| iPhone 16 Pro Max | Mobile capture | Portability, accessibility, LiDAR sensor for quick scans | Limited resolution; no control over data processing | Good for community-led visualization; limited for archival precision |
| iPad Pro | Mobile capture | Higher processing speed; large screen for control | Overheats during long scans; limited for dense scenes | Stronger mobile option for community capture; still "visualization-first" |
| Scaniverse | Mobile app (photogrammetry) | Easy 3D model creation and sharing | Cloud dependence; lower resolution | Great starter tool, but insufficient for high-fidelity archives |
| Polycam | Mobile app (photogrammetry) | Device/cloud processing options; easy web embedding | Data loss during optimization; upload size limits | Useful for quick cultural visualizations; less reliable for detailed reconstruction |
| Leica RTC360 | Pro terrestrial scanner | Ultra-high fidelity; fast scans; auto-registration | Very expensive; requires trained operator and backend infrastructure | Essential for forensic, architectural, and heritage-grade documentation |
| Leica BLK360 (Gen 2) | Portable terrestrial scanner | Balance of portability and detail | Lower range than RTC; heavy data processing | Ideal when mobility is key but analytical power still needed |
| Leica BLK2FLY | Aerial drone scanner | Captures landscapes and hard-to-reach areas | Highly visible; expensive; raises privacy concerns | Transformative for mapping landscapes; politically and ethically sensitive |
| Cyclone REGISTER 360 PLUS | Point cloud processing | Handles massive datasets; generates georeferenced models | Requires high-end hardware; steep learning curve | Crucial for archival-grade spatial analysis and evidentiary modeling |
| Sketchfab | Web platform for 3D viewing | Accessible; public-facing; interactive viewer | File size limits (5GB); commercial licensing limitations | Excellent for public access and visualization; insufficient for full archival stewardship |
| Cloud Platforms (e.g., Polycam/Scaniverse) | Cloud storage & light processing | Easy uploads; user-friendly interfaces | Risk of platform dependence and data loss; no long-term cultural guarantees | Only viable for temporary visualization; unsuitable for long-term preservation or data control |