Laser Collimators

Laser Collimators

I know this subject has been done to death, and I have looked at some old posts on the subject - including a nifty little presentation from a link on one of the above historic posts. Question: do many of you out there use them?
would you recommend using them for a 10" dob? and where is the best place to buy one in Ireland? (seen them advertised everywhere but Ireland)

I think Collimation is about right with the scope. I have used the collimation cap and adjusted the seconary mirror but the idea of double checking with a fool proof method appeals to me.

Declan

I purchased a Baader Laser-Colli with my new scope. I now use it to check the collimation before every imaging session. Invariable small tweaks are required, which probably wouldn't show up without the laser collimator. If you're imaging you definitely need a laser collimator. If your just visual observing you can probably get away with a lot less.
Carl O'Beirnes sells these.

The fact that you are using a 10" dob, then I would say definately buy one. I have to use it every single time I use my 12" lightbridge (dob) and it is a hugh time saver. I bought mine off e-bay.ie and it cost around 25 euro. Be careful with them though, I wouldn't play with it like a torch :roll:

Now that I think of it, on the majority of dobsions there is a little reflective mark on the center of the mirror specifically designed for laser Collimators to let you know that it is aligned properly, enjoy!

If your scope is a solid tube (not an open truss) then don't bother with a laser collimator - you will do much better with a proper Cheshire collimating eyepiece. With a solid tube scope you can not see the beam hitting or returning from the secondary and consequently you can not be 100% sure that the scope is in fact collimated. Stick to what works.

Google "Tectron" + "collimating eyepieces" for the best set of collimating eyepieces and instructions on the market.

Phil.

Thanks for the information everyone. I did look at the astronomy shop website and did not see any - but subsequently phoned and ordered a Baader laser collimator from Carl. As with the keen price he gave me when I bought my 10" Dob last month, I got a good reduction on the price of the collimator. (and just before ye say anything, Carl is not paying me to say that)

Philip,

I suppose for old hands like yourself, the process of collimation is simple....I suppose i need some technological assurance...

Phil,

I concur with you. I use a Cheshire eyepiece all the time, in particular it provides true autocollimation. It only takes me 2 minutes to tweak the optics.

I found in the past that laser collimators are not accurate enough to provide pinpoint star images.

I would highly recommend the Cheshire eyepiece to yield the best results from telescopes.

Eamonn A
MPC J62
www.kingslandobservatory.com