Laser Collimators!

[g0ibi]

Does anyone have any experience of the Baader Laser Collimatoe Mk 3 ? I had a cheap one but the end with the battery in just fell off!

The Baader looks a good strong instrument although it costs a bit extra I looks the business, is it?

[Tinker1947]

Can it be collimated its selve, that seems themain stumbling block with lasers, i use a Cheshire no batteries or laser to check...

[g0ibi]

I am presuming its a high precision instrument, aligned when its produced?

[Damo636]

I had one for a short time but but sold it as i didn't trust it. The shape makes it very difficult to check if the unit itself is collimated. I now use one of these..Antares Laser Collimator. New & Improved Version | Telescope Accessories | Rother Valley Optics Its fully adjustable if it goes out of collimation and would recommend it.

[Jessun]

Hotech SCA is very solid too. Comes with or without cross hairs. Lasers seems only to make it quick and convenient to find/check a collimation that has been defined in some other fashion like with a Cheshire or a star collimation...

My Hotech is very dusty...

[g0ibi]

have a Cheshire but like to check with a good laser on a regular basis.

[Jessun]

Hotech is pretty good as they self center in the focuser for precise position. Might be something to look into?

[steppenwolf]

I am presuming its a high precision instrument, aligned when its produced?

I wouldn't trust a laser collimator that I hadn't calibrated myself to be honest - that would exclude the Baader as to the best of my knowledge it is effectively a sealed unit.

[Tinker1947]

Hotech is pretty good as they self center in the focuser for precise position. Might be something to look into?

Save some money and just do a star test from time to time....

[Bart]

I have found that lasers are great for the secondary and getting close with the primary, but you need a cheshire to get it THERE.

I got a good laser, not a really expensive one, but found it wasnt enough. The difference between a laser and a laser+cheshire is marked.

Bart

[g0ibi]

Thanks all for the advice, duly noted and I will give it some more thought, thanks.

[ItIsOnlyMe]

Baader is collimated at the factory on a lathe and is then a sealed unit. I have had no issues with mine and trust it more than I trust myself to collimate it any better than the factory that made it could.

[Chris H]

I had the previous model Baader laser colli it was meant to be factory collimated but when I checked it it was out. Try as I might I could not adjust it to get it spot on so it got sold and I bought a Hotech. It is perfect and the best thing about it is the angled laser target so you can adjust the primary and see the laser moving on the target at the same time saves needing five foot long arms for collimating a 1200mm scope.

[brantuk]

Plus one for the Hotech here - good investment and you'll never need another laser collimator