Advanced CT Laser Collimator Manual (V9.0 =OH=) Page 3 of 20
User Manual
ADVANCED CT LASER COLLIMATOR for CASSEGRAIN TELESCOPES
Thank you for purchasing the state-of-the-art HOTECH
Advanced CT Laser Collimator. This instrument uses the
most advanced laser and optical technology to enable the
user to achieve excellent collimation in a very short distance.
Collimation is the process of aligning a telescope’s optics.
The laser collimator makes the collimation process more
efficient and increases collimation accuracy. When carefully
set up, and each step cross checked, it makes it possible to
make fine adjustments to a Cassegrain telescope that
cannot be achieved with traditional star collimation. Your
telescope is aligned at the factory, but rough handling during
shipping can cause misalignment. Some telescopes are not
well collimated when shipped. Misaligned collimation
causes reduced optical efficiency and results in poor image
contrast, astigmatism, and blurry images. The following
describes how to collimate your Cassegrain style telescope with the aid of the Advanced CT Laser Collimator.
Please read the entire User Manual before working with your Advanced CT Laser Collimator
CAUTION – Be aware of the following as you use your Laser Collimator:
Only turn ON the laser(s) when you are going to use it. The laser should only be used with adult supervision, and should only be
used for collimating a telescope. Never point the laser or the reflection of the laser collimator at anyone's eyes.
NOTE – These instructions cover collimation of Schmidt Cassegrain Telescopes (SCT), but most Cassegrain type instruments
are collimated in similar fashion. For telescopes with both adjustable secondary and primary mirrors (e.g. Ritchey-Chretien type
telescope), please email or call us for details. All lasers on the collimator are class II (<1mW). For additional information, please
visit our website, www.hotechusa.com, or write us at
.
Collimation Basics You Must Know Before Starting
What to Adjust:
For a long time (since the introduction of the SCT), traditional star collimation has been the only reasonable adjustment available
to the SCT user. Traditional star collimation is done using the
three alignment screws on the back side of the secondary mirror.
The secondary mirror can be seen in the middle of the clear glass corrector plate that is seen when you look into the front of the
telescope (see illustration below). When used with care and precision, the Advanced CT Laser Collimator instrument provides
users with the precise measurements that are needed to do collimation and optics alignment beyond just the adjustment of the
secondary mirror. However, making precise adjustments requires slow, careful work that involves the iterative processes that
were used to originally align your telescope. Be prepared to take notes (know where you started from) and continually recheck
and crosscheck all alignment procedures before and after any and all adjustments. If you only use the Advanced CT Laser
Collimator to do secondary mirror collimation on your telescope, this adjustment alone can be made with greater precision than
previously available. For ease of manual adjustment, we recommend replacing the stock secondary mirror alignment screws
with knob headed screws (available from several vendors) to allow easier, finer adjustment.
How the Collimator Works:
Reflector
Mirror