Dual Channel Waveform Processing Airborne LiDAR Scanning System

for High Point Density Mapping and Ultra-Wide Area Mapping

NEW
®

RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S
• high laser pulse repetition rate
up to 4 MHz
• up to 2.66 million measurements
per second on the ground
• offers highly efficient data
acquisition at a wide range
of point densities
• two waveform processing LiDAR
channels offering excellent multiple
target detection capability
The new VQ-1560II-S follows the successful concept of RIEGL’s proven
dual channel laser scanner series. With increased laser power the
operational altitudes are extended up to 1600m AGL at a pulse repe-
tition rate of 4MHz, or up to 4000m AGL at a pulse repetition rate of
540kHz (all values given for 20% target reflectance).
These improved maximum ranges allow an increase of the system’s
productivity by about 25% for a very attractive point density range.
Laser pulse repetition rates can be fine-tuned in 12kHz steps, enabling
subtle optimization of acquisition parameters in order to meet
specific project requirements.

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• enables Multiple-Time-Around (MTA)
processing of up to 45 pulses
simultaneously in the air
• excellent suppression of
atmospheric clutter
AR
Its unique “cross-fire” scan pattern and its wide operational range make
the instrument the most versatile airborne laser scanner on the market
today. It is perfectly suited for any kind of application – from ultra-dense
corridor mapping from low altitudes, over high resolution city mapping
with minimum shadowing effects in narrow street canyons, to large-scale
IN
• online waveform processing as
well as smart and full waveform wide area mapping at utmost efficiency of up to 1130km² per hour
recording at a density of 4 points per square meter.

• integrated inertial measurement

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unit and GNSS receiver
• integrated, easily accessible
medium format camera
• prepared for integration of a
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The system is equipped with a seamlessly integrated high performance
IMU/GNSS unit and e.g. an optional 150 megapixel RGB camera
integrated in the primary camera bay.
Optionally, a second camera, e.g. a thermal camera or a
150 megapixels near-infrared camera, can be integrated on request.

secondary camera
The design of the compact housing features a mounting flange for
• high-speed fiber data interface to interfacing with typical hatches or gyro-stabilized leveling mounts.
RIEGL data recorder
PR

• housing shape and mounting flange

optimized for interfacing with typical
hatches and stabilized platforms
• detachable handgrips for Applications:
facilitated handling • Ultra Wide Area / High Altitude Mapping
• Ultra-High Point Density Mapping
• Mapping of Complex Urban Environments
• Glacier & Snowfield Mapping
• City Modeling
• Mapping of Lakesides & River Banks
• Agriculture & Forestry
• Corridor Mapping

visit our website

www.riegl.com

Airborne Laser Scanning Preliminary Data Sheet

RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S Scan Pattern

58° effective FOV

28°

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AR
Each channel delivers straight parallel scan lines. The scan lines of the two
channels are tilted against each other by 28 degrees providing an optimum
distribution of the measurements on the ground invariant to changes in
IN
terrain height.

Tilt Angle of Scan Lines ± 14°

Forward/Backward Scan Angle in Non-Nadir Direction ± 8° at the edge
IM
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RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S Elements of Function and Operation

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mounting flange

aperture of primary
camera (RGB)

aperture of laser
IMU bay
channel #2

aperture of laser
channel #1

aperture of
connectors for
secondary
power supply and
camera
data interface
cooling
air outlets
desiccant cartridges
carrying handles

2 Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2021– All rights reserved. Preliminary Data Sheet
 RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S Main Dimensions

Y
AR
IN
IM
EL
PR

Preliminary Data Sheet Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2021– All rights reserved. 3
RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S System Components

Y
AR
IN
A minimum number of system components and external cabling is
IM

required for an easy and quick installation in aircrafts.

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RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S Installation Examples

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RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S installed RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S installed on GSM-4000

in the nose pod of fixed-wing gyro-stabilized platform to be used in
aircraft DA42 MPP a helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft

4 Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2021– All rights reserved. Preliminary Data Sheet
 Measurement Range & Point Density RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S
Laser PRR = 2x270kHz, laser power level 100%
8000 6550 21500
7500 visibility 40 km 6140 20100
visibility 23 km
7000 visibility 15 km 5730 18800
6500 5320 17400
6000 4910 16100
Max. Measurement Range [m]

5500 4500 14700

Operating Flight Altitude [m]

Operating Flight Altitude [ft]

5000 4090 13400
4500 3680 12000
4000 3270 10700
3500 Typical ENOHD 2860 9400
3000 2450 8060

white plaster work, limestone

2500 2040 6710
2000 1630 5370
cliffs, sand, masonry
1500 1220 4030
coniferous trees

deciduous trees

1000 819 2680

dry asphalt

terra cotta

dry snow
wet ice

500 409 1340

0 0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Target Reflectance [%]

Example: VQ-1560 II-S at 2 x 270,000 pulses/sec, laser power level 100% Results: Point Density ~ 1.11 pts/m²
Altitude 11,500 ft AGL, Speed 160 kn Area Acquisition Rate ~ 931 km²/h

Y
Laser PRR = 2x500kHz, laser power level 100%
6500 5320 17400

6000

5500

5000
visibility 40 km
visibility 23 km
visibility 15 km
4910

4500

4090
16100

14700

13400 AR
Max. Measurement Range [m]

4500 3680 12000

Operating Flight Altitude [m]

Operating Flight Altitude [ft]

IN
4000 3270 10700

3500 2860 9400

3000 2450 8060

2500 Typical ENOHD 2040 6710

white plaster work, limestone
IM

2000 1630 5370

1500 1220 4030

cliffs, sand, masonry
coniferous trees

deciduous trees

1000 819 2680

dry asphalt

terra cotta

dry snow

500 409 1340

wet ice

EL

0 0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Target Reflectance [%]

Example: VQ-1560 II-S at 2 x 500,000 pulses/sec, laser power level 100% Results: Point Density ~ 2.63 pts/m²
Altitude 10,300 ft AGL, Speed 140 kn Area Acquisition Rate ~ 730 km²/h
PR

Laser PRR = 2x1000kHz, laser power level 100%

5000 4090 13400
visibility 40 km
visibility 23 km
4500 visibility 15 km 3680 12000

4000 3270 10700

Max. Measurement Range [m]

3500 2860 9400

Operating Flight Altitude [m]

Operating Flight Altitude [ft]

3000 2450 8060

2500 2040 6710

2000 1630 5370

Typical ENOHD
white plaster work, limestone

1500 1220 4030

cliffs, sand, masonry

1000 819 2680

coniferous trees

deciduous trees
dry asphalt

terra cotta

500 409 1340

dry snow
wet ice

0 0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Target Reflectance [%]

Example: VQ-1560 II-S at 2 x 1,000,000 pulses/sec, laser power level 100% Results: Point Density ~ 13.53 pts/m²
Altitude 5,100 ft AGL, Speed 110 kn Area Acquisition Rate ~ 284 km²/h

The following conditions are assumed for the Operating Flight Altitude AGL Assumptions for calculation of the Area Acquisition Rate
• ambiguity resolved by multiple-time-around (MTA) processing • 20% overlap of neighboring flight strips. This overlap covers a roll
• target size ≥ laser footprint • average ambient brightness angle of ±5° or a reduction of flight altitude AGL of 20%.
• effective FOV 58° • roll angle ±5°

Typical ENOHD
• Calculated under assumption of an angular step width of 0.012° and an aircraft speed higher than 10kn.

Preliminary Data Sheet Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2021– All rights reserved. 5
Measurement Range & Point Density RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S
Laser PRR = 2x2000kHz, laser power level 100%
3800 3110 10200
3600 visibility 40 km 2940 9670
visibility 23 km
3400 visibility 15 km 2780 9130
3200 2620 8600
3000 2450 8060
2800 2290 7520
Max. Measurement Range [m]

2600 2120 6980

Operating Flight Altitude [m]

Operating Flight Altitude [ft]

2400 1960 6450
2200 1800 5910
2000 1630 5370
1800 1470 4830
1600 1310 4300
1400 1140 3760

white plaster work, limestone

1200 Typical ENOHD 982 3220
1000 819 2680
cliffs, sand, masonry
800 655 2150
coniferous trees

deciduous trees

600 491 1610

dry asphalt

terra cotta

400 327 1070

dry snow
wet ice

200 163 537

0 0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Target Reflectance [%]

Example: VQ-1560 II-S at 2 x 2,000,000 pulses/sec, laser power level 100% Results: Point Density ~ 16.23 pts/m²
Altitude 5,500 ft AGL, Speed 170 kn Area Acquisition Rate ~ 473 km²/h

Y
Laser PRR = 2x2000kHz, laser power level 50%
2800 2290 7520

2600

2400

2200
visibility 40 km
visibility 23 km
visibility 15 km
2120

1960

1800
6980

6450

5910
AR
Max. Measurement Range [m]

2000 1630 5370

Operating Flight Altitude [m]

Operating Flight Altitude [ft]

1800 1470 4830

IN
1600 1310 4300

1400 1140 3760

1200 982 3220

1000 819 2680

IM white plaster work, limestone

800 Typical ENOHD 655 2150

cliffs, sand, masonry

600 491 1610

coniferous trees

deciduous trees

400 327 1070

dry asphalt

terra cotta

dry snow
wet ice

200 163 537

EL

0 0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Target Reflectance [%]

Example: VQ-1560 II-S at 2 x 2,000,000 pulses/sec, laser power level 50% Results: Point Density ~ 19.84 pts/m²
Altitude 5,100 ft AGL, Speed 150 kn Area Acquisition Rate ~ 387 km²/h
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Laser PRR = 2x2000kHz, laser power level 25%

2000 visibility 40 km 1630 5370
visibility 23 km
visibility 15 km
1800 1470 4830

1600 1310 4300

Max. Measurement Range [m]

Operating Flight Altitude [m]

Operating Flight Altitude [ft]

1400 1140 3760

1200 982 3220

1000 819 2680

800 655 2150

white plaster work, limestone

600 491 1610

Typical ENOHD
cliffs, sand, masonry

400 327 1070

coniferous trees

deciduous trees
dry asphalt

terra cotta

dry snow

200 163 537

wet ice

0 0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Target Reflectance [%]

Example: VQ-1560 II-S at 2 x 2,000,000 pulses/sec, laser power level 25% Results: Point Density ~ 43.62 pts/m²
Altitude 2,900 ft AGL, Speed 120 kn Area Acquisition Rate ~ 176 km²/h

The following conditions are assumed for the Operating Flight Altitude AGL Assumptions for calculation of the Area Acquisition Rate
• ambiguity resolved by multiple-time-around (MTA) processing • 20% overlap of neighboring flight strips. This overlap covers a roll
• target size ≥ laser footprint • average ambient brightness angle of ±5° or a reduction of flight altitude AGL of 20%.
• effective FOV 58° • roll angle ±5°

Typical ENOHD
• Calculated under assumption of an angular step width of 0.012° and an aircraft speed higher than 10kn.

6 Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2021– All rights reserved. Preliminary Data Sheet
 Measurement Range & Point Density RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S
Laser PRR = 2x2000kHz, laser power level 12%
1500 1220 4030
visibility 40 km
1400 visibility 23 km 1140 3760
visibility 15 km
1300 1060 3490

1200 982 3220

1100 901 2950

Max. Measurement Range [m]

Operating Flight Altitude [m]

Operating Flight Altitude [ft]

1000 819 2680

900 737 2410

800 655 2150

700 573 1880

600 491 1610

white plaster work, limestone

500 409 1340

400 327 1070

Typical ENOHD cliffs, sand, masonry
300 245 806
coniferous trees

deciduous trees

200 163 537

dry asphalt

terra cotta

dry snow
wet ice

100 81 268

0 0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Target Reflectance [%]

Example: VQ-1560 II-S at 2 x 2,000,000 pulses/sec, laser power level 12% Results: Point Density ~ 52.8 pts/m²
Altitude 2,500 ft AGL, Speed 115 kn Area Acquisition Rate ~ 145 km²/h

Y
Laser PRR = 2x2000kHz, laser power level 6%
1100 901 2950

1000

900

800
visibility 40 km
visibility 23 km
visibility 15 km
819

737

655
2680

2410

2150
AR
Max. Measurement Range [m]

Operating Flight Altitude [m]

Operating Flight Altitude [ft]

700 573 1880

IN
600 491 1610

500 409 1340

400 327 1070

white plaster work, limestone
IM

300 245 806

cliffs, sand, masonry

200 163 537

coniferous trees

deciduous trees

Typical ENOHD
dry asphalt

terra cotta

dry snow

100 81 268
wet ice

EL

0 0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Target Reflectance [%]

Example: VQ-1560 II-S at 2 x 2,000,000 pulses/sec, laser power level 6% Results: Point Density ~ 60.72 pts/m²
Altitude 2,500 ft AGL, Speed 100 kn Area Acquisition Rate ~ 126 km²/h
PR

The following conditions are assumed for the Operating Flight Altitude AGL Assumptions for calculation of the Area Acquisition Rate
• ambiguity resolved by multiple-time-around (MTA) processing • 20% overlap of neighboring flight strips. This overlap covers a roll
• target size ≥ laser footprint • average ambient brightness angle of ±5° or a reduction of flight altitude AGL of 20%.
• effective FOV 58° • roll angle ±5°

Typical ENOHD
• Calculated under assumption of an angular step width of 0.012° and an aircraft speed higher than 10kn.

Preliminary Data Sheet Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2021– All rights reserved. 7
RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S Productivity
The RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S Dual Channel Airborne Mapping System offers highest productivity.

Y
Examples 1)
AR
IN
Average Point Density 2 pts/m2 8 pts/m2 20 pts/m2 60 pts/m2
Flight Altitude 8100 ft 5820 ft 3990 ft 2490 ft
2690 m 1770 m 1220 m 760 m
IM

Ground Speed 300 kn 300 kn 190 kn 101 kn

Swath Width 3010 m 1990 m 1360 m 850 m
Productivity 1338 km2/h 883 km2/h 384 km2/h 128 km2/h
Measurement Rate 2) 929 000 meas./sec 2.45 mill meas./sec 2.66 mill meas./sec 2.66 mill meas./sec
EL

Camera GSD 3) 4) 201 mm 133 mm 91 mm 57 mm

Camera Trigger Intervall 4)
5.6 sec 3.7 sec 4.0 sec 4.7 sec
1) calculated for 20% target reflectivity and 20% stripe overlap
2) The target detection rate is equal to the measurement rate for terrains offering only one target per laser pulse but may be much higher for vegetated areas.
PR

3) Ground Sampling Distance

4) Calculated for a 150 MPixel CMOS camera with a FOV of 56.2° x 43.7° and 60% image overlap in flight direction (endlap).

8 Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2021– All rights reserved. Preliminary Data Sheet
 Technical Data RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S
Laser Product Classification

Class 3B Laser Product according to IEC60825-1:2014
The following clause applies for instruments delivered into the
United States: Complies with 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11 except for
conformance with IEC 60825-1 Ed.3., as described in Laser Notice
No. 56, dated May 8, 2019.
The instrument must be used only in combination with the appropriate laser safety box.

Range Measurement Performance as a function of laser power setting, PRR, and target reflectivity

Laser Power Level 100%

Laser Pulse Repetition Rate (PRR) 1)
2 x 270 kHz 2 x 500 kHz 2 x 1000 kHz 2 x 2000 kHz
Max. Measuring Range 2) 3) 4)

natural targets  ≥ 20 % 4800 m 3700 m 2800 m 2050 m
natural targets  ≥ 60 % 7100 m 5600 m 4300 m 3300 m
Max. Operating Flight Altitude 2) 5) (AGL) 6)
natural targets  ≥ 20 % 3900 m 3000 m 2200 m 1700 m
12800 ft 10000 ft 7500 ft 5500 ft
natural targets  ≥ 60 % 5800 m 4600 m 3500 m 2700 m
19000 ft 15000 ft 11500 ft 8800 ft
NOHD 7) 9) 430 m 310 m 220 m 155 m
ENOHD 8) 9) 2950 m 2150 m 1550 m 1050 m
Number of Targets per Laser Pulse up to 10) 14 14 9 4

Y
Laser Power Level 50% 25% 12% 6%
Laser Pulse Repetition Rate (PRR) 1)
Max. Measuring Range 2) 3) 4)

natural targets  ≥ 20 %
natural targets  ≥ 60 %
Max. Operating Flight Altitude 2) 5) (AGL) 6)

AR 2 x 2000 kHz 2 x 2000 kHz 2 x 2000 kHz 2 x 2000 kHz

1500 m
2450 m
1100 m
1800 m
780 m
1300 m
560 m
940 m
IN
natural targets  ≥ 20 % 1200 m 900 m 630 m 450 m
4100 ft 2900 ft 2100 ft 1500 ft
natural targets  ≥ 60 % 2000 m 1450 m 1050 m 760 m
6500 ft 4800 ft 3400 ft 2500 ft
NOHD 7) 9) 105 m 67 m 38 m 22 m
IM

ENOHD 8) 9) 730 m 490 m 300 m 150 m

Number of Targets per Laser Pulse up to 10) 4 4 4 4
1) rounded average PRR
2) Typical values for average conditions and average ambient brightness; in bright sunlight the operational range may be considerably shorter and the
operational flight altitude may be considerably lower than under an overcast sky.
EL

3) The maximum range is specified for flat targets with size in excess of the laser beam diameter, perpendicular angle of incidence, and for atmospheric visibility
of 40 km. Range ambiguities have to be resolved by multiple-time-around processing.
4) If the laser beam hits, in part, more than one target, the laser’s pulse power is split accordingly. Thus, the achievable range is reduced.
5) Typical values for max. effective FOV 58°, additional roll angle ± 5°
6) Above Ground Level
7) Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance, based upon MPE according to IEC 60825-1:2014, for single line condition
8) Extended Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance, based upon MPE according to IEC 60825-1:2014, for single line condition
PR

9) NOHD and ENOHD have been calculated for a typical angular step width of 0.012° (which means non-overlapping laser footprints), and an aircraft speed
higher than 10 kn. NOHD and ENOHD increase when using overlapping laser footprints which may be intended e.g. for power line mapping.
10) when using online waveform processing

Minimum Range 11) 100 m

Accuracy 12) 13) / Precision 13) 14) 20 mm / 20 mm
Laser Pulse Repetition Rate 15) 2 x 270kHz up to 2 x 2000kHz, selectable in steps of less than 1%
Effective Measurement Rate up to 2 x 1.33 MHz @ 60° scan angle
Echo Signal Intensity provided for each echo signal
Laser Wavelength near infrared
Laser Beam Divergence typ. 0.17 mrad @ 1/e 16), typ. 0.23 mrad @ 1/e² 17)

Scanner Performance
Scanning Mechanism rotating polygon mirror
Scan Pattern parallel scan lines per channel, crossed scan lines between channels
Tilt Angle of Scan Lines ± 14° = 28°
Forward/ Backward Scan Angle
in Non-Nadir Direction ± 8° at the edges
Scan Angle Range 60° total per channel, resulting in an effective FOV of 58°
Total Scan Rate 40 18) - 600 lines/sec
Angular Step Width  0.006° ≤  ≤ 0.100° 19) 20)
Angle Measurement Resolution 0.001°
11) Limitation for range measurement capability, does not consider 15) For smart and full waveform recording the 18) The minimum scan rate depends on the selected
laser safety issues! The minimum range for valid reflectivity values max. laser PRR is limited to 2 x 1600kHz. laser PRR.
is 250 m. 16) Measured at the 1/e points. 0.17 mrad correspond 19) The minimum angular step width depends on the
12) Accuracy is the degree of conformity of a measured quantity to to an increase of 17 cm of beam diameter per selected laser PRR.
its actual (true) value. 1000 m distance. 20) The maximum angular step width is limited by the
13) Standard deviation one sigma @ 250 m range under RIEGL test 17) Measured at the 1/e2 points. 0.23 mrad correspond maximum scan rate.
conditions. to an increase of 23 cm of beam diameter per
14) Precision, also called reproducibility or repeatability, is the 1000 m distance.
degree to which further measurements show the same result. Technical Data to be continued at page 10

Preliminary Data Sheet Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2021– All rights reserved. 9

Technical Data RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S (continued)
Data Interfaces
Configuration TCP/IP Ethernet (10/100/1000 MBit/s)
Monitoring Data Output TCP/IP Ethernet (10/100/1000 MBit/s)
Digitized Data Output Dual glass fiber data link to RIEGL Data Recorder DR1560i
Synchronization Serial RS-232 interface, TTL input for 1 pps synchronization pulse,
accepts different data formats for GNSS-time information

General Technical Data

Power Supply / Power Consumption 20 - 32 V DC / typ. 370 W
max. 550 W, depending on integrated optional components
Main Dimensions (flange diameter x height) Ø 524 mm x 780 mm (without flange mounted carrying handles)
Weight approx. 55 kg without any camera but including a typical IMU/GNSS unit
approx. 60 kg with optional components
Protection Class IP54
Max. Flight Altitude operating / not operating 18500 ft (5600 m) above MSL1) / 18500 ft (5600 m) above MSL
Temperature Range operation / storage -5°C up to +35°C / -10°C up to +50°C
1) Mean Sea Level

Recommended IMU/GNSS System 2) 3)

Y
IMU Accuracy 4)
Roll, Pitch 0.0025°
Heading 0.005°
IMU Sampling Rate
Position Accuracy (typ.)
200 Hz
0.05 m - 0.1 m

Optional Components VQ-1560II-S

AR
IN
Primary Camera RGB
Sensor Resolution e.g. 150 MPixel CMOS
Sensor Dimensions (diagonal) 66.7 mm (medium format)
Focal Length of Camera Lens 50 mm
Field of View (FOV) approx. 54.6° x 42.3°
IM

Interface USB 3.0

Data Storage iX-Controller

Secondary Camera Different camera types including thermal or NIR cameras can be integrated,
details on request.
EL

2) The recommended IMU is listed neither in the European Export 4) One sigma values, no GNSS outages, post-processed with
Control List (i.e. Annex 1 of Council Regulation 428/2009) nor base station data
in the Canadian Export Control List. Detailed information on
certain cases will be provided on request.
3) The RIEGL VQ-1560 II-S Laser Scanning system supports
different IMU/GNSS Systems, details on request.
PR

RIEGL
Laser Measurement Systems GmbH RIEGL USA Inc. | info@rieglusa.com | www.rieglusa.com
Riedenburgstraße 48 RIEGL Japan Ltd. | info@riegl-japan.co.jp | www.riegl-japan.co.jp
3580 Horn, Austria RIEGL China Ltd. | info@riegl.cn | www.riegl.cn
Phone: +43 2982 4211 RIEGL Australia Pty Ltd. | info@riegl.com.au | www.riegl.com
office@riegl.co.at | www.riegl.com

www.riegl.com
Copyright RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH © 2021– All rights reserved. Preliminary Data Sheet, RIEGL VQ-1560II-S, 2021-06-29
Use of this data sheet other than for personal purposes requires RIEGL’s written consent.
This data sheet is compiled with care. However, errors cannot be fully excluded and alternations might be necessary.