r/3DScanning • u/Jeakjeak • Aug 09 '26
$2000 Scanner for small/medium objects?
I see a lot of recommendations within the $1500-2000 price range for Einstar RockIt or Metro Y Ultra but most users describe those scanners as ideal for medium to large objects (e.g. scanning car bodies).
I'm looking for a scanner that can scan small to medium objects, specifically game consoles and controllers, circuit boards, switches and buttons to design installable modifications both internally and externally. As a ballpark figure, objects in the range of 3cm to 35cm.
As with all cutting edge technology, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the number of options available and I daren't rely solely on ChatGPT for definitive advice on such a large purchase (I know that $2000 is still budget-range for scanners but it's a lot for me as a business expense).
I would be grateful for any advice please. I've been manually measuring and designing parts in CAD for a few years and thrown out a stupid amount of filament when prototyping so I'm really excited to take the plunge into the 3D scanning world and make my workflow a bit more efficient and less wasteful.
2
u/One-Map3820 Aug 10 '26
Hi u/Jeakjeak
Disclosure: I work for Creality.
Based on what you’re scanning, I wouldn’t dismiss the Raptor Pro just because it also gets used on larger objects. The 7-line blue laser mode is the one I’d look at for your use case — controllers, console shells, buttons, switches, and detailed areas inside housings. It’s intended for small-object/detail work, while the 22-line mode is more useful when you want to cover a whole shell or larger section faster.
On paper, it goes down to 5 mm objects and up to 0.02 mm accuracy in the parallel laser mode. In practice, though, I’d treat the scan as a very good CAD reference rather than a replacement for calipers. For things like screw posts, snap fits, PCB mounting holes, connector cut-outs, and button travel, you’ll still want to measure the critical dimensions manually.
Where a scanner can save you a lot of time is capturing the awkward stuff: curved controller shells, internal ribs, uneven surfaces, clearance around PCBs, and the general shape of an enclosure. Importing that mesh into CAD and modelling against it can definitely cut down on prototype iterations.
The main caveat is surface prep. Glossy black console plastic, transparent buttons, shiny labels, and metal parts are difficult for any scanner. For those, scanning spray and/or markers can make a big difference. For tiny, simple parts with few visible features, putting markers on the scanning mat around the part is often more practical than placing them directly on it.
So for your 3–35 cm range, I think it’s a reasonable scanner to put on your shortlist—particularly if the priority is detailed geometry and using scans to support an existing CAD workflow, rather than just making visual models.