syd_malicious

thanks for the reply and taking the time to photograph. Yes, I did see they're essentially the same with the 2" having an extra adapter.

Yours definitely looks different to mine and looks how I would have expected.

Seems to confirm my suspicion but I've emailed Hotech for absolute confirmation.

Best wishes,

Pul

thanks, that's the 2" beam. The 1.25" beam is identical.

Paul

I wondered if anyone has experience of a Hotech SCA laser collinator?

Slightly long tail but the TLDR is - the photo shows the beam from mine, is this normal?

I wanted a Hotech SCA 2". I ordered a 1.25" accidentally so then ordered a 2" with a view to returning the 1.25". The 2" arrived quickly but shows the above pattern. It's perhaps not the best photo bust shows the following "issues"

1. an extra spot just to the 5 0'clock position of the centre
2. an extra spot at 5 0'clock just beyond the boundary of the cross
3. asymmetrical cross hairs

I have been in contact with the UK supplier, not their fault, who advised me to open the 1.25" to check and it shows an identical pattern. The supplier has offered a full refund, thanks, but also said quite reasobaly the centre spot is important.

The reason I got the Hotech was the self centering feature which others do not offer. I've not yet checked the collimation of the laser but there's no obstructions I can see to account for the asymmetrical diffraction pattern.

I have yet to approach Hotech but just wondered if this pattern is "normal" (and it is consistent across different angles and surfaces)? I'd still like to keep it for the self-centering feature but it just feels like a defect but it's odd it's on 2 lasers.

thanks for your time,

Paul

thought it was, may be wrong. I'll check later.

Random question, based on ignorance but something I have pondered.

I too have an OO 'scope with a report. Much is talked about the 1/8th or 1/10th accuracy but surely this doesn't tell the full story? It's a fraction of something and so the wavelength used must, surely, be important too.

My report seems that a red light wavelength is used which must be more forgiving than a green or blue.

That then begs the questions

1) what is "normal" for the wavelength used to measure?

2) If most use green or shorted and OO use red then it's a slightly meaningless report to use to compare.

3) What does 1/4 wave (I've read is diffraction limited) in blue translate to in red or what does 1/8th (or 1/10th) in red translate to for other wavelengths?

Whilst my mirror seems fine (reported as 1/8th wavew PV) I still have no idea how it compares to others purely based on numbers (and yes I appreciate some answers will be a star test will show things and I don't have the book or the time to analyse using Suiter's book.)

Great, glad it's working as mine did work too.

Paul

I have it working. It is definitely the Lazy and not Easy focus you have is it?

I have the relevant files and a registry file to get it all registered. I've addedd them to the post.

I have successfully used the Moonlite driver and also used the Moonlite plugin through SkyX without issue.

Paul

-LazyFocus.rar

It takes an awful lot to really impress me with customer service - my recent experience has surpassed any expectations I could have had.

I had an Artemis (ie the previous, old version of Atik) 11002 camera. Whilst it was okay it recently developed a couple of issues - some dust on the chip and a defect at the side of the coverslip.

My thoughts were that it just needed a "clean" so thought I'd check with Atik if they would look at it. Initial encouragement (they said they could deal with it even though it was an Artemis) turned to disappointment when they said they would need to swap the chip into a new body (at a fair but not cheap price).

I sent the camera off to them in Portugal and after a while was told it was back in the UK and "repaired".

Vince (from Atik UK) then emailed to say testing had shown a significant column defect and it looked like the chip was "failing". This time extreme disappointment turned to delight when he said they would simply supply me with a new chip (so in essence a new camera)!

Again after a delay Vince said the new camera was in, had passed tests and then duly arrived.

What I had returned was my old camera - what turned up astounded me; not just a new camera but the whole kit and caboodle (Peli case, camera, cables, adaptor, power supply).

Whilst not used in anger the camera seems fine and bias/darks/flats look fine.

I am genuinely impressed and taken aback that Atik not only supported a previous camera but, without asking for extra money etc, replaced it for what is essentially a new (and better as the Atik version is superior to the Artemis version) camera.

Just astonishing and speaks volumes for their customer service - I would unhesitatingly recommend them to anyone.

My only quibble (and it is minor!) was needing to pay for the repair in Euros (understandable) but into a UK bank (bizarre, and obviously incurs a transaction fee).

Well done and thankyou Atik.

You're going to struggle to find someone who has both at those prices.

I have an Optec 2" TCF and have been very happy with it. I've never used the temperature feature but it has been rock solid, excellent reproducability in Focusmax and I've had very good support from Optec. Plus they have a good range of adapters to attach to various equipment.

One advanage for me with the TCF is that CCDSoft has native support which cuts out the added layer of trouble that ASCOM can cause.

I'd highly recommend.

I had pretty low expectations of The Widescreen Centre after previous experiences and they have managed to live down to them. Overall I've had 3 communications with them over about £5, 500 worth of custom that's now gone elsewhere.

First - enquired about some software via email. Had a reply promising to look into it followed by precisely no further emails.

Second - I had the "cheek" to 'phone up about what would have been a multi-thousand pound order half an hour before closing. Was told by the lady who answered that the chap I needed to speak to was dealing with someone else and it was a bit late in the day anyway. I asked would it be possible for him to call me back after he finished and was told he wouldn't as it would be near closing time, he'd be going home and I'd have to simply call back another day.

Third - Thought I'd give one more try to get a quote to compare to others by email to avoid "bothering" them to much. Result - yet another failure to respond to a short email query.

Well, either their customer service sucks or they are so rich they don't need the custom. Well don't worry, never again.

I have now ordered stuff direct from Optec direct from the US. I have always had a quick response to questions and they don't ignore non-US customers like the majority of US companies.

The last item was received 1 week from order at a p&p cost of $15. This is quicker than I have had from some UK and European suppliers of astro equipment. As the actual postage cost on the front of the parcel was $13.95 I think this is fantastic service and they do not go in for rip-off p&p either.

Highly recommended.

Agreed - can't see the point of this. FITS files are pretty big compared to lossless files such as jpeg and you only really need them to retain all the original data.

Can't even get the point of the iPad or iPhone either but that's another story..............