NEWS, TECHNOLOGY, PRESS
Powering Nationwide Mapping: Horizonview Technologies Relies on the RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S
As demand for high-quality geospatial data continues to grow, Horizonview Technologies is expanding its aerial mapping capabilities with the addition of a RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S airborne laser scanning system and dedicated survey aircraft, strengthening its ability to support projects across the United States.
Transportation agencies, utility providers, engineering firms, and energy developers increasingly rely on accurate geospatial data to keep projects moving and make informed decisions. To support these needs, Horizonview has invested in a fully integrated aerial acquisition platform that combines industry-leading RIEGL technology with enhanced operational flexibility and efficiency.
The investment marks a significant milestone for the Santa Cruz County, California-based geospatial services firm, bringing airborne LiDAR acquisition fully in-house through the addition of a RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S, a Cessna 206H survey aircraft, a gyro-stabilized GSM 4000 sensor mount, and a co-mounted Phase One medium-format RGB camera.
Bringing LiDAR collection fully in-house with our own aircraft gives our clients faster, more reliable access to the high-resolution geospatial data their projects depend on. With the VQ-1560 II-S on our own airframe, we can efficiently manage the entire acquisition process and deliver the survey-grade data our engineering and energy clients rely on.
Building a Powerful Aerial Acquisition Platform
Installed aboard Horizonview's newly acquired aircraft, the RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S enables the simultaneous collection of high-density LiDAR data and high-resolution imagery in a single flight mission. This integrated configuration provides clients with the precise data needed for mapping infrastructure and energy projects.
Operating its own aircraft and LiDAR system empowers Horizonview to manage every stage of the acquisition process, from mission planning through data collection, resulting in greater scheduling flexibility and more efficient project execution.
Designed for Productivity at Scale
The RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S has earned a worldwide reputation for exceptional performance on large-area mapping projects. Its dual-channel architecture delivers high productivity without compromising point density or accuracy, making it especially well-suited for detailed terrain modeling and large-scale geospatial data acquisition.
The system will support a wide range of mapping and surveying deliverables, including:
- Digital Terrain Models (DTMs)
- Bare-Earth Digital Elevation Models (DEMs)
- Corridor and infrastructure mapping
- Contour generation
- Classified LiDAR point clouds
- High-resolution orthophoto production
The combination of dense LiDAR point clouds and synchronized imagery provides clients with the dependable geospatial data needed for planning, design, environmental analysis, and asset management initiatives. These capabilities further strengthen Horizonview's ability to support mapping and surveying projects across the United States.
A Shared Commitment to Geospatial Excellence
For RIEGL, Horizonview's investment reflects the continued demand for advanced airborne LiDAR solutions that combine precision, efficiency, and scalability.
We are extremely pleased that Horizonview Technologies is expanding its aerial survey capabilities with the addition of the proven RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S laser scanning system. This investment reinforces Horizonview's commitment to delivering actionable intelligence across the infrastructure, energy, and corridor mapping sectors. The VQ-1560 II-S is widely recognized as an industry benchmark for system performance and scan geometry, enabling improved target detail, higher data quality, and greater collection efficiency.
As Horizonview begins deploying the RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S across projects nationwide, the investment represents an important step in the company's continued growth and commitment to delivering high-quality airborne LiDAR and mapping services.
About Horizonview Technologies
Horizonview Technologies is a geospatial services company based in Santa Cruz, California, delivering high-accuracy aerial data acquisition using manned fixed-wing aircraft and UAS platforms. Its services include LiDAR, orthoimagery, thermal infrared, and multispectral mapping for government agencies, engineering firms, utilities, and energy asset managers across the United States. Learn more at www.horizonviewtech.com.
