01 -- Hardware Setup
0 1 -- Hardware Setup
📑 Table of Contents — click to navigate
- 01 — Hardware Setup Device specs, firmware, SD cards, batteries, connectivity, accessories
- 02 — PointCloud Studio Installation, versions, settings, project management, data processing
- 03 — Scanning Workflows Field scanning strategies, movement, environment, multi-scan projects
- 04 — 3DGS Workflow Gaussian splat generation, settings, GPU requirements, processing time, quality
- 05 — Hybrid Workflows Combining LiDAR with external cameras, drones, RealityScan, Postshot pipelines
- 06 — RTK & GCP RTK setup, GNSS fusion, coordinate systems, control points, accuracy
- 07 — Troubleshooting Common issues and community-verified solutions
- 08 — Third-Party Tools CloudCompare, RealityScan, Postshot, LFS, D5 Render, Blender, BricsCAD
- 09 — Bot Knowledge Official answers, product specs, known limitations from bot and support team
Applies to: C1 and S20 (unified unless noted)
Related: Master Index | 02-PointCloud-Studio | 06-RTK-GCP
Device Specifications
C1 Scanner
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Camera type | Dual fisheye stereo (Left/Right) | Bot / Frank |
| Camera sensor | ~1-inch CMOS, 5.76mm diagonal | .opt file analysis |
| Fisheye image (raw) | 19201200 px | .opt XML files |
| Undistorted image (left) | 28771798 px | .opt files |
| Undistorted image (right) | 28511782 px | .opt files |
| Focal length | 2.06 mm (ultra-wide) | FAQ |
| Effective H-FOV (undistorted) | ~131.4 | EXIF / calculation |
| Stereo baseline | ~79 mm (7.9 cm) | Verified from ImgPose.txt |
| Stereo angular separation | ~132 total (60 each side) | AVsupport + bot |
| Frame rate | 30 Hz | FAQ |
| Image format | 8-bit JPEG only (compressed in .bag) | rosbags inspection |
| RAW images | NOT available -- firmware limitation | Frank (Apr 13): "C1 currently do not support exporting images in RAW format" |
| LiDAR | Livox Mid-360 (implied) | Bot analysis |
| LiDAR range | 40m @ 10% reflectivity 70m @ 80% | Bot |
| LiDAR tilt | 25 to ground | Operations Manual p.4-5 |
| ROS format | ROS1 (.bag files), NOT ROS2 | FAQ |
| ISP | Dedicated ISP for real-time fisheye processing | Knowledge base |
S20 / S100 (for comparison)
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Camera sensors | Dual 1-inch sensors | Bot |
| Shutter | Mechanical/electronic | Bot |
| Aperture | F2.8 | Bot |
| Total resolution | 32 MP | Bot |
| Photo interval (minimum) | 0.5s in both Point Cloud and 3DGS modes | Community |
| RTK antenna offset | ~34.72cm (vertical, antenna->LiDAR optical center) | Rami Tamimi video |
Key Hardware Difference: C1 vs S20
| Feature | C1 | S20 |
|---|---|---|
| Photo interval (Point Cloud mode) | 0.2s minimum | 0.5s minimum |
| Photo interval (3DGS mode) | Fixed at 0.5s | Fixed at 0.5s |
| Camera resolution | Lower (~5MP effective) | Higher (32MP total) |
Phone App: SHARE Capture
- App name: SHARE Capture (Android and iOS)
- For iPhone: Download from App Store -- scan QR code from the manual
- Connection: WiFi + Bluetooth (both required)
- Phone battery: No low-battery warning exists -- phone can die mid-scan (mr_red1991_63830). C1 keeps running if phone dies; scan data is preserved.
- Magnetic mounts: Removing DJI magnetic mount mid-scan can cause app to return to home screen (tool_guy_365). Keep phone mounted or use neck holder.
Connecting Troubleshooting
- Ensure both WiFi and Bluetooth are ON on phone (Frank)
- Try Airplane Mode + WiFi + Bluetooth only -- prevents home WiFi from overriding C1 connection (olahaldor, jrameau)
- If connection drops: forget the network, re-pair from fresh (avsupport)
- For iPhone 15 Pro: confirmed working once correctly paired
- Indicator lights must be solid blue for device to be connectable
Firmware
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| C1 latest firmware | v2.7.5 (as of Apr 8, 2026) |
| S20/S100 firmware | v2.7.3 (as of Mar 22, 2026) |
Firmware Update Process
- Download firmware from SHARE website to phone/PC
- Transfer to MicroSD card (via USB reader)
- Insert SD card into C1, power on
- Device updates automatically -- indicator lights run through sequence
- After SD update: must acknowledge update via smartphone app for process to continue (avsupport)
- CRITICAL: Do NOT touch scanner or phone during update (ser0ka, flyboyaces)
- Update takes ~5-10 minutes for system firmware; service firmware updates from within the app
- If lights stay non-blue for >15 minutes: turn off, remove handle, wait, retry (jrameau)
- Failed update? Try a fresh download of the firmware file -- previous copy may be corrupted
C1 RAW Image Limitation
- C1 captures 10-12 bit RAW internally -> ISP debayer/tone -> JPEG 8-bit encode -> ROS bag
- RAW image output is NOT available -- this is a firmware limitation, not sensor hardware (Frank, Apr 13)
- 10-bit HEIF output proposed as practical middle ground (avsupport)
- Engineering is evaluating; camera ISP is likely the bottleneck, not the sensor
MicroSD Card
- Format: Always format via Android Share Capture app while card is in C1 -- NOT via Windows or phone settings
- Windows warning: Windows 11 may prompt "There is a problem with the drive" when inserting via USB reader -- ignore this, do NOT scan/fix (tool_guy_365, ser0ka)
- Transfer: Use included SD card reader -- eject card from C1, insert into reader, copy to PC
- USB-C data transfer: Put device into USB mode via the app -- no need to eject SD card (urienofrheged)
- Download via app: NOT currently working -- must use SD card reader (ser0ka)
Battery & Power
- Battery life specification: not documented (unanswered community question)
- USB-C power: Can device operate via USB-C without battery grip? -- Asked, no official answer (avsupport)
- Phone battery: No low-battery warning in app. C1 keeps running if phone dies; scan data preserved (mr_red1991_63830)
RTK Module (Add-on)
See 06-RTK-GCP for full RTK workflow.
- Module: External UM980
- Antenna offset: C1 offset differs from S20's ~34.72cm -- C1 value not publicly documented
- Control points: Currently record timestamps only -- coordinates NOT auto-recorded (Luna)
- NTRIP: Standard protocol -- works with GEODNET, other providers in US/Europe
Accessories & Mounts
Monopod / Survey Pole
- Manfrotto Video XPRO+ 4-section (190cm) works well (mr_red1991_63830)
- Standard extendable aluminium survey poles with adapter
- Warning: Cheap adapters may fail -- wait for a high-quality adapter (urienofrheged)
- F38 quick release recommended for quick swapping between monopod, tripod, baseplate (mr_red1991_63830)
Neck Phone Holder
- Keeps phone visible regardless of scanner position (tool_guy_365)
- Useful when scanner is on ground initializing or on pole above head
Hard Case
- Lykus HC-3020 (302020cm interior) fits C1 + accessories (mr_red1991_63830)
- May not fit RTK module -- consider larger case if adding RTK
Lighting
- Handheld LED light (25%/50%/75%/100% settings) for dark interiors
- Useful for both navigation and 3DGS image quality in low-light areas
Survey Targets
- 3D-printed checkerboard targets with GNSS pole hole (ser0ka)
- Self-adhesive printed targets: ~40 for 10
- Buying commercial targets is expensive; DIY is practical
Best Practices
- Initialize scans in feature-rich areas -- plain walls or empty rooms = weak initial pose (ser0ka)
- Keep scanner front and center of body -- minimizes operator appearing in images (tool_guy_365)
- Avoid mirrors, glass, LED advertising boards -- all cause reconstruction failures
- Computer sleep MUST be disabled during processing (avsupport)
- Raw data storage: Plan for 13-20 GB per 20-32 minute outdoor scan