8" f/12 classic cassegrain collimation

[martyg]

Does anyone have experience collimating cassegrains, specifically an 8” f/12 classical cassegrain telescope? With a collimation cap and/or laser collimator?
I find that when aligned with the laser it looks way off when viewed through the cap and am inclined to trust the cap over the laser. Mostly because there is some play when inserting the laser in the focuser. I have roughly checked the laser collimation by rotating it on a table, it seemed OK.
I’ve been using the Orion CC8 Classical Cassegrain manual which I found online.

Thanks,
MartyG

[SEmert]

I would trust the collimation cap or a sight tube/Cheshire more than a laser for this, especially as that is the only method discussed in the manual. You mentioned some play when inserting the laser collimator. that can greatly affect the collimation. Personally, I'd do the collimation cap or sight tube/Cheshire and follow it up with a star collimation.

[BradNasset]

Trivia tip- I case you might ever think about this - You don't need "Bob's Knobs" for this, as collimation is done so seldom on this scope. Besides they stick out so far you can't use the lens cap cover anymore.