SLAMTEC RPLIDAR A1 Upgraded (ROS/ROS2) vs Slamtec RPLIDAR A1M8 360° LiDAR
Specifications
| Spec | SLAMTEC RPLIDAR A1 Upgraded (… | Slamtec RPLIDAR A1M8 360° LiDAR |
|---|---|---|
| Range | 0.15–12 m | 0.15–12 m |
| Ranging Method | Triangulation | — |
| Interface | USB | USB (UART adapter included) |
| ROS2 Support | Native (Humble, Iron) | — |
| Power | 5V USB | 5V via USB |
| Sample Rate | — | 8,000 samples/sec |
| Scan Frequency | — | 5.5 Hz |
| Angular Resolution | — | 1° |
| Weight | — | 170 g |
| ROS Package | — | rplidar_ros (official) |
| Price | $79 | $99 |
| Rating | ⭐ 4.5 | ⭐ 4.6 |
| Reviews | 210 | 4,300 |
SLAMTEC RPLIDAR A1 Upgraded (ROS/ROS2)
Pros
- ✓Native ROS2 support with cleaner driver than the older A1M8
- ✓Triangulation ranging is more accurate at close range than time-of-flight
- ✓Compact form factor fits in tight robot chassis designs
- ✓Lower price than A1M8 with better software support
Cons
- ✗Fewer community resources than the A1M8 (newer product)
- ✗Same 12m range limit as predecessor
Slamtec RPLIDAR A1M8 360° LiDAR
Pros
- ✓The de-facto standard entry-level LiDAR — massive ROS driver support
- ✓12m range covers most indoor mapping scenarios
- ✓USB plug-and-play on Linux, Windows, and Raspberry Pi
- ✓4,300+ reviews means every common issue is documented online
Cons
- ✗8,000 samples/sec is adequate but slower than newer models
- ✗Spinning motor can be noisy in quiet environments
- ✗No built-in IMU — you'll need a separate one for full SLAM
Verdict
- $ SLAMTEC RPLIDAR A1 Upgraded (ROS/ROS2) saves $20 — better for budget-conscious buyers.
- ⭐ Slamtec RPLIDAR A1M8 360° LiDAR is rated higher (0.1 stars difference).
- ✦ SLAMTEC RPLIDAR A1 Upgraded (ROS/ROS2) delivers the best rating-per-dollar.