[APML] Help! Advice on collimating a C14

Andy,

Allow me to add my two-cents worth. I own a Celestar 8 and a NexStar11GPS SCTs. The NexStar11GPS has Bob's Knobs and is permanently pier mounted. Rarely does it need collimating. In addition to all the other advice that have gotten, you may want to check your diagonal. Celestron's diagonals are not the best. I had a diagonal that was so bad that I could see the light baffle inside the SCT. I went so far as to return the Celestar 8 back to the factory for alignment only to find that I could still see the baffle when it returned. I could not figure out why I could have perfect collimation and see the baffle.

By the way, it was very expensive to ship my Celestar 8 back to California via UPS (I live in Arizona!). How does $150 sound? It cost $150 for the repair and shipping back. If you don't have a shipping container for the C-14, I would suggest taking it a mail packing place and "watch" them pack it. Also be sure to insure the scope. When my Celestar 8 came back, it was damaged so bad by UPS, that it had to be returned again for repair at Celestron's expense. If you live in "4" land, I would imagine the shipping charges for a C-14 to Torrance, CA is will be somewhat higher.

My suggestion for good collimation is to start with low power eyepieces. I start with a 40 mm and my final collimation is done with a 6 mm eyepiece with a 2X Barlow. Check to see that you have good collimation on both sides of focus. If it's not, send it back to Celestron. The focuser may be worn out making the primary mirror so loose that it won't collimate.

Well, that's my two-cents worth. Hope it helps. I see that you are also a ham. It amazes me how many amateur astronomers are also hams. There must be a connection. Hi hi!

Best 73

Clear and dark skies,
Bill Logan, WB9SAT
U. S. Army Retired
President (interim) White Mountains Astronomy Club
Logan Observatory: http://www.geocities.com/wb9sat/index.html
Logan Observatory Sky Clock: http://cleardarksky.com/c/LgnObAZkey.html?1
White Mountains Astronomy Club: http://geocities.com/wb9sat/WMAC.html