Why MLAstro SHG prebuilt optical kit?

MLAstro's SHG Prebuilt Kit with Optical Components Included

Our SHG kit is designed to offer the ultimate Spectroheliograph experience, providing an easy and enjoyable way to capture stunning solar images. By choosing the prebuilt kit, you receive a fully assembled, calibrated unit that's ready to be mounted on your telescope, delivering unmatched image quality and durability.

1. Mechanical Stability and Ease of Use

High Rigidity and Thermal Stability
Unlike 3D-printed housings prone to warping under heat and solar radiation, the SHG 700 boasts an aluminum body with select 3D-printed components. This ensures unmatched rigidity, durability, and thermal stability. Focus and collimation stay locked even during extended or remote imaging sessions. The unibody aluminum design is CNC-machined for strength while remaining lightweight, with the entire setup weighing under 1 kg—only 30% heavier than most 3D-printed models.

High-Precision Optical Alignment
Engineered for tight tolerances, the SHG 700 ensures accurate optical alignment with built-in adjustments to fine-tune alignment when needed. This guarantees the best image quality.

Multiple Optical Designs/Sizes: Through a clever 3D printed sleeve system, the MLAstro SHG platform supports lenses up to 35mm in diameter and focal lengths up to 110mm on the collimator and 200mm on the camera (up 135 mm on the collimator if you are willing to print the lens sleeve yourself). It can also host gratings up to 40mm wide and 6mm thick (let me know in the order special request that you want this, otherwise the housing is shipped with standard 25x25x6mm grating mount, with slits up to 12mm. This versatility opens up endless possibilities.

Micrometers for Fine Adjustments
Precision micrometers allow for smooth lens focusing and grating control, eliminating the backlash and flexibility issues of traditional helical focusers. The micrometer for the camera lens ensures precise adjustments without compromising image stability.

2. High-Quality Optical Components
The SHG 700 is equipped with a custom-designed 72mm, 6-element compound lens for edge-to-edge sharpness. This modified Double Gauss design delivers a flat field over a 16mm illuminated circle.

Here’s a comparison edge performance of the MLAstro 72mm compound lens versus a high quality 80mm doublet:
There's simply no competition.
Our lens offers superior edge sharpness and supports longer slits, ensure razor sharp detail at the very edge of the disk of very long scope which is simply not possible with the doublet design of SolEx.

3. Complete Build Solution
Building and calibrating an SHG can be daunting, especially for beginners. The MLAstro SHG 700 comes fully assembled and calibrated, so you can start imaging right away without the need for DIY work or sourcing compatible optics.

4. Longer Focal Lengths for Better Resolution
While most DIY SHGs are optimized for small telescopes with focal lengths under 400mm, the SHG 700 supports longer focal lengths, up to 700mm enabling higher-resolution solar images and more detailed results with larger telescopes.

image taken with SHG 700 and a 102mm F/6 doublet

5. Exceptional Value for Solar Imaging
Creating a DIY SHG can cost $500–$800 if you go with 3D printed options, with added risks of durability issues and calibration difficulties. Our basic SHG kit starts at just $880, offering the reliability of aluminum housing, precision micrometers. The SHG 700 support telescope up to 730mm in focal length for higher-resolution imaging. Since our SHG doesn't require an ERF for aperture up to 102mm, the save on ERF and accessories like helical focuser, braces make our SHG even more economical.
6. No ERF Required
Thanks to the quartz-based, heat-resistant slit, scopes under 4" (102mm) in diameter don’t require an ERF, making your setup lighter, more compact, and more affordable.

7. Backward Compatibility
The SHG 700 aluminum housing is fully compatible with SolEx and StarEx optical kits, allowing you to upgrade from a 3D-printed housing without losing your existing optical components.

With the MLAstro SHG 700, you’re getting a durable, high-performance solar imaging system at an unbeatable price. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, this is the easiest way to capture stunning solar images in any wavelength you choose.

Check out SHG 700 Quick Start guide here.