Agena 1.25" Cheshire Collimating Eyepiece for Newtonian Reflectors
Brand | Agena AstroProducts |
Part Number | PALC-AG-RN |
Availability | available |
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Product Info
Manufacturer Description
This is a great accessory for precisely collimating the optics of your Newtonian reflector telescope to achieve the best image the telescope can deliver.
The approximately 5" long aluminum tube is a combination sight tube and Cheshire eyepiece. Peephole in the top and wire crosshairs at the bottom allow quick and precise centering of the optics. Fits in 1.25" focusers or in 2"-1.25" adapters. All metal construction.
Please note that no instructions are included with the item but these and other tutorials can be found easily on the internet. As with most other telescope collimation/alignment procedures, use of this accessory requires some patience and experience.
Reviews
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Oct 6, 2016
Must have for Newts
Pros:Accurate,Strong Construction,Compact,Lightweight,Easy to Use
Cons: Comments:This is an accurate, solid, well-built Cheshire. The simpler the machine the better. Aligning the "cross-hairs" become easier as your perform more collimations. Yes you need plenty of light to do this that is the only upside to a laser IMO. However I know quite a few (9 out or 13) local astronomers I know check their laser collimation with a Cheshire afterwards. This eyepiece is the way to go to get your reflector to give you constantly crisp beautiful images of the sky.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Mar 27, 2015Must have for newtons
Pros:Easy to Use
Cons: Comments:Must have for all newtons scopes. You must collimate your retrac newton before each observation, and if your newton not reatrac, after each trasportaion by car.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Feb 20, 2015Functional at a very good price
Pros:Strong Construction,Accurate,Compact
Cons: Comments:Works very well for collimation of my 12" Dobsonian and is good for verification of laser-based collimation as well.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Feb 20, 2015Very well satisfied with the CE.
Pros:Easy to Use,Quality Lenses,Strong Construction,Accurate
Cons: Comments:It was even better I beleve, than the 25 year old tool that I donated along with my 8 inch dob. Now I have just a little 4 1/2 inch dob that needed collimation in a big way.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
rmscott59 New Member
- Skill Level
- Unknown
- Time with Product
- Unknown
- User Notes:
- Review by RMS of NorCal.
Nov 1, 2014Great tool for Newts
Pros:Accurate,Strong Construction,Lightweight,Compact
Cons: Comments:I don't completely rely on laser collimators, as THEY can often be misaligned themselves. This "old, analog device" is extremely accurate! Used in conjunction with a laser, I can collimate reasonably fast and with "dead on" accuracy! A MUST for serious Newt owners.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Oct 18, 2014Gets it done
Pros: Cons: Comments:If you go to the fancy laser collimator route you have to make sure you stay away from cheap models which might not be accurately aligned. So instead of spending a lot of money to get a laser collimator that actually works, you can go the Cheshire route, which works fine and will save you some money.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jul 4, 2014Works great
Pros:Strong Construction,Accurate,Works great
Cons:No instructions,Heavy
Comments:I've been using the collimation cap that came with my scope. I thought I was collimating it ok, but wasn't seeing as much detail in Jupiter or Saturn as I should. Some members from the Cloudynights forums suggested my scope may not be collimated well enough and I should try a different collimation tool. This one was only $29, so I gave it a try. No instructions! I wasn't sure how to use it. I gave it my best guess. After I collimated the scope, I took a look at the moon. I could see a lot more detail than before. I guess I did it right.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jun 16, 2014Collimation Cap
Pros:Compact,Easy to Use,Accurate
Cons: Comments:I like to do my own collimation, I don't use lasers or other 'lazy collimation tools' this works perfect for my Z10 Dob. I use this Cap along with a Cheshire eyepiece site tube and my mirror alignment is perfect.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jun 14, 2014Precise collimation on a budget.
Pros:Accurate,Easy to Use,Strong Construction
Cons: Comments:Good basic cheshire at a low cost. No surprises, No complaints.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jan 6, 2014Robust and handy
Pros:Easy to Use,Strong Construction,Accurate
Cons: Comments:With collimation cap and this cheshire, it's so easy to collimate. It is robust and accurate. I don't feel need of laser collimator for now.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jul 27, 2013Great value on an accurate tool
Pros:Easy to Use,Accurate,Strong Construction
Cons: Comments:I use this to double check my laser collimation and it works great. This is the only collimation tool you really need. However, the laser is more convenient (but not necessarily more accurate).
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? NoThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Apr 7, 2013Handy tool!
Pros:Strong Construction,Accurate,Easy to Use
Cons: Comments:The combination Cheshire/Sight tube is a geat tool for aligning your mirrors.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
Fair price too!This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Apr 6, 2013Reasonably priced
Pros:Easy to Use
Cons:Needs Some Finish
Comments:It is no doubt that the guys who buy this will have full knowledge of how to use this.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
But, I felt emptiness when I opened the box because there was nothing in it except the eyepiece.
The product itself is good with robust construction, but a little bit heavy.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Feb 11, 2013A very good collimator.
Pros:Easy to Use,Accurate,Strong Construction
Cons:No Manual Was Included
Comments:This product can work in daylight or with a flashlight at night. It will collimate as well as an inexpensive laser collaminator. While no manual was included you can get general instructions for collimating off of the internet.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jan 7, 2013Essential tool
Pros:Strong Construction,Accurate,Easy to Use
Cons: Comments:If you have a Newtonian scope, you need one of these, especially for setting the secondary mirror geometry properly. A laser is only useful AFTER you have collimated with a tool like this.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
FYI this unit works fine with up to 10" dobs. Ones bigger than that might be a problem, due to their larger secondary mirror.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Nov 30, 2012Reliable, Inexpensive Way to Collimate
Pros:Easy to Use,Accurate,Strong Construction
Cons: Comments:Cheshires are a great way to easily collimate your telescope without the hassle of messing with batteries on a laser collimator. This one is cheap, very sturdy and easy to use. Comes with caps for both ends and even has an eye guard - something you don't always see with Cheshires. Compared to some other name-brand products, this performs exactly the same function at a lower price.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Sep 25, 2012A Must Have for Newtonian Owners
Pros:Strong Construction,Accurate
Cons: Comments:My favorite device for aligning the mirrors in a Newtonian reflector. Best and quickest results when two people work together. One person using the eyepiece and one turning the screws. I have used the device alone and achieved the same results but it takes longer. Can be used in the field with the aid of a flashlight as well, but generally I spot check with a laser after the initial collimation has been done.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jun 29, 2012I would buy this product again
Pros:Strong Construction,Good value,Easy to Use,Accurate
Cons: Comments:Perfect basic equipment for the collimation of a Newtonian telescope. Easy to use.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Dec 26, 2011Outstanding customer service
Pros:No
Cons:No
Comments:I appreciated the quick replacement on a laser collimator I purchased from you.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
I added the cheshire as a result. Upgraded me to a better laser collimator and I purchased the above item during that exchange. Thanks again!!!!
Both items are doing the job.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Dec 22, 2011A crucial asist to collimating
Pros:Easy to Use,Strong Construction,Accurate,Compact
Cons: Comments:Following a short period of trial and error with Agena Cheshire collimating eyepiece on my new 10" f/3.9 Newtonian astrograph I managed to achieve perfect star tests and images, and my dilemma for having not decided on a laser device subsided completely.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? NoThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Oct 30, 2011Great product for the price
Pros:Accurate,Easy to Use,Strong Construction,Lightweight
Cons: Comments:This is a very accurate piece and has an affordable price.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Oct 28, 2011Easy to use and fast
Pros:Strong Construction
Cons: Comments:It is an article with a low price but good quality for the function you have. It is easy to collimate a telescope a few minutes in a perfect newton. Accuracy and good price.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Jun 3, 2011Very Useful, Accurate and Well Built
Pros:Strong Construction
Cons: Comments:In comparison to other alignment (collimating) methods, I prefer using this. It's simple, fast, and won't ever fail due to dead batteries.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
May 28, 2011A tool for all steps of collimation.
Pros:Comprehensive,Strong Construction,Accurate
Cons: Comments:This single tool allows for complete collimation of a newtonian reflector.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
It easily allows you to:
1) Center and round the secondary under the focuser.
2) Align the secondary so the focuser axis is aiming directly at the primary center spot.
3) Adjust the primary so the primary optical axis and focuser axis coincide.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
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