Present novel and non-trivial optical, laser-based measuring systems and method are disclosed. An optical, laser-based, or LIDAR measuring apparatus is comprised of a radiation receiver/transmitter, a beam-forming optical element, a beam steering device comprised of a deviation optical element and at least one actuator used to steer the deviation optical element in response to drive signal(s) from a processor. A method employed by the system may be comprised of the receiver/transmitter receiving a transmitter signal from the processor and transmitting promulgated radiation; the beam-forming optical element receiving the promulgated radiation and forming a beam of radiation; the deviation optical element receiving the beam of radiation, diverting a beam of radiation, receiving a reflected signal, and diverting the reflected signal; the beam-forming optical element receiving the diverted signal, forming a converging reflected signal, and directing the converging reflected signal to the radiation receiver/transmitter which receives the converging reflected signal.