the best budget handheld scanner

[TailSpinFun]

I'm jumping into a post degree project at my university, and my first big task is checking out handheld scanners.

We've got a budget under $6000, and I need to find something that can scan small, complex objects (from about 4x4 cm up to 2x2 meters) for reverse engineering.

If it can also capture super detailed surfaces for comparison with industrial scanners, that's a bonus, but I'm not expecting it to fit the budget.
I already have experience with the Sense 2 3D Scanner and Agisoft Photoscan, so I'm not totally new to this.

Ideally, the scanner needs to be super accurate (under 0.5mm), fast, and easy to use, color isn't a big deal, just the geometry.
So, hit me with your recommendations for scanners and software!

Any trustworthy reviews, personal experiences, or even a headsup if we're way off on the budget or if there are special educational deals (like for an Artec Eva Lite) would be awesome.

Thanks a ton for any help!

 

[SurfaceSeeker]

For less than $6k, I'd recommend checking out the Peel 1,it offers about 0.5mm accuracy, has a good range, and is pretty user-friendly. If you're willing to spend a bit more, the EinScan Pro HD is a good option too, as it provides better accuracy and comes with more modes.

If your school has educational pricing, you might be able to snag an Artec Eva Lite that fits better within your budget.

Are you mainly scanning organic shapes or mechanical parts? That info could really help narrow down your choices.

 

[TheLocalTraveler]

I've used the EinScan H2 and from person experiences it's one of the best options withing that budget. Some people say that the Artec Ela Lite, and @SurfaceSeeker mentioned the edu discount, so it must be better? Not exactly, because not everyone gets the same discount, so you may get a couple of hundred bucks less and be outside your budget. Ask for the discount first and then decide if it's worht it