AstroMaster 114EQ Laser Collimation 

I have to say, after adding the new steps in to aligning the secondary mirror, I just got my first really good look at Saturn tonight. I hope everyone else gets as much satisfaction out of this as I did doing it.

I own a Celestron 114GT (15+ years), another Bird-Jones Newtonian Reflector and totally concur about the need for proper collimation. Excellent explanation about the need to go 'back and forth' checking alignment of secondary and primary, until laser beam remains centered. I use my Cheshire for first aligning the center of all elements, then use the laser collimator for final collimation but unlike you I keep my Barlow Correcting lens intact without an issue (the laser dot is magnified (!) but still centerable). It's an excellent telescope! I have read too many negative posts regarding the Bird-Jones style telescopes which use cheaper-to-manufacture Spherical primary mirrors, rather than true parabolic mirrors in a true Newtonian configuration, where the outer light rays do not come to the same focal point as the center rays. Thus the corrector lens appears to discard the outer rays, and keeps only the central portion rays, thus causing a magnification increase (noted by larger focal length in Bird-Jones telescopes of similar mirror size in true newtonian but with only half the focal length). You lose some light as well so that camera require more exposure times. I've just added the SVBony 8-24mm Zoom Lens (very sweet!) and will be acquiring the SVBony SV305 color camera later this year, and controlling my 114GT via laptop running Stellarium software (highly recommended!).

Great video. I own the exact same telescope you used in the video. Unfortunately I found a big issue with my scope, which has to do with the focusing tube. I found it impossible to collimate my scope and after watching many how-to videos and read several instructions, I finally discovered my problem. On my scope, the plastic focusing tube mount was not manufactured correctly, causing the focusing tube to be at a slight angle vs perfectly perpendicular to the scope main housing and secondary mirror mount. This causes issues getting a perfectly clear view, at almost any focusing position, since the reflection off the secondary mirror will never be perfectly centered thru-out the entire focusing tube. The manufacture had tried to correct this by installing a adhesive backed vinyl shim to the inside of the focus tube mount. They were attempting to correct the angle of the focusing tube, once re-installed into the mount. Unfortunately, they did not get the angle corrected, only close enough to get the scope "somewhat" collimated. Since Celestron does not have replacement housing parts for such a inexpensive and basic beginners scope, I decided to see if I could correct the issue myself, by placing adhesive shims (multi-layered scotch tape) to specific points inside the focusing tube mount. I then removed the rear primary mirror, made and installed a collimation cap. I completely reset and re-aligned the secondary mirror, as you explained in your video, but also using the collimation cap without the primary mirror installed. This appears to be the best way to obtain a perfectly or as close to perfectly aligned secondary mirror to the focusing tube. This is something that should be checked on every Bird-Jones style Newtonian telescope, and not assume the tube is correct and perpendicular to the main housing from the manufacturer. Once that is completed, then I was able to continue withe collimation procedure and correct my scope. One way I was able to verify the focusing tube alignment, was quite simple. Just remove the front main housing dust cover and eyepiece (if installed) from the focusing tube. Move the focusing tube all the way down, look at the refection inside the focusing tube and begin to raise the focusing tube upward. while slowly raising the focusing tube, look at the outer perimeter of the reflection and see if it begins to look off-center in relationship to the tube opening. If all is correct and perfect, the reflection should be centered ALL height positions of the focusing tube. If not, the focusing tube needs aligned BEFORE collimation is performed.

I can't believe there aren't any comments saying that you sound like John Goodman

the operation was a complete success! took me quite a while and a lot of attempts at cutting the paper as precise as possible but manage to get it just perfect and getting the dot on the mirror was probably the scariest but i'm glad thats over! thanks for all the help you videos are very descriptive and helpful resources much better than what other people post or say...

Thank You Thank you Thank you!!!!! I just bought a laser Collimation tool for my AstroMaster 114Az. Guess what? I encountered the same problem you identified with the laser due to the correction lens. God Bless You Tube and Mr. Roupe. I Followed the steps and now have a crystal clear image. Looking forward to Aug 25 - Sept 2 to snap some photos of the moon now. You Rock!!!!!

YOU HAVE A GREAT EXPLANATION IN THIS TUBE, AM LEARNING TO INSTALL MY NEW TELESCOPE BECAUSE WE HAVE STRAGGLE TO INSTALL IT WITH MY HUSBAND AND I. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VIDEO.

Also, I have looked in to simply removing the correcting/barlow lens and using it without..... however, the lens is matched to the primary mirror so that removing it introduces a lot of distrotion and optical aberations - so we have to either keep the lens or get a different primary mirror. Which would also change the focal length.

No problem. We don't learn if we don't ask questions, and I'm still learning too. You shouldn't have any problems if you follow Dion's example in the Astonomy Shed video - it is how I did mine. Might be the scaryest thing you do to the telescope, but not really that bad after you get done with it. Just go slowly and carefully.

Thank you very much for the tape tip. I've just collimated my 130EQ and the wobbly tube was the only thing I disliked about this scope. Looking forward to trying it out on some clear sky.

Nice job, rather than doing what I did in my video with the camera, you can either fit a nosepiece adapter to your camcorder and use it as a webcam along with the software I used in my video, OR use a cheshire combination eyepiece to center the secondary, OR what else works well is an old 35mm film cannister with a 1.5mm hole drilled in the bottom at dead center and fit that into the focuser, it's a lot more accurate than just looking down the focuser tube.

@astronomyshed Ordered a webcam today and I already downloaded the software you recommended. Looking forward to getting it and fine tuning the telescope even more.

Fascinating just got this today!!

Thanks Dude Really helped me out i didn't know that the Eyepiece / Focuser Lens was causing all the fuss with my 114 LCM

I have the same as Dion on my Orion. But, on the AM114, the screws are in the back of the primary cell - so I have 3 screws (Phillips head) that hold the cell in, three lock bolts and three thumb screws that actually adjust the mirror tilt. Both the lock bolts and thumb screws protrude so there isn't any real confussion between them and the 3 holding the primary in. See if you have something like that.

Could you just take the primary mirror out and place the telescope against a white wall or simply just cover the open area with paper or something white ? Or perhaps make a custom backplate with the center having a circle to enable more accurate if youre using a laser.

I tried without, but didn't have that great a result. I'll post another link in the comments section above to Astronomy Shed's video on putting a center circle on the primary.

@mskiUSMC: I've removed your comment for way too much cussing. I'd like this and all of my vids and comments to be appropriate for kids to watch and read. Here is the clean version and my reply: (expletives), my wife got it for me for Christmas... I was very excited to use it... looking through the instructions it says I need to collimate it, I can't do it without the optional tool... So, basically if I want to use the 200 dollar telescope, I HAVE to also purchase their (expletive) tool? Am I getting this right, or am I "P'd off for no reason... oh, by the way is was a BEAUTIFUL crescent moon tonight.... and I can't see it through me 'telescope of the year'.... (expletives). You do not have to buy the tool from them. I bought mine through Amazon for about $10 - Amazon Prime had the tool with 2-day shipping included. With ANY Newtonian (mirror) based telescope - regardless of the price, you will need to collimate it. Carefulness of factory assembly, shipping, vibrations, heat/cold and just plain time (setting up/breaking down/transporting it) will affect the alignment of the mirrors. Even the really expensive SCTs do on occasion require collimation. I will admit that the lower end ones like the AM114 will need to be collimated coming out of the box. The AM114 is a bit more difficult to get right with the correction/barlow lens installed but it is possible to do it all without any special tools - to include not needing a laser. But the laser makes it much easier and quicker to get it done correctly the first time.

You need the base for the Telrad to attach it to the telescope. You might consider Rigel Quick Finder instead as it take up less 'tube' space. Cost is usually within a dollar or two of the Telrad.

Could you use the same trick to remove the slop on the laser collimator? A few bits of tape to tighten it up in the eyepiece holder, or is it the thumbscrews tightening that throws it off?

Nice Job explaining this process, Thanks for the careful step by step instructions. I'll have to buy the tool because I really think i need to collimate my 114 EQ scope. images seem washed out.

Thanks for superb instructional video. You really should be writing the owner manuals for Celestron. Two questions. When you ensure that the laser is hitting the centre of the primary mirror, don’t you need a central mark on the primary? And you did have a centre dot on the primary, would that stop the laser beam from being reflected? Thanks to anyone who can help.

What are most often referred to as Bird-Jones telescopes actually fall in the catagory of sub-aperture Catadioptric Telescopes (see the above 'Descrition' of this video - it is where I had to place a link that explains Catadioptric Telescopes). My understanding of the B-J is that they add in the additional element of a Barlow lens to increase the focal length of the OTA.

Is this John Goodman?

ah ok so i'll have to modify and add my own center circle. many thanks hopefully i'm successful on this sorry for all the questions my first time owning a reflector scope...

I bought one of these 'scopes and tried everything to get it to work. It was missing the erector eyepiece and also had an unusual lens that didn't fit anywhere and I duly obtained the 20mm lens from the supplier but there was no improvement. I need to collimate it I thought so watched this video to set it up and when I got the point of removing the lens tube, I noticed that the Barlow lens and holder were missing and guess what I found wedged inside? The erector lens. And the unusual lens that wouldn't fit anywhere? The missing Barlow lens. So, if anyone else has the same problems, it's worth just taking the focus wheels off and having a peep inside. It it wasn't for this video, I would never have known and the thing would have been firmly deposited in Mr Maplin's nether regions....

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, the weak point of the AM114 is the tripod and GEM that comes with it. Bird-Jones telescopes are not bad. The problem is in getting it properly collimated and set up. And, I have 3 telescopes. This B-J, a Newtonian and an SCT. If you don't like them you don't have to get one.

yes in the back there are the mirror adjustment screw they look silvery and stick out then there are these black screws that are flat, are those the screws that need to be undone to take out the primary mirror?

thanks, so i had everything ready to do this and soon as i looked into the scope tube i got a little scared cause i don't know how to remove the primary mirror and from the astronomy shed video he took out screws from around the side and seemed easy but on this one the screws are locked with nuts inside the scope, but i see another pair of screws which i hope are not like the others is that perhaps the ones im suppose to undo? if not then this could be a long process of taking apart allot...

Those should be the ones.... stick a little piece of tape next to one and right above on the OTA. Then when you go to put it back in, you can put it in the same orientation.

Its hard to tell from the resolution of the video, but would you happen to remember the direction the correcting barlow goes into the focuser? Thanks.

Very thorough, and helpful, thank you.

fuck this fucking telescope, my wife got it for me for Christmas... I was very excited to use it...looking through the instructions it says I need to collimate it, I cant do it without the optional tool... So, basically if I want to use this 200 dollar telescope, I HAVE to also purchase their fucking tool? Am I getting this right, or am I pissed of for no reason... oh, by the way, it was a BEAUTIFUL crescent moon tonight... and I cant see it through my 'telescope of the year'... fuckin dammit am I pissed...

my correction lens is glued, how the hell am I suppose to get it out without damaging the lens?

Thanks a lot your a lifesaver! i'll report back when i get this done, and of course i will take my time and be super careful.

Hello. My daughter got this AM114 from her birthday last October and I still didn't get to know how to use it. I tried, I read but I still didn't get it. I don't see anything and I don't have any glue . I fell bad , she really wants to see the stars and I can do it anything and can find anybody to help me . Do u know anything that could help with . I really appreciate . Thank you...

Could you explain what exactly the "barlow correction" "lens correction" is that you show around 13:34 in the video? mine has it but i am uncertain to what its purpose is. also i'm fairly new to astronomy so there might be some things i won't understand very well, thanks!

I can see the moon's details fine, but the planet's are always fuzzy, what am I doing wrong.

ah, ok i see thanks and i read it pretty interesting little thing. I've also wanted to ask this i noticed that this telescope doesn't have a circle guide on primary mirror when doing laser collimation is it ok to just eye the laser towards center even though it doesn't have circle? is it easy to notice or if you have good eye getting towards center?

Great video. Well done! How do you assemble the telrad on astromaster eq114? I will buy it but the telrad's dimension are too big. The tube ring don't impede the telrad? How did you fix the base at the tube? Thanks

Very good demo, thank you. Question; I just received my Seban Laser collimater, looks just like yours, but the beam is kind of oval, it's not round. Does that matter at all or is that just so you get it in the center you should be ok? I have a mead 114 that looks very similar to your scope. There is no reference circle on the primary mirror to is just "eyeballing" the lazer in the center the way to go?

Just BE CAREFUL. The mirro cell is a lot heavier than you might think - and you don't want to drop it.

About the telrad, do I need the base or just only the telrad?

Very helpful thanks!

Watch at 1.5 speed, thank me later.

12:20. That's what she said.

if u would talk at a normal speed u would have done a good job

dude sounds like john goodman..

hey how well do you like the 114eq?

Does that laser come with it

Why would anyone want to purchase a scope like this if you have to go through this just so you can use it ?

Kids are NEVER gonna be able to collimate their bird jones crap scopes themselves. Parents, don't buy bird jones crap for your kids!

This is a great demo, but I don't think this will help beginner's.

thats not a 114eq

oops, it should be "so", not to....sorry

I tried this it did not work on my bird-jones sorry, but this is wrong thanks for wasting my time!

Are you a butcher by trade? You did a great job at butchering up this scope by moving and removing things that should be left alone!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Are you serious? Why even bother with such a cheaply made telescope. J-birds are toys. It is good that you actually took the time to show a collimation for a J-bird telescope, but everyone should avoid these telescopes at all costs. Your telrad and laser collimator cost as much as the telescope itself. Come on man, really? Why didn't you just spend that money on the Astromaster 130? Plus I noticed your cigarette in the video. You shouldn't smoke around any of your optics. It will ruin them.

7 minutes in lost as shit

29 minutes of BLA BLA BLA.... so, Remove Corrector Lens and Collimate, right? (or dont buy bird jones)

There is nothing wrong with Astromaster 114 EQ but please next time just make a proper video cause after 1 minute i thought i gonna shoot myself it got so boring. Sorry i'm just being honest.mate.