Takahashi collimation scope: how to connect it?

[Paul Haese]

Hi guys,

those that own one of these scopes will have the answer I guess. I have a takahashi collimation scope and note it has a screw thread. What adapter do I need to go into a compression ring focusor?

BTW these things are pretty cool. About 9 inches long and very narrow. Looking forward to using it.

[Dennis]

Hi Paul

Although I have one and used it on my Mewlon 180 indoors, I found it easier to collimate outdoors on a real star so unfortunately I don’t have any real experience.

Here is a photo of the Tak collimating scope on my Mewlon and an MS Word doc I found somewhere along the way.

I think that I found that using a 2” adapter with a grub screw would slightly shift the concentric circles hence the (Japanese language) pamphlet that came with my scope appeared to show the use of threaded adapters.

I think that there is a collimation video on the RCOS website at:

http://www.rcopticalsystems.com/support/resources.html

Cheers

Dennis

[gregbradley]

There is an adapter you can buy for it to fit a 2 inch eyepiece holder.

Anacortes, OPT would list it.

Greg.

[RickS]

Paul,

The thread on the Tak Collimating scope is M36.4P1. If you don't have a Tak scope which includes appropriate adapters, then the Borg #7423 (http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/.../html/7423.htm (http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/prices/borgparts/html/7423.htm)) will get you to a T-thread. That's what I use for collimating my RC10.

Cheers,
Rick.

[Paul Haese]

I do have a Tak scope but what does that adapter look like out of interest? I think it is in my GSO RC 8 which is out on loan at present.:doh:

[Paul Haese]

I decided to change my mind and get an adapter made from the STL11K male thread on the focusor to the male thread on the collimation scope. I have contacted Precise Parts and will see if they can produce the screw threaded unit as suggested.

[miki63au]

Hi Paul,
have you seen this:

http://www.jimstar11.com/TakScopeMod.html

Mick

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Mick. I had not seen this but it is very interesting anyway. The custom adapter is ordered and cost 130 AUD to make up.

[RickS]

Paul,

http://www.takahashi-europe.com/en/FSQ-106ED.systemcharts.php

The thread on the 31.75mm ocular adapter (#46) is the same as the collimating scope. Adapters #14 and #13 will allow you to attach the collimating scope in the place of a 2" eyepiece.

Cheers,
Rick.

[Paul Haese]

I reckon those adapters and the plug are with my GSO RC 8. I am expecting to get that back in the next week or so. Thanks for the link Ric.:thumbsup:

[snovosel]

Rick, Paul,

Apologies, I see that I am coming into this about a year after the fact, but I just picked up a used AT12RC along with a new Tak Collimating scope and wanted to confirm that that Borg part works for you, and further, to see if one year later you are one year wiser and would therefore have additional collimating tips to pass along to an aging yank. BTW, I'm looking for it, but I don't see any small black dot on the secondary of my AT. What am I missing there? Thanks. Steve

[Paul Haese]

Odd that is was not centre spotted. I ended getting adapters made up through precise parts in the US so I could use the Tak scope. That was only because I wanted to use a screw fitting to get collimation near perfect.

[RickS]

Steve,

The Borg adapter still works for me. My scope came with a centre-spotted secondary. I got it secondhand but AFAIK the GSO scopes all come like that from the factory.

I don't have any new collimation tips. It's easy to get close with the Tak scope (at least if your primary and secondary are accurately spotted). A bit of tweaking with a star test should get you the rest of the way.

Cheers,
Rick.