| 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. Regular collimation with this highly accurate Orion LaserMate laser collimator will make sure that you get the best possible image contrast and resolution every night you go out to observe with your reflector, particularly with a fast focal ratio Dobsonian. Precisely centered inside this 1.25" laser collimator’s compact 4" long machined aluminum body is a solid-state <5mw laser diode. This emits an intense beam of red laser light exactly along the central axis of the black anodized cylindrical collimator body. The laser beam acts as a “reference line" to guide you in adjusting the alignment of your optics to optimize your scope’s collimation. In use, the collimator is placed in your telescope’s 1.25" focuser and turned on. Its laser beam travels through the scope, reflects off the scope’s optics, and returns to fall back on the collimator. A Cheshire-type viewing port in the side of the collimator body allows you to see the returning laser beam falling on the face of a 45° angled diffuse reflecting surface around the laser-emitting aperture. If the returning laser beam falls exactly on the small aperture that is emitting the beam, the scope is in collimation. If the returning beam falls on the diffuse reflecting surface surrounding the emitting aperture, the scope is out of collimation. Out-of-collimation optics are simply adjusted using the telescope’s collimation screws until the returning beam lands squarely on the aperture emitting the beam. There is a crosshair and concentric circle pattern on the reflecting surface face to makes it easy to center the returning beam. The collimator is designed for use with Newtonian reflectors only. It is not designed for use with Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. There is no danger in viewing the beam’s impact on the diffuse reflector around the laser emitting aperture. The beam impact may also be safely viewed on a mirror or lens surface, if the reflected or transmitted beam is not directed towards your eye. A Newtonian reflector that is badly out of collimation may allow the beam to exit the front of the telescope, so when collimating your scope, check first by pointing the telescope at a wall or screen to see if the beam is getting past the diagonal mirror. CAUTION: The Class IIIa laser in this Orion LaserMate collimator has a maximum output of 5 thousandths of a Watt or less (<5 mw). This is quite safe if it is used with reasonable precautions. However, direct or mirror-reflected eye exposure should be avoided! Detectable eye damage can occur if the laser beam is focused on the same area of the retina for as little as 0.25 second. Therefore, take care when collimating your scope to be sure that the beam does not enter anyone’s eye directly, including your own. Keep it locked away when not in use and out of the hands of children. It is not a Star Wars light saber for them to play with. The collimator is powered by a single CR2032 camera battery (supplied). Replacement batteries are widely available (they are commonly used in point-and-shoot cameras).
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