Hotech ADVANCED CT LASER COLLIMATOR User Manual

HOTECH
The Synthesis of Innovation and Design
User Manual
ADVANCED CT LASER COLLIMATOR for CASSEGRAIN TELESCOPES
MANUAL VERSION 9.0 WITH =OH= EDITS

Hotech ADVANCED CT LASER COLLIMATOR Specifications

General

Brand	Hotech
Model	ADVANCED CT LASER COLLIMATOR
Category	Accessories
Language	English

Summary

1.0. Setting Up the Laser Collimator on the Tripod

1.1. Where to setup the telescope and the collimator

Position both collimator and the telescope on solid, vibration-free ground.

1.2. Mounting the collimator on the tripod

Attach the fine-adjuster to the tripod and then mount the collimator onto the fine-adjuster.

2.0. Getting Familiar with the HOTECH Advance CT Collimator

2.1. Installing the battery

Procedure for inserting the CR123 lithium battery into the collimator.

2.4. Using the Fine-Adjuster

Detailed instructions on using the fine-adjustment stage for precise aiming.

3.0. Installing the Reflector Mirror

3.1. Installing the Reflector Mirror into your visual back or focuser

Procedure for fitting the reflector mirror and securing it without laser shifting.

4.0. Positioning the Laser Collimator at the Proper Distance

4.1. Determine the distance between the laser collimator and your telescope

5.0. Achieving Basic Co-Alignment of the Collimator and Telescope

5.1. Center Aim your Telescope to the Collimator

Centering the diffused donut beam on the target plate ring for telescope alignment.

5.2. Aim Collimator Square to the Telescope

5.3. Basic Co-Alignment Confirmation

6.0. How to Read the Diagnostic Result on the Collimator

6.1. Locate the three laser dots

Activating lasers and verifying basic co-alignment before reading diagnostics.

6.2. The Reflector Mirror is not properly installed

6.3. The Reflector Mirror focus position is out of the telescope's normal visual range of focus

6.4. Your telescope is grossly out of alignment

7.0. Collimating the Secondary Mirror

7.1. Precautions Before Collimating the Secondary Mirror

7.2. Secondary Mirror Collimation

8.0. Fine Tuning Collimation

8.1. Star test to fine tune adjustment

9.0. Possible Scenarios where the Laser Collimation Does Not Agree with Star Collimation

9.1. Accurate Basic Co-Alignment was Not Achieved or is Insufficient

9.2. “Mirror flop" or "Focus shift" of the primary mirror causing miss-collimation

9.3. The eyepiece drawtube or visual back is not square to your primary mirror

11.0. In-Depth Collimation Procedures

11.1. Collimation by Final Optics Tilt with Zeroed-Out Secondary Knobs

Aligning final optics tilt and zeroing secondary knobs for advanced collimation.

11.3. Mechanical Systems Used for Corrector Plate Adjustment

b. The Corrector plate adjustments that are available fall under two types of SCTs: