Collimating a Mak-Cass.

[Tony G]

Well I managed to set up the mount towards the end of last week and tried the Phenix with the new crayford and slightly shortened tube, and wished I'd never touched it.
it's not the same, as I now have some colour dispersion, so I need to check the lens again, and we'll see if that helps.
The real reason for this post was the collimating of the skymax pro, (in Chris's absence). I tried this after the phenix was mothballed, and come to the conclusion that it is seriously out of collimation, and was thinking about taking the Phenix back out  .
As I have never collimated anything before (didn't see any reason to) and not having anything like a laser collimator to collimate the scope with, I am now asking for HELP!
When you go onto the tinternet, there are various different ways to do this task, but each seem to contradict each other with some saying you cannot use a laser on Mak-Cass's or SCT and some only using this method.
Please help this poor unforunate amatuer astronomer with no scopes (except the WO66) to be able to see the heavens again without it looking like a 3D image without the glasses (phenix) or a view of Saturn which resembles a new planet in our solar system. 

Tony G

PS....................This is a serious post.

[RobertM]

Hi Tony,

After looking at how it's constructed, it cannot be collimated by laser.  The best method is by test against either a real or artificial star.

The reason that SCT's (and some Mak Cassegrains such as Intes) can be successfully be collimated with a laser is that the secondary is an adjustable part of the system.  The laser can be bounced back to the collimator in the eyepiece holder precisely by adjusting the secondary screws.  Your SkyMax does not have an adjustable secondary, in fact the whole front meniscus lens is fixed at factory and should never be adjusted.  Instead adjustment is via the primary via three set screws.

I've never done one of these but it should be much easier than my SCT.  I'm more than willing to have a go if you want to bring it around (will also me the chance to check out the optics).

Robert

[Tony G]

Hi Robert,

Thanks for the offer, if you PM me with your address, I'll pop round when its convenient with you.

Thanks again.

Tony G

[Fay]

Oh Tony, I do hope you get it sorted, what a nightmare. I did have a little chuckle, just a little one, about the 3 D image without the glasses.

I wish I could help you.


Fay

[Tony G]

Well if this all fails Fay, it maybe a new scope, (which I've already got my eye on )
I'll just have to tell Flis to cut back on the champagne, and that fish egg thingy she likes with ritz biscuits, to make way for the new addition.
And I won't be getting it off ebay where Flis gets the Spanish Champagne from as I think it tastes like Bulmers Cider, come to think about it...........................

Tony G

[doug]

     What `scope haveya gotcha eye on, Tony??  Meade has gears made of cheese, according to some sources, but MY ETX70 didn`t have stripped gears; the drive motor chassis was broken by being moved when locked on to the Moon.  It is now in pieces and I have a nice Meade 70mm tube, which I shall mount on a something or other ??!!??****??>:<

[doug]

     ......... and sorry, Rick.  I seemed to have hi-jacked a thread with a totally different subject.  Oh, Gawd, another mangle

[Tony G]

Doug,

The Skywatcher 120 ED PRO refractor. 

We'll have to wait a bit though, as the car is in the garage, and they haven't told me the cost of that yet. 

Tony G

[doug]

     I think that I am getting a SkyWatcher 102 SynScan for my birthday ........ I hope...... I hope!!

[Tony G]

Thanks Robert,

this thread is no longer required.   

Tony G

[RobertM]

No problem Tony.  It might be a good idea to check it again at the next DSC, assuming the weather get's over Fay's new acquisition by then that is !

[Rocket Pooch]

Well done Robert, Tony, did the screws fit in ok, and had the hacksaw gone away ?

[Tony G]

Chris,

The screws fitted fine, and hopefully I have learnt my lesson, and will never have to loosen them again. 

Tony G