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View Full Version here: : Collimating tools for 6" Dob?


Benboy
06-08-2010, 12:43 PM
Hi everyone.

I'm finally going to purchase some collimating tools for my 6" Dob. I was hoping I could get some advice.

I want to be able to get pretty decent collimation and had been considering getting a sight tube and a hotech laser collimator - but I am now thinking about dropping the hotech as I'm sure I can get decent collimation cheaper.

Is something like this going to do a decent job - or is it to cheap and nasty?
http://agenaastro.com/agena-1-25-collimating-eyepiece-newtonian-reflectors.html

I was thinking I could combine it with a Cheshire
http://agenaastro.com/farpoint-1-25-reflective-cheshire-collimator.html

I have a two inch focuser and was wondering if i really need to buy 2" style sight tube and cheshire etc or could I just buy the 1.25" and use one of thesehttp://agenaastro.com/antares-2-to-1-25-twist-lock-eyepiece-adapter.html

Any recommendations of products or routes to take welcome. I am hoping to have my scope nicely collimated for looking at Jupiter next month.

Thanks in advance

bmitchell82
06-08-2010, 01:49 PM
If you are using 1 1/4 ep's mainly then there is no point on getting a 2" kit.

the two that you have shown are virtually identical.

the first one will be slightly better due to the design.

at the end of the day these devices will get you close but not 100%.

For somebody who is new get a combination of tools.

a laser collimator (make sure it is well collimated itself search the forums)
a cheshire collimator.

Its a redundancy system as they correct for the same type of error but the laser assists in the alignment of the secondary mirror to the center of the primary.

hope that helps