Laser collimation help!

[lukebl]

Hi all,

Help. Does anyone else have this problem collimating a 200mm Skywatcher?

My collimation isn't spot-on, so I've been trying to collimate using a laser collimator. I know that the colimator is collimated accurately, but the play in the focuser means that it isn't possible to tell when the red spot is centred. Thoroughly tightening the holding bolts doesn't help, as it will be different depending how it is positioned in the focus tube.

Kind regards,

[steppenwolf]

Yup, I have this problem too! Two options:-

1. rack the focus tube IN slightly and then ALLWAYS complete your final focus whilst racking inward

2. find the centre of displacement between racking in and out and use that to collimate

Option 1 is the better using the 'tools' available.

[arad85]

Barlowed laser method for me... with a final check on stars when I get it outside...

[lukebl]

Hi,

Just had a go at Barlowed laser collimation. Brilliant. Thanks for the advice.

In the process I found that I had a loose primary mirror exactly as Astro_Baby had with her Skywatcher (see here), and sorted it based on her experience. Thanks Astro Baby!

Regards,