How often collimation???

[DazC]

Hi everyone,

I have a celestron 130eq reflector and was just wondering about collimation. Should this be done from time to time as a precautionary or is it something that should only be done as and when needed?

Thanks in advance.

D.C

[Nova]

I check the allignment before every session. I sometimes need to tweak the primary a bit but have only had to do the secondary once in the year I have owned the scope

[Stephen]

I do mine every session, it only takes 5 minutes and ensures you have the best views you can

Let the scope cool down first though as the collimation is not the same at a warm temp as it is at a cold temp

[DOBBY]

You'll soon SEE when it needs adjusting...stars will have tails

[bish]

I check the collimation fairly regularly but my old 150 hardly ever needed collimating, even after transporting it.

[DazC]

Thanks guys.

D.C

[Moonshane]

generally the lighter the mirror the less frequent it needs adjusting but it should be checked at least before each session.

[ItIsOnlyMe]

So that I can't blame it I do mine every session. Five minutes to check and adjust or a night wondering if the view could be better.

[Bart]

only when needed but a star test will tell if its needed. I had a 150 mm and it only rarely needed it unless you're battering it around the place. Recently found the barlowed laser technique to be boon in terms of ease of collimation. You probably won't need it because you can look into the focusser and adjust the primary knobs simultaneously.

Good luck.

Barry

[Jason D]

In my case, I tweak collimation after my scope cools down at the start of the observing session. I retouch collimation after pointing the scope any object that includes intricate details to ensure optimal performance.

Jason

[Squagnut]

Faster 'scopes (i.e. wider aperture in a shorter tube, giving a lower f-number) need collimation more often than slower 'scopes. Fast 'scopes aren't really ideal for beginners, as there's a steep enough learning curve just making the darn thing point in the right direction, never mind adjusting fiddly optics. But collimation is a very useful telescopy skill to learn, and it's not too difficult.