telescope collimation - how to collimate telescope

[Mr1Grumpy]

Looks so easy. Nice 1

[buytelescope]

Thanks everyone for the positive comments!

[mrs2mac]

Very helpful video and explained so simply - Collimating doesn't seem so scary now! You should do more vidoes!

[TheCHUCKY1992]

thanks so much very helpful and great video



[ff621]

Cool Thanks for the help, My 10 inch came with this laser and I had no idea how to use it, There was no instruction in the box.

[1980cossie]

Thank you for this vid, it was a great help, i have just ordered a laser collimation tool, i might actually get to use my Explorer-250 PDS now - excited :)

[Zenziba95]

how much would that telescope cost? it looks pretty good, a bit like mine but mines a bit shorter

[bicnarok]

can I use a laser pointer attached to a camera film holder?

[nikanj]

Is that a fan under the mirror? That's a pretty cool idea especially for larger scopes.

[sod6t9]

I am only starting out with telescopes, your tutorial was excellent, thankyou!

[fickitonetime]

Thanks for the tutorial, you should do more of them.

[buytelescope]

@fickitonetime - Hi, thanks for your comment. I do plan on making more videos eventually. I'm busy with other projects this summer, but I will be creating new videos in the fall.

[kILlz0n35017]

@buytelescope yeahh really huh? still have one video :/

[billiebob29]

down n dirty basic stream of consciousness collimation video of newtonian telescopes.

[kingsalmonsteak]

Great video! It was very helpful for my first time collimating! One question though: whenever I get the laser into the donut it seems to go very dim, could this be because of the concavity of the mirror? My concern is that it isn't using it's full light-gathering potential. I looked at Saturn a couple days ago and it seemed to be fine though. Any insight is appreciated :)

[buytelescope]

@kingsalmonsteak - Hi, sounds like the babteries need to be replaced. When you turn it on initially, the red dot is bright, but then it can weakens a few seconds later. By the time you insert it in the focuser, it probably dims down. The mirror itself should not affect the brightness. Try changing batteries and see if that helps. Could also be related to the lighting conditions. If you're doign the collimation in a very bright environement vs a darker one, laser visibility may diminish a bit.

[19Andersen84]

Thanks, this helped me alot:)



[stolenfeather]

I have been si anxious about collimating my telescope until I saw this tutorial. Thank you so very much for your help. I hope it will be as easy for my Sky-Watcher 10 inch Truss-Tube Dobsonian.

Isabelle

[buytelescope]

@stolenfeather - Hello Isabelle! I'm glad you found this video helpful and thank you for taking the time to leave feedback.

[buytelescope]

If anyone is interested in astrophotography, I am giving away a free ebook that explains how to do it, and what equipement is required. It has over 30 pages of high quality information. Visit the website and fill out the form on the right to get it. Thanks!

[tdjtx]

Very informative video. I've done all of this but when I look into the focuser all I see is my eye looking back at me. I replace my primary mirror and it didn't come with a center spot. The laser came with a paper template that you cut out and place on the mirror, using a sharpie marker you make your own dot. The dot really doesn't look center to me. Do you have any tips for finding the center of the mirror?

[buytelescope]

@tdjtx - I do it this way: Use squared paper, trace an outline of the mirror precisely (should have the same total number of squares horizontally and vertically). Cut out the circle. Fold the paper in half to create 1/2 a circle. Fold it a gain in another half to create 1/4 circle. Cut out a SMALL portion of the folded end. Unfold. You should have a hole in the center.Reposition your template on the mirror, mark the dot, stick a ring reinforcer sticker around it. Erase the marker dot. Try that.

[tdjtx]

@buytelescope Thanks, that was a very helpful tip. I found my problem was that the new mirror was the wrong focal length. I screwed up and bought an F8.8 when I should have bought an F8.0

[buytelescope]

Hi everyone, I recentely created a facebook page. You can visit the "buy-telescope" site and see the link on the top right. Please go "like" the page and feel free to post any questions on my wall. Thanks!

[rogger128]

Hey man, first of all, great vid. Question: Do all telescopes have to be collimated? I recently purchased a power seeker 127 and the results are to say the least disappointing. Jupiter is a blur.... I know from experience it should be better. Is this scope a joke or does it require some adjustments. Having said that, I wouldn't recommend it, controls are anything but smooth combined with weak plastic tripod fasteners that crack in the cold. Question2: Are you from Newfoundland or CB?

[buytelescope]

@rogger128 - Hi, not all telescopes require collimation, or at least not regularly. Some scopes might need collimation once every 20 years. However, reflector telescopes do need regular collimation. So in your case, yes you need to do this and it can significanly improve the quality of the image. Question 2: I am from New Brunswick. Feel free to join my facebook channel. Just created it, but will be posting there often.

[buytelescope]

Thanks for all the positive comments. Help me out by linking to this video if you like it :)

[Guilland23]

@buytelescope Hello! Thanks for the vid. I actually have a question. And I would be glad if you could reply please. I have a 3 inch-700mm Bresser telescope, and on reviews, it is said that it would allow me to see Jupiter's clouds. But Jupiter it so bright with the 12.5mm lense. Can I do something about that? I also have a 4mm lense. But what is funny, is that I could clearly see it's 4 moons, and Uranus just behind! So I think that contrarily to what people may say, even a 3 inch does great.

[buytelescope]

@Guilland23 - Hello and thank you for your question. Yes you certainly can do something about that! Have you tried using colored filters? There's quite a range of filters and colors, each having various effects. There's a few products I could recommend, but I can't post links on youtube. Could you please go to my website and use the contact form so that I have your e-mail address? Thanks!

[Guilland23]

@buytelescope Yes, sure... I'll do it right now! Thanks a lot! Happy new year!

[nederbas]

Best collimation video ever

Thanks

[cowboyweightlifter]

Great Tutorial. Thanks!

[pslater26]

Hi,

This is a great vid...thanks so much for uploding. I just purchased a used Orion XT8 Intelliscope for $200 bucks! Got a great deal as it came with an upgraded finderscope, pair of decent Tasco binoculars, an EZ view Finderscope, and a laser collimator. I did take both the primary and secondary mirrors out and clean them, as they were fairly dirty.

At approx 480x mag, Jupiter looks like a grey fuzzy block about the size of a dime...prob is, its hard to get it in decent focus...any ideas?

[buytelescope]

@pslater26 - Hi, the answer is simple, you are using too much magnification. There is a magnification page on my website that explains that there is a minimum and maximum "usable" magnification for a telescope, based on the aperature size. In your case, you shouldn't go beyond 406x. Basically, you are on paper hitting 480x, but this exceeds the usability for your telescope. I would suggest you try to drop it down to 300x to 350x. Yes, the image will be smaller, but it will also be clearer.

[lulaz]

Hi! I just didnt get one thing: you say that I can't look into the tube... but at 4:22, to adjust the secondary mirror, you say to look into the tube... is this right? What would happen if, accidentaly, the laser come straight into my eye?

thank you for the video!!!

[buytelescope]

@lulaz - The strength of these lasers isn't excessive, and your natural reflex would be to blink/close your eye. Really, you would only have it in your eye for a fraction of a second. (speaking from experience!) You would usually need continuous exposure for multiple seconds to cause permanent eye damage.

Bottom line: lasers can be dangerous and you should be careful when using them. You can look in the tube once you know where the laser is pointing. Look in from another angle.

[ttoyota]

Very good easy video to follow

[saleglad]

The best tutorial I ever saw. Thanx man. Greetings from Serbia.

[jskirwin]

Thanks for the video. Exactly what I needed for my 8" Zhumell.

[jskirwin]

Thanks for the video. Exactly what I needed for my 8" Zhumell. 

[sabathman666]

Cheers for the vid it has helped me no end as i am going for a dob telescope and need a laser collimator just one question though if you align the secondary mirror with the primary first and then adjust the position of the primary mirror wouldnt that make the secondary mirror become out of allignment because of the adjustment of the primary sorry if it is a stupid question im new to astronomy but that aside great vid thanks!

[buytelescope]

@sabathman666 - Hi, when you align the secondary mirror, it's to make sur you hit the center of the primary. When you adjust the primary, you end up tilting it but the center stays where it is. By tiltiing, you ensure to bounce back the laser at the center of the secondary mirror. So no, adjusting the primary doesn't screw up the initial alignement on the secondary. If you need help selecting a scope, or have questions, use the contact form on my website to get a hold of me. Good luck!

[jambi99]

Why make a video that require that laser tool when in fact people who are interested in that vi doe are new to astronomy and probably don't have that laser?

Stupid...

[buytelescope]

@jambi99 - So that these people can become aware that such a tool does exist. Often they don't know about it. Should they want to purchase a laser collimator, they can visit my website and do so. Or maybe they know about it, but don't know how to use it properly, so I show them how. That's why I created this video. I hope this anwsers your question.

[YeOldOak]

@buytelescope

Thanks for the vid - that explains everything I needed to know as a novice.

BTW - you need a pat on the back for not losing it with jambi99 - unfortunately YT is full of idiots with idiotic remarks like this.

[buytelescope]

@YeOldOak - Thanks for posting, I'm glad I was able to help. Feel free to contact me via my website if you have questions.

[TheJascal]

@jambi99 That one came with the scope... not so stupid, ehh?

[cris01us]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I have been reading articles everywhere to try and figure this out. I actually have the exact same telescope and tool too! Thanks again!!!

[buytelescope]

@cris01us - My pleasure! If you have other questions, or need other accessories, you can aways get a hold of me via the contact form on my website.

[rigostar14]

where can i get the laser ??

[IcechickenSr]

Hi thanks for the video, I just bought a celestron Dobsonian and learning how to colminate from your video so thanks1 I don't have the laser colminator though and doing is per celestron's old school meathods in the manual. I'll get a laser setup though. Anyways You may reccomend safty eye glasses when working with the laser especially as it's bounced of high power optics. These glasses are designed to protect the eyes from Laser diod's and they work excellent. Cheers, IC

[dlegeant77]

nice video, basically what i was doing is make use my eye is in the middle of the circle of the mirror, but the laser i didn't know...

[yammo12]

hi there i looked at your site very interesting.My question is,i have a Atlas Explorer 5" reflector telescope i was wondering will that telescope collimation tool worh whit all reflector scope.

Great video

[buytelescope]

@yammo12 - Hi, yes a laser collimator would work for this telescope.

[lucariorox54]

i bought a astromaster 114 eq if i do this whats it gonna prove?

[Nibiru420]

Anutter.

[Obama4Prezz]

Thanks for this, it's always nice to have ppl post something quite complicated in instruction format and break it down nice and simple in a video.

well done. really clear and step by step. you always thought about your audience!

[ParaglidingManiac]

Hello sir,

And what if I do not have a laser? How do I collimate my telescope then?

[buytelescope]

I can't post links here so e-mail me. Just use the contact form on my site. You have some options:

1 - Visual collimation - A frustrating process for most. I'll give you a link to a video that explains it.

2 - Buy the "Orion Collimating Eyepiece" tool. It's another great tool for collimation that doesn't use a laser.

3 - Buy a laser collimator :)

[BIGFACE08]

my needs collimation i couldnt get detail of mars . this is my first reflector scope its a 8 inch i have no tools wats da best way for me ?

[buytelescope]

See my response to ParaglidingManiac above.

[bottle2lip]

Collimation is a pain in the ass. I have done it once on a 8in dob i own, and never touched it again. It took quite a while to get it right, once you start messing with those screws.

[buytelescope]

That's the way I felt the first time I attempted to collimate a telescope (also an 8in dob). It took me a while to figure it out. It get's easier, trust me. Now I do the whole process in minutes and there's nothing to it. The worse thing you can to not use your 8in dob at all! Don't give up!

[buytelescope]

Here's a tip: if it's a lot cooler outside than inside, take your telescope and leave it there for at least 20 minutes before you use it, and before you do the collimation. If you collimate right away, the shift in temperatures alone could screw up your initial adjustments. Having said that, you can always enjoy a telescope even if it's not perfectly collimated 100% all the time. You should be able to take out your 8in dob 2 or 3 times out without needing to collimate it again. Good Luck!

[emgee65]

just point the OTA to the wall that way you can check the collimation safely.

[topaz84]

Very nicely explained! Also take into consideration that if the laser collimator is not perfectly collimated itself, results will be poor, telescope collimation will be way off. Also, it's recommended you place the laser vertically so that it doesn't tilt in the focuser. Another more precise method for collimation of fast scopes (low f ratio) would be either using a barlowed laser or doing a star test.

[rastamaniakTHC]

Great Vid!!! 5/5;]

[f1f1s]

Very useful! Thank you, buds, I bought a telescope yesterday!