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Figure 1. The components of the LaserMate Pro
Newtonian reflectors perform at their best when their mirrors are accurately aligned. While it’s not difficult to do, collimation can be a chore if you do not have the proper tools. The Orion LaserMate Pro provides a clear, intuitive way to deter- mine if your telescope’s mirrors need adjustment, and which adjustments need to be made. With the highly precise two step alignment provided by the LaserMate Pro, you’ll be enjoying better, crisper views in no time!
The LaserMate Pro has a lifetime alignment guarantee. Its durable, hardened design will ensure the laser beam is parallel to the 1.25" barrel that slides into
User Safety Precautions
As with all laser products, the LaserMate Pro is not a toy and is intended for use by adults only.
•Avoid Direct Eye Exposure.
•Do not shine the laser into or near the eyes of people or animals. Direct eye contact with beam or bright reflection may cause eye injury.
•Do not shine the laser toward moving vehicles of any kind, even distant ones.
•Do not shine the laser toward anyone operating machinery.
•Do not shine the laser at aircraft. Shining lasers at aircraft may be considered a felony.
your eyepiece holder. You will be able to obtain repeatable accurate alignment of your telescope’s optics. If your telescope has a 2" focuser you will need to use a 1.25" adapter to use the LaserMate Pro components. We recommend using the Orion Precision Centering Adapter for best results.
Marking the Primary Mirror
In order to achieve the best accuracy when collimating with the Orion LaserMate Pro, you will need to have the primary mirror center marked. All Orion Newtonian reflectors and many other commercially available optical tubes are center marked from the factory. If your mirror already has a center mark you may skip ahead to the next section of this manual.
Applying the center mark can be easily achieved using a supplied collimation target. You can create a paper target to locate the precise center of your mirror. The steps to do so are outlined below. Placing a target on the center of your mir- ror will not affect the light gathering of your mirror since the target will be placed behind the secondary mirror.
Remove the primary mirror cell from your telescope. If you are unsure how to do this, consult your telescope’s instruction manual. Remove the mirror from the mirror cell. To do this, unscrew and remove the mirror clips. You can now lift the mirror off of the cell. Handle the mirror by its edges only, and be careful not to touch the surface with your fingers.
Note: If the primary mirror is glued into its cell, it is not necessary to remove it from the cell.
Get a clean sheet of paper that is big enough to cover the entire mirror’s surface. For large diameter mirrors, you may need to tape several sheets of paper togeth- er. Lay the primary mirror on the paper and trace its outline with a pencil.
WARNING: The LaserMate Pro emits laser radiation, so it is important not to shine the beam into your or anyone’s eye. During the collimation procedure, it is also important to avoid direct reflec- tions of the laser beam into your eye. Rather, look only at
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