Skywatcher 200p Dobsonian collimating ?

[Becchiooo]

I have just bought a laser collimator from Skys the limit with the intention of having a go at it this weekend.

Are there any tips or guides knocking about for this particular scope ? The instruction sheet that came with the collimator makes it look fairly simple but I am not so sure.

Thanks.

[Stephen]

You will need to ensure your laser collimator itself is collimated first. Do you have instructions for doing that?

[StevieDvd]

What's the collimation like at the moment?

Have you tried a star test first so you know how good/bad it is and what to compare it with when done?

[Becchiooo]

Not done anything yet, just thought it was a case of lining the laser dot up to the centre by adjusting screws

[Becchiooo]

Is this video a good guide ?

[Orion_the_Hunter]

My advice - the first time you do it take your time & chill. I got pretty frustrated the first time, I was getting stressed.

Once I'd done it the first time it is easy, 5 minute job.

Take your time, don't get stressed.

[John]

I'd try the scope out before assuming the collimation is out - the F/6's hold it quite well. I know it's cloudy and you want to "do" something with the scope but the real test is under the stars anyway so it's worth seeing what the views are like before rushing into adjusting anything.

[swamp thing]

Is this video a good guide ?

That's all there is to it, easy peasy.

Just make sure your laser is collimated first.

Regards Steve

[John]

Here is some advice on how to check if your laser collimator is collimated and how to adjust it if it's not:

Laser Collimator Collimator

[Becchiooo]

Thanks for all the info. That guy on the video makes it look quite simple if you just take your time.

I didn't know that you had to collimate the collimator. Hope there isn't a laser collimator collimator collimator

[swamp thing]

Thanks for all the info. That guy on the video makes it look quite simple if you just take your time.

He makes it look simple because.......it is.

The phrase "you could train a Monkey to do it" is applicable.

It's one of those things that to explain in words and pictures makes it look like brain surgery, but a short video shows its a walk in the park.

Regards Steve

[brantuk]

Here's how to do "complicated" collimation if you want to make it difficult:

CERN Document Server: The final collimator has been installed ready for the LHC restart (phase 1 of the LHC collimator project)

Note: we don't do this here lol

[John]

...I didn't know that you had to collimate the collimator....

You should not really have to but the reality is that they can be out of collimation (even from new) so it's worth knowing how to check them

If the laser collimator is out your collimation efforts will be in vain !.

[Becchiooo]

Thanks again for the replies. I learn a lot better seeing things rather than reading so will hopefully get it done for the weekend.

[Becchiooo]

Ok it seems easy to collimate the laser collimator. I don't have my scope at hand so do any 200p owners know what type of screws the secondary mirror adjusters are ? And am I right in saying that there is no removable cover on the base of the scope to remove just locking and adjusting screws ?

Thanks again.

[Becchiooo]

Just finished collimating my scope. The only thing that was a pain was collimating the laser collimator which was a trial and error thing that took a while, the rest was a piece of cake.

That youtube video helped a lot.

[pritc]

I always use the Barlow laser collimation method to collimate my 200P.

Find it a lot easier and more accurate.

Wayne