My Scope is on its way!

[Davekyn (David)]

My Scope is on its way!

It’s been so long since my 60mm Tasco broke to pieces & I’ve been without a scope. I began to dream and post away on a whim here and there & although I never really had the funds I did enjoy learning more, but yearned all the more; So I have finally got around to ordering a scope to go with my Bino’s.

I’ve opted for one of the newer version… GSO 12” DOBs (ASDX)

It comes with right-angle correct image 8 x 50 finderscope
2" Crayford style microfocuser with 10:1 fine focusing
2" to 1.25" adaptor
fan,
GSO 6mm, 9mm, 15mm and 25mm 1.25" Plossl eyepieces - and a bonus SP32mm 2" eyepiece.

I could not help it, & also ordered:
4mm SP eye piece to go with the others
Plus a 2” 40mm EP as well as:
Super View (68degree) 20mm (5-el), 1.25"
For good measure Barlow “ED 2X magnification,2" (with 1.25" adaptor), FMC, 2 el., achromatic”
AND 2XPolarization Filters & lastly:
Guan Sheng deluxe Newtonian laser collimator.
Oh Yea....I also got a 4 recticle/adjustable brightness/red dot finder!

All I need now is to get some cheap camping gear and I am set to get right into it. Luckily next week I will have a few days off!!! I can’t wait. This is going to be an awesome upgrade and I know it’s just going to be so much more fun than it already was with my previous tasco & the one EP I had.

That’s it…until first light! J
Dave

[Davekyn (David)]

One thing that I am a little worried about is "Collimating" I was upset that there is no instructions on how to do this with the telescope (so I was told in the phone) Nor is there any instructions with the actuall collimator tool!!!
Actually I am a little mad to be honest...it make no sense. Anyways, when I check out the ways on the internet, I find people using ePs as well. I asked the shop if I needed an EP and was told that I did not need one.
I am now very confused is all. If anyone could link me to a guide on how to just use a (laser collimator) to do the job please do so. Or should I have been sold somthing else as well as the laser! If so I will be so frustrated...
Oh well...I do get carried away at times...hopefully this is one of those times

[erick (Eric)]

Good news - it is one of those times . Achieving sufficient collimation to have good performance is easy-peasy!

[erick (Eric)]

OK, here you go. Not quite the laser you will have, but it gives you the idea:-

http://www.kendrickastro.com/astro/p...ollimation.pdf

Also, since you are buying the 2x barlow, you can also use the "barlowed laser" technique described there as well. Use it unbarlowed first, then put the barlow in and see whether it needs tweaking a bit more.

With that GSO laser, be sure the screw is well off the on/off switch when you put it away. Laser collimators are less than optimal with dead batteries!

But before you laser anything, do a bit of visual inspection through the focusser to check the secondary mirror is correctly positioned. Have a look at what Andy does:-

http://www.andysshotglass.com/articles.html (search around for the video on collimating newtonian telescopes)

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Dave,

Don't get too hooked up on the collimation thing. We often talk about it a bit too much for beginners and put them off. Make sure your secondary is centred in the focuser and square to the axis (it will look round). Stick in the laser and centre the dot on your primary then adjust the primary to get the laser light to come back to the centre of the laser. That will get you going and let you really enjoy that amazing instrument you have bought. As you get more experienced the collimation will get better over time.

Just enjoy it!!!!

[Davekyn (David)]

Thanks Erick,
Your a Champion! ...(Will do...good to hear you put it that way...cheers Rob

They said it's already on the truck...yippie...shame the weekend is tommorrow...maybe the truck will keep going. Is on it's way from Sydney...I'm in Toowoomba.

later.

[erick (Eric)]

By the way - one error in Andy's video. Every photo of the primary mirror tilt shows him with his fingers on one of the "lock" screws, rather than the larger collimation adjustment screws. Don't get confused. Also loosen off the lock screws a few turns. If the mirror support springs have enough grunt, you can leave the lock screws loose for your viewing session, just nip them up when you are finished and want to pack up or move the scope.

There are two worthwhile checks when you have the laser in and everything aligned. Rack the focusser all the way in and out and watch what happens to the laser spots (on primary mirror surface and on 45 deg surface in collimator). Hopefully they don't move too much. Also move the scope in altitude from zero degrees (horizon) to 90 degrees (zenith). Again, do the spots move much - hopefully not.

[Davekyn (David)]

OK Noted...Thanks for the correction...I will be moving the scope alot...very usefull info...Will cut & paste all of this

[Paddy (Patrick)]

Hi Dave, I agree with Rob - you shouldn't find collimation too hard if you don't get too hung up on it. The link to Andy's shot glass that Eric provided is a very good start. Looking forward to hearing about your first light with it.