Compare ROCK LiDAR Systems
Find the perfect LiDAR solution for your surveying needs. Compare specifications, capabilities, and pricing across our professional drone LiDAR lineup.
At a Glance
ROCK R3 V2
Entry Professional
640k
Points/second
Best For:
- • Small to medium projects
- • Entry into professional LiDAR
- • Standard topographic surveys
- • 3-in-1 versatility on budget
Starting at
$20,000
ROCK R3 Pro V2
Professional Workhorse
MOST POPULAR1.28M
Points/second
Best For:
- • High-density mapping
- • Vegetation penetration
- • Mobile corridor mapping
- • Professional services
Starting at
$27,000
ROCK Ultra
Long-Range Specialist
1000m
Maximum range
Best For:
- • Large-area mapping
- • Deep vegetation (7 returns)
- • High-altitude flights
- • Maximum efficiency
Starting at
$49,995
Detailed Specifications
| Specification | ROCK R3 V2 Entry Professional | ROCK R3 Pro V2 Professional Workhorse | ROCK Ultra Long-Range Specialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Specifications | |||
| Laser Sensor | Hesai XT16 | Hesai XT32 | Advanced 1550nm |
| Laser Channels | 16 | 32 | N/A |
| Wavelength | 905 nm | 905 nm | 1550 nm |
| Points per Second | 640,000 | 1,280,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Echo Returns | 2 | 2 | ≥7 |
| Field of View | 360° | 360° | 90° |
| Range & Accuracy | |||
| Maximum Range | 320m @ 80% | 320m @ 80% | 1000m @ 80% |
| Optimal Flight Height | 45-60m AGL | 45-60m AGL | 350-450m AGL |
| Range Precision | 5mm (1σ) | 5mm (1σ) | 5mm (1σ) |
| System Accuracy | 2-3cm | 2-3cm | 2-3cm |
| IMU & GNSS | |||
| IMU Grade | Tactical | Tactical | Tactical |
| Pitch/Roll Accuracy | 0.006° | 0.006° | 0.006° |
| Heading Accuracy | 0.03° | 0.03° | 0.03° |
| GNSS Constellations | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS |
| Physical Specifications | |||
| Weight (with camera) | 1.26 kg | 1.26 kg | 1.40 kg |
| Camera Resolution | 26 MP | 26 MP | 26/45 MP |
| Storage Capacity | 256 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Power Consumption | ~25W | ~25W | ~45W |
| Capabilities | |||
| Aerial Mapping | |||
| Mobile Mapping | |||
| SLAM/Handheld | |||
| Vegetation Penetration | Good | Better | Best |
Which System for Your Application?
Land Surveying
Small parcels (< 100 acres)
R3 V2 ★★★★★
Medium projects (100-500 acres)
R3 Pro V2 ★★★★★
Large areas (> 500 acres)
Ultra ★★★★★
Forestry & Vegetation
Light vegetation
R3 V2 ★★★☆☆
Moderate canopy
R3 Pro V2 ★★★★☆
Dense forest
Ultra ★★★★★
Construction & BIM
Site monitoring
R3 V2 ★★★★★
As-builts (indoor+outdoor)
R3 Pro V2 ★★★★★
Large infrastructure
Ultra ★★★★★
Mining & Quarries
Small quarries
R3 V2 ★★★★☆
Underground + surface
R3 Pro V2 ★★★★★
Large open-pit mines
Ultra ★★★★★
Corridor Mapping
Local roads
R3 V2 ★★★★☆
Highways (mobile)
R3 Pro V2 ★★★★★
Power lines/DOT roads (single swath)
Ultra ★★★★★
Environmental
Wetland mapping
R3 V2 ★★★★☆
Coastal surveys
R3 Pro V2 ★★★★☆
Large watershed analysis
Ultra ★★★★★
Quick Decision Guide
Choose ROCK R3 V2 if you...
Are entering professional LiDAR surveying
Work primarily on small to medium projects
Need 3-in-1 versatility on a budget
Want proven accuracy at the best value
Typical Users: Small survey firms, drone service startups, construction companies beginning with LiDAR
Choose ROCK R3 Pro V2 if you...
Need maximum point density for detail
Regularly do mobile/vehicle corridor mapping
Work in moderate to heavy vegetation
Want the most versatile professional system
Typical Users: Professional survey firms, DOT contractors, engineering consultants, established drone service providers
Choose ROCK Ultra if you...
Are a professional surveyor or engineer
Survey power lines, roads, or large infrastructure
Need survey-grade accuracy for DOT/road curvature
Map large areas or dense vegetation regularly
Why Ultra is the Professional's Choice: Despite being only slightly more expensive than R3 Pro, the Ultra delivers unmatched efficiency for aerial mapping. Its 1000m range allows single-swath corridor mapping and measurement of fine road surface details critical for DOT work.
Investment & Packages
ROCK R3 V2
Entry Professional
From $20,000
Available Packages:
- Aerial
- Aerial + SLAM
- Aerial + SLAM Colorized
- Aerial + SLAM + GNSS SLAM
- Full Package (Aerial + SLAM + Mobile)
All packages include: Hardware, ROCK Desktop, ROCK Cloud (1 year), Training & Support
ROCK R3 Pro V2
Professional Workhorse
From $27,000
Available Packages:
- Aerial + SLAM Colorized
- Aerial + SLAM + GNSS SLAM
- Full Package (Aerial + SLAM + Mobile)
All packages include: Hardware, ROCK Desktop, ROCK Cloud (1 year), Training & Support
ROCK Ultra
Long-Range Specialist
From $49,995
Available Packages:
- Aerial Package 26 MP camera
- Aerial Package 45 MP camera
All packages include: Hardware, ROCK Desktop, ROCK Cloud (1 year), Training & Support
Ready to discuss which system is right for you?
Talk to Sales TeamReturn on Investment
Typical ROI Timeline
The Game-Changing Math:
Traditional 2-man crew (dense vegetation):
5 acres/day
With ROCK LiDAR drone:
1,000-3,000 acres/day
Complete most jobs in 1 day instead of 1 week
Months to break even*
ROCK R3 V2
Months to break even*
ROCK R3 Pro V2
Months to break even*
ROCK Ultra
*For companies actively performing topographic/ALTA surveys
Key ROI Drivers:
70% reduction in field time
Complete large surveys in hours, not days
3x more projects per year
Faster turnaround enables more work
50% reduction in labor costs
Single operator vs. survey crews
Premium pricing for LiDAR
Charge 20-30% more for enhanced deliverables
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between R3 and R3 Pro?
The R3 Pro doubles the laser channels (32 vs 16) resulting in twice the point density (1.28M vs 640k points/sec). This means better vegetation penetration, cleaner edges, and superior performance for mobile mapping at highway speeds. Both share the same platform and workflow, making the Pro an easy upgrade path.
Why is the Ultra the best choice for professionals?
The Ultra is "overpowered" for professional surveying with its 1000m range and survey-grade accuracy that can measure fine road surface curvature for DOT work. It completes power line corridors in a single swath and covers 2-3x more area per flight. While it lacks SLAM for indoor mapping, its aerial capabilities are unmatched. At only slightly more cost than R3 Pro, it's the clear choice for professional land surveyors and engineers doing aerial LiDAR work.
Can I upgrade from R3 to R3 Pro later?
The R3 and R3 Pro are different hardware units, so you cannot upgrade the sensor itself. However, we offer trade-in programs and upgrade pricing for existing R3 owners. Many customers start with the R3 and add an R3 Pro to their fleet as they grow, using both for different project types.
Which system is best for forestry applications?
For forestry, vegetation penetration is key. The Ultra with its 7 returns and 1550nm wavelength provides the best canopy penetration for large forest surveys. The R3 Pro works well for moderate vegetation and smaller areas. The standard R3 can handle light vegetation but may struggle in dense canopy.
Do all systems work with the same software?
Yes! All three systems use the same ROCK Desktop and ROCK Cloud workflow. This unified ecosystem means consistent processing, easy training, and the ability to use multiple systems without learning new software. Data from all systems can be merged and processed together.
What drone platforms are compatible?
All three systems are compatible with DJI M300/M350 drones via SkyPort mounting. They also work with Inspired Flight IF800, Freefly Alta, and other platforms capable of carrying the payload (1.26kg for R3/R3 Pro, 1.4kg for Ultra). We provide mounting solutions and integration support for various platforms.
Still Not Sure Which System is Right?
Our LiDAR experts can analyze your specific needs and recommend the perfect solution. Get a personalized consultation and see sample data from each system.