Kendrick Laser collimator for SCT

[rumples riot]

Hi all, well got sick and tired of trying to get good collimation on my LX200. So I went and bought a Kendrick SCT collimator. It cost a packet but if it works it will be worth the money.

The procedure for doing the first alignment is a little tricky but once you get collimation done, the scope can be quickly collimated with just the laser, on the return beam indicator. It sounds complicated but I have read the instructions three times and it all seems pretty straight forward. You have to follow the instructions to the letter or else you will not get a good result. So tonight I will be doing simply that following the instructions to get the best collimation I can. And then hopefully some imaging later in the evening.:D

[Dave47tuc]

Hi Paul,
I will be very interested on your thoughts on the collimator.:D

I have never had a problem in collimating with a Star, but sometimes I wondered if I could get better.:confused:


:cheers:

[rumples riot]

I find it terribly frustrating to collimate the lx200. I think day light is out of the question, just can't see the laser on the target. So will try tonight when it gets dark.

[rumples riot]

Well, got to say I completely messed up my collimation with the lazer collimator. Must be making some fundamental error with it. But have put it back to where it was before hand with the old white card with the pin hole in it trick. When I finally work it out, I'll let everyone know with a review.

[iceman]

Sounds interesting Paul.. and definitely a review would be handy once you've worked it out, for those thinking of getting one.

[rumples riot]

No problem Mike, just have to work out how to use it.

[Dave47tuc]

Glad to see your having fun Paul:P

Looking foward to you getting it right.
Good luck.:D

[Roger Davis]

Being the Kendrick dealer here in OZ we do sell the LASER system. It enables you to place the optical axis parallel with the mechanical one. This is the main concern with the collimation of SCT's. The Kendrick system allows you to do that and then finish off with a star test for final collimation. No collimation system will get you as close as the real thing!

[h0ughy]

I have bought a SCT kendrick laser collimator, but haven't used it yet. too scared to!

[Roger Davis]

Geez, Houghy don't be such a wimp!! Give it a shot, it's easier than you think!!
I'll be sending you an email soon!!

[iceman]

Is that like the DSI, h0ughy? :D

[RB]

C'mon houghy,

We all look up to you, give us any other reason but don't tell us your scared.

:doh:

RB


PS
I'd like to know how you go with it too, I'm too "Busy" to collimate my SCT.

:whistle:

[h0ughy]

I'll be looking forward to that email Roger, (BTW how is my little EQ6?0

In actual fact the collimation on the SCT is not too bad Mr ponders and others have looked through the scope and thought it was fine. i bought the kendrick Laser collimator to help me when i install the bobs knobs I have too. Before you guy rip into me about the bobs knobs refer to the fact the collimation is Ok at the moment. I have it for when is is bumped or if something really has to happen.

i look forward to a lession on day in SCT optics!

Mike, as to the DSI, well I only have myself and the Pentax to blame. I needed and equatorial mount really to do any good with it, so it was put back on my to do project list. Maybe one day soon, Eh ROGER :D i will have a very nice goto EQ6 with BATSC stickers all over it to play with :whistle: . :cool: I know I have done the right thing for the mount by getting Roger to fix it up for me (Plug unshameless plug). (edit - note the Skyscan was supplied by Star Optics - the other plug)

Ok (off topic slightly) I also have a LPI, an off axis guider, and a reticle eyepiece (that needs a good clean). I will need to learn how to use them properly as well. :doh:

:drink: :drink: :drink: :drink: :drink: :rofl:

[h0ughy]

Since we both have the same weapon of choice, we may have it done together one night! :D We might have to get some of those experts around and do the deed! :thumbsup:

[Striker]

Paul,

I am also very intersted on your thought with this collimater.

Look forward to seeing the results.

[rat156]

Hi Guys,


I too have a Kendrick SCT collimator. I, however have used mine to try to collimate the scope (8" Meade SCT). After a couple of emails to Jim Kendrick, I got the device to work, and it does work!! After collimation with the laser I did a star test, and although I couldn't see any Airy rings as the seeing has not been the best lately I'm pretty sure the collimation is fine. As an aside, it was fine to begin with, but it's nice to have two methods confirm it's OK.

Anyway the main problem with the kendrick unit is the low intensity of the laser beam, the refocussed spot on the target is not very bright, and a long way away, it's impossible to see from the distance you are away. The first trick is to get hold of a camcorder with nightvision capabilities, at max zoom I could see when the spot came into focus, though I couldn't make out the target until I walked up to it (I did quite a lot of walking that night). Without the camcorder it'd be impossible with one person. Now for the next part, the return beam is supposed to hit the bevelled target on the collimator, nope mine hits the baffles of the SCT :-(

The next trick is to use a small CCTV camera mounted near the target and try again.

Cheers
Stuart

[RB]

Now your talking, theres' safty in numbers Houghy.

Can't wait to catch up dude.

:cool:

RB

[Exfso]

You guys should not be scared, I am if I have to collimate my Tak refractor, scares the bejesus out of me, just the thought of it. Takahashi make a collimating telescope for refractors and SCT's etc, it is about 280aud and is a bit like a cheshire minus the cross hairs plus a mini telescope added to it..I got the instructions, and gotta admit it looks daunting, but apparently it works a treat. This is one helluva expensive hobby

:scared2:

[acropolite]

I will be very interested in the final results Paul, from what I've seen of my LX I suspect that the mechanical axis is not aligned with the optical axis.

[rumples riot]

Well, I have had the laser collimator since May of this year and have to say that they can have it back, each time I used this device and I did follow the instructions very carefully (before anyone starts) the laser would end up with collimation being so far out that I gave up after 6 tries. This UNIT DOES NOT WORK. Do not buy one, if you want one cheap and want to givie it a go on an SCT, please email me and I will sell it for cheap. (it can also be used on a newt which works fine) Incidently I want to point out that I am a former Surveyor from the Army (17 years ago) and I know how to collimate instruments. Such a waste of money. Thats my opinion, by the way I emailed Kendrick three times and no one got bak to me.

Nuff said

[Roger Davis]

Hey Paul, What was the result you got? If any?

[rumples riot]

Roger, the results that I obtained when doing less than 50% adjustments resulted in the laser heading off the face of the bevel and up the edge of the insertion cylinder. When I did a star test the collimation was way off. In fact the first time I tried using the laser the collimation was so far out I could not focus the telescope afterwards and I had to use the white paper trick to get it close enough to attempt collimation with a star.

I had thought at one stage that the laser was not true; so EXFSO and I used his jig to fine tune the alignment. It was not that far out, only about 10mm over 9m. Even after this the laser failed.

What I did find though is that focusing the laser is more than a mere turn. It frequently means doing more than 6 turns to focus and then after the adjustment having to refocus on the target. At 16m I would have thought the instrument would need little focus adjustment between both for a 10" Scope.

If anyone has got any ideas please let me know. The brochure and the instruction say that this laser will get near perfect collimation on an SCT. I must say that has not been the case.