The surveys, covering 55 kilometres of remote caves in the Quang Binh province of Vietnam, will appear in international caving publications and on the web after being released by the British Cave Research Association to increase understanding of the region’s geography and to become a guide to other cavers.

The ten-strong multi-national team of expert cavers in the British Vietnamese Expedition 2007, was able to carry out the surveys faster, safer and more accurately using the hand-held LaserAce 300 from York-based MDL which out-performed previous laser systems.

Expedition leader, Howard Limbert, 50, of Ingleton, North Yorks, who has been caving for 35 years, says: “Cave surveying is highly complex and time consuming. We usually do this with a pen and paper-based system using a tape measure and each five-kilometre length takes between three and four days.

“Our usual equipment would include a 50-meter tape measure, a hand-held compass and a hand-held inclinometer. We go from station-to-station measuring the width and height, recording them and using the data to produce a drawing of the cave.”

The lightweight, rugged LaserAce 300 can measure distances of up to 300m, plus elevation and heights, using an integrated digital inclinometer and can point and shoot at any target using an integral red-dot aiming scope. Readings instantly appear on a back panel LCD display.

Battery powered LaserAce 300, which weighs only 600g, can be used inside, or outdoors. With reflectors, the system can measure distances up to 5km and it can be upgraded to 3D by adding either a digital fluxgate compass or a horizontal angle encoder.

Howard Limbert adds: “LaserAce 300 was a fantastic help. The caves were often as much as 50m by 50m in diameter with a river running through but LaserAce could automatically align all the angles and directions to create an instant, accurate measurement of a complete cave - even in the pitch dark and in a fraction of the time.

“The system saved us hours and hours of surveying work often in difficult, uncomfortable conditions because, even if you are ham-fisted with technology, it is easy to carry and very simple to use. We were able to complete a whole cave, which would usually take us between three and four days, in two short trips during a two-day period with just three people.”

An added major advantage for the expedition team was that LaserAce is eye-safe and easy to hold and operate – even hundreds of yards underground in total darkness.

Howard Limbert adds “We have used other laser measurement devices which are not eye safe and where we could measure only 25 metres at a time where, with LaserAce 300, we could measure 100ms at a time so it was far superior from a safety and performance point of view.

“We also rarely needed a reflector for the beam to bounce off. It just seemed to manage fantastically. The system was also very robust. We tried to protect it as best we could. It inevitably got some stick but performed perfectly in demanding conditions. We also had to change the batteries only once. It was a fantastic bit of kit. Everyone wanted to use it.”

MDL, which generates 80 per cent of its sales outside the UK, also has a base in Houston, Texas.

20/12/07 09:52am