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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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  • Artificial star
    $110.00 - $110.00
    $110.00
    $110.00 - $110.00
    $110.00

    Astrozap Artificial Star

    Astrozap
    More on the way

    Most astronomers agree that the best way to collimate reflective optics is to observe a star through the scope, examine the concentricity of its di...

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    $110.00 - $110.00
    $110.00
    $110.00 - $110.00
    $110.00
  • $39.95 - $39.95
    $39.95
    $39.95 - $39.95
    $39.95

    Celestron Newtonian Reflector Collimating Tool 94182

    Celestron
    More on the way

    The 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...

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    $39.95 - $39.95
    $39.95
    $39.95 - $39.95
    $39.95
  • Collimating scope for Ritchey-Chrétiens, Dall-Kirkhams, and refractors
    $354.00 - $354.00
    $354.00
    $354.00 - $354.00
    $354.00

    Takahashi Collimating scope for Ritchey-Chrétiens, Dall-Kirkhams, and refractors TKA00443

    Takahashi
    More on the way

    This Takahashi 6 x 18mm collimating scope is designed to help you align the optics of Dall-Kirkham, Ritchey-Chrétien, and refractor telescopes.The ...

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    $354.00 - $354.00
    $354.00
    $354.00 - $354.00
    $354.00
  • Collimating eyepiece
    $74.00 - $74.00
    $74.00
    $74.00 - $74.00
    $74.00

    Takahashi Collimating eyepiece TKA00441

    Takahashi
    More on the way

    The Takahashi TCE0020 is a collimating eyepiece used to collimate Newtonian and Cassegrain telescopes.The Takahashi TCE0020 is a short body Cheshir...

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    $74.00 - $74.00
    $74.00
    $74.00 - $74.00
    $74.00
  • 2" adapter to use Takahashi collimating scope with non-Takahashi telescopes
    $173.00 - $173.00
    $173.00
    $173.00 - $173.00
    $173.00

    Takahashi 2" Adapter To Use Takahashi Collimating Scope With Non-Takahashi Telescopes

    Takahashi
    More on the way

    This Takahashi 2" adapter is used to connect the Takahashi collimating scope to the 2" focuser of takahashi reflectors and non-Takahashi telescopes...

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    $173.00 - $173.00
    $173.00
    $173.00 - $173.00
    $173.00
  • Collimating tube
    $92.00 - $92.00
    $92.00
    $92.00 - $92.00
    $92.00

    Takahashi Collimating tube TKA00442

    Takahashi
    More on the way

    The Takahashi TCE0030 collimating tube provides crosshairs to convert the Takahashi TCE0020 collimating eyepiece into a sighting tube for collimati...

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    $92.00 - $92.00
    $92.00
    $92.00 - $92.00
    $92.00
  • 6 Collimating and locking knobs for Meade 12" Lightbridge Dobsonian primary mirror
    Sold out
    $29.95 - $29.95
    $29.95
    $29.95 - $29.95
    $29.95

    Bob’s Knobs 6 Collimating and Locking Knobs for Meade 12" Lightbridge Dobsonian Primary Mirror

    Bob's Knobs
    Sold Out

    These knobs make it easy to collimate the primary mirror of your Meade 12" LightBridge Dobsonian reflector for optimum image quality. You don't nee...

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    $29.95 - $29.95
    $29.95
    $29.95 - $29.95
    $29.95
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  • 3 Collimating knobs for metric Celestron 9.25" CPC 925 SCTs
    $20.95 - $20.95
    $20.95
    $20.95 - $20.95
    $20.95

    Bob’s Knobs 3 Collimating Knobs for Metric Celestron 9.25" CPC 925 SCTs

    Bob's Knobs
    In Stock

    These 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...

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    $20.95 - $20.95
    $20.95
    $20.95 - $20.95
    $20.95
  • 3 Collimating knobs for Celestron C14 with Phillips-head collimation screws
    Sold out
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95

    Bob’s Knobs 3 Collimating Knobs for Celestron C14 with Phillips-Head Collimation Screws

    Bob's Knobs
    Sold Out

    These 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...

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    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    Sold out
  • 3 Collimating knobs for Celestron C14 w/Allen or slotted collimation screws
    Sold out
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95

    Bob’s Knobs 3 Collimating Knobs for Celestron C14 w/Allen or Slotted Collimation Screws

    Bob's Knobs
    Sold Out

    These 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...

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    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    Sold out
  • 3 Collimating knobs for Celestron 11" SCT with Trifid secondary (not Edge HD)
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95

    Bob’s Knobs 3 Collimating Knobs for Celestron 11" SCT with Trifid Secondary (Not Edge HD)

    Bob's Knobs
    More on the way

    These 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...

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    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
  • 3 Collimating knobs for Celestron 11" SCT with flat secondary housing
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95

    Bob’s Knobs 3 Collimating Knobs for Celestron 11" SCT with Flat Secondary Housing

    Bob's Knobs
    In Stock

    These 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...

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    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
    $19.95 - $19.95
    $19.95
  • 3 Collimating knobs | Meade 16" LX200 with six screw secondary
    $25.95 - $25.95
    $25.95
    $25.95 - $25.95
    $25.95

    Bob’s Knob 3 Collimating Knobs | Meade 16" LX200 with Six Screw Secondary

    Bob's Knobs
    In Stock

    These knobs make it easy to collimate your Meade 16" LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain or current Meade 16" LX200R Advanced Ritchey-Chrétien telescope for o...

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    $25.95 - $25.95
    $25.95
    $25.95 - $25.95
    $25.95
  • 3 Collimating knobs for Meade 16" LX200 with three collimating screws
    $25.95 - $25.95
    $25.95
    $25.95 - $25.95
    $25.95

    Bob’s Knobs 3 Collimating Knobs for Meade 16" LX200 With Three Collimating Screws

    Bob's Knobs
    In Stock

    These knobs make it easy to collimate your older three-screw secondary Meade 16" LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain for optimum image quality. Current 16" Me...

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    $25.95 - $25.95
    $25.95
    $25.95 - $25.95
    $25.95

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