HoTech HyperStar Laser Collimator
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HoTech HyperStar Laser Collimator

£579.00
  (2 Reviews)
✓ 2 year warranty
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About this product

Model:  hotech_hs_l_c_8
Part Number:  HLC-800

Introducing the fast and precision laser collimator for HyperStar telescope

This patented collimator elevates the HyperStar collimation into a new dimension.

  • Accurate collimation without using a star.
  • Collimate indoors at final view setting without taking up your precious observing time.
  • Achieving complete optical train alignment using one device.

Accurate Collimation without using a Star

In order to achieve an accurate star collimation, normally the amateur astronomer requires good seeing conditions with no cloud, no wind, stable temperature, no light pollution, a well-aligned telescope mount tracking system, telescope optical tube assemble (OTA) thermal equilibrium, and a good visible magnitude star. The visual quality of the referencing star is greatly affected by the prescribed factors most of which are all in Gods hand as you can see in the photo. Adjusting the collimation is guessing game where you move between front and the back of the telescope adjusting the corresponding alignment screw and holding your breath peeping through a high magnification eyepiece referencing the concentricity of the unstable defocused image. This can be an incredibly frustrating experience.
An artificial star can never simulate a real star because it is impossible to collimate with the telescope focus set at infinity. After artificial star collimation, you will need to adjust your focus back to infinity to view a real star by moving the primary mirror to a different focal position. The distance the primary mirror has been adjusted can accumulate mechanical tolerance errors. For some of the mass produced SCTs, the “sticky baffle” on the primary mirror focusing mechanism may also cause mirror-flop. If a mirror-flop has ocurred, it will affect the alignment position which in turn will render the collimation useless. Ideally, It is best to collimate your optics at the same viewing focusing position without major optical displacements to correspond to the final view setting. The HyperStar Laser Collimator can accomplish this task without all the possible accumulated errors.

Collimate Within Focal Distance From Your Telescope

The HyperStar Laser Collimator does not require long distances to achieve high-accuracy collimation. Utilising the installed flat mirror at the focal point (imaging sensor location), the collimator lasers double-passes the optical train and magnifies the alignment errors to a higher accuracy level. In addition, it also cuts the collimating distance in half achieving near-field alignment process. The collimator is stationed within your telescope's focal length directly in front of your telescope. Setting up for collimation, you will be standing between the telescope and the collimator aiming both the telescope and the collimator at each other. Then you will adjust the HyperStar collimation knobs to bring the returning lasers on the same track. This is a very convenient one-man-operation collimation task.

Complete Final Optical Train Alignment with one device

The HyperStar Laser Collimator identifies and assists the user to align the following parameters:
- Corrects the optical axial tilt between the HyperStar focal plane and the primary optical axis.
This process keeps the focal plane orthogonal to the primary optical axis so the captured image will be in-focus from corner to corner.
- Corrects the centration error between the HyperStar optical axis and the primary optical axis.
This process centers the focal point to the precise center of the imaging sensor for maximum collimated FOV capture.

At a Fraction of the Cost of the Wavefront Interferometer Technology

The state-of-the-art advanced laser optical alignment technology used in the HyperStar Laser Collimator achieves the same rough alignment function of a costly large aperture interferometer commonly use in high-energy labs at a fraction of its cost.
The HyperStar Laser Collimator uses three collimated lasers, evenly spaced apart, to sample large aperture optical elements in your telescope. The three parallel laser beams completely simulate the light path (flat-wavefront) from a distant star and pass through the entire telescope’s optical elements and reflect back to its target for a complete and accurate double-pass diagnostic reading of your telescope optical alignment. This innovative collimation technique and technology enables the amateur astronomer achieving far-field collimation as a near-field process

Precision CNC Machined Panel and Components

This beautifully designed instrument is precision machined from a solid block of aero-space grade aluminum. It is then hardened and anodized to keep the entire mounted laser system thermally stable allowing you to achieve accurate collimation. The rigid, ultra thin profile, and light-weight design makes the unit portable and simple to setup and use.

Upgrade Kit Available for ACT Laser Collimator Owners

For users already purchased the Advanced CT Laser Collimator, you may purchase the corresponding Upgrade Kit without purchasing the laser unit. The Kit will include the proper sized HyperStar adapter and the new developed dual-sided reflector mirror for your convenience.

NOTE: When used with a Celestron 8" EdgeHD or C8/C9.25 SCT with 1.25" visual back, you will need a 2" visual back SCT adaptor

What's in the box

  • Advanced CT Laser Collimator
  • HyperStar reflector mirror adapter (8", 9.25" & 11" or 14" version)
  • High accuracy dual-sided reflector mirror with detachable target cap
  •  Fine Adjustment Stage
  • CR123 3V battery
  • Premium carrying case with manual

Customer reviews

Average Rating (2 Reviews):  
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Rating (max 5):  
It worked
19 July 2021  | 

Hyperstar Collimation can be challenging with alot of trial and error.
If you buy this be methodical and careful with the co-alignment procedure. They use the word iterative alot in the manual but this is apt description of the way you should adjust and then check the effect of each adjust on previous adjustments before going on to the next adjustment etc.Once your co-alignment is done then the actual collimation was very easy but co-alignmet must be doe correct so that you are reading your current state of collimation accurately. It has made a big improvement to the quality of my stars and it is great to be able to collimate before it gets fully dark although i did find that its much easier to use at dusk as the laser projections on the collimator target are faint in full daylight so wait till dusk or do inside in a somewhat darkened room. Just go slow and careful and master the coallignment procedure snf you should be golden .Good product!!!


Rating (max 5):  
Demanding to setup but worth it.
05 April 2021  | 

Firstly the Hyperstar version includes the 2" reflector, if you have a 2" visual back you can collimate your scope without buying anything else.
I built an optical bench to mount everything on to speed up subsequent usage.
I set up the scope (Edge HD 8) in its SCT configuration and precisely collimated, I then fitted the HyperStar and collimated that. This procedure showed up a 1mm offset in the corrector plate, which was easily corrected .
Replaced the secondary mirror and re collimated.
Testing on a star showed perfect collimation with no further adjustments needed.

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