How to Collimate a Telescope - Orion Telescopes and Binoculars

[DoTaNeWb1247]

OMG.. i feel so intimidated by reflector telescopes cuz of the collimating stuff and there are lots of risks to take if your doing it the very first time. should i just buy a refractor because im only doing it for a hobby and it will be my very first telescope.

[oriontelescopes]

Hi DoTaNeWb1247,

Collimation is nothing really to worry about. Like many tasks, it takes a little practice to get used to, but can be learned nonetheless. However, if you really don’t want to worry about it at all, then yes a refractor will not need collimation, and you won’t have to learn the procedure.

Thanks

-Ken

Orion Telescopes

[ourobouros2k2]

Does bad collimation result in chroma shift like a refractor? Looking at jupiter tonight with xt-8, I noticed red and blue at opposite edges like a cheaper achromatic refractor. Is this the byproduct of bad collimation, they eyepiece (25mm sirius plossl) or barlow (generic short barlow)? I was under the impression that reflectors didn't have refractor- like color shifts at edges.. Thanks,

Andy

[oriontelescopes]

Hi Ourobouros2k2,

What you described sounds exactly like atmospheric dispersion. My guess is that Jupiter wasn’t very high in the sky when you were observing it. The atmosphere creates a red shift on the edge closest to the horizon, and a blue shift on the upper edge of the disk. When Jupiter is higher in the sky, you won’t notice this effect. It doesn’t have anything to do with the scope itself.

Thanks!

-Ken

Orion Telescopes

[ourobouros2k2]

@oriontelescopes Thanks so much for the reply. Guilty as charged, Jupiter was no more than 30 degrees off eastern horizon. I used to have an XT10 a long time ago and am just now getting back into observing. Again thanks for the response explaining the color shift.

best regards,

Andy

[orion4m3]

I once had an Orion intell 8" I ordered it over the phone and talked a smart-ass salesman. Last year my primary mirror needed cleaning. I talked to someone at Orion to see if I could take it somewhere close to get it serviced. No luck. I took it off, cleaned it, and tried to put it back in. WRONG! No experince in telescopes with a not so friendly beginner scope. Never got it aligned. I tossed it out the window. No more reflectors. I only used it 12 xs at the most. Cost over $400.

[fuku654]

@orion4m3 You could of just googled or searched on youtube,there's also plenty of good people on cloudynights and astronomy forums that would of helped you out in a instant.A shame too,that was a good scope.

[RetroGamerVX]

@orion4m3 shame, I've not cleaned mine before, but took a screwdriver too it, cleaned it with rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs, put it back in, screwed it back up, read the instructions on collimation and now it has a wonderful picture again :o)

[StringandMembrane]

ORION is the best!

XT10 is Fantastic! It comes with multiple Allen wrenches too.

[StringandMembrane]

That's what notes are for. ;)

[nikanj]

Thanks for the video. I can adjust the primary mirror while looking through the eye piece because my telescope isn't so enormous!

[carolyndhunt]

Can I have a copy of this file? I need to take it to my telescope and need to play it on my computer, (no smart phone).

Thanks!

[mercyme555]

Well what is left out here is that with the telescope on it's side, gravity constantly pulls the very loosely attached diagonal out of alignment. The tensional interplay between the center screw and the 3 alignment screws allows for any of the 2 side screws to be tensioned until they will not screw in any more without damage while leaving the 3rd opposite screw entirely loose. Unless there is a description of how to deal with this built in weakness the video is incomplete and useless. Yikes!!

[oriontelescopes]

Hi mercyme555,

It sounds to me like something is wrong with your particular diagonal, or the position of the diagonal in the tube is very far off. It should be solidly attached, and the three screws should be fairly evenly adjusted when things are aligned. If only one or two of the screws are tight, then the entire assembly would definitely be loose. Our tech support staff would be happy to talk with you about it at 800-676-1343 if you'd like to call.

Thanks

-Ken

Orion Telescopes

[BirdValiant]

1:10 When I bought my XT8, it came with the 2mm allen wrench. It also came with 2 wrenches. In fact, it came every tool you'd ever need for the XT8. How nice is that?