Skymax 180 pro collimation

[Chrb1985]

Hi guys.

I was out imaging the other night and I checked the collimation on a star. The pics attached here is what it looked like. I think it's a bit off but I'm no expert. I also include that nights planetary results.

Edited June 16, 2020 by Chrb1985

[dweller25]

Your mirror was not fully cooled which can affect how the out of focus doughnut looks.

Suggest you insulate your scope and try again.

[Ricochet]

The star you check tour collmation on must be exactly in the centre of the FoV. Any off centre star will show a pattern like an uncollimated telescope. 

[Chrb1985]

10 hours ago, Ricochet said:

The star you check tour collmation on must be exactly in the centre of the FoV. Any off centre star will show a pattern like an uncollimated telescope. 

Aha I understand. Thanks to you both !

[Cosmic Geoff]

It looks fine to me. When I tested my used C8 after purchase, the star test looked like a badminton shuttle tilted at an angle.

Maksutovs  rarely need any attention to the collimation - I have never needed to touch the collimation of my 127mm Mak.

[Sunshine]

I would NOT mess with collimation on your mak, it looks fine, once you start turning those 6 screws, it can turn into a nightmare real quick.

Been there, done that.

Edited June 17, 2020 by Sunshine

[Avocette]

On 17/06/2020 at 12:14, Sunshine said:

I would NOT mess with collimation on your mak, it looks fine, once you start turning those 6 screws, it can turn into a nightmare real quick.

Been there, done that.

But if you still do decide to....make sure you read @Captain Magenta’s ‘reverse engineering’ thread with strip down and rebuilding of the Mak 180. This week, I finally successfully recollimated  my SkyMax 150. I bought it second hand six years ago but once home, after a four hour drive, discovered one of the screws was loose!

Edited July 3, 2020 by Avocette