Collimating A Laser Collimater

[@grahamalgeo3867]

I dusted off and collimated my old lazer, and I have totally changed sides, it's now an essential piece of kit, instead of waste of money. It has improved my scope's collimation it has made the whole process (Especially the primary mirror.) a lot easier. This is a must video for newt owners! Thank you again.

[@steppenwolfwest]

Excellent and helpful video. So many people give up with these laser collimators not realising that they too have to be collimated for repeatable and accurate results- your video shows how perfectly - well done.

[@serenityangels]

Very helpful, I bought a Laser collimater and a Cheshire and was surprised how different the results were. Found this and helped adjust the laser and now results are closer (a little more time and it'll probably sort out). Good advise even 8 years on!

[@rickolson1738]

Nice info on this. It could drive you nuts if you don't know to check the laser. Thanks for this!

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

When I saw that drill press in the background, I thought you were going to chuck up the collimator and turn the drill press on. If it makes a single point, it's collimated... but your way seems better because the distance to the wall is greater.

[@kkrazykool]

Hi there, very good video and simple enough to follow for a beginner like me. I managed to borrow a telescope and ordered a cheap £20 Seben collimator and received it today so will be testing to see if it is collimated! Thanks again!

[@frankguyton9596]

thanks for the video i made the same jig and followed your instructions and now my laser is perfect it was making a nickel size circle.

[@astronomyshed]

They are about 1" push fit plumbing pipe and fittings, just have a wander around your local hardware store to find something suitable.

[@astronomyshed]

I just poked the small allen key straight through the rubber on mine, worked fine.

[@rickbruno3975]

Very helpful, once again! Thank you! I saw somewhere that someone made a collimator rack with leggo blocks. I guess there are many ways to skin a cat. (Not that I'm advocating cruelty to animals!)

[@Microtonal_Cats]

If a Newt is poorly collimated, like the laser dot is coming out of it and hitting the wall, when you put a perfectly collimated laser into a good 2 inch adapter in the focuser and turn the laser, will it still define a circle on the wall instead of a dot? Good video, thank you.

[@astronomyshed]

Possibly, because the actual focuser alignment may not be central to the tube. If the collimator is collimated and it's drawing circles then you have to look at every part of the chain. Focuser, secondary, primary.

[@astronomyshed]

@RayGil Thanks Ray, feedback always appreciated, uploaded another one today on cone error. Also a new out takes video uploaded.

[@panspermiahunter7597]

Surely if the eyepiece holder is very slightly big, when the grub is tightened the collimater will be slightly askew, even if it is loose by a 1000th by the time it gets to the primary it will be obviously out and until they design an eyepiece holder that is perfect so the eyepiece and collimater fit exactly the same, as we are with general Newtonians getting it exact is a pipe dream, after that you have the atmosphere to worry about :) PS : Thats a great method you have for correcting your collimater!!!

[@astronomyshed]

so in an imperfect world you fix as much as you possibly can!

[@gurp13]

Great video, sir! Thank you for making it! I used your design for a "v-block" to check my collimator. Wonderful ideas!

[@wheresthetorch4627]

Excellent video - clear and concise. Many thanks.

[@robertovolpini9359]

always semplicity pays off 😉👍

[@johnwriterpoet1783]

Thank you very much. Now I know how to adjust mine!

[@michaelaldan945]

rest in peace Howie, a great loss to amateur astronomy, a great visionary...

[@elchapodeoakley]

He died?!

[@astronomyshed]

@redfivemansell Mine is an Antares laser collimater, they aren't expensive but are decent quality and collimateable, I have actually tested the baader and I wasn't over impressed, I find the Antares cheaper and better.

[@SylvesterFritz]

great, a Laser Collimator is the next thing i got to buy, i was sugested the Holtect but i prefer one like yours and just buy a ring adapter, it will be cheaper and have more uses

[@astronomyshed]

@steppenwolfwest Thanks for the comments Steve, I appreciate it.

[@redfivemansell]

This is a great video which got me into thinking my collimator isn't as good as yours. Can you please tell me what's the full name of the collimator you use? I'm considering selling the one I use (Baader Colli Mark III) and getting this one.

[@popeye5989]

Wait? What argument about the Holtec self centering? I've just ordered one!!

[@astronomyshed]

You will love it. The whole self centering adapter argument was that it cant centre a non collimated laser collimator and they are also not technically self centering, they will still only centre as well as if you put a 2" eyepiece in your focuser. But I had 2 of them I loved them so much, they are a brilliant aid on a cold dark night.

[@ParaglidingManiac]

Is cheshire collimator of any use to Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope?

[@MrTheFlyingSaucer]

i have a simillar collimator but it's from astro professional and I have a question. My collimator needs to be collimated but the 3 collimating screws are covered with rubber. I dug out one of them with a needle but it wasn't easy so I was wondering if you have any suggestions...

[@nordmende73]

Thank you very much!

[@Maadhawk]

What I am trying to find is, What is a collimator? Reading a sci-fi book by John Ringo and he mentions them allot with optical weaponry.

[@felipevascones8151]

Genius! Thanks a lot

[@cslan4]

When you have to adjust it what size Alan key do you use??

[@astronomyshed]

Cant remember it's that long ago lol, a small one 😂

[@cslan4]

@@astronomyshed Ok thanks I have about a million of I'll find the right one!!!

[@knightclan4]

Thanks I think you could become a millionaire if you patent that cradle!

[@astronomyshed]

Thanks. I'm replying to this from a lounger on the beach of my private island in the Bahamas.

[@kirkster501]

What I am finding very awkward is that I have get the collimation spot on. All screws seem to be tight. But then a few light taps and it loses collimation again! Doh....

What kind of laser is that, i want it, i cannot hear what you say cos' i'm not an english speaker. THANKS

Antares laser collimater, thanks :)

[@lawrence8299]

instead of V block, I think I'll get 4 wheels, perhaps build it with lego and let the collimator roll on it

[@williamarmstrong7199]

The reason your camcorder see's a larger dot is because it also see's infrared wavelengths. The laser in your collimator is infrared the beam passes through a flouressing material that turns the infrared light to a viable wavelength. It should then have a infrared filter on it to block ALL remaining infrared light! This seems to be missing! DO NOT look into the beam of this collimator or permanent eye damage will be caused! Hope this warning helps?

[@dedskin1]

nice , now we all can see for we have eyesight , and we need it to see how this techniqe is example of "over engineering " , if i ever seen it

[@thostube13]

Thanks for posting the video. Very helpful. Spot on. :-)

[@ParaglidingManiac]

Yes, excuse me. I just couldn't find an answer to this question anywhere else. Thank you!

[@astronomyshed]

Not really, but this has nothing to do with collimating laser collimators.

[@astronomyshed]

Google is your friend ;)

[@astronomyshed]

Plenty of places on the astronomyshed forum at astronomyshed dot co dot uk

[@Markinpuff]

Howie glatter is worth every penny, just look it up

[@thethirdman225]

Still needs collimation.

[@gurp13]

TheThirdMan no, it doesn't. That's why it's so expensive. Howie Glatter carefully constructs it and collimates it before it gets to you. I bought one and can confirm it was in perfect collimation and has been a great help to my hobby.

[@ricford39]

What language are you speaking? I never did figure out what you were trying to do. Collimation of a dobsonian telescope should take about 5 minutes, max. And your gadget is totally not needed. But it was fun to watch.

[@gurp13]

John Smith if you are an astronomer, then you would understand. But, obviously you're not. Maybe instead of insulting someone who took the time to make a video to help people, you might educate yourself instead. Sometimes it's the fault of the speaker when we don't understand. But, sometimes it's the listener. I found the video incredibly helpful.