[mikeyjames (Mick)]

Hi all,
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who talked me out of getting a 10" scope as my first. I got the 8" and couldn't be happier and I'm quite glad I am not having to set up a scope which is about 6kg heavier (getting up near the weight of the NEQ6 mount head).

Now for my collimation question. How often do people normally have to collimate their Newtonian scopes? I am using a laser collimator and finding it's out every day, with the laser dot on the mirror 2-3cm out from the centre donut. I fix it as per instructions and next day the same thing.

I am very careful when setting up and packing up. The scope is stored overnight in the house upright with mirror facing down. To set up means carefully carrying a whole 10m to the backyard and mouthing it.

Is it normal to need collimation daily with such limited physical movement of the scope? If not, what could be wrong.

Thanks
Mick