Laser collimators vs. non-laser

[Black Knight]

I need to pick up a collimating eyepiece. Do Laser collimators offer any tangible benefits over a standard Cheshire collimator? Are they easier to use or see? Are they worth the extra money?

[themos]

yes and no

[themos]

I've never felt the need to get one.

[Black Knight]

Er, OK ....

[Black Knight]

I've never felt the need to get one.

A laser collimator or a common or garden Cheshire?

[themos]

Oh no, the Cheshire is an essential tool!

[themos]

Andy, expect some bias in the answers as the people that have one will want to give good reasons for it and the people who don't will also want to do the same.

[Moonshane]

I was a convert to the laser collimator and barlowed it for the primary adjustment getting good results. I now prefer to use a collimation cap (home made) and a cheapie Cheshire which is a plastic Chinese one that came with a previous scope. I have a 'proper' Cheshire but find (possibly due to the focal length of my scopes) that the primary donut is impossible (OK difficult) to see properly beyond the crossed wires. the cheapie one I have has no cross wires. I am even considering taking the wires out of my 'proper' Cheshire but may just sell it.

in short I now prefer a Cheshire.

[themos]

Can you reach the collimation knobs with your eye on the eyepiece? If not, a laser will certainly speed up the process. It boils down to how much your time is worth.

[Black Knight]

Is barlowing a laser a normal procedure? I haven't come across that.

[Black Knight]

Can you reach the collimation knobs with your eye on the eyepiece? If not, a laser will certainly speed up the process. It boils down to how much your time is worth.

Er, dunno. I'll go and try it!

[Black Knight]

Er, dunno. I'll go and try it!

... tried it! Not easily, no. So would a laser be quicker and easier then?

[Moonshane]

yes, indeed. basically after sorting the secondary (best done with a collimation cap in my opinion) you put a barlow in and the laser in the barlow.

you should see the large shadow of the donut on the face of the laser. cenre this and you are sorted.

basically, the barlow (has to be a barlow and not a powermate) spreads the beam and you collimate on shadow of the donut and not the laser beam. doing this eliminates any problems associated with focuser slop etc

I moved from lasers for no other reason than I felt it easier to get considetently good results and the batteries never run out on a Cheshire.

Also, seeing the laser in the daytime can be an issue.

I now find that my 1600mm tubes are not a problem with a Cheshire as I initially thought they would be, there's some to-ing and fro-ing but you soon get it done.

[Moonshane]

and by coincidence http://stargazerslounge.com/primers-tutorials/84752-barlowed-laser-collimation-method.html

[Astro_Baby]

Cheshire for me too - lasers often need collimating and generally cause more problems for newbies than they solve. DONT assume all lasers are the same - cheap ones are - ummmm cheap. Best one I tried was the Hotech but its pricey.

On the other hand a cheap Cheshire will always give good results wheerea a cheap laser will cause more pain and aggro.

Iassumed when I started that lasers being hi-tech would be better but I found a a basic Cheshire was the best - nothing to break down, no batteries and its reliable.

Its worth mentioning though that the biggest aid to collimation I had was a serious quality focuser - thats another story.

Thats my experience for what its worth.

[Black Knight]

OK, so the laser looks like a plan ..... and I've bookmarked the barlowed laser collimation thread \0/

[Black Knight]

Astro_baby I hadn't seen your post before I replied above. Even more in a quandary now ! argh!

[Moonshane]

I bet if you added some thumbscrew adjusters at the primary end you'd be OK with a Cheshire.

[Black Knight]

Well Cheshires are a lot cheaper .... and that appeals to me . My 200P came with large thumbscrews for adjusting the primary.

So maybe I'll just go with a Cheshire then!

[themos]

Cheshires do need a torch though, don't they?

[JB80]

My first scope came with a laser collimator so it is all I have and for a beginner I found it very easy and real quick to do, I see no need just yet to try with another method.

[Geno]

When I picked up my new scope the guy in the shop took me through the collimation procedure with a laser so that's what I ordered. Sure at some stage I will end up with a Cheshire as well.