Orion XT 10 Primary Mirror Problems

[Gamma986]

For months I couldn't get my XT10 over 120x without the images distorting very bad. I have found out the problem that I was tighting down the mirror mount bolts to tight and twisting the mirror. Bryon at Orion tech was a huge help and friendly. He said to put a piece paper between the mirror and holding screws and just tighten them down until they just touch and you can pull out the paper. It worked! Great images and I can now use some power if i need it. Thanks everyone for your help and maybe this little hint my help you.

[smiley smiley]

Wow, how does that one work Talk a little more about it please

[Gamma986]

he juat had the optics pinched with overtightening a good way to check this is when you have your mirror out for cleaning its alot easier unless you have a severe problem like chuck did

[Scott M]

In other words, dont tighten the collimation screws so much

[admin]

any of them but i think we are more referring to the holding clips here

[Gamma986]

Your collimation screws has nothing to do with it. Its your mirror clip screws. Tighen them down just until you can slide a piece of paper between the the screws and the mirror.

[dantistryfiliya]

Won't that make the mirror unstable in its cell especially when you set it up, won't it allow the mirror to move in its cell and wreck the collimation Maybe a paper width between them won't loosen it that much.

[doriscrisp]

Hi all,wont fixing the mirror with silicone sort out the problem

[skywalker]

they use silicon on ther back sidethe clips or sling hold the mirroryou just just want them snug without overtightening themas far as the collimation screws goyou dont want to overtighten them eitherthey should be 'preadjusted' before you set the mirror in the tube so you can tweak thembest thing to do is just really look at the mirror and how its madeit will all seem quite obvious then, specially if its out of the OTA

[Gamma986]

You have the right idea. I don't know about the silicon trick when it comes to removing it and cleaning it. My mirror cell has cork pads where the mirror sets on. The mirror doesn't move because of the reload from the cork pads. My mirror fits snug in the cell even without the mirror clips.