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Collimating Tools For Telescopes

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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Optical Collimation

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6 Collimating and locking knobs for Meade 12" Lightbridge Dobsonian primary mirror

$29.95

These no-tool collimation and locking knobs fit the primary mirror of the Meade 12" LightBridge Dobsonian reflector telescope . . .
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3 Collimating knobs for Celestron 11" SCT with flat secondary housing

$19.95

These no-tool collimation knobs fit most aluminum optical tube versions of the Celestron C11 Schmidt-Cassegrain (those with a flat secondary housing) . . .
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3 Collimating knobs for Celestron 11" SCT with Trifid secondary (not Edge HD)

$19.95

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These no-tool collimation knobs fit late model aluminum optical tube and most carbon fiber optical tube versions of the Celestron C11 Schmidt-Cassegrain (those with a partially raised "Trifid" housing that rotates to cover and uncover the collimation screws) . . .
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3 Collimating knobs for Meade 16" LX200 with three collimating screws

$25.95

These no-tool collimation knobs fit older Meade 16" LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes with a 3-screw secondary . . .
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3 Collimating knobs for Celestron C14 w/Allen or slotted collimation screws

$19.95

These no-tool collimation knobs fit those Celestron C14 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes that use Allen or slotted-head collimation screws (including those with a partially raised "Trifid" housing that rotates to cover and uncover the collimation screws) . . .
$Collimating scope for Ritchey-Chrétiens, Dall-Kirkhams, and refractors$ $Takahashi Collimating scope for Ritchey-Chrétiens, Dall-Kirkhams, and refractors$

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

$354.00

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

$63.00

The Takahashi TCE0020 is a collimating eyepiece used to collimate Newtonian and Cassegrain telescopes.
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Takahashi 2" adapter to use Takahashi collimating scope with non-Takahashi telescopes

$173.00

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