Tripod Data Systems (TDS) announced two new lease programs that give its U.S. customers additional financing options on the purchase of Nikon total stations. The TDS Nikon 24 Lease Program features a 24-month lease at 0 percent interest, and the TDS Nikon 36 Lease Program offers a 36-month lease at 6.9 percent interest. Both new lease programs require a 10 percent down payment. Buyers can include other Nikon and TDS products in the Nikon 24 and Nikon 36 programs. (TDS, Corvallis, Ore.)

Carlson Software released the Carlson SurvCE 1.5 software package. Among the new features are: an optimized virtual keyboard for ruggedized PDAs, enhanced field-to-finish capability that can reprocess topographic data linework or data after editing in the field, and expanded raw data editor functionality that includes an audit trail. Carlson SurvCE 1.5 is available as a free upgrade for all users of Carlson SurvCE. (Carlson, Maysville, Ky.)