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Scanning a yellow RC model boat using the Revopoint Inspire 2 3D scanner connected to a laptop with Revo Metro software

Revopoint INSPIRE 2 Hands-On: Lightweight Scanner, Big Potential


The Revopoint INSPIRE 2 arrived neatly packaged and ready to scan. This compact device builds on Revopoint’s experience in affordable 3D scanning, offering both handheld and desktop modes in a lightweight form. Designed for makers and professionals who require quick and accurate captures of small to medium-sized objects. The INSPIRE 2 combines structured light and infrared laser technology.


In this hands-on overview, I’ll share setup notes, scanning experience, and early impressions from real-world test scans using both PC and mobile modes. As usual, we’ll wrap up with final thoughts and a list of pros and cons.

Table Of Contents (Jump to a Section)

Where to Buy the Revopoint INSPIRE 2

Price: $459

Revopoint INSPIRE 2

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Official Website

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Revopoint INSPIRE 2 Key Specifications

  • Scanning modes: Handheld and desktop
  • Technology: Dual-camera IR structured light + IR multi-line laser
  • Precision: up to 0.03 mm
  • Accuracy: up to 0.05 mm (volumetric: 0.05 mm + 0.1 mm × L)
  • Working distance: 200–400 mm (indoor)
  • Scan volume: 20 × 20 × 20 mm to 2 × 2 × 2 m
  • Capture speed: 18 fps (structured light), up to 90 fps (laser with GPU)
  • Color capture: RGB camera, 1280 × 800
  • Tracking: Feature, marker, global marker
  • Connectivity: USB-C, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 4.1
  • Supported formats: PLY, OBJ, STL, ASC, 3MF, GLTF, FBX
  • OS support: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
  • Dimensions & weight: 132 × 53 × 27 mm, 190 g

For the full list of specifications, please visit the official product page.
Minimum PC requirements:
Windows: Intel i7-13th Gen or Ryzen 7 5800, 16 GB RAM, NVIDIA RTX 3060 (8 GB).
macOS: M1 Pro/Max/Ultra, 16 GB RAM.
Minimum Mobile requirements:
Android: 9.0+, ≥8 GB RAM, ≥128 GB storage.
iPhone: X or newer, iOS 14+, >4 GB RAM.
iPad: 10th gen or later.

What’s in the Box

Revopoint INSPIRE 2 is available in two editions: Standard and Premium. To use the INSPIRE 2 with a mobile phone, the Premium edition is required, as it includes the additional accessories needed for mobile operation, such as a power bank. Below is the unboxed Premium version.

Revopoint Inspire 2 3D scanner unboxed with all accessories including tripod, turntable, mobile kit, cables, markers, and documentation
What’s in the box: Revopoint INSPIRE 2 3D scanner with mobile kit, tripod, turntable, power and data cables, tracking markers, soft storage bag, and quick start guides.
©3DWithUs – Photo: Max Funkner

Setup and Calibration

The INSPIRE 2’s packaging feels less ‘rich’ compared with the Revopoint MetroX, for example, the MetroX comes with a more substantial protective case. Unboxing the INSPIRE 2 is straightforward, though, and the included instructions are clear and easy to follow.

Revopoint Inspire 2 3D Scanner box alongside the Mobile Kit packaging on a wooden table
Boxed: INSPIRE 2 with Mobile Kit
©3DWithUs – Photo: Max Funkner

– Mobile Mode. The mobile setup didn’t take long to assemble, but installing the app and establishing a stable connection required a bit more patience. Depending on your smartphone settings, the phone may try to auto-switch Wi-Fi networks, which repeatedly disconnected the Revopoint device in my case. I eventually had to disable my router’s Wi-Fi to keep the scanner app connected consistently.

Revopoint Inspire 2 3D scanner mounted on a smartphone using the mobile kit while scanning a door surface
Mobile mode in action: scanning the door surface details directly with a smartphone.
©3DWithUs – Photo: Max Funkner

Calibration

My INSPIRE 2 came pre-calibrated, and when I attempted to run the calibration process in the early stages anyway, the software informed me that the scanner was already calibrated and no further action was required.


Software: Revo Metro

I can confirm that Revopoint’s software continues to receive regular updates. Just like with the MetroX and Trackit, I ended up updating the software mid-testing to a newer version. The biggest additions since I last used Revo Metro are the shortcut to Revo Design and the ability to switch laser line modes during laser line scanning.

Revo Metro software showing a firmware update prompt.
Software update: Revo Metro prompts a firmware update for the INSPIRE 2 to improve scan frame rate and resolve bugs.

Also worth noting: Revopoint’s software naming can be confusing. There are several software programs to download with almost identical names, and I downloaded the wrong one more than once before finally getting the right version installed. I had a chance to share this feedback with Revopoint at the Formnext trade show, and Sienna agreed that having a single unified scanning software for all their scanners would be a user-friendlier approach.

From what I understand, some feature limitations in the software relate to the overall product positioning and pricing structure. One example is that the Dual-Axis Turntable isn’t yet fully supported in Revo Metro. The turntable itself functions normally, but the advanced tilt controls are currently unavailable. Since it’s offered as an official accessory, it seems reasonable to expect that broader support may be added in a future update. Or as I mentioned, this feature is reserved for more expensive scanners and setups.

Two overlapping Benchy scans displayed as dense point clouds in Revo Metro, showing yellow and blue point sets before merging.
Benchy scans visualised as yellow and blue point clouds before merging in Revo Metro.

– Scans Merging. This is where I had a learning curve when I first started using Revopoint’s software. For merging to work correctly, the scans need to overlap at least a little so the software can recognise shared features and align the angles. Once I understood that, the merging process became much more consistent.

– Cleaning Scans. In a few cases, I noticed that debris kept reappearing after cleaning in Raw Point Cloud mode, sometimes returning after merging or when switching between views. What worked for me was cleaning the scan in Mesh mode first, using tools like Erase, Smooth, and Remove Floating Parts on the mesh.


Testing and Results

Color 3D Scanning Mode

It is important to note that color 3D scanning works only in Feature – Full Field Mode. I was able to scan a popular 3D printer test model, Benchy.

Revopoint Inspire 2 3D scanner on a tripod, scanning a multicolor Benchy boat on a turntable, with the scan preview shown on a laptop.
Revopoint Inspire 2 3D scanner on a tripod, scanning a multicolor Benchy boat on a turntable.

The basic turntable included with the Premium edition runs independently. Revopoint INSPIRE 2 can work wirelessly and is very light to handle. In the picture above, it is mounted on the included tripod.

Color 3D scan of a multicolor Benchy boat displayed in Revo Metro with textured rendering enabled
Color scan example: A multicolor Benchy boat captured with the Revopoint Inspire 2 and displayed in Revo Metro using the textured rendering mode.

As you can see, it’s absolutely doable. With a bit more practice, I’m sure I can push the results even further. At this stage, I can clearly feel the difference compared to what I achieved with the MetroX. The INSPIRE 2 delivers both color and geometry, but the MetroX remains noticeably more capable in terms of detail and surface accuracy.


Marker Scan Mode Example

This scanner surprised me in Marker Scan Mode, as such laser technology is usually found in more expensive models like the MetroX. At first, this made me think the INSPIRE 2 might be a budget version of the MetroX, but I proved myself wrong. Despite sharing some scanning modes, the INSPIRE 2 differs in many ways, including its much lighter weight and overall handling.

Using the Revopoint Inspire 2 3D scanner to capture the top of a yellow RC boat, with Revo Metro software running on a laptop in the background
Top-view scan: Capturing the upper deck of a RC boat.

– Reflective Markers. These help the scanner track the object more precisely, but they can also be time-consuming to remove from the model afterward. While scanning my RC boat prototype, I found that dedicating a black A1 sheet was a great solution. The markers stay on the sheet permanently, and the black surface is practically invisible in certain scanning modes. Highly recommended! It saves a lot of time and keeps the object clean.

– Scanning on the Side. In my first attempt, I tried scanning the RC boat prototype while it was positioned on a DIY boat holder. The top and bottom surfaces scanned well, but the seam area, where the two halves meet, resulted in rough patches and holes. After a few tries, it became clear that scanning the model on its side works much better. When scanning the boat on its side, the scanner was able to capture enough point cloud data to merge everything cleanly. In total, it took me three separate scans to successfully merge the full boat model.

Revo Metro interface showing multiple Inspire 2 boat scans being aligned and merged
Scan alignment and merging in Revo Metro: several boat scans were combined into a unified model before processing.
Merged 3D scan of an RC model boat displayed in Revo Metro, showing a blue mesh after combining multiple scans
Merged result: The RC boat hull after combining several side scans in Revo Metro. Overlapping captures helped produce, more complete mesh for further editing and printing.

I find scanning RC model boats a particularly interesting area. Many older boats are handmade or heavily modified over time, and combining 3D scanning with 3D printing opens up a lot of possibilities for upgrades and custom parts. It gives builders extra freedom to redesign, reinforce, or modernize their models. Read more about RC boats, 3D scanning, and 3D printing here.

Mobile Mode Test Scan

As I mentioned in Setup area the mobile setup didn’t take long to assemble, but installing the app and establishing a stable connection took me some time. Depending on your smartphone settings, the phone may try to auto-switch Wi-Fi networks, which repeatedly disconnected the Revopoint device in my case. I eventually had to disable my router’s Wi-Fi to keep the scanner app connected consistently.

Revopoint Inspire 2 3D scanner mounted on a smartphone using the mobile kit while scanning a door surface
Mobile mode in action: Using the Revopoint INSPIRE 2 with the mobile kit to scan surface details directly from a smartphone.

– Scanner Weight. The INSPIRE 2 itself (without the power bank) weighs just 190 g, and this is clearly one of the biggest selling points of the device. Scanning for longer periods with heavier, more expensive scanners can quickly become tiring, but the lightweight INSPIRE 2 makes handheld scanning noticeably easier and more comfortable.

I’ll continue testing the INSPIRE 2 in mobile mode, including scanning different objects and lighting conditions. More mobile-mode results and examples will be added to this article soon.


Compare to Other 3D Scanners

Compare to the Revopoint other 3D scanners series:

In comparison to other Revopoint scanners, the INSPIRE 2 sits in the entry-level segment, yet it surprisingly incorporates technologies usually found in more expensive models, such as combined structured light and infrared laser modes. As mentioned earlier, my first impression was that it might be a ‘budget MetroX,’ but in practice it has its own strengths, with lightweight design being one of the most notable. For many users, especially those who prefer handheld scanning, this alone can be a compelling reason to choose it.

As 3D scanning technology becomes accessible, there is also competition with offerings from brands like 3DMakerpro, Creality, and Einstar. Read more about other 3D scanners on our website.

On 3DWithUs we’ve often featured Revopoint 3D scanners as entry-level, budget-friendly devices, but it’s clear that Revopoint as a company operates on a much larger scale. Their presence at Formnext 2025 showed this well. From autonomous robotic arm scanning using TrackIt, to the more advanced MetroY setups, and the wider Revo software ecosystem including Revo Design, Revo Measure and Revo Scan. It’s a brand that manages to offer accessible consumer scanners like the INSPIRE 2 while also developing serious professional solutions. This combination of affordability and ambitious innovation keeps Revopoint visible both in the maker community and in the professional scanning market.

Compilation showing Revopoint3D’s Formnext 2025 booth, including a robotic arm running the TrackIt system, MetroY scanning station, Revo Design and Revo Measure software displays, and a photo with Sienna from the Revopoint team.
Revopoint3D booth at Formnext 2025 featuring the TrackIt robotic scanning system, MetroY scanning setup, their Revo Measure and Revo Design software ecosystem, and a moment with Sienna from the Revopoint team.

Have questions? Feel free to ask in the comment section below.
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Conclusion and Pros & Cons

Revopoint INSPIRE 2

Compare the Prices & Bundles:
Official Website

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Revopoint INSPIRE 2 Review
4.4

Review Summary

The Revopoint INSPIRE 2 left me with a generally positive impression, especially considering its positioning as an entry-level, budget-friendly scanner. It’s lightweight, portable, and surprisingly capable thanks to its combination of structured light and infrared laser modes. For smaller objects, prototypes, props, and day-to-day maker tasks, it delivers usable geometry with minimal setup effort. The Premium package also makes sense if you want true mobile scanning, and at just 190g the scanner is genuinely comfortable to use for longer handheld sessions.

That said, the overall experience depends heavily on learning the workflow. Revo Metro took me a little time to understand, particularly when it comes to mesh cleaning, merging, and preventing debris from reappearing. Once I switched to cleaning in Mesh mode first, things became far more predictable. Mobile mode works well too, but the Wi-Fi handoff behaviour on some smartphones can add extra steps. Feature-wise, INSPIRE 2 shares some DNA with Revopoint’s more expensive models, but it’s not a budget MetroX. It has its own strengths, especially weight and mobility, and its own limitations in fine detail and surface accuracy.

Overall, the INSPIRE 2 is a practical, approachable scanner for beginners and hobbyists. For more advanced users who can tolerate a heavier device, I would recommend considering the MetroX or MetroY. The INSPIRE 2 offers an affordable entry point into 3D scanning while still being part of a wider Revopoint ecosystem.

PROS
– Very lightweight (190 g) and comfortable for handheld scanning
– Affordable entry point into structured-light + IR laser scanning
– Revo Metro continually updated with new features
– Good for small and medium objects like models, props, and prototypes
– Precise in Marker Scan Mode

CONS
– Fine detail and precision can’t match MetroX or higher-end models
– Mobile mode can be unstable depending on smartphone Wi-Fi behaviour
– Workflow has a learning curve (merging, cleaning, debris handling)
– Dual-Axis Turntable support is limited in Revo Metro at this stage
– Color scans are possible but require practice for optimal results


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