User manual ORION TELESCOPES & BINOCULARS LASERMATE DELUXE COLLIMATOR

[. . . ] Next, cut out the circle you have just traced with a pair of scissors. Fold the paper circle into quarters by folding the circle precisely in half, and then folding it in half again (Figure 2). Now, cut about 1/4 inch off the tip of the paper wedge you have created (Figure 3). Unfold the paper, and you will find that you have a paper template of your mirror with a hole Figure 1: Trace the outline at the center. [. . . ] Overtightened mirror clips will put stress on the primary mirror's figure, and will introduce astigmatism into the optical system as a result. 2"-to-1. 25" adapter Figure 7a, 7b: The LaserMate Deluxe fits directly into the drawtube of 1. 25" focusers (left). If you have a 2" focuser, you will need to use an optional 2"-to-1. 25" adapter (right). Adjusting the Tilt of the Secondary Mirror The first collimation adjustment made with the LaserMate Deluxe will be to adjust the tilt of the secondary mirror. Insert the LaserMate Deluxe into your telescope's focuser drawtube (Figure 7). Then turn the LaserMate Deluxe on by turning its thumbscrew clockwise. Before looking into the optical tube, take a sheet of white paper and place it across the front aperture of the telescope. If you see a red laser spot on the sheet of paper, then your telescope is considerably out of collimation (Figure 8). Take note of the position of the red spot, and be careful not to place your eye in that position. Remember, it is safe to view the reflection of the laser beam off mirror surfaces as long as the beam is not directed into your eye. Red laser spot Figure 5: Affix the ring label to the mirror surface through the hole in the template. Figure 6: The primary mirror's center is now marked, and it is ready to be reinstalled. Before You Begin Collimating Using the LaserMate Deluxe Accurate collimation of your telescope's optics using the LaserMate Deluxe will most easily be achieved if you do a rough collimation of the optics with your eye first. This is because if the optics are grossly misaligned, it may be confusing to interpret which surfaces the laser is being reflected off of. Refer to your telescope's instruction manual for the procedure on how to do a rough collimation with your eye. Figure 8: Place a piece of white paper in front of the open tube. If you see a laser spot on the paper, be careful not to place your eye in that position. Look down the front of the optical tube. Remember to keep your eyes clear of any direct reflections of the beam. Notice the red spot on the surface of the primary mirror itself; this is the laser beam being reflected from 2 the secondary mirror off the surface of the primary mirror. If it isn't, adjustments will be need to be made to the secondary mirror's tilt (Figure 9). This is done with the secondary mirror collimation screws, usually located on the central hub of the telescope's spider vane assembly. Laser spot on primary mirror Viewng screen Laser hole Figure 11: Once the laser spot is going back into the hole the laser beam originally came out of, the telescope is properly collimated. be hitting the inside wall of the telescope tube or the focuser drawtube. Make large adjustments to the collimation screws as needed to get the laser spot onto the viewing screen. Before After Figure 9a, 9b: To center the red laser spot on the primary mirror, you will need to adjust the tilt of the secondary mirror. Make adjustments to the telescope's secondary mirror collimation screws until the reflection of the laser beam is centered on the primary mirror. If you have marked your primary mirror, then the red spot should fall directly in the center of the collimation target. Once the laser spot is on the viewing screen (Figure 10), you can perform the final collimation. Use the primary mirror collimation screws to move the laser spot until it is going back into the hole the laser beam originally came out of (Figure 11). You can make certain the laser spot is properly aimed into the hole by slightly adjusting one of the collimation screws to bring the laser spot out of the hole, then return it by turning the collimation screw in the opposite direction by the same amount. The alignment of the mirrors should not need to be adjusted again unless the telescope is handled roughly. [. . . ] Battery life is approximately three hours, so remember to keep the LaserMate Deluxe turned off when not in use to maximize battery life. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. During this warranty period Orion Telescopes & Binoculars will repair or replace, at Orion's option, any warranted instrument that proves to be defective, provided it is returned postage paid to: Orion Warranty Repair, 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076. If the product is not registered, proof of purchase (such as a copy of the original invoice) is required. [. . . ]