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Post by Phil on Oct 30, 2007 6:42:22 GMT
Hi i'm new to this, well is it my fault i've never had a scope that needed collimated and I never paid any attention to any chat on the subject.
Question: not how to do it, just what is the best type of device to buy? I'm sure the answers will be interesting, Eamonn
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Post by nemesis on Oct 30, 2007 11:31:25 GMT
There are several ways to do this. The most accurate method is not the method you'd use in the field in the dark every night you're out, but using the Cheshire collimator. This costs about £35, is pretty fiddly, and is for Newts or SCs where it's only a very occasional necessity. To check regularly the Colli-Mate can check out whether you need this done. It's cheap, at about £8, and can glow at night, so you can check it in the dark. However, if you've a Dob that gets carried around you'll need collimation every night, so that's where the laser collimator is a gift. Not cheap at about £55 for a 1.25" or £110 for a 2", but very easy to use with a target face that'll show that you're getting close to the mark. Some people then use a Barlow to get this even closer....fine if you've endless clear nights, but for here, a laser is the way to go. Add a set of Bob's Knobs and you can do it in 5 minutes or less.
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Post by stevie on Oct 31, 2007 18:16:05 GMT
Sounds like a good subject for a twenty minute talk, maybe in January? Confession time, I've never collimated a scope, but I think my dob could use one.
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Post by NeilP on Oct 31, 2007 18:53:46 GMT
Have you a new scope Phil?
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Post by markdj on Oct 31, 2007 19:18:01 GMT
Nemesis, your reply warrants epansion in a little website article, excellent reply. Also, don't forget the artificial star
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Post by nemesis on Nov 1, 2007 12:19:44 GMT
Yeah...you wish! Maybe sometime before I die.
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Post by Phil on Nov 8, 2007 13:03:55 GMT
Thanks for the help guys! And just for Neil.... here is the newbe!!
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Post by Veronica on Nov 8, 2007 13:14:31 GMT
Mmmmmmmmmmmmnnnnnnnnnn....nice, Phil! You lucky, lucky man!
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Post by NeilP on Nov 8, 2007 14:16:45 GMT
very nice Phil, you had a first light with it yet?
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Post by Phil on Nov 8, 2007 14:24:16 GMT
What do you think? We live closeby don't we??
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Post by mia on Nov 8, 2007 14:59:04 GMT
Ooooooh! It's turquoise!!! (I'm such a girl!!) ;D Good luck with it Phil, you'll have to join us on the obs nights now! (I'll ring you so don't start whinging again!!) At least you'll have none of this faffing about with trusses and dropping screws in the dark!
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Post by Veronica on Nov 8, 2007 15:44:46 GMT
Ooooooh! It's turquoise!!! (I'm such a girl!!) ;D Sooooo funny you should say that, Mia... 'twas the very first thing I thought!! ;D
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Post by Phil on Nov 8, 2007 15:52:38 GMT
Aw Gee.... I'm going to have to paint it now!!!
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Post by nemesis on Nov 8, 2007 20:32:17 GMT
That scope, to quote my heavy metal friend Steve is "the gayest thing I've seen, apart from two men kissing in a park." ;D
(Only joking, it's lovely...it'll match the colour of your eyes, unless Melody's blackened them over the cost)
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Post by markdj on Nov 8, 2007 20:44:02 GMT
A few pink stickers on it and you'll be attracting all sorts of attention with your big instrument...
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