--- title: Optimal Speed, Altitude, and Overlap for the R2A or R360 description: Determining the "optimal" speed, altitude, and overlap you should fly is based on how accurate and how dense you need your data, as well as what types of objects you are trying to capture. --- [Skip to content](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/optimum-speed-and-altitude-for-the-r2a#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![ROCK-robotic-community-logo.png\]](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ROCK-robotic-community-logo.png?width=250&height=50&name=ROCK-robotic-community-logo.png) - [ROCK Customer Support](https://www.rockrobotic.com/support/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [ROCK Customer Support](https://www.rockrobotic.com/support/) - English Show submenu for translations - [www.rockrobotic.com](https://www.rockrobotic.com/) [www.rockrobotic.com](https://www.rockrobotic.com/) Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [ROCK Knowledgebase](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [ROCK R2A & R360](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-r2a-r360?hsLang=en) 3. [Aerial Data Capture](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-r2a-r360?hsLang=en#aerial-data-capture) March 18, 2026 # Optimal Speed, Altitude, and Overlap for the R2A or R360 ## Determining the "optimal" speed, altitude, and overlap you should fly is based on how accurate and how dense you need your data, as well as what types of objects you are trying to capture. **Altitude and Speed** Flying at about 50m (164 ft) AGL and 5-6 m/s (11.2-13.4 mph) is the optimal speed and altitude for getting sub 5 cm (1.97 in) vertical accuracy. The higher and faster you fly, the less accurate the readings of the sensor will be. However, there are more factors at play than just height and speed. The reflectivity of the surface you are scanning also plays an important factor. Some surfaces have a harder time reflecting back to the sensor than others. For instance, we did a scan over some transmission lines in the desert: [![image](https://community.rockrobotic.com/uploads/db3733/original/1X/67a708f44bcdbd8cca7676a774ce0eeed767357c.jpeg)](https://community.rockrobotic.com/uploads/db3733/original/1X/67a708f44bcdbd8cca7676a774ce0eeed767357c.jpeg) We were able to fly much higher and faster and still get sub 5 cm vertical accuracy because the surface reflected the light back to the sensor extremely well.   **Overlap** The overlap you need will depend on the type of objects/terrain you are trying to collect. For general topography where you don't need trees or towers, a low amount of overlap is required. However, if you are flying a transmission line or doing tree canopy work you need those taller objects in the field of view of the laser so you'll need a larger amount of overlap. | Application | Scan Height | Overlap | Speed | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | General Topography | 400ft (120m) | 30% | 8 m/s | | Survey-Grade Topography | 200ft (60m) | 30-50% | 6 m/s | | Transmission Corridors | 200 -225ft (60-75m) | \>60% | 6 m/s | | Substations | 150ft (50m) | \>60% | 6 m/s |   **Point Density** The point density you will achieve depends on your speed and altitude. For rough estimates see the below chart to gauge how fast and high you can fly to get the point density you need in your project data. ![](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-14-2021-03-49-30-11-PM.png?width=688&name=image-png-May-14-2021-03-49-30-11-PM.png)   - [ROCK R3 Pro](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-r3-pro?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Setup](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-r3-pro?hsLang=en#setup) - [Data collection](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-r3-pro?hsLang=en#data-collection) - [Updates and Maintenance](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-r3-pro?hsLang=en#updates-and-maintenance) - [Mobile Mount](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-r3-pro?hsLang=en#mobile-mount) - [Photogrammetry](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-r3-pro?hsLang=en#photogrammetry) - [ROCK Desktop](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-desktop?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Desktop Processing](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-desktop?hsLang=en#desktop-processing) - [Using ROCK Desktop](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-desktop?hsLang=en#using-rock-desktop) - [Desktop License](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-desktop?hsLang=en#desktop-license) - [Desktop Support](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-desktop?hsLang=en#desktop-support) - [Releases](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-desktop?hsLang=en#releases) - [ROCK Cloud](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-cloud?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Overview](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-cloud?hsLang=en#overview) - [Project Data](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-cloud?hsLang=en#project-data) - [Managing Projections](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-cloud?hsLang=en#managing-projections) - [ROCK Cloud Tools](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-cloud?hsLang=en#rock-cloud-tools) - [Processing](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-cloud?hsLang=en#processing) - [Deliverables & Exports](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-cloud?hsLang=en#deliverables-exports) - [General](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-cloud?hsLang=en#general) - [ROCK SLAM](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-slam?hsLang=en#main-content) - [SLAM Hardware](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-slam?hsLang=en#slam-hardware) - [SLAM Data Collection](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-slam?hsLang=en#slam-data-collection) - [ROCK Colorized SLAM Dock V2](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-slam?hsLang=en#rock-colorized-slam-dock-v2) - [SLAM Data Alignment](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-slam?hsLang=en#slam-data-alignment) - [ROCK Base Station](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-base-station?hsLang=en#main-content) - [ROCK Base Setup](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-base-station?hsLang=en#rock-base-setup) - [ROCK Network](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-base-station?hsLang=en#rock-network) - [Base Data](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-base-station?hsLang=en#base-data) - [ROCK Deliverables](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-deliverables?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Deliverables](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-deliverables?hsLang=en#deliverables) - [Ordering](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-deliverables?hsLang=en#ordering) - [Processing](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-deliverables?hsLang=en#processing) - [General Knowledge](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/general-knowledge?hsLang=en#main-content) - [ROCK](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/general-knowledge?hsLang=en#rock) - [Drones](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/general-knowledge?hsLang=en#drones) - [GPS / GNSS](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/general-knowledge?hsLang=en#gps-gnss) - [LiDAR](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/general-knowledge?hsLang=en#lidar) - [Surveying](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/general-knowledge?hsLang=en#surveying) - [ROCK R2A & R360](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-r2a-r360?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Hardware](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-r2a-r360?hsLang=en#hardware) - [Data Collection](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-r2a-r360?hsLang=en#data-collection) - [Aerial Data Capture](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-r2a-r360?hsLang=en#aerial-data-capture) - [Creating Orthomosaics](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-r2a-r360?hsLang=en#creating-orthomosaics) - [What's New](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/whats-new?hsLang=en) - [Sales](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/sales?hsLang=en) - [ROCK Ultra](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-ultra?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Setup](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-ultra?hsLang=en#setup) - [Data Collection](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-ultra?hsLang=en#data-collection) - [Settings](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/rock-ultra?hsLang=en#settings) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://learn.rockrobotic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ROCK-robotic-community-logo-1.png?width=120&height=24&name=ROCK-robotic-community-logo-1.png "Chill listening crop-3")](http://rockrobotic.com) rockrobotic.com Help Center Copyright © 2026, ROCK Robotic Inc.