Celestron 114LCM collimation easier method
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- Here is a much easier method for collimating the Celestron Newtonian microscopes as I demonstrate on my Celestron 114LCM. Align the primary mirror first, and then the secondary mirror.
im shocked to see a battery drill being used to put screws into something so delicate, even on its lowest torque setting the drill is way over powered to put in such screws, i cringed as the drill was setting the screw awaiting the classic stripping of the threads. im new to all this having the same scope is what got me here in my searching, i didnt read the comments at first but watched your video, it kinka seemed your method looked like a sensible shortcut at the time, but did wonder why you would need to pull a lens out, had you not used the drill on the screws i may have tried this but the use of the drill made me read the comments which i rarely ever do, im so glad i did read the comments. i suggest if you continue operating in this way you should find a good local supplier of telescope lenses and get yourself set up with an account with them as im sure youve used that on the seconary lens too and your going to break it. but hey what do i know, its your telescope.
I enjoyed this video and despite the obvious errors I found it useful as my scope was seriously out of focus. One change I did make was to replace the main mirror with plain paper with a central cross. This made the readjustment of the secondary using my laser collimator very straight forward. Replacing the main mirror with the adjustment screws fully backed off again made the final laser collimator adjustments very easy. AR UK
I have the same telescope, and I noticed you have the dot finder installed backwards
Does that mean his head is located where the Sun does not shine!
Jesus Christ Dude!!!
JUST DO IT!!!
Heh, first thing I noticed
XD lol
There are just 2 steps to properly collimating your scope:
1. DON'T DO ANYTHING THIS GUY SAYS!
2. Get someone who actually knows what he's doing to walk you through it the first time. After that it'll be easy.
My question would be how often is the even required? Like 1x? Amd kudos for the guy not pulling your comment... now who am I supposed to call? Lemme know.
@@ChrisMusanteghost busters
Don't listen to the haters, this method works, and actually teaches you more about how your scope works(if you have never had one before), just don't use any power tools. Yes, you can fine tune better results with a laser, but you will need to do a basic Collimation (Like this^^^) before you bust out the laser anyway... (Kevin, feel free to pin this post to the top.)
"How to collimate your telescope: First you have to create the universe and invent glass."
- This guy
The collimation is not easy, but first you should start with the orientation of the red dot finder.
This is the worst collection of bad advice and nonsense I’ve ever seen in a telescope/astronomy vid.
Why are you shining the dot finder directly into your eye...
Newby here. Just tried you method because it made sense when everything is out of whack.
Struggled with the "proper way". This way just worked! My spiders are not a one piece casting but 4 legs that screw into the sides. I made a 6" disk out of card stock then put a hole in the center for an Allen wrench that fits the secondary mirror locking screw. I could then center my secondary mirror spider mounting.
You never collimate both mirrors at once as you stated at the beginning. You’ve complicated a very simple process and you’ve got your finder scope on backwards. Your method by the way leaves a lot of room for error.
Have you found a better correct way for this scope?
This video made it so easy! Took a couple of tries to get it spot on.
No, it's not. The LCM114 is a Bird-Jones, this is the proper way! czcams.com/video/5yLJh31bWNQ/video.html
This is Bird-Jones so you have to remove the correction lens to be able to use laser collimator. It will be much easier
Very true, the correct name is a catadioptric Newtonian design, bird jones where the people behind the idea & it is possible to collimate without removing the lenses from the focuser if you follow the instructions supplied on collimating. Best best is to use the focuser lens cover & drill a 1.5 - 2mm hole in the centre & then align the secondary mirror so you can see you eye in the centre, & then adjust the primary mirror so the secondary mirror support is then centred in the eyepiece. You should see your eye in the very centre of the secondary & then the secondary in the very centre of the primary. Take your time & follow the instructions supplied with your scope. All the best & if your are worried about a small hole in your lens cap, use a small piece of electrical tape to cover it up.
@@nathansealey6270 only if you call it a catadioptric Newtonian you could mistake it with scmitt Newtonians which are by definition catadioptric as well. All be it they’re less common.
@@gy9326 thank you, catadioptric simply means to both reflect & refract light.
after not having any success in seeing anything out ofthe telescope, EQ 114 celestron for months, even since i bought it five years ago and many many many adjustments of the "mirrors", i knew something was majorly out of alignment. so, viewing many videos and even memorizing some because i watched them so often, it came to me, put the scope in front of a mirror and do your adjustments to the prime mirror that way. so i did and magically i looked inside the viewer and seen my eyeball looking back at me. Been months not seeing my eye but after adjusting prime mirror in front of a mirror i was able to achieve "sight". now to wait for a non cloudy night ... fingers are crossed ... hope this helps ...
OMG ! afraid some newbies may follow his instructions !
why?
Annnnnnd this was actually the only method that worked for me. HOWEVER no need to screw off the secondary mirror, just loosen all the screws except the centre and position it in so you can see the 3 tabs towards the rear of the telescope (do this with the primary mirror out) just makes it easier to align everything. Once its straight tighten the centre screw and then the 3 adjustment screws until the just touch the secondary mirror, then tighten the centre screw so the mirror doesnt move.
Pop the primary mirror in and you want to make sure that when you align the mirror, you can see the 3 tabs in the reflection of what is being seen by primary mirror. After that it was perfectly collimated FINALLY after 6 hours of getting the scope 😩
Excellent! I followed your advice and it worked perfectly. Quick and easy. Thanks.
On my newtonian the 3 phillips screws on the primary mirror are just locking screws. I just needed to loosen them And use the thumb screws to collimate the mirror. Once done, Tighten the three Phillips srcews to lock it in.
I also had a collimation dot on the primary that helped too. I didn't bother with the secondary yet since it was the main mirror that i needed to remove and clean. But if I need to collimate it I will use this technique first.
Not sure about anyone else but doing this really screwed up my secondary mirrors proper position. Now I have to send it back to Celestron for factory collimation. Do not loosen center screw in secondary for any reason. Just buy a Cheshire and a laser collimator or send scope back to manufacturer.
ALWAYS start with SECONDARY mirror FIRST. Use a collimation cap! THEN it's aligned accurately to then do the primary. No need to tear a telescope apart for this.
If you don't have a collimation cap, get one!!
Is that how do you supposed to put the finder scope on because I put mine on the other way
No, he has his on backwards
also what I didn't know until recently is that you won't be able to use the laser tool unless you have your center marked on the primary. many scopes come with a mark but with my astromaster 114 I had to do it myself. this is so that you can align the secondary mirror properly before adjusting the primary.
the other reason you need a mark is because the astromaster 114 has a 2x Barlow built in. this means the laser point will become very diffuse and by the time it bounces off the mirror and comes back, it will have grown by quite a bit. to still achieve successful collimation, you need the aforementioned center mark, so that the shadow of the mark is cast onto the aim-thingy on the tool, and you can still have a pretty good guess of how well-collimated your mirrors are
What did you do to make the mark on primary mirror. I need to do the same. How did you go about getting correct placement of the mark you made on it?
Seems like madness from a newbie. Think I'll follow the advice of the old pros.
WHat a TON OF WORK! Makes NOT have a telescope an absolute JOY!
He did it the hard way and get a telescope and if you don't wanna put up with collimation, get a refractor
@@epic_playz4283 Thanks, I got a Refracting one and was able to use it really well... I'm kinda compelled to ask, if he's doing it the hard way, what might you suggest for a less complicated way???
He may not know squat but it helped me collimate my Celestron
I have the same telescope, but my dot finder is different to yours. Thank you for posting, I know how to remove the primary mirror now, there is a small speck on it that I want to clean off. I havent altered anything about the telescope, it is as was out of the box. Havent had chance to use it properly yet since buying a few years ago. Id like the serial lead too but Im not paying £50+ for a chuffing RJ11 to Serial lead! LOL Im in UK btw. Once again, Thank you for posting.
JohnnyX50 first, don't follow any of the terrible advice in this video, you will damage your telescope. secondly, small specs on the mirror do not impact your ability to observe. It's far too easy to damage a mirror trying to clean it. you're better off not trying.
Hi Kevin, I had to take out my primary mirror to clean it but I can't figure out how to reassemble it to the back of the optical tube and screw the back cover back together. Do you have a video demonstrating this or could you give me instructions please?
Great Video,But What Was The Purpose Of Removing Both Mirrors And Putting Them Back In,VS..Leave Them In And Just Adjusting..Thank You
Much easier to understand. Seems those into telescopes (the pros) like to be vague, like it when others have to ask alot of questions..makes them feel smarter i think..thx again worked great.
The reason you've gotten different advice from "pros" is because this video is nothing but terrible advice whereas the "pros" will tell you the right way to do it. I'm not trying to be an elitist, I genuinely don't want you to damage your telescope by following this bad advice.
Start with the secondary. You should not have the primary then the secondary then the primary...
So it's like leveling a Transit?
PLEASE HELP.... While trying to focus my Celestron 20mm Erecting Eyepiece on a planet at the end I saw my spider of the second mirror. What am I doing wrong . What can I do to fix it?
Abiel Amador it's normal to see the spider when the planet is out of focus. when the object becomes focused the spider should go away. turn the focus in the direction that shrinks the object until you achieve focus. if it's getting larger and blurrier you are going the wrong way.
Is this really necessary to do if you get a telescope or is it only for rare instances when they’re not aligned
Model RC small scope shouldn’t need it often, and should come columnated.
Don't do anything this fool is doing! He threw everything totally out of wack and is taking unnecessary chances in damaging his scope.
Thanks. That was my question! I don't see anything in the instructions telling me to collimate (sp) just to the instructions for alignment of the finderscope and Skyalign...
IF it works for him so be it. I recommend using a laser collimator for the secondary mirror only then use a artifcial star for your primary mirror
I just got this telescope. Any advice after having it a couple years now? What accessories have you gotten? And what have been the results?
You spelled 'How not to collimate your telescope' wrong.
Use a laser collimator. But remove the lens, from the focuser tube first. Using that funny looking triangular tool, You received with your telescope.
Great vid:) Have the exact same telescope:) I used distilled water to clean my mirrors. Helped a lot. And upgraded the original eyepieces. Got a Celestron x-cel lx 7:) With the original eyepieces you are loosing enormous potential of your telescope:/ Hope it helps:)
Thank you for that advice!
Bad idea.
Man, i developed this same technique, very cool
The 3 screws by adj knobs need be completely removed or just loosened to be able to adjust primary lens?
The collimation locking screws on the primary mirror affect the adjustment
Thank´s for this video Kevin. Hey, for you and for everyone. How good is this LCM 114 for viewing planetary? (using better eyepieces than those provided, of course)
I am considering to buy an LCM 114 for planetary viewing. Thank you very much.
Salvador Ochoa it's a great scope for the moon and planets. Also don't do anything in this video. This is the worst advice I've ever seen and you can mess up your scope following it.
130 much better don't buy 114 it is Bird-Jones
When you adjust one mirror it doesn't "affect" the other mirror!!! It affects your visional plane/point of view not helpful when you're looking to do something like this like me
lol. dont take the mirror out, just to put it back in. plus all you are doing is seriously screwing up the collimating
Is it almost impossible to get the nuts and bolts back in to reconnect your primary mirror? I have the Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ and it is just about impossible
Your RDS is backwards. This will shine a laser right in your eye
Why is your FinderScope on backwards though
I'm also wondering why. You can't look through it backwards. Guess he only put it that way for no apparent reasons....
Maybe it's less likely to get bumped during transport?
How do u take off lens cap
Wow a lot of bashers out there. I did this and it worked great for me and soooo easy. My pictures are so much more focused. Thank you for this video. Don't listen to stupid people who have no clue.
Ok everyone takes this so seriously 🤣😂🤣. He’s having a laugh. too funny
Exactly. Prob the worst advice here. Also whipping the primary out like that constantly is just asking for trouble
Does the cross across the front of the telescope block your view when looking at objects?
No. But it does cause the diffraction spikes you sometimes see on star photographs.
you focus right past it. also the guy who made this video is an idiot and his advice is terrible. The spider (as we call it) does actually cause the diffraction spikes coming off of stars, but honestly they look pretty cool that way.
@@raymondwhatley9954 Agreed, Ignorance on a ASTRONOMICAL Scale.
My wife would get mad if I start unscrewing shit and putting my hand in there 😅
just use laser collimator way easier but still tough to do but in the end, your mirrors will be perfectly aligned unless your focuser needs work.
Love this technique. THANK YOU.
DON'T DO IT! BAD BAD BAD! Do this, czcams.com/video/5yLJh31bWNQ/video.html
red dot finder....great...;-)
What ANNOYS me is that (not you) other telescope nerds. State it only takes 90 secs 2 mins! But the video is 10-15 min long. SOMEONE needed to do a PowerPoint presentation to help with WTF! We are FUCKING DOING BUANA!!!
Terrible advice. Secondary mirror 1st always.
PLEASE HELP!!! I bought Celestron Austromaster 114eq and I should see other planets except the Moon but the only thing I see is big yellow circle with smaller black circle in ti. What's happening, what's wrong? PLEASE HELP!!!
xddddddddddd
turn the focus knob next to your lens
seriously ? LOL
Join a local astronomy club to get some newbie help.
what you are seeing is an out of focus planet. turn the focusing knobs in the direction that shrinks the circle. imagine you are "tightening" the circle until it resolves into a clear image of the planet. It may be much smaller than you are expecting, this is normal. if you have multiple eyepieces you can start with the lowest power (biggest number on yhe eyepiece) and then once you have the planet in view, experiment by gradually switching to higher power eyepieces to magnify the object. For example, you might start with a 25mm eyepiece, then go down to a 10mm eyepiece (like earring and needle guages, smaller number is actually more powerful). expect the object to become dimmer and blurrier with increased magnification. with experience, you'll find the magnification that gives you a good balance of size vs clarity.
you start with the secondary not the primary mirror! read your instructions on your laser!
talk about over complicating something
Please don't do as this guy does. He is doing it bass ackwards. You always collimate the secondary mirror first then the Primary. No reason to remove the Primary from the OTA EVER except to clean it.
wow how do these people get away with this
Dude you have the dot finder on the other way read the instructions
I have reported this video. I mean no ill will toward the creator, but the advice in this video is flat out wrong. At best it will result in a lousy collimation. Far more likely it will result in permanent damage to the telescope's optics which could result in having to buy a new one. I hope youtube pulls it down, but in the meantime, DO NOT ATTEMPT ANYTHING YOU SEE IN THIS VIDEO. And to the creator of this video, I'm happy to teach you the proper way to collimate a telescope, once you remove this dangerous video. Please do not continue to remove your primary mirror as part of routine collimation.
It is wierd isn't it. I assume he watched a video on aligning an Orion scope with his laser tool, and got frustrated the method didn't work on his.
This scope has the bird-jones erecting lens built in, so he can't get a clear focus point with the laser. Also this scope has no center dot on the primary.
If he just removed the B-J apparatus (he mentioned without knowing what it was) he'd have succeeded the correct way. By taking bunches of stuff out, he kind of accidentally stumbled on removing the B-J lens.
However backward star pointer, electric screwdrivers, removing the half twist locking screws completely for some reason to allow his tuning screws to move the mirrors, then the extreme action if removing the mirrors and wiping them directly with towels (and maybe Windex too). Wow.
How about letting us all in on your "proper way to collimate a telescope?"
@@thunderbolt707 Happily. First of all, there is no reason whatsoever to remove the mirror. Instead, use a laser colimator and insert it into the focuser such that the view window in the side is oriented towards the back of the telescope (this way you can use it in a later step). Then, use the three screws on the secondary mirror at the front of the telescope to make adjustments until the laser hits the primary mirror dead center. Your secondary mirror is now aligned. Next, move to the back of the telescope and look through the view window we oriented earlier in the procedure. You'll se the laser dot land somewhere on the flat circle inside the view window. Loosen the locking bolts on the primary mirror so that it can be adjusted. Then use the adjusting bolts to adjust the alignment of the primary mirror. Watch the laser dot, and make adjustments until the laser goes back into the hole it orginally came from. Now your telescope is properly colimated
@@raymondwhatley9954 does what you are describing work on this exact telescope with the Bird-Jones. I have this same model and the documentation does not seem to mention collimating at all. Yet people keep saying that you can't use a laser collimator. It shouldn't be this difficult to find the correct information/instructions. All of these comments are confusing (DON'T do this or Worked great!) I'm beginning to think that this is a lot more difficult to use than Celestron let's on...
the other vids do it the easy way...not going to do this..
This is absolutely the worst thing i have ever seen for telescope advice. I’m now waiting for his cooking channel, where he will explain how to make toast in the microwave. SMH.
second dary first 😂
I thought this was comedy hour
This is a joke right DO NOT TRY AT HOME CAN EASILY BRAKE YOUR TELESCOPE
NO
You stole Stephen Hawkings voice 😁
There’s one site to check. Google Astro baby. Say no more
Don't do this! You use a collimation cap. Period
what a non-sense, lol. No wonder the dislikes are catching up with the likes.
LOL you said Microscopes....
How not to Collimate 101.
Bad idea.
Я не понял не хрена ни чего че трещит эээ тот парниша,если кто по русски понимает скажите нормальный телескоп или нет ,у меня щас 70 рефрактор,почувствую я разницу или нет,купить хочу такой...
a Collimator is not very useful when Collimating a telescope...? Okay ...
The recent Celestron 114 uses a Bird-Jones erecting lens in the light path.** Unless you remove it and mark a center dot on the primary mirror (like you find on Orions) an inexpensive laser aligned won't work. That is likely how he got into all these useless steps.
** what he is calling the 2x built in Barlow is likely the bird-jones catotopic lens
Best method on these is to place a white piece of paper on the opening with a symmetrical target printed upon it. Take out any eyepiece and focus the drawbar all the way in. Look through the open drawbar at your reflected eye.
If your eyeball is centered, do nothing. If it is off, unlock the secondary mirror center screw and adjust till it is centered. Relock.
Fine tune the alignment on a clear night looking at Polaris.
Please dont follow him, you will ending up damaging your telescope. Do not..do not fiddle around with the lenses and screws.
The primary mirror needs to be pulled once to install a center donut and on occasion for cleaning. This is the proper method, czcams.com/video/5yLJh31bWNQ/video.html
actually the mirrors of a reflection telescope do need to be aligned. This guy just doesn't have a clue how to do it.
😂
this is so wrong, OMG, what ya doin? Lol is this a "How not to do it" video
So many ways to destroy your telescope..