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Howie Glatter Single 650nm Red Beam Laser Collimator - 1.25"
Howie Glatter Single 650nm Red Beam Laser Collimator - 1.25"

Howie Glatter Single 650nm Red Beam Laser Collimator - 1.25"

by Howie Glatter
SKU SI-LC125-650
CA$294.00 - CA$294.00
CA$294.00
CA$294.00 - CA$294.00
CA$294.00
Price Match Policy!
  • 650nm Single Red Laser Beam
  • Fits Standard 1.25" Eyepiece Holders
  • 15 Arc-Second Factory Alignment Accuracy
  • Includes Removable 1mm Aperture Stop
  • Shock-Tested to Maintain Alignment
  • Uses one 123A Lithium Battery
2 in stock
Qualifies for FREE Shipping in Canada on orders over $500.
  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Warranty

  • Howie Glatter Single 650nm Red Beam Laser Collimator - 1.25"

    The Howie Glatter Single 650nm Red Beam Laser Collimator provides a precise optical reference line for aligning any telescope, built around a solid-state laser diode aligned to within 15 arc-seconds of the collimator body's cylindrical axis. This Class IIIa laser establishes a beam accurate to 0.1 inches at a distance of 20 feet, ensuring your optics can be centered for maximum image contrast and resolution. Powered by a single 123A lithium battery, this tool is the foundation for achieving and maintaining perfect collimation.

    A 15 Arc-Second Reference Beam, Shock-Tested for Alignment

    The core of any laser collimator is the certainty that its beam is perfectly parallel to its body. Each Howie Glatter collimator is factory-aligned to a tolerance of 15 arc-seconds and then subjected to a rigorous shock test, being struck at least a dozen times on three axes to simulate drops and impacts. The alignment is then re-checked to ensure it holds, so the reference beam you use for collimation stays true.

    This durability means the collimator can withstand a drop from the focuser of a large Dobsonian without losing its critical alignment. It’s a tool built not just for precision, but for repeatable precision under real-world observing conditions.

    650nm Beam with 1mm Aperture Stop for Pinpoint Accuracy

    This model uses a 650nm red laser, which is perfectly adequate for collimation in dark conditions. To refine the standard fuzzy-edged beam of a diode laser, a removable 1mm aperture stop is included. When pushed into the laser aperture, it transforms the beam into a tiny, circular point surrounded by faint diffraction rings.

    This pattern makes it significantly easier to judge the exact center of the beam's impact on your primary mirror's center mark or on the face of the collimator itself. The surrounding rings help center the beam very accurately, and the small stop increases precision when locating the return spot on the collimator face.

    Collimation for Newtonians, Refractors, and Cassegrains

    The single-beam laser provides the essential reference line needed for the fundamental collimation steps of any telescope design. The process always begins by establishing the eyepiece axis as the master reference, from which all other components are aligned.

    • For Newtonians: The laser is used to adjust the secondary mirror to aim the beam at the exact center of the primary, and then to adjust the primary mirror to return the beam precisely back into the collimator's aperture.
    • For Refractors: After ensuring the beam is centered on the objective lens, the laser's reflection from the rear lens surface is used to adjust the objective's tilt until the return beam is centered on the collimator.
    • For Cassegrains: A single-beam collimator allows the back-axis and secondary alignment; a holographic attachment is needed for primary and corrector alignment. This model can also be used to record a star-collimated secondary position on an SCT for later reproduction.

    Howie Glatter 650nm vs. 635nm: Choosing the Right Wavelength

    Howie Glatter offers red lasers in two wavelengths, 650nm and 635nm, both with the same radiometric power output. The primary difference is how the human eye perceives their brightness. The 635nm laser appears two to three times brighter to the eye, making it a better choice if you frequently collimate in twilight or brighter ambient light.

    For most users, the 650nm laser is entirely sufficient. Because a single-beam collimator concentrates all its light into one spot, the 650nm laser is quite adequate in darkness. The 635nm diode costs more, which is reflected in its price.

  • How do I collimate my 10" f/4.7 Newtonian with the Howie Glatter 650nm laser?

    First, insert the Howie Glatter 1.25" collimator into your focuser. Adjust your secondary mirror's tilt until the red laser dot hits the center mark on your primary mirror. Then, looking at the return beam on the face of the collimator, adjust your primary mirror's collimation knobs until the reflected laser dot disappears back into the aperture it came from. The included 1mm aperture stop gives a tiny, circular spot that is easier to center.

    What is the purpose of the 1mm aperture stop included with the Howie Glatter collimator?

    The 1mm aperture stop is a push-fit cap that narrows the laser beam. This creates a much smaller, more defined circular spot that looks like a star's diffraction pattern. This tiny point makes it much easier to judge the beam's center, allowing for more accurate and precise alignment of your primary mirror's return beam.

    Is the 650nm Howie Glatter laser bright enough for collimation?

    Yes, in darkness. The 650nm laser is quite adequate in darkness, and especially for single-beam collimators, which concentrate all the laser light in the central beam. For early twilight, choose the 635nm version, which looks about two or three times brighter.

    Can I use this Howie Glatter laser on my Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope (SCT)?

    Yes, for the secondary. On commercial SCTs only the secondary tilt is adjustable. Find its best setting with a star test at high power, then insert the collimator in the back (no diagonal) and note where the return beam lands on the collimator face. You can return the secondary to that spot any time; the 1mm aperture stop makes the spot easier to locate.

    Will the Howie Glatter 1.25" laser maintain its alignment if I drop it?

    It is designed to. Each collimator is shock-tested on three axes after its initial 15 arc-second alignment to ensure it can withstand the equivalent of a fall from an eyepiece holder without losing its calibration. This rugged construction is a key feature that ensures reliable and repeatable accuracy.

    Can I upgrade this single-beam Howie Glatter collimator later?

    Yes. The front of the collimator features a 3/8-32 thread that accepts optional accessories sold separately. You can add a holographic attachment (square grid, concentric circle or cross hair) or a Barlow attachment to expand its capabilities for different collimation techniques.

  • Model LC125-650
    Wavelength 650 nm (red)
    Beam Single beam
    Fits 1.25" eyepiece holders
    Laser Class IIIa (maximum output 5 mW)
    Alignment Factory-aligned to 15 arc-seconds (0.1 in at 20 ft)
    Laser Source Solid-state laser diode
    Shock Testing Each collimator struck at least a dozen times on three axes, alignment rechecked
    Battery 123A lithium
    Attachment Thread 3/8-32 (current version, identified by a visible ring)
    Optional Accessories Holographic attachments (square grid, concentric circle, cross hair), Barlow attachment, Variable Laser Brightness cap
    Use Newtonian, refractor and Cassegrain collimation

    • Howie Glatter 650 nm single-beam 1.25" laser collimator

      × 1

    • 123A lithium battery

      × 1

    • 1 mm aperture stop

      × 1

    • Protective case

      × 1

  • Howie Glatter Warranty