[SJAAboard] Collimation tools for scopes

[Rich N]

> Rich N writes:
>> We are looking into relatively inexpensive alignment tools
>> that are effective.    
>> 
>> A scope with an OTA that must be assembled each time it is used
>> should have an alignment tool.  IMO, all of the Newts should have an 
>> alignment tool available
> 
> Agreed on both counts. Getting collimation tools for all the Newts
> makes a lot of sense and doesn't cost much.
> 
> Lasers are really convenient and quick for
> truss-tube scopes, and if the little Orion one (which works fine!)
> is that cheap, it might be a good idea to get a few.
> 
> But lasers are hard to use on solid-tube scopes and don't do as good
> a job as an Aline or Cheshire anyway, so getting the simpler ones
> for the non-truss scopes makes sense.
> 
> Personally I always found the Aline easier to use than a Cheshire
> (I own a Cheshire but I never use it). If you haven't used one, the
> Aline looks a lot like the Orion little plastic cap with concentric
> circles, but it works a lot better because it has some very
> reflective material around the central hole, which the Orion ones
> don't have. Plus they're only $4.99 (rigelsys.com).
> 
> Since Steve asked for an opinion on power sources, I'll say: I
> don't really have one. :-)  I've used "tethered" scopes (need to
> be plugged in to AC) and I've used DC scopes, and which is better
> depends on where you observe. Some people like to stay in the
> backyard where AC is available, other people always travel so
> battery power is better. I guess you could get inverters for the
> AC scopes and power supplies for the DC ones so everyone would
> have a choice, but really I'm not sure it's worth the bother.
> 
> Having no power really isn't a big problem for an equatorial scope
> anyway, if you're not doing photography. Just lock the declination
> axis and nudge it in RA every so often, or use a manual slow-motion.
> I frequently don't bother connecting the motors at all on my Great
> Polaris,
> 
> ...Akkana

Thanks, Akkana!  I do the same thing with my SP EQ mount.  I find it
easier than using and Alt/az mount.  

A question came up about adjusting the secondary mirror.  I either use
a sight tube or just look through the hole in the eyepiece holder.  I adjust
the secondary so that it shows the primary evenly all around in the secondary.
Then I work on the primary with my Cheshire.  

Apparently some laser tools work ok for adjusting the secondary.  I'll defer
to folks with more experience using laser tools.

Rich