XGRIDS K1 vs XGRIDS L2 Pro

With 3D scanning becoming essential across a range of industries - from architecture and engineering to gaming, VR, and cultural heritage - selecting the right hardware is essential for maximising your workflow and output quality.

heliguy™ has partnered with XGRIDS to offer its selection of industry-leading scanners, including the Lixel K1 and Lixel L2 Pro.

Both these scanners are capable of creating photo-realistic Gaussian Splats, as well as true colour point clouds of the same survey scene without requiring any additional hardware.

This is demonstrated in this video of Newcastle's Grainger Market - using the L2 Pro.

While the K1 and L2 Pro are engineered for high-precision 3D scanning, they do cater to different requirements and budgets, due to their respective features and technical specifications.

This in-depth versus blog - which includes side-by-side comparison datasets collected by the heliguy™ survey team - will help you decide which XGRIDS handheld scanner is best for you.

Lixel K1 vs Lixel L2 Pro: Overview

Lixel K1:

A compact and lightweight handheld scanner, the Lixel K1 integrates a 56MP panoramic vision module with a 360° LiDAR system.

It has a scan range of 40m and a scan speed of 200,000 points per second.

This model of the outside of Newcastle United's St James' Park stadium demonstrates the K1's capabilities for creating realistic Gaussian Splat models.

The K1 - which has a lower price tag compared to the L2 Pro - is designed for professionals, small to medium-sized businesses, and 3D enthusiasts seeking a convenient and more cost-effective solution for 3D capture and modelling.

Lixel L2 Pro

A more advanced handheld 3D reconstruction device, the Lixel L2 Pro combines LiDAR, visual cameras (dual 48MP panoramic), and IMU modules with AI.

It delivers real-time point cloud data that rivals post-processed quality, marking a significant advancement in SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) technology.

A newer model to market, the L2 Pro boasts a larger scan range and offers more points per second than the K1 - helping to collect higher-fidelity data, even when scanning at a faster pace or in complex environments.

Three models are available: The 16 channel with a 120m range and a scan speed of 320,000 pts/s; or a 32-channel device with a 640,000 pts/s scan speed, with either a 120m or 300m scan range.

This Gaussian Splat model of Newcastle's Central Arcade was captured with the 32 -channel scanner with 120m range.

The L2 Pro is suitable for all of the same applications as the K1, but its improved scan range and speed also make it better for projects such as large-scale topographic surveys, forestry assessments, complex engineering projects, and high-res gaming VR/AR experiences.

But, it's worth considering that the cheapest option (16 channel) comes in at around double the price of the K1.

Key specs comparison

Dataset Comparison K1 vs L2 Pro For Reality Capture

With the rise of Gaussian Splatting in real-time 3D rendering, choosing the right scanning hardware has become more important than ever.

3DGS is a next-gen rendering technique that transforms 3D point clouds into photorealistic visualisations using 3D Gaussians - basically soft particles that represent colour, position, size, and orientation.

It's incredibly powerful for applications like:

• Immersive VR/AR environments;

• Digital twins and metaverse content;

• Real-time architectural walkthroughs;

• Game asset generation from real-world scans.

To test the Gassian Spatting capabilities of both scanners, we pitted the K1 against the L2 Pro's 32-channel scanner with 120m range.

As this side-by-side comparison shows, the K1 does a good job, but the L2 Pro comes out on top.

This is thanks to:

• More points = smoother splat surfaces;

• The longer range enables full-environment capture;

• The L2 Pro's real-time data is nearly post-processed quality;

• The dual panoramic cameras ensure colour-rich data, essential for realism.

So, what does it mean?

If your primary goal is high-quality Gaussian Splatting, especially for VR, immersive content, or accurate digital twins, the Lixel L2 Pro is the clear winner. It delivers the dense, colourful point clouds that make Gaussian splats shine.

However, the K1’s Splat still offers a more than workable solution. With this in mind, the K1 is particularly suited to quick scans for small spaces, and is portable and user-friendly. It works well for small-to-medium scene splatting, such as interior rooms or objects, but may fall short for full-scene or outdoor use.

Dataset Comparison: K1 vs L2 Pro For True-colour Point Clouds

One of the biggest advantages that the XGRIDS K1 and L2 Pro share is that they can both create true-colour point clouds without additional hardware.

A true-colour point cloud is a 3D representation of a space where each point has accurate RGB colour data captured directly from real-world lighting and textures.

Both sensors can do this thanks to the addition of high-resolution RGB cameras and precise LiDAR sensing. But, as this video shows, the L2 Pro does have the edge.

The L2 Pro's point cloud offers higher visual fidelity and denser scan detail.

This is thanks to the L2 Pro’s dual 48 MP cameras, which capture rich detail from multiple angles, while the AI-enhanced sensor fusion ensures colour mapping aligns perfectly with geometry - even in dynamic or poorly lit environments.

The high scan rate plus wide camera field also makes it perfect for reconstructing large, textured environments like forests, heritage sites, or building exteriors with realistic colours.

It means that the L2 Pro is best-suited for colour-accurate digital twins, reality capture for VFX or architecture, complex lighting environments, and post-processed or real-time visualisation.

In comparison, the K1 still offers a solid performance for generating true-colour point clouds, especially in well-lit or controlled environments.

Its 56MP RGB sensor produces clear visuals, but it lacks the advanced AI fusion and HDR tuning found in the L2 Pro.

It is, though, still a useful tool, and is best suited to smaller scans or interior spaces where lighting is easier to manage and where colour accuracy is important, but you don't need maxium density or advanced fusion - such as indoor walkthroughs, room-scale scans, quick visual documentation, and mid-range colour mapping tasks.

Lixel K1 vs Lixel L2 Pro: Accuracy

Detailed modelling is fine, but when it comes to surveying, accuracy is also crucial.

In this department, the scanners offer:

At first glance, there isn't much separating the scanners. However, there's a nuance.

The L2 Pro’s relative accuracy - or precision - of 2cm means it is more stable over larger scans, thanks to AI-enhanced SLAM, IMU integration, and better environmental correction.

And the dual panoramic cameras allow more accurate visual-inertial alignment, meaning less drift and better repeatability across complex environments.

It means that while the K1 is accurate enough for the majority of mid-scale and general-purpose 3D scanning tasks - such as construction progress monitoring, small site topography, and building interiors and mid-range BIM work - the L2 Pro offers better consistency, alignment, and reliability across challenging environments, making it the better option for surveyors, engineers, and precision-critical workflows.

Lixel K1 vs Lizel L2 Pro: Scan Speed and Range

When it comes to choosing a handheld scanner, two important performance specs are:

• Scan Speed: How many points per second the scanner can capture (affects point cloud density and how fast you can move).

• Scan Range: The maximum distance the LiDAR system can reliably detect surfaces (affects scale and environment flexibility).

The L2 Pro offers more in both departments.

Scan Speed

Scanning Range

The K1 is ideal for compact and mid-sized scanning environments where mobility, ease of use, and moderate resolution are key - although better quality models will require slower movements and require you to stay closer to your targets.

Lixel L2 Pro is engineered for high-throughput scanning across vast or complex environments. It delivers dense data at scale and maintains fidelity even when you’re covering ground quickly or scanning from a distance. It offers enhanced data collection for large areas, fine features, or when you need less manual rescan effort.

Lixel K1 vs Lixel L2 Pro: Cameras

The Lixel K1 has a single 56 MP panoramic camera, while the Lixel L2 Pro uses dual 48 MP panoramic cameras.

The design of the L2 Pro brings some real advantages in how the scanner captures and aligns visual data - offering enhanced spatial awareness, better 3D alignment of textures on uneven or complex surfaces, colour alignment, and depth consistency.

The table below shows the key advantages of the L2 Pro's dual-camera set-up.

Lixel K1 vs L2 Pro: Use Case Guide

So, with all of this, what is each sensor best for from an industry-application point of view?

Lixel K1 vs Lizel L2 Pro: Memory

Both scanners come with memory cards.

The K1 is equipped with a 256 GB replaceable TF card, while the L2 Pro features a substantial 1 TB SSD, accommodating extensive data collection sessions without frequent offloading.

Lixel K1 vs Lizel L2 Pro: Accessories

The K1 and L2 Pro offer extendability, compatible with a range of accessories.

The K1 can be paired with an RTK module for precise RTK positioning and a mobile phone mount module, while the L2 Pro can be used with either a standard or survey-grade RTK kit, a mobile phone mount, and extension pole.

Lixel K1 vs Lizel L2 Pro: Summary

XGRIDS is a pioneering company leading the charge on handheld scanning, especially within the realm of Gaussian Splatting.

And the L2 Pro and K1 are attractive solutions in their own right, for different reasons.

The stand-out option is the newer L2 Pro, thanks to its higher point density and longer range, better true-colour point clouds and more detailed splats, and its AI-enhanced SLAM, which is particularly ideal for complex environments.

These capabilities make it a great choice for large-scale surveys, outdoor scenes, and high-precision 3D modelling. However, it is more expensive than the K1.

So, what of the K1?

While not as powerful as the L2 Pro, the K1 still packs a punch. Its digital creations are still robust, it is a lightweight and portable solution, and comes in at a lower cost-entry point. It is also a useful tool for users who do not require the large data outputs from the L2 Pro and is it especially suited to compact environments, interiors, small site scanning, and quick capture.

heliguy™ has a dedicated in-house surveying team and can help you integrate XGRIDS solutions into your workflows, including trials and product demonstrations. For more details, contact us.