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Collimating Tools
Optics that are out of collimation (with optical elements that are not all exactly aligned on the same optical axis) cannot produce good images. Stars will be elongated or lopsided, planetary details will be hazy and low in contrast, and binary stars will be difficult to split cleanly.
Some telescopes, such as reflectors, can easily be knocked slightly out of collimation, even by the simple act of carrying them outdoors. Catadioptric telescopes (Schmidt-Cassegrains) are less prone to lose their collimation, but should be checked regularly to maintain peak performance. Refractors rarely need collimation, unless they have been treated roughly.
Recollimating most optics to restore the best images is a relatively simple task, and should be done on a regular basis. The collimating tools below are mechanical and optical aids that will help you keep the optics of your telescope at their peak to give you the best possible image contrast and resolution every night you go out to observe.
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Original price $110.00 - Original price $110.00Original price$110.00$110.00 - $110.00Current price $110.00Astrozap Artificial Star
AstrozapMore on the wayMost astronomers agree that the best way to collimate reflective optics is to observe a star through the scope, examine the concentricity of its di...
View full detailsOriginal price $110.00 - Original price $110.00Original price$110.00$110.00 - $110.00Current price $110.00 -
Original price $32.95 - Original price $32.95Original price$32.95$32.95 - $32.95Current price $32.95Celestron Newtonian Reflector Collimating Tool 94182
CelestronIn StockThe Celestron Newtonian reflector collimating tool is a combination of a sight tube and a Cheshire tool in a single unit. It has the precisely cent...
View full detailsOriginal price $32.95 - Original price $32.95Original price$32.95$32.95 - $32.95Current price $32.95 -
Original price $354.00 - Original price $354.00Original price$354.00$354.00 - $354.00Current price $354.00Takahashi Collimating scope for Ritchey-Chrétiens, Dall-Kirkhams, and refractors TKA00443
TakahashiMore on the wayThis Takahashi 6 x 18mm collimating scope is designed to help you align the optics of Dall-Kirkham, Ritchey-Chrétien, and refractor telescopes.The ...
View full detailsOriginal price $354.00 - Original price $354.00Original price$354.00$354.00 - $354.00Current price $354.00 -
Original price $74.00 - Original price $74.00Original price$74.00$74.00 - $74.00Current price $74.00Takahashi Collimating eyepiece TKA00441
TakahashiMore on the wayThe Takahashi TCE0020 is a collimating eyepiece used to collimate Newtonian and Cassegrain telescopes.The Takahashi TCE0020 is a short body Cheshir...
View full detailsOriginal price $74.00 - Original price $74.00Original price$74.00$74.00 - $74.00Current price $74.00 -
Original price $173.00 - Original price $173.00Original price$173.00$173.00 - $173.00Current price $173.00Takahashi 2" Adapter To Use Takahashi Collimating Scope With Non-Takahashi Telescopes
TakahashiMore on the wayThis Takahashi 2" adapter is used to connect the Takahashi collimating scope to the 2" focuser of takahashi reflectors and non-Takahashi telescopes...
View full detailsOriginal price $173.00 - Original price $173.00Original price$173.00$173.00 - $173.00Current price $173.00 -
Original price $92.00 - Original price $92.00Original price$92.00$92.00 - $92.00Current price $92.00Takahashi Collimating tube TKA00442
TakahashiMore on the wayThe Takahashi TCE0030 collimating tube provides crosshairs to convert the Takahashi TCE0020 collimating eyepiece into a sighting tube for collimati...
View full detailsOriginal price $92.00 - Original price $92.00Original price$92.00$92.00 - $92.00Current price $92.00 -
Original price $29.95 - Original price $29.95Original price$29.95$29.95 - $29.95Current price $29.95
Bob’s Knobs 6 Collimating and Locking Knobs for Meade 12" Lightbridge Dobsonian Primary Mirror
Bob's KnobsSold OutThese knobs make it easy to collimate the primary mirror of your Meade 12" LightBridge Dobsonian reflector for optimum image quality. You don't nee...
View full detailsOriginal price $29.95 - Original price $29.95Original price$29.95$29.95 - $29.95Current price $29.95Sold out -
Original price $20.95 - Original price $20.95Original price$20.95$20.95 - $20.95Current price $20.95Bob’s Knobs 3 Collimating Knobs for Metric Celestron 9.25" CPC 925 SCTs
Bob's KnobsIn StockThese knobs make it easy to collimate your Celestron C9¼ CPC 925 for optimum image quality. You don't need any tools, so you never have to worry ab...
View full detailsOriginal price $20.95 - Original price $20.95Original price$20.95$20.95 - $20.95Current price $20.95 -
Original price $19.95 - Original price $19.95Original price$19.95$19.95 - $19.95Current price $19.95
Bob’s Knobs 3 Collimating Knobs for Celestron C14 with Phillips-Head Collimation Screws
Bob's KnobsSold OutThese knobs make it easy to collimate your Celestron C14 for optimum image quality. You don't need any tools, so you never have to worry about losi...
View full detailsOriginal price $19.95 - Original price $19.95Original price$19.95$19.95 - $19.95Current price $19.95Sold out -
Original price $19.95 - Original price $19.95Original price$19.95$19.95 - $19.95Current price $19.95
Bob’s Knobs 3 Collimating Knobs for Celestron C14 w/Allen or Slotted Collimation Screws
Bob's KnobsSold OutThese knobs make it easy to collimate your Celestron C14 for optimum image quality. You don't need any tools, so you never have to worry about losi...
View full detailsOriginal price $19.95 - Original price $19.95Original price$19.95$19.95 - $19.95Current price $19.95Sold out -
Original price $19.95 - Original price $19.95Original price$19.95$19.95 - $19.95Current price $19.95Bob’s Knobs 3 Collimating Knobs for Celestron 11" SCT with Trifid Secondary (Not Edge HD)
Bob's KnobsMore on the wayThese no-tool collimation knobs fit late model aluminum optical tube and most carbon These knobs make it easy to collimate your non-Edge HD Celestr...
View full detailsOriginal price $19.95 - Original price $19.95Original price$19.95$19.95 - $19.95Current price $19.95 -
Original price $19.95 - Original price $19.95Original price$19.95$19.95 - $19.95Current price $19.95Bob’s Knobs 3 Collimating Knobs for Celestron 11" SCT with Flat Secondary Housing
Bob's KnobsIn StockThese knobs make it easy to collimate your Celestron C11 for optimum image quality. You don't need any tools, so you never have to worry about losi...
View full detailsOriginal price $19.95 - Original price $19.95Original price$19.95$19.95 - $19.95Current price $19.95 -
Original price $25.95 - Original price $25.95Original price$25.95$25.95 - $25.95Current price $25.95Bob’s Knob 3 Collimating Knobs | Meade 16" LX200 with Six Screw Secondary
Bob's KnobsIn StockThese knobs make it easy to collimate your Meade 16" LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain or current Meade 16" LX200R Advanced Ritchey-Chrétien telescope for o...
View full detailsOriginal price $25.95 - Original price $25.95Original price$25.95$25.95 - $25.95Current price $25.95 -
Original price $25.95 - Original price $25.95Original price$25.95$25.95 - $25.95Current price $25.95Bob’s Knobs 3 Collimating Knobs for Meade 16" LX200 With Three Collimating Screws
Bob's KnobsIn StockThese knobs make it easy to collimate your older three-screw secondary Meade 16" LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain for optimum image quality. Current 16" Me...
View full detailsOriginal price $25.95 - Original price $25.95Original price$25.95$25.95 - $25.95Current price $25.95
