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Although you said you were looking for a Hokuyo lidar, I would go with the Sick TiM551. It does both USB and Ethernet, the device is rated for outdoors(IP67). The package to run the lidar is also really well done: urdf/transforms included, support for both usb/ethernet, range limiting, etc...

http://wiki.ros.org/sick_tim3xx

I've used the Hokuyo utm-30lx/ew and also the Sick lms111/tim551. IMO, I've had a better experience using the sick lidars.

In my search for a lidar, the factor which made the price gap was needing one which works outdoors. So I'm unsure if you can find a "cheap" outdoor lidar. And of course, the price also depends on who you buy from. Last note about price. If you want to use the ethernet cable, it is also rated IP67 so it would cost more than your average ethernet cable.

Best of luck!