tone2012 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Thinking off getting one, but want to know what difference it makes, could you please explain the benefits of getting them doneMany thanks Tone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brantuk Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 A collimation tool is not so much a benefit as an essential purchase for lining up the mirrors in any reflector. If your scope isn't collimated the views wont be as crisp and clear and in bad cases can have very poor focus. And it will loose collimation eventually - especially if you move it around a lot. My preference is the Hotech laser collimator but there are other types that folks swear by. Someone will describe those for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tone2012 Posted November 24, 2012 Author Share Posted November 24, 2012 Many thanks for the reply and info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 I too have the hotech and would recommend it but it is not the cheapest one out there (£100!). As an alternative to a laser type collimator, you might like to consider a manual one such asthis one from FLO which will do the job adequately enough. As a guide to using this collimator it to align the optical path of your scope, I would recommend this written guide, "Astrobaby's Guide to Collimation" as well as his set of videos (1-9) from 'Astronomyshed' if you want a more comprehensive visual demonstration. Both of these together I think would advise you of all the possibilities that you need to do to perform an accurate collimation of your scope. These are guides are very detailed for your understanding of the process but in practice collimation is not a difficult or time consuming activity and normally only requires the occasional adjustment now and again. If you store and handle your scope with care (especially during transportation e.g to a dark site) then you will minimise the need for any adjustment at all.Clear skiesJames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastridge Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 http://www.firstlightoptics.com/collimation/premium-cheshire-collimating-eyepiece.html is what we have and using it + astrobaby's guide as JamesM recommends made all the difference to the views from our scope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikea Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 I used the slightly (ok, a lot) cheaper Cheshire with my 130P and had no problems with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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