Collimator for Newtonian

[robmichael81]

Any recommendations on a laser collimator for my Newtonian. I've been researching and think I want to go for a laser rather than a Cheshire however I am a newbie when it comes to things like this. Would be good if I could use the same device to collimate primary and secondary and be able to collimate the laser itself. Been looking at the following;

http://www.altairastro.com/altair-laser-collimator-2-1.25-self-centering-adapter-kit.html

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-laser-collimator-1252.html

Budget is no more than £50.

Thanks for all your advice in advance.

R 

[Charic]

I too researched the laser option.

From experience the Cheshire is the tool to own. The laser works, but not without issues that need to be understood. A Barlowed laser is my preferred option, but the Cheshire better corrects ALL components, secondary and primary.

[laudropb]

I have tried lasers but have never got on with them. I much prefer a Cheshire. It just seems much simpler to use.

[jetstream]

Another vote for the Cheshire, sorry if its going against your desired purchase. They are easy to use.

[spike95609]

Never used a laser but a Cheshire seems like the simplest and cheapest option to me. I'd sooner trust my eyes to get everything aligned.

[jason.p]

I did initial set up with Cheshire then check each timè out with Barlowed laser. Quick and easy!

[Yearofthegoat]

I'm also a n00b and went for a Cheshire and a collimation cap.

The trickiest bit of collimation was angling the secondary - the Cheshire is really easy to use, especially if you put some coloured paper in the tube (see AstroBaby's great guide).

When I'd got it all as close as I could, after a good hour and a half of fiddling, I still wasn't happy with it. But I did a star test that night and the airey discs were fine.

So I guess a laser wouldn't have saved me much time overall, and a laser can present other issues like needing to be collimated themselves. In the end I think I was glad not to have added another layer of potential problems!

[BritAngler]

+1 for Cheshire and collimating cap.

[Joseki]

Well I like the Baader Collimator I have but that's over your budget so I'd get a Cheshire combination tool (which I also have and like).  It also depends on how good your focuser is whether a laser collimator is worth it. 

edit: also, I've heard reports on here of people liking the seben laser collimator, which is a lot cheaper

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seben-Laser-Collimator-telescopes-31-7mm/dp/B006FGYWM0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448623129&sr=8-1&keywords=seben+laser

[Psychology]

I collimated my scope for the first time a few months ago and after reading advice on here purchased a cheshire. I was very apprehensive when I came to do it using astrobaby's method, but as everyone says, it is easy and becomes self evident when you do it.

[robmichael81]

Looks like a cheshire it is. Thanks for the advice. 

Looking at this one from flo

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/other-collimation-tools/premium-cheshire-collimating-eyepiece.html

[BritAngler]

Don't forget the collimating cap too, you use that one to check the secondary mirror before using the Cheshire to check the primary mirror.

[robmichael81]

Don't forget the collimating cap too, you use that one to check the secondary mirror before using the Cheshire to check the primary mirror.

Glad you said that as I was under the impression the Cheshire allowed me to collimate both.

Cheers

R

[glynnlondon]

The collie cap is cheap and useful for centring the clips on the primary mirror I found the Cheshire sits a bit too deep for that.

Use both together and you're laughing.

[Charic]

Don't forget the collimating cap too, you use that one to check the secondary mirror before using the Cheshire to check the primary mirror.

Why?

Its either or, the Cheshire being the more accurate. You can  actually achieve good collimation without any tools, using your eyes alone, confirmed with a Star test, having some tools just makes the process easier ?

The tools are just to aid the correct alignment of the optics to your eye. The collimation cap just provides a pin hole to peek through, to better align your eye to the focal axis of the focuser, secondary and primary. The Cheshire does the same, only better,  by virtue of its length, which further aids  alignment accuracy IMHO.

Also note,  Cheshire's can be Short or Long? I chose the longer version, again, this tightens the field of view  when aligning the secondary mirror,  but If this is too tight for some users, its a simple matter to withdraw the Cheshire from the focuser slightly to achieve the field of view  required.

You really don't need both Cheshire and Cap!

[Dave In Vermont]

I'd certainly start out with a Cheshire. But a laser is quite usable also. Just be certain it's collimated itself. If the laser's spot is wandering about, you can forget about accuracy. Most laser's have 3 collimation-screws to fine-tine these - if they come collimated they may need this. If they don't - absolutely! Right off. But to learn on, the Cheshire is about the best. The cap is also good. I use both a laser and a Cheshire, and it's nice they always agree. Perhaps I'm lucky.....

The new adjustable-brightness lasers are very nice. It's nice to see the red-spot in full - without it looking like it's starting a fire! And cats like them, too.

Dave

[glynnlondon]

I had the premium Cheshire from FLO and it was excellent and as Charic says withdrawing it from the tube a bit revealed the clips , but for me it wasn't that steady and rattled a bit in the focuser.

For a fiver the collie cap seemed worth it to me , tho to be fair when it came to collimation I needed all the help I could get

[jetstream]

Glad you said that as I was under the impression the Cheshire allowed me to collimate both.

Cheers

R

Rob, the tool referred to a Cheshire here is actually a sight tube/Cheshire combination tool. It will collimate every aspect of your telescope.

You do NOT need a collimation cap with this tool.

Separate sight tubes and separate Cheshires are available but not that common, I use the separate tools. They perform the same function as the combination tool.