TheSkySearchers

A friend got a Newt for Christmas. What inexpensive laser collimator would you recommend?

Would this GSO do the job?

https://agenaastro.com/gso-1-25-newtoni ... r-iii.html

Any better alternatives in the price range. They paid $150 for the scope, probably would be hesitant to get $100 collimator.

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 2:06 am A friend got a Newt for Christmas. What inexpensive laser collimator would you recommend?

Would this GSO do the job?

https://agenaastro.com/gso-1-25-newtoni ... r-iii.html

Any better alternatives in the price range. They paid $150 for the scope, probably would be hesitant to get $100 collimator.

It's fine as long as you collimate the collimator first.

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 2:12 am

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 2:06 am A friend got a Newt for Christmas. What inexpensive laser collimator would you recommend?

Would this GSO do the job?

https://agenaastro.com/gso-1-25-newtoni ... r-iii.html

Any better alternatives in the price range. They paid $150 for the scope, probably would be hesitant to get $100 collimator.

It's fine as long as you collimate the collimator first.

Ok. Is GSO a collimatable collimator, then? Would Cheshire EP be better option?

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 2:16 am

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 2:12 am

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 2:06 am A friend got a Newt for Christmas. What inexpensive laser collimator would you recommend?

Would this GSO do the job?

https://agenaastro.com/gso-1-25-newtoni ... r-iii.html

Any better alternatives in the price range. They paid $150 for the scope, probably would be hesitant to get $100 collimator.

It's fine as long as you collimate the collimator first.

Ok. Is GSO a collimatable collimator, then? Would Cheshire EP be better option?

I have the Zhumell branded GSO collimator and it is collimatable. I can see in the picture that it has the same hole for inserting a fine screwdriver to adjust the collimation as mine has.

I miss Howie Glatter

UlteriorModem wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 3:25 am I miss Howie Glatter

What happened to it?

Mr. Glatter passed on a couple of years ago
Feathertouch is now making them so they would not disappear.

A collimation cap and laser will work but if this is his first Newtonian I would suggest the old fashioned route (Cheshire) first before introducing the laser.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 4:55 am Mr. Glatter passed on a couple of years ago
Feathertouch is now making them so they would not disappear.

A collimation cap and laser will work but if this is his first Newtonian I would suggest the old fashioned route (Cheshire) first before introducing the laser.

That's what I did. I started with cap and Cheshire first. Then I found that a laser was a good time saver when just "touching up" was required.

Ever seen the look of horror on a beginners face when they realize the laser batteries are dead and they have no clue how to do it the old fashioned way?
Absolutely priceless!
I have had to help other people a few times.

I want to save him and his daughter from frustration. What would be the easier way for a complete beginner to collimate, laser or Cheshire?

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:06 am I want to save him and his daughter from frustration. What would be the easier way for a complete beginner to collimate, laser or Cheshire?

Cheshire. There is a little pain in that you'll learn how the scope works and the geometry. But that's necessary for a laser too anyway.

A laser will not help with a misplaced secondary for instance.

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:09 am

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:06 am I want to save him and his daughter from frustration. What would be the easier way for a complete beginner to collimate, laser or Cheshire?

Cheshire. There is a little pain in that you'll learn how the scope works and the geometry. But that's necessary for a laser too anyway.

A laser will not help with a misplaced secondary for instance.

Got it! Would this one do the job?

https://agenaastro.com/agena-1-25-colli ... ctors.html

Or there is a better option?

Definitely the cheshire, collimation once learned takes very little time to check/ tweak.
If they are getting a Newtonian they may as well learn to do it properly.
Astro-Baby Collimation Guide is straight forward.

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:14 am

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:09 am

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:06 am I want to save him and his daughter from frustration. What would be the easier way for a complete beginner to collimate, laser or Cheshire?

Cheshire. There is a little pain in that you'll learn how the scope works and the geometry. But that's necessary for a laser too anyway.

A laser will not help with a misplaced secondary for instance.

Got it! Would this one do the job?

https://agenaastro.com/agena-1-25-colli ... ctors.html

Or there is a better option?

If they have a 1.25" draw tube it should be fine. If they have a 2" I'd do for one that size.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:16 am Definitely the cheshire, collimation once learned takes very little time to check/ tweak.
If they are getting a Newtonian they may as well learn to do it properly.
Astro-Baby Collimation Guide is straight forward.

They already purchased Newt without asking me first, so the damage is done. Now day will face the consequences.

Do you know what model it is?

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:32 am Do you know what model it is?

I know it is Celestron Newt on a manual EQ mount. He should get back to me with the model info. Hopefully, it is not Bird Jones design.

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:46 am

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:32 am Do you know what model it is?

I know it is Celestron Newt on a manual EQ mount. He should get back to me with the model info. Hopefully, it is not Bird Jones design.

If it is there is a DIY thread here that will either 1) scare him into returning it or 2) develop skills in telescope making.

If it's the 127EQ f8 or the 114EQ f9.... :shrug: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTXEJizAneY

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 3:46 am

UlteriorModem wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 3:25 am I miss Howie Glatter

What happened to it?

Howie died this past year. He was famous for his unique telescopic equipment. I bought his laser collimator and TuBlug. I was told by a member of my astronomy club that the laser would not work with the TuBlug. So I ignored the TuBlug for years, even thought about tossing it out. Turns out, the laser was specifically made for the TuBlug - which when combined are supposed to make a perfect alignment for Newtonian telescopes. I recently priced it out and the TuBlug was something like $275. So glad I did not toss it. I do have to say that my stars - at least visually - are very nicely sharp. Can't say that of the planets because we haven't had a visually great night since I started using it. Not much one can do about high humidity.

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 6:36 am

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:46 am

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:32 am Do you know what model it is?

I know it is Celestron Newt on a manual EQ mount. He should get back to me with the model info. Hopefully, it is not Bird Jones design.

If it is there is a DIY thread here that will either 1) scare him into returning it or 2) develop skills in telescope making.

If it's the 127EQ f8 or the 114EQ f9.... :shrug: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTXEJizAneY

Luckily it is 130EQ. The mount is wobbly but the optic is decent according to feedback on forums.