View Single Post
  #3  
Old 01-10-2024, 01:11 AM
Leo.G (Leo)
Registered User

Leo.G is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Lithgow, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,613
Sorry, one tip I forgot to mention, often the scopes with cheaper focusers have a bit of slp in the fit of eyepieces and hence the collimator. I tend to rotate the collimator to make sure it is centres in the cheaper focusers, you will notice the difference rotating the thing. I then try to obtain an average throughout the rotation so it's reasonably close.
If the primary isn't spotted for easy collimation you can print out templates to apply a centre spot to the primary itself and while a dot from a marker (check which won't affect the coating first, I believe some may) I like the old loose leaf binder rings still available from many newsagents. Whether you do the alignment and they call you if it's out or you teach your friends son how to do it with, the centre ring it's extremely simple to pick up on the inaccuracy of the focuser lock and basic focuser slop and if rotating the washer type collimator maintains the spot within the centre circle collimation is fine for visual.

I wouldn't say this with high end gear but for a kid, even just seeing the moon craters is going to blow his mind.


School holidays here and if weather permits I must take my 8" Newt or RC over to an associates place (10 year old kid with 130 Newt) and my guided mount and give him a look. I've promised a few lots of holidays I'd try but weather and health have been against me and he's partially lost interest, I may be able to change that again since his parents spent a lot of money (for his age) to get him set up (same kid).
Reply With Quote