Collimation Tools?

[iceman (Mike)]

Hey guys.

Time to invest in a proper collimation tool instead of eyeballing it with a 35mm film cannister as I have been doing.

Is it true that the Cheshire Collimator is the best alround tool?

I know that you can get laser collimators but I've heard they can be very difficult to get precise because you only have to be off 1mm and the laser won't line up.

Does the Cheshire have the pinhole cap as well as the crosshairs?

DBA (in the US) have the Cheshire for US$24 + shipping.

Does anyone know where I can get them from locally for a better or closely matched price?

Thanks

[iceman (Mike)]

Bintel have this Orion one for $75..

http://www.bintelshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ID=5508

Is there any difference between this and the cheshire?

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Mike they are both Cheshires.

The Cheshire is a dual purpose tool. As well as adjusting the primary collimation it doubles as a sight tube for aligning the secondary under the focuser. Its really the only tool you need.

As i imagine you are buying the adapters for the moonlight focuser from dba , I would get the cheshire from them as well being cheaper.

I think I paid about $75 for mine too.

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks Geoff, i'm sold..

If I get the spacers from DBA i'll definitely get the Cheshire at the same time and save on postage.

[ving (David)]

been thinking about getting one... my scopes been bumped around a bit...

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

I recently got the Orion Cheshire from Bintel...it works a treat...

Since I 'd never "collimated" any scope before I asked the guys at Bintel to do a quick "how to" in their shop...it was very helpful...we used the floor display of my scope...

Although much slower by myself at home, I was able to do a decent job on my first attempt...

I've played around a bit since then and each time I've gotten better/faster at it...

I'd recommend the Orion Cheshire Collimation tool