Good laser collimator?

[Bigzmey]

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.

[notFritzArgelander]

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.

[Bigzmey]

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?

[notFritzArgelander]

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.

[UlteriorModem]

I miss Howie Glatter

[Bigzmey]

I miss Howie Glatter

What happened to it?

[Lady Fraktor]

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.

[notFritzArgelander]

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.

[Lady Fraktor]

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.

[Bigzmey]

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?

[notFritzArgelander]

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.

[Bigzmey]

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?

[Lady Fraktor]

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.

[notFritzArgelander]

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.

[Bigzmey]

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.

[Lady Fraktor]

Do you know what model it is?

[Bigzmey]

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.

[notFritzArgelander]

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

[Star Dad]

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.

[Bigzmey]

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.