Must have collimator .

[Bobbyoutback]

Hello all . I just bought and tested one of these collimators :
https://explorescientificusa.com/collections/collimators/products/aline-telescope-alignment-eyepiece
Very happy with the simple quick way it works , I recommend every newt owner get one , they are a bargain :)

You can get them in Australia from https://www.astrodog.com.au/
for about $15 including postage .

A happy
Bobby :hi:

[ngcles]

Hi Bobby & All,

Have had one of these for about 25 years now. Very, very cheap and effective.

best,

L.

[Bobbyoutback]

Pleased to know you approve these , a question ?
The offset needed for perfect collimation can not be done with just a laser collimator can it !

Bobby :)

[Ukastronomer]

you can also make them for nothing from old film canister caps or similar just a cap and a hole

Personally nothing is better than a laser available very cheap to expensive

About ........................... $15

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/153178673391?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=153178673391&targetid=594652162040&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=20343&poi=&campaignid=6619151972&mkgroupid=84510981008&rlsatarget=pla-594652162040&abcId=1140496&merchantid=116624617&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoqDtBRD-ARIsAL4pviDMMtjqJcMvb7pA-Bw5m3_LDhJSvTKKS33NrAUy-7d2EpXqHgSQELUaAqgwEALw_wcB

[dannat]

bobby i can’t see them on astrodog, can you link specifically

[ngcles]

Hi Bobby,



Offset collimation really only achieves one thing over and above centre/centre collimation and that is to make the 100% illuminated field perfectly circular. Without that offset is is slightly oval in shape. The difference is really pretty slight and I have never really seen the need to do it myself. "Centred" collimation provides just as perfect an image in the eyepiece save for the non-circular 100% field. It is however more important if the telescope is used for imaging or photography. It is best achieved with a sight tube/Cheshire or an un-barlowed laser.

I recently bought a high-quality Tublug barlowed laser collimator myself, not because it does a vastly better job, but it does make it quicker and simpler -- particularly when the focuser and the collimation knobs are about 3 metres apart and two or three steps up a ladder. Much more often than not I'm alone when setting up and observing with my telescope. The barlowed laser means I can stand/squat at the back and adjust the bolts and see the result in real time as I move the primary. I don't need to shuttle back and forth between the top end of the 'scope and the bottom as the adjustments are made and checked.

But I still keep my Rigel as a back-up, just in case the battery fails (it is a rechargeable).

Best,

L.

[Bobbyoutback]

Hi Daniel ,
They are not shown on the website , you will need to phone him to order one .

Cheers
Bobby .

[Bobbyoutback]

There is a matt reflection area under the peep hole , not just a cap & hole !

Bobby ;)

[ngcles]

Hi Bobby & All,



True -- this can be fixed with a bit of alfoil. The only problem with a home made one is that the hole must be drilled very precisely centred -- it's easy to get wrong. Unless it is, the 'scope won't be collimated correctly.

Also, 35mm film canister lids are a lot harder to come by nowadays than they used to be ...

Best,

L.

[Bobbyoutback]

I bought a real Auto Collimator & now know why they work so well .

If you have ever been to a fun park were they have a hall of mirrors and you check your reflection in the mirror your looking at whilst seeing the one behind you , what do you see ? multiple reflections .

Because those mirrors have a tilt .
Now if they were perfectly aligned with no tilt You would not see your reflection ' that's what the Auto Collimator doe's .
You go from a bright reflection to a dark one when your scope is spot on !

But you will need to centre mark your secondary before this to get those earlier adjustments extra close .

After you have used your best tools ( lasers included ) to get what you think is spot on , then use the auto collimator for perfection .

Have Fun
Bobby :)

[TareqPhoto]

Well, i have 3 collimators so far

[crs]

I want a good way to collimate a RC.....

[BadSean]

Yes I'm also after the optimal method of collimating a RC scope. Laser eyepiece adapter (like the ebay one linked above) or another style (like this? https://www.bintel.com.au/product/farpoint-laser-collimator-650nm-21-25-inch/?v=6cc98ba2045f)???