skyliner 200p

[O2B3]

How often do I have to collimate my telescope?

[emadmoussa]

Not often I guess...depends how you move or handle it. Skywatcher telescopes tend to hold collimation pretty well. I had the 200P - which is optically the same tube as the Skyliner 200 - and I collimated it once or twice in 8 months. Even when you collimate it's usually minor tweaks to get it spot on..nothing major really.

[Moonshane]

it depends what you mean by collimate. in term of a full collimation, maybe never.

in terms of checking:

spider vanes - once only

focuser - once only

secondary / focuser alignment - once and then perhaps every few months

secondary tilt - once and then maybe every month or so

primary adjustment - every time you observe

in terms of adjustment:

spider vanes - possibly never

focuser - possibly never

secondary / focuser alignment - once and then possibly never

secondary tilt - once and then maybe every month or so

primary adjustment - possibly a minor tweak each time you observe

it's an easy process but you do need a collimation tool. a cheshire/sight tube combo does everything.

see http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/197640-collimation-and-star-hopping/

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire

you can do a star test whenever you use it, that will give you a good guide if it needs doing or not. there is good guide here to collimation and the star test 

http://www.astro-baby.com/collimation/astro%20babys%20collimation%20guide.htm

[Mr Spock]

If you move the scope around a lot then a star test every session will be ok. I wouldn't expect the scope to go far out once it's been collimated fully - the odd tweak is probably all you'll need.

Welcome to SGL

[ronl]

If it's a new scope then a star test will probably do, but if 

you bought it second hand then give it a check with a 

collimator, have a look at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAVGcGEBmCE

[Bizibilder]

Hello O2B3 and welcome to SGL!!

[Stephen Green]

 HI welcome to the SGL

   Stephen

[JamesM]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Clear skies

James

[mr jambon]

Welcome!!

[Pig]

Hello & welcome

Shaun

[Bernard254]

Hello - Welcome to SGL

[sologuitarist61]

Hello and welcome to SGL

[michigander]

Welcome to SGL, O2B3!

Dana

[glowjet]

Hi, Welcome to SGL

[Maystar]

Han't got the  "collimate my telescope" page yet!  Yikes, more scary stuff to do with my Newt!

Welcome to SGL

[O2B3]

Thanks for all the welcomes to SELL :-)

[todd8137]

Hi and welcome from me

Pat

[rob0971]

Welcome to sgl.

[Dave Wall]

Hi and welcome.

[Charon]

Welcome aboard.

[Beechiller]

welcome to the forum