Tonight's clear skies provided the perfect opportunity to take out my telescope for a long-awaited session. After an indoor collimation check that showed near-perfect alignment, I spent about 30 minutes observing and testing my setup.
My first priority was the star test—a crucial check to ensure optical quality. Using the 8.5mm Pentax eyepiece in mono mode, I was thrilled to see that the telescope passed the test with flying colors. Encouraged by the result, I then inserted my TS binoviewer, a trusted companion for my 10" reflector and other scopes.
However, the star test did not perform as expected with the binoviewer, leading me to investigate further. Upon checking the collimation, I noticed a 2mm to 3mm deviation from the target, even when rotating the laser in both barrels.
Key Observations:
The 2" diagonal—while securely fastened—might have a very slight wobble due to its weight.
The 1.25" focuser in the binoviewer does not hold the eyepiece as securely as needed.
Moving Forward:
Given these findings, I believe switching to a 1.25" diagonal instead of the heavier 2" diagonal may offer better stability. Additionally, I’d like to experiment with another binoviewer, though acquiring one will have to wait until I have the resources.
Tonight’s session, though short, was insightful—it’s always exciting to uncover new ways to refine and improve my setup. More tests to come, and hopefully, even better results next time!
What do you think—have you experienced similar challenges when using a binoviewer? Let’s discuss!