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Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 2:06 am
by 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.
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 2:12 am
by notFritzArgelander
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.
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 2:16 am
by Bigzmey
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?
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 2:20 am
by notFritzArgelander
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.
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 3:25 am
by UlteriorModem
I miss Howie Glatter
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 3:46 am
by Bigzmey
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 4:55 am
by 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.
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 4:57 am
by notFritzArgelander
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.
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:00 am
by 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.
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:06 am
by 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?
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:09 am
by notFritzArgelander
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.
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:14 am
by Bigzmey
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?
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:16 am
by 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.
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:19 am
by notFritzArgelander
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.
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:31 am
by Bigzmey
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.
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:32 am
by Lady Fraktor
Do you know what model it is?
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 5:46 am
by Bigzmey
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.
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 6:36 am
by notFritzArgelander
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
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 4:26 pm
by Star Dad
Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 3:46 am
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.
Re: Good laser collimator?
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 8:09 pm
by Bigzmey
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.