D.Ray wrote,
>I asked one of the local group here about collimation on the 12 inch
>Meade LX200 scope. He said the is very little you can do to them and
>they always come out right from the factory. I am wondering is this
>true?

D.Ray,

Collimation is rather critical on _all_ SCT designs .. and it's fairly easy to
knock them out of collimation, due to the fact that the primary mirror slides
back and forth on a track (to allow for focusing)... the inherent problem with
this is that there has to be a little tolerance to enable the mirror to move
along its track. Don't assume *any* new SCT design to come from the factory in
perfect alignment, nor stay that way, even with normal setup/breakdown actions.

A simple test is the 'star de-focus' method, where you set up the scope, align
it on a bright star, and de-focus until you see several concetric 'rings' around
the main star image. If it looks lopsided, then you're out of collimation.

But it's a fairly easy process to learn; however if you feel uncomfortable with
taking hand tools to your new scope (as I did with my 10" the first time) then
there are reputable telescope dealers aplenty who also repair and adjust most
major models. Of course, you can also send it *back* to the factory and have it
done there as well.

A laser collimation device would probably be handy *if* you feel comfortable
making the adjustments yourself (normally this consists of adjusting the 3
screws that surround the secondary mirror, at the corrector lens end).
Otherwise, save the bucks and have it professionally cleaned and adjusted every
few years (and don't let it roll around in the trunk...:).

Regards,
Steve
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Steve Glazener, Principal
Pyramid Engineering
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