the best buy for collimation assistance?

[Andrew*]

I'm thinking I'll need a tool to collimate my scope faster and more accurately than I do.

Is a laser collimator like this: http://tinyurl.com/2lfzea £30 easier to use than an eyepiece like this: http://tinyurl.com/2wvssn or is a cheshire like this: http://tinyurl.com/2vl3z5 the way to go?

I'm looking for the best ease of use and accuracy for the money.

Andrew

[John]

I think the last 2 items are more or less the same. I've been using a lazer job similar to your 1st link above with my Revelation 8 inch and that seems straightforward enough - and the star images prove that it works. With a lazer your need to be sure of 2 things: 1. that your laser collimator is itself collimated (ie: the laser beam is not offset which will in turn muck up your scope collimation and 2. that your mirror is centre marked.

The other type also work well I hear but I have not personally used one in a Newtonian (only a refractor).

John.

[Greg]

Cheshire eyepiece..

[Kain]

Cheshire EP, I use it for my 10" - Even and idiot like me could do it.

Kain

[The Warthog]

I use a cheshire ep, and wouldn't even consider getting a laser one. Most of the Newt owners I know use Cheshire collimators.

[geppetto]

Yep, a cheshire 8)

[Andrew*]

well, that's sorted then, isn't it?

Is this a good one? http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=swcheshire

Andrew

[geppetto]

Yep, that's fine

[Andrew*]

Ordered!

[proflight2000]

Yep I ordered the cheshire colimator from Steve a few weeks ago, is currently on a back order so I have it all to come yet. I have tried the varied tests of seeing if collimation is needed and as yet it all seems ok, would be even nicer if i was not on a 2 week night shift where I could actually get the scope out for longer, so ill just have to stick with watching ryanair criss cross the skys for the moment.

[FLO]

Yep I ordered the cheshire colimator from Steve a few weeks ago, is currently on a back order.

Not any more... I sent back several Skywatcher Cheshires a while back because they had sharp bits (where the cross-hair wires were snipped during manufacture). Since then, I have been waiting on the importers for a new batch to arrive. Today, I have instead listed the more expensive/classy Astro Engineering Cheshire and all those with Skywatchers on back-order (including you Andrew) will receive the Astro Engineering Cheshire at no additional cost.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=aecheshire

Thanks for your patience

[Chubster]

Dont forget to check for instructions Steve

Chub

[Andrew*]

Today, I have instead listed the more expensive/classy Astro Engineering Cheshire and all those with Skywatchers on back-order (including you Andrew) will receive the Astro Engineering Cheshire at no additional cost.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=aecheshire

Thanks for your patience

that's very kind of you Steve. Thanks.

Andrew

[FLO]

Dont forget to check for instructions Steve

Ah yes, the Skywatchers didn't include instructions either.

The AE Cheshires definitely do come with instructions.

FLO originally sold AE Cheshires but went to Skywatcher after customers asked for something cheaper...

I tried

[John]

Interesting seeing the overwhelming vote for non-lazer collimators here - for those who have tried both, what are the issues that swung you to a non-lazer approach ?.

I'm using a laser at the moment and it seems to work OK but I may be overlooking something (I'm relatively new to newt ownership !).

John

[Andrew*]

It came today Steve. Thanks a bunch for pristine service. It's a lovely bit of kit! Now to try it out...

Andrew

[daz]

I think it's just personal preference John.

In either case, you need to ensure there is a good tight fit in the draw tube, otherwise it wiggles everywhere!

[paulestar]

Don't the laser versions need collimating themselves? That was something which put me right off straight away. My Cheshire works a treat

[daz]

They do Paul, but they don't tend to shift too much, not like a mirror!!

[proflight2000]

Yep thanks steve, it arrived yesterday, I will give it a run over the weekend, cheers

[jakey]

I might be wrong here but is the laser not better as you are able to collimate on your own with a large scope?

You do not have to have someone at the mirror end of the tube adjusting whilst you have to look through the cheshire to see what is going on.

[blinky]

Andrew, have you had a chance to use the Chesire yet? Jut wondering how easy you found it.

[Andrew*]

not yet Blinky. I won't find any pride in a perfectly collimated scope until I can actually use it!! When I do collimate it, I'll write up a small report.

Andrew