How much is the cheapest LIDAR unit that can be mounted to a small aircraft or helicopter to map heavy jungle/forest terrain?

Answer 1

For mapping dense jungle or forest from a small aircraft or helicopter, RIEGL offers a handful of compact airborne LiDAR options that are reliable and widely used. These aren’t cheap, but they’re purpose-built for this kind of work. If budget is a concern, the most affordable option is often to outsource the LiDAR acquisition to a service provider rather than buying the equipment yourself.