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[dayzedankonfused]

So, Joe tried explaining to me about collimating my tasco 8v yesterday at the mt greenwood star session. Man is it frustrating as he said it would be lol. I have been tinkering with it tonight and and cannot seem to be getting the inner circle to center. I searched on the interwebs and came across these only 2 threads on another forum. The first thread does have some pictures of the scope apart. If someone could maybe look over them and give me some hints would be greatly appreciated. I am thinking it needs to be adjusted from the front place where the secondary mirror is as well as the mirror at the far end of the scope. I am open to any suggestions and would like to get this as centered as possible as I have read this scope should put out some decent views...In the process of saving up some money to get a newer scope but for now this is what i have to work with.
Thanks



www.telescopereviews.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Number/3096737


www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Number/3948026

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Jay,

About the only adjustment on the secondary that I see, would be a circular axis nudging or "roll" adjustment. No allowance for a "Pitch" or "Yaw" adjustment. This poster on CN confirms it...

"You adjust the position of the secondary mirror by threading or unthreading the lock nut and then locking it down with the one on the other side of the glass."

It is a tedious job, as you need to take off the corrector, take a look, remove the corrector - make an adjustment - replace it...repeat.

Then....

Mess with the primary to get your concentric circles.

And....

There should be alignment marks on the edge on the corrector plate in relation to the Primary mirror - which should have marks on the back. They go in as a set and should be in matched position for optimal performance. But with Tasco, I dunno if they did such in factory adjustments.

Your scope is not an easy one to collimate, as you have already found out...but you can get it close.

On a warm night, use Polaris, (Due to its stationary point), to "unfocus" on and go at it again, (after you confirm the corrector /primary mirror relationship), and make sure the secondary is at a true right angle to the focuser tube. Then, with small increments, turn the primary mirror adjust screws in 1/8 - 1/4 turns - making sure to loosen the others - so as not to warp the mirror or cause breakage.


Sigh...

[Paulie pchris00]

Joe's famous line regarding collimation:

"It will work itself out."

The collimation on my 4.5" Newtonian has been out of whack for about two years. I don't use it much, and the collimation problem causes me to use it even less. It's close, but not dead on. Some night I really need to get it right once and for all. It's frustrating, and I feel your pain.

[dayzedankonfused]

I know... I know what you are saying Paulie....lol I spent 3 hours outside tonight messing with it again... the dang clouds moved in and now its raining.... grrr. I am ready to just buy a new scope that is much easier to keep collimated...save save save. I'll get a new one by spring time...hopefully. The views I get now are ok...but I know they could be better... a lot better. We
should have a private session where we can all tinker with it....I will just keep looking at it as a learning experience. From what I read online, and from the advice that Joe has given me, this scope has lots of potential of throwing out some awesome views, with it being one of, if not the best that tasco/vixen has ever made. One day I will master it...one day.....#won'tgiveup

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

You'll mess with it, swear at it, come back and tweak it...and then...in a moment of clarity...with a simple insignificant nudge of the driver....it will all fall into place.


Perseverance Jay.

[-=CROMAN=-]

Are you in the mt Greenwood area? I can stop by with my laser and help you out

[-=CROMAN=-]

Is the mirror center marked?

[dayzedankonfused]

I am not sure if the mirror is center marked and yes I do live in oak lawn by richards highschool. It has been cloudy so I have not messed with it in a few days...That is really awesome of you to offer helping me out with it.

[dayzedankonfused]

FIDDLESTICKS....still cant get it. as charlie brown would say....ARRRRRRRRRGGGGGG