-based LiDAR system that deploys across seven different configurations — handheld, drone, vehicle, backpack, robot, telescopic pole, and cage — without requiring GPS or external reference targets. Its 300-meter sensing range and AI-powered autonomous drone mode make it the right tool when the environment is large, dynamic, or physically inaccessible.

The Artec Ray II is a tripod-mounted, stationary laser scanner that delivers some of the highest point accuracy available in a portable long-range device — 1.9 mm at 10 meters. Its 36-megapixel three-camera system and sub-millimeter angular precision make it the right tool when the object is fixed, accessible, and demands uncompromising detail.

In short: the Artec Jet moves with you. The Artec Ray II stays still so everything else can be measured precisely against it.

Full specification comparison

	Artec Jet	Artec Ray II
Specification	Mobile	Stationary
Scanning Technology	SLAM-based multi-channel LiDAR	Time-of-flight laser (WFD-enhanced)
Sensing Range	Up to 300 m	0.5 m – 130 m
LiDAR Accuracy	±10 mm (typical indoor)	1.9 mm @ 10 m / 2.9 mm @ 20 m / 5.3 mm @ 40 m
Angular Accuracy	–	18 arcseconds (0.87 mm @ 10 m)
Range Accuracy	±0.03% drift rate	1.0 mm + 10 ppm
Point Capture Rate	1,920,000 pts/sec (Multi Return)	2,000,000 pts/sec
Field of View	360° × 290° (omnidirectional)	360° × 300°
LiDAR Channels	32	Single-channel (WFD)
GPS Dependency	None (SLAM + optional RTK)	VIS + GNSS + altimeter + compass
Color / Texture	Optional RGB camera	36 MP 3-camera system (432 MPx HDR)
Deployment Modes	7 (handheld, drone, vehicle, backpack, robot, pole, cage)	Tripod-mounted (stationary)
Weight	1.57 kg	5 kg (with tripod)
Power	64 W (battery or auxiliary)	8-hour battery (hot-swappable)
IP Rating	IP65	IP54
AI / Autonomy	AI-powered drone waypoints + obstacle avoidance	Auto-calibration + moving object removal
Software	Artec Studio + real-time companion app	Artec Studio + Artec Remote App

Where each scanner excels

Mobility and deployment flexibility

This is where the two scanners diverge most sharply. For a deeper look at how the Artec Jet’s SLAM engine works in practice, see our full overview: Why the Artec Jet Is Redefining What a LiDAR System Can Do. The Artec Ray II is a precision instrument designed to be set up, leveled, and operated from a single position. Its Visual Inertial System, GNSS integration, and altimeter allow it to track its own position between setups — but each scan session is anchored to a specific location.

The Artec Jet is fundamentally mobile. Its quick-release mounting system allows a user to switch from a handheld walk-through to a drone flight or a robot traverse in seconds, with no recalibration required between modes. This is a significant operational advantage on large or complex sites where a single deployment mode is insufficient.

GPS-denied environments

The Artec Jet’s SLAM engine is specifically designed for environments where GPS is unavailable or unreliable — underground mines, enclosed industrial facilities, dense urban canyons. Its ±0.03% drift rate and ±10 mm indoor mapping accuracy make it a viable tool in conditions where the Ray II’s GNSS-dependent positioning provides limited benefit.

The Artec Ray II operates effectively without GPS in short sessions, using its Visual Inertial System to track relative position. However, for extended underground or indoor operations, the Jet’s architecture is the stronger choice.

Accuracy: sub-millimeter vs. survey-grade

The Artec Ray II delivers higher absolute point accuracy — 1.9 mm at 10 meters, with angular accuracy of 18 arcseconds. For applications where a component must be measured to engineering tolerances, or where a scan will feed directly into a metrology report, that precision matters.

The Artec Jet’s ±10 mm LiDAR accuracy is survey-grade — appropriate for site mapping, infrastructure documentation, volumetric reporting, and most as-built applications. It is not a replacement for the Ray II in applications requiring metrology-class point data of discrete objects.

The key question is the application: if you need to measure a turbine blade or document a crime scene with forensic precision, the Ray II is the right tool. If you need to map a mine tunnel, survey an urban corridor, or capture a building from a drone, the Jet’s accuracy is entirely sufficient.

Texture and color capture

The Artec Ray II includes a built-in 36-megapixel three-camera system that captures 432 megapixels of HDR spherical image data per scan position — delivering photorealistic, calibrated color point clouds straight out of the box. This is a significant advantage for heritage documentation, forensics, and any application where visual fidelity is as important as geometric accuracy.

The Artec Jet supports an optional RGB camera add-on that appends true-color attributes to the point cloud, but it is not integrated at the same level as the Ray II’s camera system. For color-critical workflows, the Ray II has a clear edge.

Autonomous and AI-assisted operation

The Artec Jet includes an AI autonomy engine designed for drone deployment. Users can set waypoints and allow the scanner to navigate independently, using omnidirectional LiDAR to detect obstacles as small as 2 mm wire at distances from 1.2 to 40 meters. A return-to-base failsafe ensures safe retrieval if battery levels drop or conditions deteriorate. This enables mapping of environments that operators cannot physically enter.

The Artec Ray II incorporates automatic self-calibration, real-time moving object removal, and remote operation via the Artec Remote App — but it does not include autonomous navigation. It is operated by a human who positions the device, initiates a scan, and reviews the results.

Software and ecosystem compatibility

Both scanners integrate with Artec Studio for point cloud registration, processing, and CAD export. Artec Studio supports direct export to SOLIDWORKS and Geomagic Control X for inspection reporting. The ecosystem is consistent across both devices.

Together with the Artec Leo handheld scanner, the Artec Jet and Artec Ray II form a complete end-to-end digitization pipeline: the Jet for site-scale and mobile capture, the Ray II for high-precision fixed-object scanning, and the Leo for close-range handheld detail work. All three share one software platform and one data format.

Which scanner should you choose?

Choose the Artec Jet if:

• You need to scan in GPS-denied environments
• Your project requires drone, robot, or vehicle deployment
• Site scale exceeds 130 meters or a single setup position
• Access to the scan area is restricted or hazardous
• You need ±10 mm survey-grade accuracy for large-area mapping
• Speed and flexibility matter more than sub-mm precision

Choose the Artec Ray II if:

• You need sub-2 mm accuracy on a fixed large object
• Photorealistic HDR color capture is essential
• You’re scanning wind turbines, aircraft, bridges, or forensic scenes
• Your workflow feeds directly into metrology or inspection reports
• The scanner will stay stationary throughout the project
• Angular precision is a technical requirement

Can you use both together?

Yes, and for large, complex projects, many professionals do. A common workflow combines the Artec Jet for rapid site-scale capture (building exterior, infrastructure corridor, underground network) with the Artec Ray II for high-precision documentation of specific components within that site (a mechanical room, a structural joint, a heritage artifact).

Because both scanners process through Artec Studio and share a common data format, the point clouds register cleanly, giving you the coverage of mobile LiDAR and the precision of a stationary laser scanner in a single unified deliverable.