Lynx SG1 Mobile Mapper Announced

Optech, the world leader in the development, manufacture and support of advanced lidar and camera survey instruments, is pleased to announce the imminent release of the Lynx SG1 Mobile Mapper™ (Survey Grade), which replaces the Lynx M1 as the flagship model of Optech’s mobile product line. Lynx SG1, a 600-kHz dual sensor head system, raises the bar for mobile surveying by collecting up to 1.2 million measurements per second at survey-grade precision, spread over an unobstructed 360° field of view with industry-leading scanner speeds for even point distribution. The ability to control several integrated cameras, including the Point Grey Ladybug®, adds further value to a system that is already considered the premium choice for mobile surveys where accuracy, precision and resolution are critical.

“The Lynx SG1 system builds on what we achieved with the Lynx M1,” says Albert Iavarone, Business Unit Manager at Optech. “We are confident that users will agree that it provides the best overall return on investment in the industry.”

The Lynx SG1 system is expected to be available for delivery at the end of June in conjunction with Optech’s Third Imaging and Lidar Solutions Conference, being held in Toronto, Canada on June 25-27. ILSC 2013 is an open forum where current and prospective users of Optech products, along with other industry professionals, can discuss best practices and explore practical “real-world” lidar and camera solutions. For more information or to register, visit www.optech.com/ilsc2013.

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US Imaging Uses Optech Lidar-Camera System

Optech, the world leader in the development, manufacture and support of advanced lidar and camera survey instruments, is pleased to announce that US Imaging, Inc. has purchased an integrated airborne surveying and mapping system, including an Optech ALTM Orion M300 configured with two advanced aerial digital cameras—an Optech CS-10000 and an Optech T-4800 oblique camera—to help grow their business.

“After carefully evaluating and comparing various sensors and combinations, we decided that Optech has the best overall integration of lidar, camera and software in a turnkey system. The Optech name is synonymous with lidar, and after visiting their facility and getting to know their staff, we felt very comfortable with their comprehensive approach and their willingness to tailor a solution to assist our small business,” said John Clyatt, PSM, President of US Imaging Inc. “We wanted a flexible and compact system that could easily fit in our current aerial platform without modifications, as well as be easily removed and mounted on a helicopter. Our plans are to be a service firm to the geospatial industry so we needed a system that would be adept at low-altitude corridor mapping and yet have the capability to perform wide area mapping from a fixed-wing aircraft. The Orion M300 combined with the 80-MP Optech CS-10000 and a T-4800 oblique camera gives us the flexibility and capability to provide exceptional product deliverables from low or medium altitudes."

“We are really excited about the position this acquisition puts us in”, Mr. Clyatt continued. “US Imaging will have the ability to economically provide best of class lidar and imagery data to a broad range of clients with a myriad of applications. Considering our geographic location and the fact that we will have the only system of its kind in the Southeast, this purchase provides a great opportunity for us!”

Max Elbaz, President, Optech Inc. is also enthusiastic. "We're very pleased to have our lidar-camera systems used for such a range of applications. With our approach of tightly integrating the Orion M300, a compact lidar mapper, with two Optech cameras in a single multi-station mount, we can really help US Imaging establish themselves in a challenging business environment."

About Optech
Optech is the world leader in the development, manufacture and support of advanced lidar and camera survey instruments. With operations and staff worldwide, Optech offers both standalone and fully integrated lidar and camera solutions in airborne terrestrial mapping, airborne laser bathymetry, mobile mapping, terrestrial laser scanning, mine cavity monitoring, and industrial process control, as well as space-proven sensors.

About US Imaging, Inc.
US Imaging, Inc. was founded in 1997 as an independent aerial survey firm to support the expanding geospatial industry. Located strategically in central Florida, USI’s primary service area includes the Southeastern U.S. and all of the Caribbean Islands. Since inception, our aircraft of choice has been the stable and economical Cessna 210 equipped with an RC-30 and gyro stabilized mount. In addition, we have been providing LAMP photography utilizing a MD 500 helicopter for nearly a decade. In 2012, Randal Rhoads, PE, assumed the role of COO, and expands our resume to over 15 years of lidar experience utilizing a multitude of systems in challenging conditions. For more information on experience and capabilities, please visit www.usimaging.com.

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Optech Reveals CS-10000 Aerial Digital Camera

Optech Incorporated, the world’s leading manufacturer of advanced lidar and camera survey instruments, is pleased to announce its new CS-10000 digital camera. With its unique and patented features, the CS-10000 embodies the latest advances in photogrammetric technology. Seamless integration with Optech's airborne lidar sensors creates the most efficient and flexible aerial survey platform available today.

The CS-10000 introduces many new features while retaining proven technologies such as the original True FMC (Forward Motion Compensation). More flexible than ever, the CS-10000 offers a field-replaceable shutter and interchangeable lenses to allow even greater operational efficiency. Its 80-MP format provides exceptional image radiometry and accuracy to deliver extraordinary image quality. Superior data quality, upgradeability and minimized downtime will help users to maximize their profitability.

“The CS-10000 is the product of 20 years of photogrammetric knowledge and engineering merged with Optech’s market-leading expertise in airborne lidar systems,” said Julien Losseau, Product Manager for Optech cameras. “The CS-10000 is not only a solution that fits the exacting requirements of lidar users and photogrammetrists, it's also a new platform that harmonizes all Optech cameras in an efficient and complete solution. That means users will get the best results today and tomorrow.”

The CS-10000 and other new camera products will be unveiled at the ASPRS 2012 Annual Conference in Sacramento, California, March 19-23. Optech also welcomes visitors to the CS-10000 workshop to be held at the conference venue, Room 307, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20.

About Optech Incorporated
Optech is the world leader in the development, manufacture and support of advanced lidar and imaging survey instruments. With operations and staff worldwide, Optech offers both standalone and fully integrated lidar and camera solutions in airborne terrestrial mapping, airborne laser bathymetry, mobile mapping, terrestrial laser scanning, mine cavity monitoring, and industrial process control, as well as space-proven sensors.

For further information, please contact:
Wayne Szameitat
International Sales Manager
Optech Incorporated
300 Interchange Way
Vaughan, Ontario, Canada L4K 5Z8
+1 905 660 0808

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de Bruin Spatial Technologies Chooses Optech ALTM Orion

Optech Incorporated, the world’s leading manufacturer of advanced lidar, aerial digital camera and survey instruments, announced today that de Bruin Spatial Technologies, based in Mount Gambier, South Australia, has taken delivery of Optech’s ALTM Orion M-Series airborne laser scanning system.

“We are delighted that de Bruin selected Optech’s ALTM Orion for their new airborne mapping business,” said Wayne Szameitat, Optech’s International Sales Manager. “This compact but powerful ALTM Orion with integrated digital camera represents best-of-class technology, and it will ensure that de Bruin can acquire high quality lidar data sets and digital aerial images for the broad range of applications they are targeting.”

“We are very happy with the choice of the Optech ALTM Orion lidar scanner,” explained Rick George, Business Development Manager for de Bruin Spatial Technologies. “It is capable of providing highly accurate survey data and imagery. We further extend this capability by utilizing our in-house professional analysis and interpretation services; providing critical business information across a diverse range of industries. These include wide-area land surveys, biomass and captured carbon estimation, 3D site and building modeling, tree counting and forestry management reporting. Our ability to drive the process of data acquisition, analysis and reporting puts de Bruin Spatial Technologies on top of the list for professional lidar survey and analysis services.”

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New Aerial Digital Camera from Optech

Optech Incorporated, the world’s leading manufacturer of advanced lidar, aerial digital camera and survey instruments, announces its new medium-format ortho-camera, the CS-8900.

This rugged new camera provides high-definition mapping with the clarity that only Optech’s patented Forward Motion Compensation (FMC) can provide. Standard features include: patented field-replaceable shutter system; field-interchangeable metric and athermal lens capability; kinematic camera mounting system; a wide range of aperture and shutter speed options; and near real-time light metering capability. The flexible camera controller includes scalability to add additional Optech camera modules covering visible and infrared wavelengths, plus tools to co-register imagery. Additional ultra-light packaging options facilitate UAV installations.

“Our clients demanded technology innovation without sacrificing reliability,” said Julien Losseau, Camera Product Manager for Optech, “and the new CS-8900 was built to deliver both. By incorporating patented and field-proven technologies to increase operational robustness and flexibility, the new CS-8900 represents a huge leap in image collection capability and quality.”

The CS-8900 also integrates tightly with Optech’s complete line of ALTM Airborne Laser Terrain Mappers. Coupled with Optech’s extensive line of specialty airborne cameras, clients can now build custom active/passive imaging solutions that are fully supported by a single manufacturer.

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Optech appoints four new members to its Board of Directors

Optech Incorporated, the world’s leading manufacturer of advanced lidar survey instruments, is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors. The appointments of David Nale, Philip Lapp, Dan Cornacchia, and Tony LaVista to Optech’s Board of Directors add the deep experience in high-tech business that will be needed for the company's future growth.

David Nale is a highly respected figure in photogrammetry, mapping, and GIS. As an entrepreneur and technical specialist in the surveying and remote-sensing markets, Mr. Nale has been directly responsible for the detailed photogrammetric and lidar mapping of hundreds of cities, regions, and government projects throughout the world. He serves as a geospatial consultant to a number of major corporations, and is currently the owner/CEO of eMap International.

Philip Lapp is a senior figure in the Canadian high-tech sector, formerly a senior technical manager for Canadian aeronautics/space companies such as SPAR Aerospace Ltd. and DeHavilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. Mr. Lapp is a former President of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario and of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers. He has received numerous professional honors in his career, including being made an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

Dan Cornacchia is an experienced business advisor with a recognized background in governance, risk oversight, and management. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, with more than 35 years' of experience at Ernst & Young in entrepreneurial business and finance. Mr. Cornacchia is also deeply involved in community charities and volunteer programs.

Tony LaVista is an expert in financing processes and banking operations, and has been a trusted advisor to Optech for more than 12 years. He is a founder of the Royal Bank of Canada, Knowledge Based Industries (KBI) group, where he spent over 10 years. Mr.

LaVista is highly respected as an expert who truly understands the needs of clients in the high-tech sector. "We are very pleased to be able to add such respected professionals to our board," said Don Carswell, President, Optech Incorporated. "Their wide range of expertise will be invaluable, and we look forward to benefiting from their collective experience. As Optech continues to grow, the guidance of such successful professionals will be of enormous benefit."

For further information, please contact:
Wayne Szameitat
International Sales Manager
Optech Incorporated
300 Interchange Way
Vaughan, Ontario, Canada L4K 5Z8
+1 905 660 0808
inquiries@optech.ca

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New ILRIS-3D

Optech Incorporated, announces direct Geo-Referencing and improved survey-oriented workflow for the ILRIS-3D scanners. This new control software enables point clouds to be directly geo-referenced from each setup location and provides a fully automated process to find field survey targets.

Optech’s ILRIS-3D is a fully portable, laser-based three dimensional ranging and imaging system for the commercial survey, engineering, mining and industrial markets. A compact and highly integrated instrument with digital image capture and sophisticated software tools, ILRIS-3D is a 21st-century solution that addresses the needs of commercial users.

This new feature enables geo-referencing, re-section and back-sight functionality, allowing users to dramatically cut data collection and post-processing times. The ILRIS-3D controller will automatically calculate the geo-referenced positions of all future scans from that location.

The system will also provide direct real-time confirmation of each scanned target and allow the operator to accept it based on the resulting data quality.

“This system enhancement will dramatically reduce data processing time by allowing users to geo-reference and verify scan quality in the field.

This will ultimately lead to lower job costs and higher profitability,” says Dave Adams, Product Manager, Optech Incorporated.

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