Newtonian Collimation

[picklesrules (Nicholas)]

Hey guys,
Im new here, and i own a NexStar 130 SLT now i need to collimate it, and i would like to know what is the best equipment for the job?

[Bolts_Tweed (Mark)]

gday & Welcome

Check out this link under projects and articles section

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-390-0-0-1-0.html

It should answer your questions
Mark

[picklesrules (Nicholas)]

http://myastroshop.com.au/products/d...asp?id=MAS-097 is this any good?

[White Rabbit]

I'd go for a laser collimater if your just starting out with collimation, it's much much much easier than trying to figure out reflections. Plus you dont have to look down the eyepiece. They cost more but are much easier to use. BTW I have both.

You can collimate the secondary just looking down the tube. And for the primary mirror I use a small makeup mirror on a stick so I can see down the tube whilst standing at the back of the scope.

You dont actully need one though you can collimate with an out of focus star.

Sandy

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by picklesrules

http://myastroshop.com.au/products/d...asp?id=MAS-097 is this any good?

Nope not very good. Its only useful for aligning the primary mirror only.

This is the one I would recommend.

Originally Posted by White Rabbit

I'd go for a laser collimater if your just starting out with collimation, it's much much much easier than trying to figure out reflections.

I strongly disagree. To effectively use a laser you first need to be aware of their shortcomings. A cheshire combo tool is everything you need to effectively collimate your scope from scratch, and you cant say the same thing about a laser.

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Originally Posted by Starkler

Nope not very good. Its only useful for aligning the primary mirror only.

This is the one I would recommend.





I strongly disagree. To effectively use a laser you first need to be aware of their shortcomings. A cheshire combo tool is everything you need to effectively collimate your scope from scratch, and you cant say the same thing about a laser.

I am in absolute agreement with Starkler on this...the Orion collimating eyepiece is a good dependable tool that will last your lifetime.

[picklesrules (Nicholas)]

thank you alot guys as soon as my tax return comes in i know what im buying HAHA

[White Rabbit]

I have the collimator in the link you gave, I also have a barlow laser collimator. I did say that if your starting out the lasers are easier to come to grips with.