HoTech SCA Laser Collimator with Cross-Hair

HoTech SCA Laser Collimator with Cross-Hair

£145.00
  (15 Reviews)
✓ 2 year warranty
Choose:  

:  

2x in stock shipped 1-2 working days

About this product

Model:  HoTech_SCA_laser-1

Now with Cross-hair laser

The HoTech laser collimator, with its patented self-centring adapter (SCA) mechanism, enables precise, repeatable results.

"There is a tremendous amount of creativity and cleverness being displayed, all backed by a fervent devotion to making the sky more accessible and enjoyable for astronomy enthusiasts at all levels. It is truly inspiring." 
Robert Naeye, Sky & Telescope Editor-in-Chief

Note 1: Before using a laser, you must first check/set a Newtonian telescope's secondary mirror using a Collimation Cap or Cheshire Collimator. Fortunately, once set, it rarely needs further adjustment.

Note 2: For any laser collimator to be effective, it must be fitted to a well-made focuser. The regular rack-and-pinion style focuser fitted to many beginner/intermediate telescopes lacks precision and rigidity. If in doubt, please get in touch with us for advice.

The SCA mechanism serves three critical functions: The expansion rings accommodate almost all focuser's manufacturing tolerances. It automatically centres the adapting laser and provides at least two evenly distributed circular contacts on the focuser's inner tube surface, preventing the laser from pivoting. Once the 'slop' factor is removed, you can quickly and precisely collimate your telescope.

 

 

 


With Hotech's proprietary laser crosshair, you can easily zero-in the laser during the final collimation on the secondary and primary mirror. The crosshair model displays a precision laser centre dot with four extended laser lines for easier and more intuitive centring.

hotech crosshair laser
 

During the secondary mirror collimation, a single dot laser projecting on the approximate centre of the pre-loaded doughnut can be difficult to identify if the laser dot is exactly on the centre. The crosshair laser helps the user adjust the secondary mirror to point the laser to the exact centre with the help of the crosshair line. During the final primary mirror collimation, the returning laser dot often hides inside the laser exiting hole when centred, whereas the crosshair is always visible.

 

 

Collimation for your SCT

Traditional laser collimators are unsuitable for collimating SCT telescopes, but the Hotech laser's SCA mechanism and detailed faceplate provide the accuracy and repeatability necessary for even SCT collimation.

Commercially made SCT telescopes all have slight optical and mechanical alignment errors. The error typically is in the centring of the secondary mirror. Consequently, when a laser is installed, its beam will seldom return dead-centre, even though star testing might indicate perfect collimation. In addition, the secondary mirror's convex shape magnifies any error by approximately five times. Typically, a well-collimated SCT will return a laser beam at around 0.125" to 0.250" off-centre. To compensate, a different approach is required than when collimating a Newtonian:

An SCT primary mirror is fixed, but you can collimate by adjusting the secondary mirror to a point parallel to the optical axis. There is a one-time-only preparation required for SCT laser collimation. First, after a star collimation (still the most accurate method), install the SCA laser collimator, then mark the laser spot position on the target grid of the collimator. Then, when you next check for collimation, see whether the laser spot falls on the mark. If not, adjust the alignment screws on the secondary mirror to move the returning laser dot to the mark. At this point, you will have set the telescope's collimation back to a known position. Job done!

The 2" model is the 1.25" SCA laser collimator supplied with a SCA 1.25"-2" adapter. 

User Testimonials

Personal testimonials from renowned astrophotographers and users.

Customer reviews

Average Rating (15 Reviews):  
Write a Review and share your opinions!

Rating (max 5):  
Highly inaccurate
11 September 2022  | 

Given its great reputation, I was a little surprised with its performance.

What looked like perfect collimation was simply an illusion. If I removed the tool, rotated it and inserted it again I found the red dot was no longer in the centre of the primary. And indeed, the first thing I did was to ensure the laser itself was collimated through a bench test, which it was.

I narrowed the inaccuracy down to the 2" SCA. It appeared as though the rubber rings weren't expanding exactly evenly. This meant that depending on the rotational direction of how the device is clamped, the results will differ.

I would encourage anyone who buys or owns this tool to double check its accuracy by rotating the device after collimation, tightening it againg and double checking.


Response:

It's important to ensure the laser is squarely in your focuser and it may help to slightly tighten up the self-centring part before you insert it into the draw-tube which can help get it square.

What you describe does not sound right though and certainly isn't the experience we've had with these devices so there is a chance it is faulty so please get in touch with us so we can take a look and test ourselves.


Rating (max 5):  
HoTech laser collimator
14 July 2022  | 

I should have bought this first, before I wasted my money on the cheap laser collimators. This is the first time that when I used the HoTech to collimate my 8”Newtonian the results were spot on when checked against my Cheshire and cap. The new crosshairs laser is also a godsend when alignment of the secondary is necessary by being easily visible on the centre spot as it is with the primary mirror on the HoTech faceplate. The HoTech was well packaged and delivered the next day. Thanks First Light Optics


Rating (max 5):  
HoTech SCA Laser Collimator
27 September 2021  | 

Excellent collimator, made so much easier by the cross hair.


Rating (max 5):  
Hotech laser collimator
12 August 2021  | 

I first bought a laser collimator about 10 years ago and found it be completely useless and was hesitant to try the technology again. I wish that I had bought the Hotech laser collimator before. It actually works - this time being in agreement with my cheshire eyepiece during daytime set up. It was immediately useful in fine tuning the secondary alignment and now I will be able to collimate when it is dark and not have to rely on being able to preset up and collimate during daylight.


Rating (max 5):  
Great product
22 July 2021  | 

I bought this collimator after borrowing one from a friend and finding out first-hand just how easy it is to use. The addition of the cross-hair is a great feature for making the aligment of the primary mirror very easy. This product, together with a set of 'Bob's knobs' for adjusting the the secondary mirror, have transformed my ability to make sure my Skywatcher telescope is always optimally aligned.


Rating (max 5):  
Why did I wait so long..
09 March 2021  | 

Title says it all, worth every penny, my Newtonians are collimated so much better .


Rating (max 5):  
Beautiful Product
28 September 2020  | 

Really beautiful product, so well made and easy to use, the laser crosshairs makes this product an absolute breeze to use and produces spot on collimation results every time.


Rating (max 5):  
Worth Every Penny
15 July 2020  | 

I agonised for some time over which way to go with collimation after reading much about how inaccurate lasers are etc. All I can say is that this has made collimating my new 10 inch flextube dob (which by the way, needs some re- collimation every time I set it up) a simple process that I can do in the dark without any hassle and the star tests/ views I've had through the scope so far back it up. No need to tighten any bolts on the eyepiece holder, the compression ring system holds it firm and central in my 2 inch focuser. I will add that I also purchased a collimation cap to check secondary alignment and bobs nobs (also a godsend). Together they have been a great investment and for visual use seem to provide enough accuracy. Well worth the investment.


Rating (max 5):  
Laser collimator
08 May 2020  | 

This is an excellent product and even though a complete novice I was able to collimate my scope very quickly.


Rating (max 5):  
HoTech SCA Laser Collimator with Cross-Hair 1.25 in Version
03 May 2020  | 

I purchased the 1.25in version to optimise planetary viewing with this size of eyepiece. It is a very well made and finished item of equipment, fits nicely into the focuser, but to take full advantage of it in the case of 2in focusers, you need a good quality 2in to 1.25 reducer, such as the Baader Click -Lock version, where it will fit without any slop.
It is quite easy to use, and one thing I noticed straight away, is that the laser light is much brighter than with most other collimators, this enables collimation to be carried out in full daylight, rather than requiring dimmed light. This is probably because it utilises a 3V CR123 battery, rather than small hearing aid type batteries, which have a short life, and with which it can be difficult to find replacements, plus are fiddly to fit.

John Turley


Read all 15 customer reviews...

FAQ

Please fill in the form below to ask a question.

*
*
*
*
Please add the two numbers

Related Products