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STURBRIDGE, Mass…Thomas V. Root, President & CEO of OPTIM Incorporated, today announced that the FreedomView® LED Fiberscope has been named the “2007 Readers’ Choice Product of the Year” by Photonics Tech Briefs (PTB). The magazine is the only major photonics publication that targets design engineers. It is selectively bound into NASA Tech Briefs, the world’s largest circulation design engineering magazine.

Last December, PTB’s readers were able to cast their vote for one of eight products, each a 2007 product of the month, selected by PTB’s editors and featured in the publication throughout 2007. They were asked to choose the “most significant new product introduced to the engineering community” during the year. OPTIM’s FreedomView won that designation, and will be featured extensively in the magazine’s May, 2008 issue. The Massachusetts-based company will also be feted at a special awards dinner at The Water Club in New York City on April 22nd.

“Products of the Year that are selected by the readers of Photonics Tech Briefs have the greatest technical merit and practical value to the engineering community,” said Bruce A. Bennett, editor of Photonics Tech Briefs. “Our readers are engineers who understand innovation better than anyone else, so these award-winning products are truly the most significant innovations introduced in 2007.”

The FreedomView LED Fiberscope is a hand-held, portable inspection device that combines a high intensity LED light source with a flexible, insertion shaft that can be fully immersed in water, gasoline and diesel fuel. It provides fast and accurate remote imaging, enabling visual inspections in hard-to-reach places, including: car engines, gas tanks, jet engines, piping, and storage compartments like cargo holds.

OPTIM Incorporated announced in recent months that it received an order in excess of half-a-million dollars to supply the US Department of Homeland Security with its FreedomView Fiberscopes.

Currently utilized by US Customs and Border Patrol, the scopes help locate hidden contraband in both vehicles and aircraft. This is the second order from the Department of Homeland Security; now, more than 150 FreedomView LED Fiberscopes are being used to help keep US borders secure.

FreedomView® is also being used in the automotive industry. Two scopes have been sold to NASCAR Sprint Cup teams for use in racecar inspections.

“We’re thrilled that FreedomView was selected as Photonic Tech Brief’s “Readers Choice 2007 ‘Product of the Year,’” says Root. “This is a real vote of confidence from the engineering community, and we are grateful to be selected for this honor by a group of our peers,” he adds. “Since we launched the product, the response has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. The power of the light source combined with its sturdy yet flexible articulating shaft makes its commercial applications virtually limitless, and now, as a result of this designation, the word is out.”

About FreedomView®

FreedomView’s LED Fiberscope offers an unmatched high intensity LED light source that delivers superior resolution, complete mobility and maximum flexibility. The scope comes in 2 diameters: 4/0 mm and 6.0 mm and 4 lengths: 20”/40”/60”/80”. Other features include:

o Sleek, state-of-the-art aluminum handle fully integrated with LED light s source and all controls (on/off switch, light intensity & tip articulation).
o High intensity LED light source (5500 Kelvin/natural sunlight quality) for exceptional visibility. No bulb replacements necessary
o Eliminates need for separate external light sources and cables
o Lightweight, completely portable design (1.5 pounds)
o Two-way articulation at tip with 90 degree viewing option (6mm only).
o Pulse-width modulated lithium ion battery (rechargeable) for maximum battery life
o Rugged Tungsten braid construction – fully immersible in water, gasoline and diesel fuel.

About Photonics Tech Briefs

Published 8 times a year, PTB includes technical briefs, application articles, tutorials and product announcements in all areas of photonics – optics, optical design software, lasers and laser systems, CCDs, cameras and inspection systems, sensors and detectors, test and measurement instruments, positioning equipment, vibration control and fiber optics.

PTB focuses on innovative new technologies and products available for commercial application in the fields of optics, lasers, electro-optics, test and measurement, fiber optics and imaging.

The publication is targeted to 80,000 design engineers and managers who specifically authorize the purchase of laser optics, video and imaging products as documented by BPA audit. It is available online in PDF format and is also selectively bound into NASA Tech Briefs, the world’s largest circulation design engineering magazine.