Skywatcher Pro Mak collimation

[Smyths77]

Hi all,

I have a Skywatcher Pro Mak 150 which seems a little out of collimation.

There were no collimation instructions with the scope so I downloaded the Orion mak 150 instructions.

I found that the allen nuts at the back seem to be very tight - they may be glued in.

Has anyone out there has experience with collimating these scopes? I'd like to check with others before diving in and perhaps damaging something.

Stuart

[dcalleja]

Stuart
I've just downloaded the same for mine. I havn't had to do the deed yet. It looks a little more involved than my SCT though. Let me know if you go through with it

[bmitchell82]

ive had a crack at a very similar scope. now i can tell you this :D get good at star testing.! my first step.

using a VERY WELL COLLMINATED LASER POINTER to make sure the focuser tube is square to the middle of the front corrector plate. it will not come back to the center of the laser pointer if the front corrector plate isn't square with focuser.

The next step aligns the primary with the front corrector plate and because of the previous step aligns the light cone/convergence point with the focuser.

then get a reasonably bright star so you can see the diffraction rings and adjust the hex head bolts for the primary mirror untill your heart is content!. this is the only way to do it as any other method i have tried does not allow for any other mechanical problems (focuser tubes ect ect)

Its not easy and is painful, but once you have done it once then it will be easy as!