Toronto, Canada, December 3, 2012 — Optech, the world leader in the development, manufacture and support of advanced lidar and camera survey instruments, is pleased to announce the release of the Optech Pegasus HA500 ALTM, a purpose-built wide-area mapping sensor that is expressly focused on maximizing collection efficiency.

Capable of altitudes up to 5000 m AGL (16,500 ft), this powerful new sensor has the unique ability to collect multi-beam lidar data throughout its entire operating envelope, for industry-leading point cloud density and accuracy at any altitude. With two new high-performance lasers and an embedded 60-MP digital metric camera, the efficiency of the Pegasus HA500 eclipses all other commercial airborne lidar mapping sensors available to date.

“Our clients have been demanding an active sensor for day/night use that not only combines high altitude collection efficiency with high point density, but also provides the point precision, accuracy and tree canopy penetration that only a lidar sensor can provide,” commented Michael Sitar, Optech's Airborne Business and Product Manager. “The Pegasus HA500 is the culmination of that effort, in that its unique twin-laser configuration ensures the same data fidelity and measurement precision irrespective of the number of beams, unlike lesser single-laser multi-beam designs."

The Pegasus HA500 also incorporates many of the same productivity-focused performance features as the Optech Orion ALTM sensors. The Orion sensors are popular for their ultra-compact size, flexibility in installation, and scalability with external peripheral sensors, which enable custom yet seamless multi-sensor configurations. Performance features common to both ALTMs include: real-time point display for in-air true coverage verification; a real-time in-air LAS file generator for rapid response applications that demand immediate high-accuracy data delivery possible only with its OmniSTAR™-enabled POS™ system; lidar auto-calibration software incorporating rigorous least-squares adjustment methods for exceptional data quality and accuracy quantification; and full compatibility with the latest true 12-bit Optech IWD-2 Intelligent Waveform Digitizer.

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 mapping, airborne lidar bathymetry, mobile mapping, terrestrial laser scanning, mine cavity monitoring, and industrial process control, as well as space-proven sensors.

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