Collimating problems

[CruzanGazer]

I just started the hobby and my first scope is an Orion XT8 Plus.  I got the Orion Lasermate Delux as an add on.  It also came with a collimating cap.  The problem is that they don’t agree with each other.  How can I determine which one is getting me aligned properly?

i am able to successfully collimate with each one, but whichever one I use first it shows that the alignment is off again when I install the other one immediately afterwards.

Thank you for any advice you can offer.

[Mr Spock]

It's possible the laser needs collimating. Rotate it around in the focuser tube to see if it changes where the spot is.

Other than that you can just trust which ever one you think is right and follow up with a final adjustment using a star test.

[Spile]

Always trust the cap. I sometimes use a laser to check the final alignment of the secondary but when it comes to the primary, the cap (assuming it has a centred pupil) will faithfully provide consistent results.