Howie Glatter 635nm High Brightness Red Laser Collimator - 1.25" (New Version)
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- The Howie Glatter Laser Collimator uses a solid-state 5 milliwatt Class IIIa laser diode that will last trouble-free for many years
- Red laser operates at 635nm; suitable for Barlowed or holographic collimation in higher levels of ambient light or night use
- Aligned to within 15 arc-seconds - providing 0.1” accuracy at a distance of 20 feet
- The 1.25" collimator is machined to very high tolerances
- Shock-resistant to keep its alignment even if bumped or dropped
- Includes a 1mm aperture stop, lithium battery, and plastic storage case
Please Note:
- This is the new "NV" version and not the old version.
- The manufacturer of this item recently increased the thread size on the bottom of their collomitors. These are referred to as "NV" (new version). The old and new versions are identical except for this thread size and if you plan to use one of their holographic attachments, you need to make sure that you match the "old" collimator with the "old" holographic attachment, and the "NV" collimator with the "NV" holographic attachment.
- While all Howie collimators we sell are brand new, it is common for the surface finish of these new items to have scratches/scuff marks/other minor cosmetic imperfections as received from the manufacturer. Please see the last four product photos above for some examples. These are brand new and not used/returned products.
Howie Glatter 635nm High Brightness Red Laser Collimator - 1.25" by Starlight Instruments/Feather Touch # SI-LC125-635
We hope that our telescope's optical elements are always perfectly aligned. Unfortunately, this near-perfect alignment is rarely the case, even with a new telescope. It is especially true with telescopes utilizing mirrors to direct light from an object to our eye. Optical alignment of these mirrors needs to be done frequently, especially if the telescope is moved or bumped a lot. This alignment process is known as collimation and using lasers to assist in the process is a relatively new development.
Howie Glatter was one of the most well-known and trusted names in astronomy lasers and collimation accessories. His uncompromising quality and dedication to excellence not only put his products above the rest - but in high demand as the finest available on today's astronomy market. Howie passed away in 2017 but his legacy continues! His superbly crafted products are once again offered under license by Starlight Instruments (makers of the famed Feather Touch line of focusers and accessories) who machined most of Howie's products for years even before his passing away.
The solid-state laser diode in these devices emits an intense, low wattage beam through a small aperture, precisely along the axis of the collimator's cylindrical body. This beam provides a laser-precise reference line allowing alignment of the telescope's optical axes. A laser collimator's beam must be accurately aligned with the collimator's center axis, or the resultant alignment of the optics will be off-center and asymmetric, and the telescope will produce aberrated images.
Howie Glatter collimators are built to be highly accurate and resistant to mechanical shock ensuring that internal laser alignment is maintained. The laser is first aligned within 15 arc seconds. Each collimator is shock-tested by hitting it against a block of plastic (to prevent marring), striking it several times on three axes. The laser alignment is rechecked and if it has not changed, the collimator passes.
The beam of all red diode lasers is blurry-edged and has an elliptical cross-section. That's why this collimator is supplied with a removable plastic aperture stop having a knife-edge, 1mm pin hole and a screen front. The stop threads into the laser aperture and restricts the beam, producing a tiny circular dot that is more compact and precise. The edge of the pinhole diffracts some of the laser light, forming the concentric rings around the dot which facilitate precise centering. This pattern is especially noticeable across a longer distance, though it may be hard to see across a couple of meters. If more precise centering is needed, especially in shorter focal-length telescopes, we recommend the use of the Glatter TuBlug, or the Glatter Holographic Attachment for Laser Collimator with the Concentric Circle Pattern, with this laser collimator.
The collimator lasers are offered with either 635nm (this model) or 650nm wavelengths. Both have the same power output, but because the human eye has greater sensitivity to the shorter wavelength, the 635nm laser appears significantly brighter. The 635nm laser is more expensive, but it enables Barlowed or holographic collimation in higher levels of ambient light, whereas the 650nm laser is adequate only for darker conditions.
This 1.25" collimator is intended for use in 1.25" focusers. But the use of a 1.25" collimator is acceptable in a 2" holder if used with a "center accurate" adapter. The adapter can be checked for accuracy as follows:
- Insert the collimator and tighten the adapter
- Check the position of the projected laser beam
- Loosen the adapter, rotate, and retighten
- Observe if the laser spot has wandered from the original spot
Additional Specifications:
- Total length = 3.38" (85.9mm)
- Length of 1.25" barrel = 1.61" (41.0mm)
- Maximum width = 1.32" (33.6mm)
- Weight = 5.7oz. (162g)
- Powered by a CR123A lithium cell (included), giving about 40 hours of service
| Free Shipping Graphic | Free US Shipping |
|---|---|
| Hide Found a better Shipped Price on Frontend? | No |
- The Howie Glatter Laser Collimator uses a solid-state 5 milliwatt Class IIIa laser diode that will last trouble-free for many years
- Red laser operates at 635nm; suitable for Barlowed or holographic collimation in higher levels of ambient light or night use
- Aligned to within 15 arc-seconds - providing 0.1” accuracy at a distance of 20 feet
- The 1.25" collimator is machined to very high tolerances
- Shock-resistant to keep its alignment even if bumped or dropped
- Includes a 1mm aperture stop, lithium battery, and plastic storage case
Please Note:
- This is the new "NV" version and not the old version.
- The manufacturer of this item recently increased the thread size on the bottom of their collomitors. These are referred to as "NV" (new version). The old and new versions are identical except for this thread size and if you plan to use one of their holographic attachments, you need to make sure that you match the "old" collimator with the "old" holographic attachment, and the "NV" collimator with the "NV" holographic attachment.
- While all Howie collimators we sell are brand new, it is common for the surface finish of these new items to have scratches/scuff marks/other minor cosmetic imperfections as received from the manufacturer. Please see the last four product photos above for some examples. These are brand new and not used/returned products.
Howie Glatter 635nm High Brightness Red Laser Collimator - 1.25" by Starlight Instruments/Feather Touch # SI-LC125-635
We hope that our telescope's optical elements are always perfectly aligned. Unfortunately, this near-perfect alignment is rarely the case, even with a new telescope. It is especially true with telescopes utilizing mirrors to direct light from an object to our eye. Optical alignment of these mirrors needs to be done frequently, especially if the telescope is moved or bumped a lot. This alignment process is known as collimation and using lasers to assist in the process is a relatively new development.
Howie Glatter was one of the most well-known and trusted names in astronomy lasers and collimation accessories. His uncompromising quality and dedication to excellence not only put his products above the rest - but in high demand as the finest available on today's astronomy market. Howie passed away in 2017 but his legacy continues! His superbly crafted products are once again offered under license by Starlight Instruments (makers of the famed Feather Touch line of focusers and accessories) who machined most of Howie's products for years even before his passing away.
The solid-state laser diode in these devices emits an intense, low wattage beam through a small aperture, precisely along the axis of the collimator's cylindrical body. This beam provides a laser-precise reference line allowing alignment of the telescope's optical axes. A laser collimator's beam must be accurately aligned with the collimator's center axis, or the resultant alignment of the optics will be off-center and asymmetric, and the telescope will produce aberrated images.
Howie Glatter collimators are built to be highly accurate and resistant to mechanical shock ensuring that internal laser alignment is maintained. The laser is first aligned within 15 arc seconds. Each collimator is shock-tested by hitting it against a block of plastic (to prevent marring), striking it several times on three axes. The laser alignment is rechecked and if it has not changed, the collimator passes.
The beam of all red diode lasers is blurry-edged and has an elliptical cross-section. That's why this collimator is supplied with a removable plastic aperture stop having a knife-edge, 1mm pin hole and a screen front. The stop threads into the laser aperture and restricts the beam, producing a tiny circular dot that is more compact and precise. The edge of the pinhole diffracts some of the laser light, forming the concentric rings around the dot which facilitate precise centering. This pattern is especially noticeable across a longer distance, though it may be hard to see across a couple of meters. If more precise centering is needed, especially in shorter focal-length telescopes, we recommend the use of the Glatter TuBlug, or the Glatter Holographic Attachment for Laser Collimator with the Concentric Circle Pattern, with this laser collimator.
The collimator lasers are offered with either 635nm (this model) or 650nm wavelengths. Both have the same power output, but because the human eye has greater sensitivity to the shorter wavelength, the 635nm laser appears significantly brighter. The 635nm laser is more expensive, but it enables Barlowed or holographic collimation in higher levels of ambient light, whereas the 650nm laser is adequate only for darker conditions.
This 1.25" collimator is intended for use in 1.25" focusers. But the use of a 1.25" collimator is acceptable in a 2" holder if used with a "center accurate" adapter. The adapter can be checked for accuracy as follows:
- Insert the collimator and tighten the adapter
- Check the position of the projected laser beam
- Loosen the adapter, rotate, and retighten
- Observe if the laser spot has wandered from the original spot
Additional Specifications:
- Total length = 3.38" (85.9mm)
- Length of 1.25" barrel = 1.61" (41.0mm)
- Maximum width = 1.32" (33.6mm)
- Weight = 5.7oz. (162g)
- Powered by a CR123A lithium cell (included), giving about 40 hours of service
| Free Shipping Graphic | Free US Shipping |
|---|---|
| Hide Found a better Shipped Price on Frontend? | No |
Howie Glatter 635nm High Brightness Red Laser Collimator - 1.25" (New Version)