How To Collimate a Reflector Telescope (EASY METHOD)

[@smalloptics753]

Hello folks there in now a part 2 to this video.. I know quite a few of you have been a little confused of where the star is placed ect. So please have a look at this video and I'm sure it will clear up any further questions you may have. Take care all, clear skies :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqvYpGeldp2Gm9U

[@ovenmittkiller47]

I'm getting my first ever telescope - an 8 inch dobsonian - very soon. Your videos have been so helpful and explain things so clearly. I don't even have my telescope yet and I feel like it's so simple when you break it down step by step. You clearly have a deep passion for this hobby.

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Kev, great to hear your enjoying my channel... Enjoy your new telescope my friend which I'm sure you will as it is often said that a 8" dob is the perfect telescope for both seasoned and beginners in this amazing hobby. Have fun, clear skies 😀

[@HarpSeal]

How is it?

[@CHOMPY73]

Did you get the Skywatcher Skyliner 200p?

[@joeparham2889]

Thanks. How important is the secondary mirror centered in the focuser? Mine rotated

[@luciangradinariu3301]

Very helpful! I just poke a hole in a dust cover with a needle, and it fits perfectly in the focuser. Works like a charm

[@gingfpv]

New to telescopes, got a skywatcher heritage 130p and your channel is brilliant thank you, only been out 4 times propper at night up to yet seen the moon very clean, Jupiter and 2 of its moons, saturn, and meany stars and comets realy enjoying it cant wait for cold clear nights

[@epickcrom5606]

This is a very helpful video, I too use a collimator cap. I'm three years into Astronomy and this is the clearest guide to collimation I've seen so far. Thanks!

[@MountFasting]

Yep! I created a simple collimation cap with a shiny interior as Jason described, and it made collimation easy & precise.

[@mikeeangel1]

Sir, thank you so much. I started this journey on the telescope word pretty much on my own, and i thank you a lot because your videos target beginners like me. Greetings from Mexico!

[@paxmagellanic498]

Also mention that when working on your telescope, it's a good idea to keep it level. Lest you drop a tool on your primary mirror.

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Pax. Yes that is a very good point, I have actually done a video on the dangers of not leveling your telescope when using tools, it's so easy for them to slip from your grip and cause un-reversible damage.

[@billducas]

Some of the best tutorial and advice videos out there. Thank you!

[@smalloptics753]

Your more than welcome friend :)

[@khchan8341]

Excellent videos Jason. As a first time owner of an 8inch Dob, I first tried out collimating with a laser collimator without much success. Despite following step-by-step with various KZbin videos. Then I tried out the hole in a cap method and I dare say that it was pretty easy and effective. Thanks.

[@smalloptics753]

Your more than welcome friend :)

[@kenschmidt6522]

I just used your method to collimate my Hardin DSH-8, after following your advice on cleaning and center spotting. Excellent results! Thanks!

[@smalloptics753]

Great to hear Ken.. Not that difficult is it? Well done buddy.

[@Beaver-be8vk]

I just came to the realization that my laser collimator is crap. Used it, looked in, and everything was way off. I’m doing it like you from now on. Thanks for the video

[@tomstrum6259]

Thank You Jason for putting up such Clear & Understandable helpful videos Slowly Paced, worded & Demonstrated for the Newtonian Newbie !! .....Most of the Other fine channels use fast Complicated optical Terminology that Bewilder & Confuse beginners !! .....Especially like the Diy homemade Collimation tools & just love your clear British accent !!!.....Thx again !!

[@jackfennessy768]

Thank you so much for the tutorial, I had to subscribe. I'm very glad I found your channel before buying a laser!

[@smalloptics753]

Hi Jack, your welcome my friend, Thank you for your support. Take care, clear skies.

[@johnnybravo24067]

Thank you very much I saved up before buying laser collimator which is not cheap😉

[@osielramirez7274]

I have so many of your videos saved in one of my playlists and was an automatic subscriber from the first vid

[@gavincosgrove]

Hi John no matter how much i do collimating on my telescope one of the mirror clips is not visible, the dot is in dead centre just like in this video but one clip will not show and I see blury double vision in the sky

[@TheMnewman93]

New subscriber and bought my first telescope earlier this year. Thanks for what you do, you're videos and insights have been extremely helpful and have made this journey much more enjoyable thus far!

[@smalloptics753]

Hello friend, fantastic to hear you are more than welcome 🙂

[@cigarnationwarriors]

Thank you for taking an unnerving process and making it both understandable and doable. Bravo!🔭

[@slayer7003]

You are the best, and yes you got it right, the best collimation tool by far is this one here!!

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Pablo, thank you for your kind words my friend. I agree, it's definitely my prefered method. take care, clear skies :)

[@frackcenturion]

just did a major pull down and clean of the 8 inch dob, which included removing the spider... i remembered this video from you and glad i did 🌟🔭👍

[@jimpoop]

I use a hotech laser collimator to get it close, then I double check with a cheshire/sight tube or star test to double check, usually spot on or very close. I have a truss so even the secondary needs tweeking everytime

[@brianmarywade6554]

I am getting a reflecting telescope for Christmas. Your video on collimation has given me a lot of confidence to try it. Great tutorial, well done.

[@smalloptics753]

Enjoy your new telescope my friend 🙂

[@MyTwoWheelTouring]

Hey Mate; good job. I teach communications at the university level and have done a great deal of video communications. I must say you have done a wonderful job without all the fancy (and expensive) graphics we have now-a-days. So Congrats, and keep them coming. (I am a rank amateur and appreciate all the info)

[@smalloptics753]

Hello there friend, Thank you for your encouraging and kind words, very much appreciated. Take care :)

[@Vic-pz5oh]

Just after making a cap like yours with the washer jason. Works a treat. Secondary was fine. Just moved the primary slightly to line up the donuts. I usually just eyeball it. This was on a 8"skywatcher dob.

[@Astrolavista]

Very well illustrated video, Jason. I really good guide for beginners! Indeed, never buy a uncollimatable laser collimator, you might as well put your money straight down a drain. With Newtonians I usually give the secondary a very quick check and just star test on Polaris as it doesn't move so its easy to keep in the centre of a high power eyepiece. I've just literally received an 8" Ritchey Chretien through the post and I think I'll need to break out the Chesire for that one.

[@smalloptics753]

Hey Chris, Thanks buddy. Wow you got an RC....Nice. Hope there is going to be a video? We could always swap, I've got a 130 with a broken secondary with deluxe PHILLIPS collimation screws if your interested. lol.

[@Astrolavista]

@@smalloptics753 lol Deluxe Phillips collimation screws :D It's a deal! Yeah off course I'll do a video, this is me we're talking about here :D

[@noahjones5150]

Very helpful thank you from South wales - also glad to see a fellow fingerstyle/classic guitarist

[@rainsilversplash4376]

It has been decades since I got my first Newt. I was a wee lad, and found that I could collimate acceptably well with the Mark 1, eyeball. Would a full collimation suite have been better? Almost certainly, but for visual observation, I certainly got tolerable results. I had no problem seeing the distinct dots of Jupiter's Galilean moons, and even distinguished the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings. My new (to me) telescope is considerably larger than the one I had as a kid (tough still comfortably in the "beginner range"), and disappointingly it came mounted on a horrible fork mount, much too light for a scope of its size. Not to worry, though, I will be constructing a much more stable mount, just as I did with my first 'scope. This time, I will go with a Dobsonian. I recall the satisfaction I felt improving my first scope, and look forward to achieving the same satisfaction yet again!

[@tubedude54]

I learned years ago how to collimate a reflector scope and the method is slightly different than what most people do. The very first thing you do is to center your mirror 1... in its mount and 2... in the tube. This means that if you are looking down the tube towards the mirror end you would see the same concentric circles made by the tube edge, the mount ring edge and the mirror edge. With this done you know the mirror is 'centered' with the central axis of the tube. Now you need to aim it so its pointed down that axis with the adjuster knobs/screws on the mirror mount. You can do this one of two ways. I use my secondary holders central hole (meaning you take the secondary mirror out so you can see thru it) and look at its reflection like you did with the star and center the secondary reflection to the center point on the mirror and adjust it till its centered. (Make sure your secondary holder is centered also before doing this by measuring vane lengths from the tube to the central holder) The other way to do it is to make a mask to fit over the tube end with a small hole about 1/8" in the center so you can peer down and align the holes reflection (meaning you still have to remove the secondary which is why I only take the secondary mirror out instead of the entire mount) with the center point on you mirror. Once you have the mirror centered you never ever touch the screws on the back of the mirror again! Now all the rest is to do a normal adjustment of the secondary and your done! So why should you NEVER touch the mirror adjustment screws again? Draw on a paper a diagram of a reflector with its secondary and eyepiece holder. In a perfectly collimated scope the rays reflected by the main mirror are perpendicular to the main mirror and then reflected at 90° to the side where the eyepiece/camera is at. ANY movement of the main mirror away from it's longitudinal axis down the tube will result in an angle greater or smaller than 90°, something we want to avoid. Now, unless you have dropped the scope, any collimation adjustments are done at the secondary and by never touching the main mirror adjusters.

[@winstoneaton4468]

Thanks so much for your help. I bought an "8 dob and the views of Nebula and Stars of all colors are amazing. Had it in the car and got bumped around a bit and needed collimating and your video was fantastic. Thanks for helping myself and others to enjoy our scopes.

[@gagandhillon4797]

I just got my telescope. I am doing something wrong. When I try to look I see my eye reflecting back. The instructions manual was crap. Had been putting it together looking at videos. My telescope looks similar to this one but a different brand. I need help

[@davee5956]

This is terrific. I've been trying to collimate my newt for a couple of mos. It's my first Newtonian telescope so I have no idea what I'm doing. I've tried other methods such as a laser and defocused star and all it's done is make the collimation worse. Well I just followed your directions here and actually spent more time making the eye piece than I did using it to align my scope. It's collimated now and I can't believe how easy it was, and after all this time trying. I can't wait to image with it tonight. I think with proper collimation I will no longer be getting elongated stars on the left corner of all my frames. Thank you!

[@smalloptics753]

You're more than welcome my friend, great to hear...Easy when you know how isn't it? :D

[@anniebd1452]

Just wanted to say Thank You! Thank you so much, of all the vids I watched to attempt my first collimation of my newt, this vid was the one! I only had a collimation cap, thought I wasn't going to do it, thought I'd be spending on more gear like laser, I then messed up visual first time as I changed the primary too much! Bit of patience and going back to this video I finally did it and now I've learned so much and I am confident to do it in minutes! 🌟🙂 Awesome!

[@01142kevin63]

Just done mine after watching this video, thanks Jason you explain things in a plain simple style which is easy to understand.

[@LeorickChrome]

You are spot on. Lasers are a pain. I was fortunate to receive one perfectly collimated. I then learned that it was only useful for aligning the secondary mirror to the donut. I tried to make my own cap, but i couldn't get the hole precise enough so i opted for the Farpoint 1.25 Inch Cheshire Collimator. So following Farpoints instructions, used the laser to hit the donut. Then the Cheshire to adjust the primary mirror. Boom. So much easier with the CC. Spot on!!! Oh btw, the Farpoint CC has stickies and a great clear aligning sheet if one doesn't have a marker on their primary mirror.

[@njords77]

My telescope's primary mirror is not parabolic so it needs another domed lens at the bottom of the focuser tube to sort of achieve single focal point at the eye-piece, but not really. Using a collimating laser is therefore useless because at the end on the target spot it's not a single dot anymore but elongated type beam.. Collimation cap I'm sure will be far superior in calibration of this bottom of bargain bin telescope, great vid, thanks.

[@veljkostojanic7942]

Thanks for this! I didnt know if I wanted a reflector becouse of collimation, but after watching this it looks so easy, thank you again!

[@smalloptics753]

Your more than welcome my friend 🙂

[@tombez3638]

Hi. So if i can't see primary brackets then move secondary away or closer right? With cap on or off ...and then adjust primary after secondary is set...is that right?

[@zkirilov]

Thank you sir, very good and useful explanation!!

[@robertYTB78g]

Thank you for this. I made a cap and I couldn't believe (a) how much easier it now was to know if the collimation was correct and (b) how far out I'd got with my laser collimator! I knew the laser collimation had gone off using the star focus technique you mentioned, but just how bad really surprised me. Then I went back and re-tried my laser collimator knowing the collimation was now correct, and rotated the laser taking readings. In my first 0 - 180 degree rotation they were both on the second ring out from the bullseye, and then on the 90 - 270 positions it was three rings one side to off the scale on the other. I still wasn't happy with the slack in the eyepiece tube as you mentioned, or that I would ever find this as easy and guaranteed right as the collimation cap. No way I will be going back to using the laser after this!

[@MrAzyllo]

14:00 do i understand this right, it's the secendary (smaller) mirror that i have to set if star looks like that?

[@chriscampbell1456]

On your laser collimation device, if you notice the 3 dimples around it at the battery end. If you dig that glue out of those holes, there's a hex key set screw in each one of those holes that allow you to collimate the laser beam to the body of the device (I've seen a few videos on collimating your laser on KZbin). I've done mine and now the laser is spot on centered. I don't know why some companies think there products are so good that they never need adjusted after they leave they factory (and they fill the screw holes) but, usually they do need adjusted in my experience. Especially when you first get it after it has been bounced around during shipping.

[@random_guy1024]

Now I can Collimate my scope easily ........ thanks for this amazing trick..... really helped me out.........

[@smalloptics753]

Your Welcome friend.Pleased to hear it helped:)

[@nickhardiman2142]

Great video just what I wanted. Saved me £25 for a laser and just printed me a collimator cap off and followed your video thanks for the excellent advice. Hopefully I can get the old Newtonian I bought to focus now 🤞

[@smalloptics753]

Thank you Nick, have fun getting your telescope back in shape.

[@kenyule6928]

I really like the way you explain things. I'm learning a lot about astronomy and telescopes. I appreciate what you are doing here.

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Ken. Thank you my friend. All the best for 2022 :)

[@ColeDedhand]

I just bought my wife a 5" newtonian and the image just wasn't clear. Stars could not be focused to a point. I used this method to collimate it. I made the collimation cap myself from the stock plastic cap. The secondary was mounted too deep and not in alignment with the eyepiece so I had to move it as far up as it would go just to get the full reflection of the primary. Then I adjusted the secondary so the circle on the primary was centered and then adjusted the primary until the collimation cap reflection was centered on the primary circle. Everything was lined up so that should be it, right? Well we tested it on Saturn and Jupiter and WOW! All 4 Galilean moons were pinpoint sharp. 4 cloud bands were visible (2 came and went with the seeing). Saturn had 2 moons visible and the shadow of the rings was sharp. The image was so clear and detailed it's hard to believe it's the same scope. I have to mention that this was with my Teleview eyepieces, not the junk ones that came with the scope.

[@JarppaGuru]

12:43 my telescope that centre mirror thing is off centre like huge and i can see scope part inside moving when use focus like you have on top maybe but mine move allmost centre so what i need aling. whole thing that hold mirror or back mirror? yes its cheap 100 buck telescope i found trash lol mayby its there for reason xD all right i removed bottom mirror and try without screw so it can move that mirror piece siluette to centre so need alight it with those skrews 3 is holding and 3 is tilting it

[@dallysinghson5569]

Saved me a pretty penny and I know a bit more about my scope!

[@Mody95gad]

I'm a new amateur astronomer from Egypt and I really want to thank you for your guidance! I wasn't able to properly collimate my telescope using the laser collimator for the reasons you mentioned in another video. I do have a question however, even though my primary mirror is centered in the secondary, it doesn't completely fit in the view of the secondary mirror. It's almost as if my secondary is too small or something. In your video, you are able to see the full primary mirror with the three brackets, but for me if I center the primary mirror I don't see ANY of them, even though I can tell from the spider that it is centered. Does this mean I could possibly be losing value as I'm not utilizing a part of the primary mirror, since it isn't being fully shown in the secondary? I hope that doesn't mean I'm not doing collimation correctly in the first place. My telescope aperture is 160mm, with 800 focal length. If you could shed light on this I would highly appreciate it! not sure if this video is too old for you to see the comment tho lol. All in all, thanks a ton!

[@Mody95gad]

I resolved it! I did some calculations on how big the secondary should be with the guidance of a website article, and found that mine was 5-6 mm smaller than it should be. I now have the bigger secondary and I can see the mirror clips =)

[@titobattaglia7932]

aaaaand… I subscribed. Your tutorials are so nice and effective!

[@smalloptics753]

Thank you for your support and kind words my friend :)

[@astropeanutcat1953]

I think I need to watch most of your videos before I start operating my first telescope. It's the Celestron 8in Newt on AVX mount. Im a complete beginner and Im still kinda anxious on setting uo my telescope :>

[@smalloptics753]

Hello KikyoMiko..Please do my friend, nearly all of my videos are for the beginner I'm sure you will find something to help you along on this amazing hobby... Congrats on buying probably the perfect size telescope, 8" is the only size you will ever need. There is not a lot of Astro objects you can't see with a 8" scope... You are doing the right thing doing a little research before using it but don't be anxious just get out there and enjoy it..Have fun, clear skies ☺️🌙🔭

[@donc2593]

Great video. Clear instructions, simple to follow. I'm gearing up to do this for the first time tomorrow !

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Don, good luck my friend, just take your time and I'm sure you will be fine🙂

[@rangareddy4336]

Very informative and easy to understand video. Thanks! My only question is where do we place the star sticker?

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Ranga, your welcome my friend. The star sticker is on the centre of the primary mirror, if you take a look at this video you will see where it is placed kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKulmWyvj96JfZI also if your don't know how to place a centre spot/sticker take a look at this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/apjTfqiHp8ysgNE Hope this helps. Take care, clear skies

[@smalloptics753]

Hello folks, just wanted to let you know there is a facebook group set up by one of my subscribers feel free to come and join in the friendly chat with any questions you might have or just general astro chit-chat. The group is still quite young so we don't have many members at the moment, but hopefully it will grow. If you are new to astronomy and do have questions, remember....There is no such thing as a stupid question :) Take care all, clear skies. SmallOptics Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/223807419299994/?ref=share

[@Rockanory247]

Thank you so much cracking video. I feel i actually understand my telescope now 👍

[@marchhare200]

I have just tightened all the locking screws after hrs of trying to preform a collimation Of a Celestron 114az that my wife bought me for my birthday. I watched a few videos but found this one the most useful. The scope worked out of the bow but it was obvious there was miss alignment as there was an arc missing from the primary mirror. Others are saying to upgrade from standard eyepiece/lenses as they are trash? Recommendations/advise? Thanks

[@smalloptics753]

Hello March Hare, pleased to hear you my video helped you. Upgrading your stock eyepieces is always a good idea and will improve your overall views. The thing is, eyepieces that are provided with telescopes are just to get you going, think of them a bit like batteries that are supplied with electrical products, they are not that good and later on you would replace them with better ones. Most telescopes come with two eyepieces a high and low power usally round about a 10mm high and a 25mm low. It's the high power eyepiece that needs replacing, the low power ones are usally ok as they are not that demanding on the telescope. A good first upgrade is a plossl (that is the design of the eyepiece) I would recommend a 12-15mm Plossl, they are a good all-rounder and will work well with a barlow. You can get a plossl for around £25-30. If you need further help on collimating your telescope feel free to email me and I will help as much as I can. Take care, clear skies :) [e-mail]

[@Jeep2012]

Hi there. I just discovered your channel recently, and I really enjoy your videos. I enjoy your choice of topics, and your videos on how to find objects in the night sky. You really put a lot of effort in to describing the subject matter of your videos which I really enjoy. You don't rush. To many people on other channels really breeze thru what ever they are describing, not thinking that not everyone out there has been observing for years and years. I have subscribed to your channel, and look forward to your future videos.

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Tony. Thank you for your kind words my friend, great to hear you like my channel, much appreciate your support. All the best, take care :)

[@bmk4549]

Thankyou for your very helpful and informative videos on this channel.

[@smalloptics753]

your more than welcome.

[@BurstNibbler]

With a cap I can line up a smartphone camera with the axis of the pinhole, take a photo and load it into a free app called screen ruler (iOS). It's got a protractor tool which I can move/zoom to see how centered the secondary is in relation to the focuser (and see if the secondary isn't round) as well as line up the primary with the reflection of the washer on the back of the cap.

[@Tc2_Moreless]

Wich screws do you need for front mirror and for primary mirror my telescope doesent have any screw parts

[@nhanhunhanhu]

May I ask for an how-to about collimating using a Cheshire? I am at that point you show at 11:18, but can't, for the life of me figure out the screws. Try as I might, The mirror barely moves...

[@smalloptics753]

Hello there.. Not been able to adjust the mirror usually due to the adjustment screws been fastened down to there max meaning the is no room for adjustment.. First loosen off the locking screws then make sure all the adjustment screws are in half way so they have room to move in and out and this should hopefully solve your problem.. I will be doing another video on different methods of collimation and the Cheshire will be one of them.. So stay tuned.. Hope you can sort it out my friend. Good luck. :)

[@Anna-el8iw]

Ahhh! Thank you soooo much! I appreciate that this was both super easy for beginners as well as not requiring any new pieces of equipment! Trying to be an astronomer on a budget!

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Anna, your more than welcome.. Welcome to the hobby :)

[@DomR1997]

I'm so thankful I found your channel. I've had a telescope for....well let's just say a very very long time. I've never actually used it though because I had no idea how to prepare it. Now though I'd really like to get into it and your channel is very helpful.

[@smalloptics753]

Thank you for your kind words my friend glad to have you here

[@thereviewandhowto2550]

Amazing video. I was having the worst time with collimating you made it so easy I liked subscribed and I plan on watching all your videos amazing tutorial you’re the best

[@smalloptics753]

Thank you so much my friend, very much appreciated, your more than welcome :)

[@jamaurik]

Thanks for the video, still need help, so I have the concentric circles through the eyepice but when I place the lens I only see a white blu...r??

[@smalloptics753]

Hello JD, I'm not quite sure what you mean, Is it the star test that you not sure of?

[@JoeBob79569]

Great video, but damn those Phillips head screws for collimating the primary mirror are a crime against astronomy! I already had the hole in the cap method done myself for my previous telescope, but the washer on the inside is a fantastic idea, I think I'll give that a shot. I just got a new 10" Dob today and it was way out of whack, both the primary and the secondary, but I think I have it about 98% collimated now, and I think the washer method will probably get me 99.9% the way there.

[@jyexvi3184]

Hello i have question what happens if you accidentally remove the secure screws from back of primary mirror ?

[@Super-Duper_Space_Goat]

u may have seen me on another vid but once again a livesaver! :D 👍👍

[@proko123]

So far the best video yet.

[@WizzRacing]

Part of the fun is learning a new skill.. I remember the first time I taken an 8 lens camera apart to clean the oil out. You just need the right tools. Take your time and don't get in a hurry...

[@bayakoofficial9806]

Smashed it , but as a rookie I don’t even know what I am supposed to check with my national geographic reflector , before I start tweaking the star shaped screws , how do I know if the reflector is tuned ? Do I must collimate a 2nd hand reflector

[@BlackMafia60]

Great video, finally took the mystery out of collimation for me!

[@smalloptics753]

Your welcom friend, pleased to here it helped you.

[@colinsmith4998]

So well explained and perfectly straightforward. Collimated my scope in no time at all. Thank you.

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Colin. Thank you and Your welcome buddy.

[@renegadebt1374]

Thank you sir, Learned a lot, Very informative..

[@jonkjon]

What do you do if everything appears centered but you can't see any of the mirror clips of the primary mirror? Thanks for the great video of this. It's one of the best I've seen and I've watched plenty of them!

[@RoysVideos]

Just got a Celestron 130eq. So without a collimating cap I look through the finder and line everything up. Perfect circles. Then when I put the cap on, the secondary mirror seems totally off and oblong. Am I doing something wrong?

[@007tallguy]

Very informative video, thanks!! My million dollar question: when looking into the eyepiece, do you stand at a 90 deg angle to the tube? If i do, the image i see is tilted about 30-degrees or so. Is that normal? 🤔 Edit: my amazon scope does not have those bands around the tube like yours has, so i can't adjust it that way.

[@mubarakhayath]

Thank you so much sir for the video 😀 I didn't know about the collimation cap untill now ,haha will definitely try it out ❤️

[@smalloptics753]

Hey Mubarak, Your welcome friend, yes I've used collimation caps for years they are cheap and easy to make and use, better than them awful lasers lol.

[@epic_playz4283]

Congrats On 1k Jason!

[@smalloptics753]

Thank you buddy...Like I say "it's all thanks to you awesome people :)

[@epic_playz4283]

@@smalloptics753 we're happy to support ya!

[@hlsproducts574]

Thank you, I will be giving this a go this afternoon

[@willcline7992]

Jason, I need some help, I have built an telescope. and I cannot get it in focus. I have a 6 inch mirror with 150mm focal length. I have roughly columnated it but nothing is in focus. Is there a good way to tell if my focal length off? My eye in the focal tube is out of focus is this right? If I pull my head back from the focuser my eye comes into focus. Does that mean my focal length is too short? I put a dot on ,my main mirror and that is nicely centered. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[@pipsqueek1176]

How do you know how to adjust the secondary mirror ?

[@carolbuzelim]

Thanks for your tips, i hope i can do by myself cuz is really expensive

[@jons2447]

Hello, Jason; Thank you for all you do. I really appreciate this video as I like to 'tinker' and I've considered a laser collimation tool. I knew of the film cannisters as sight tubes but not how to DIY one, thanks. My StarBlast 6 usually holds collimation well. I just 'flocked' the tube & after replacing the cell, focuser, & spider it was still collimated. BTW, I'd read about using a piece of plastic between the spider & the 2nd mirror. It goes between the spider & the 2nd mirror so the adjusting screws press against it. It needs a center hole for the retaining screw. I used 2 or 3 pieces (don't recall, its been awhile) so they could slide against each other. This allows the mirror to be turned by hand even when its tightened quite securely. I'd considered using mirrored surface in my collimation cap, you've given me the info I needed. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor" (& a clear night!). PS My scope came w/ a white center circle so that's good.

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Jon, It's a pleasure my friend.. Flocking is probably the best mod you can do to any reflector telescope, once done the difference is like night and day when it comes to contrast.. I have heard of placing a buffer so to speak at the secondary and I would advice it if you are noticing gouge marks on the back of the secondary housing (which is common in a lot of telescopes.)..Great to hear your mirror came centre spotted.. It's beyond me why manufacturers don't in some telescopes as it is a important part of collimation.. Take care, clear skies :)

[@ThisJourneyCalledLife]

Everything I needed to know. Thank you! 👍

[@smalloptics753]

Your more than welcome :)

[@adrianlucian9682]

Hello ,can i do this on a Bird-Jones tube without take out the corrective lens ?

[@dgp1080]

Absolutely marvellous. Thanks 1000 times👌

[@guptazzzfamily8639]

Great video but I have a question where or on what did you put the star on, I mean was it on the wall or the telescope, and if on the telescope then on which part ?

[@smalloptics753]

Hello there friend, Thank you. The star is on the mirror. I use a star sticker as a centre spot instead of a circle that is usually on a mirror. It doesn't matter whether it's a spot, circle, triangle or a star as long as it is placed precisely in the centre of the mirror you can collimate using this method. Hope this has cleared things up for you.

[@guptazzzfamily8639]

On the primary mirror or the secondary one ?

[@smalloptics753]

@@guptazzzfamily8639 it's on the primary:-)

[@guptazzzfamily8639]

Ok , thankyou

[@gy9326]

I’d only use the ring from a paper reinforcement. if you use a star you will limit your ability to use a laser in the future as the star wouldn’t make a great reflective surface. Edit: or anything with a open centre. I’d hole punch the star first to save yourself the hassle or removing it in the future.

[@brianmarywade6554]

I am attempting to collimate my scope and have hit a big problem. I can`t undo the locking screw on the secondary mirror. I have tried blocking the tube behind the secondary mirror with kitchen roll. Then spraying the screw with WD40 without success. Any advice much appreciated.

[@kencur9690]

Surely at 9:30 is a mistake. I am 100% sure that in a Carson telescope, for instance, it is the locking screws which are flush, and the adjusting screws which protrude. And this makes sense, given that you only need room to play with the latter not the former, which have only one job to do.

[@TheUrbanAstronomer]

You are a great teacher, Jason!

[@smalloptics753]

Thank you friend, for your kind words.

[@jolinarcze]

iiiiinteresting.... would it be safe to assume that if i can't collimate during the day using the cap (get to location too late), i can just use the second method with similar results?

[@patindaytona]

I have adjusted my focuser which I shouldn't have really. The secondary and primary mirrors seem to look aligned and centered though. I did this about a year ago. It could be just my eyes failing me, but seems like Jupiter for example is less sharp than before alot of the time (disregard atmospheric effects). Would an out of adjusted focuser (it tilts same as the primary and secondary to align things) serve the exact same purpose of alignment as the other mirrors, or could it cause out of alignment without me even knowing it?

[@MisterItchy]

I just received a Celestron 5" reflector today. I had heard that collimation might be necessary. I'm a bit concerned with the sticker on the primary mirror? I will take a look at the second video so, if this question is answered there, nevermind. Is it not a problem to stick something to the primary mirror?

[@notpartially_mist76]

I've heard that when you collimate that you need to make sure all brackets are visible meaning in some cases all three are not, I've made a collimation cap by putting a hole at the very center of a focuser dust cap + used aluminium foil as a reflective surface at the back and find that no matter how much I turn the allen screws on the secondary mirror (without it disengaging from the telescope), the brackets wont move + are all always visible. Is there a reason for that, or is that normal meaning I just need to line up the secondary mirror and its veins to be as even as I can without any proper guideline?

[@garryfreemyer7187]

Same results here no matter what I did I couldn’t see the three brackets at the same time.

[@RobBob555]

hi Jason, i have the same scope, get these thumbscrews for cheap.. perfect fit mate M5x16x20 no more messing with philips screws much cheaper than "Bobs Knobs"

[@smalloptics753]

Hey Rob, I was thinking of replacing them with something more practical, but to be honest I very rarely have to collimate this scope it holds collimation pretty well. I think if I was travelling a lot with it, like taking in the car to darker locations then I would probably replace them. Thanks Rob, take care buddy :)

[@RobBob555]

@@smalloptics753 well, i will be taking mine out and about in the motorhome ( whenever lockdown is away ) so yeah, it is very necessary for me, TBH i think it looks a lot better too lol.. but i used 3 wing nuts from the tray ( they are M5 too) as they look and feel different from the adjustment screws, (no mixing them up ) on the tray itself, i replaced them with the extra new thumbscrews as you get 10 :O) cheers ps, anyone looking, search amazon uk for " sourcing map M5 x 20mm Male Thread Knurled Clamping Knobs Grip Thumb Screw on Type Round Head 10 Pcs " as link not working here. they are £7.19 for 10

[@stanmanlyman4550]

Ive been trying and trying and I just messed up even more. Now everything is blurry, and theres no astronomu clubs where I live. I dunno, maybe my secondary is too far left or right, or its angle is all messed up... I have a collimation cap, a crappy cheshire ans even dared to take out and put a little dot in the center ( its not perfectly center but close enough for getting at least SOME positive results ) The nights are getting darker, and Im so sad :(

[@bazzinator7477]

After watching both your videos about collimation without a laser I agree that not relying on a laser makes sense. What doesn't make sense to me is why you have not made a video using a cheshire like the one you showed in the picture. Seems to me that a cheshire instruction would be very helpful to many people.

[@jwrtiger]

Very nice informative video. I have an 8-inch Reflector Telescope and the secondary mirror's supports (spider) and adjustments looks very similar to your telescope. I understand this would be extremely rare but how would you test and adjust if the secondary mirror was not at the correct depth in the telescope tube? Hope I said the correctly. Again thanks for the great video and information.

[@smalloptics753]

Thank you friend. I think I understand what you mean. The centre adjustment screw on the spider will also adjust how far in and out of the tube the secondary mirror is positioned, it wants to be directly underneath the focusr tube. As long as you are getting concentric circles like I show in the video, the secondary will be positioned correctly. Hope that answers your question.

[@jwrtiger]

@@smalloptics753 Yes it answer my question. Thanks!

[@wakingforbacon6439]

@@smalloptics753 what do you put the stars sticker on. I'm completely new to this. And what do you actually stick the cap to

[@warddc]

That collimater absolutely does have the ability to be itself collimated. The adjustment is under the three divots that are filled with material. Mine came absolutely true and didnt need adjustment. The instructions to collimate the laser are on the amazon web site where i bought it.

[@smalloptics753]

Hi Dave, Your probably right, but I will always favour this method of collimating. In my opinion laser's are no good for entry-level focuses, you need compression ring focuses to be of any use.

[@warddc]

@@smalloptics753 Agreed. A compression ring keeps it centered better than the pinch screws. I appreciate your simpler method of getting great results.