Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

First a public thank you to Oknoder for sending me a laser columater when he heard I was having issues getting my Newtonian aligned.
I followed the directions aligning the secondary mirror first then aligning the primary. I had everything nailed in the center. I then moved the focus rack up a bit from bottomed out and saw the focus tube move almost 1/4 inch.
I guess I got a super sloppy focus assembly and not sure how to clean it up without replacing it. No wonder I am having problems with my focus.
Any ideas?
Edit!!

Did a search and found an article about undocumented Celestron fixes.
There are two set screws on either side of the locking knob that remove the slop. I am hoping to play later after I redo this alignment.
Fingers crossed.

Edit 2. The alignment holds the entire range of focus. I am now excited to see just how sharp this scope is.

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

Sadly the optics are normally not the limiting factor when dealing with these starter/initiating scopes. I would try tightening everything down as tight as u can and still be able to rack the focuser in and out. I learned my lesson when replacing mine for my c6N I replaced the stock with an Agena low profile and it ducked worse than the original, found out later they are all Synta.

After purchasing two replacements I bought my third and final, but I got it used, ultimately everything together cost more than the good one would have new. Counting the worthless ones + shipping, not to mention the time lost trying to make them work.

Glad u got it to the laser to work, when I found out it needed mail order batteries, in the drawer it went. Be aware that it does not shut itself off, lol but then again I'm sure it's just a hop skip and a jump to the corner store for replacements. I miss civilization, at times.

Matthew

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

I was able to find a fix online, thank goodness for Google.
After snugging up 2 allen head screws the rack was solid all the way in and out. After realigning everything, the laser stayed centered from bottom of the rack to fully extended. I will have to snug them a bit more since I think I had a little bit of movement when I added my camera to the blend.

As to batteries, I had to mail order them from Amazon. I could not find them at the local Walgreens or Wally world.
So I ordered 10 of them in case I forget to turn the device off. Heck I even converted the box I got my polar scope in to hold this puppy nice and snug.

Thank you again, it made finding my issues very easy and I think I'm going to have to play with this newt some more.
Andromeda came out better for me last night than I have ever had before.

I'm hoping for clear skies tonight so I can play with Orion late in the evening. The lazy bones gets up around 10 so I plan to shoot around midnight.

Clear skies!

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

Can't recall if collocation of a Newt needs to be as precise as my RC, but along with being centered on the in/out axis I also check that I can rotate the calculator in the focused tube or eyepiece holder. Other cheap quick DIY fixes that can help are to add baffles and then flock the whole thing in a non reflective material. I was going to use black velvet/felt but ended up ordering a swath of flocking from some online company I can't remember.

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

Are you telling me to get Flocked?:shock:
I've heard arguments for and against.
I think I'll leave mine alone for now.
;)