Farpoint Astronomical Research builds collimation tools in the USA for Newtonian and Dobsonian reflectors. This collection brings together their 650nm laser collimators, the two- and three-tool collimation kits, and the primary mirror center-marking templates that the whole process depends on.
What's in this collection
650nm laser collimators: available with a 1.25" barrel or a 1.25"/2" combo stepped barrel, so the tool drops into whichever focuser drawtube your scope has.
Collimation kits: a laser paired with a matching 2" or 1.25" Cheshire eyepiece in a fitted case, covering both halves of the job in one purchase.
Super Collimation Kit: laser, Cheshire and autocollimator together, for iterative refinement past what a laser and Cheshire reach on their own.
Primary mirror center-marking kits: acetate templates and triangle center spots in standard (up to 12.5") and large (12"–26") sizes.
Who these are for
This is a match if you own a Newtonian or Dobsonian reflector and want its collimation repeatable rather than approximate — whether that is a quick check before a visual session or the tighter alignment that long-exposure astrophotography rewards. Every tool here is built for reflectors; refractors, SCTs, Maksutovs and other catadioptric designs collimate differently and use different tools.
How the tools work together
Collimation runs in a sequence, and each Farpoint tool sits at a specific point in it. The mirror gets a center mark first, because without one a laser and a Cheshire have no reference to align to. The laser then sets the focuser axis and brings the secondary into position quickly, including in the dark. The Cheshire refines the primary using reflected light and no batteries. An autocollimator takes the alignment further still by stacking multiple reflections, which makes residual error easier to see.
What sets the Farpoint lasers apart
Each body is machined from a single piece of aluminum in one machining step, which keeps the barrel and the laser axis concentric. The diode is held by an eight-screw alignment system — two sets of directly opposing screws locking both ends — rather than the three-screw arrangement used in less expensive collimators. The 0.76 mm (30/1000") beam aperture is the smallest Farpoint publishes for any collimator on the amateur market, which reduces speckle and makes the return spot easier to read against the center mark. The lasers carry a lifetime alignment guarantee.
Good to know
Barrel size follows your focuser: a 1.25" tool needs a 1.25" drawtube, and the combo barrel steps to serve either. The center-marking template supplied with the lasers and kits covers mirrors up to 12.5"; mirrors from 12" to 26" take the LARGE template, sold separately in this collection. If you are not sure which tool or barrel size suits your telescope, send us the make and model and we will confirm it with you.
