{"product_id":"farpoint-1-25-inch-collimation-kit-laser-cheshire","title":"Farpoint 1.25\" Collimation Kit — Laser + Cheshire + Carrying Case","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint 1.25\" Collimation Kit is the two-tool solution for Newtonian and Dobsonian reflectors with 1.25\" focusers. It pairs the Farpoint 650 nm laser collimator, in its 1.25\" barrel, with a 1.25\" Farpoint Cheshire collimation eyepiece, and supplies both in a carrying case together with a mirror center-marking template and triangle center spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two tools split the alignment sequence between them: the laser sets the focuser axis and positions the secondary in seconds, and the Cheshire refines the primary using reflected light. Both are precision-machined in the USA, and the laser carries a lifetime alignment guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if your reflector has a 1.25\" focuser — typical of smaller Newtonians, tabletop Dobsonians and many imported reflectors — and you want the complete collimation workflow in a single purchase. It suits a visual observer who wants alignment to be consistent from night to night, and an imager who needs the primary genuinely square rather than approximately so, since long exposures put any residual error straight into the corners of the frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFarpoint 650 nm laser collimator (1.25\" barrel):\u003c\/strong\u003e single-piece machined body with an eight-screw alignment system that locks both ends of the diode using directly opposing screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e0.76 mm beam aperture:\u003c\/strong\u003e the smallest Farpoint publishes for any collimator on the market, which tightens the return spot and reduces speckle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFarpoint 1.25\" Cheshire eyepiece:\u003c\/strong\u003e reflective-pane design in the CATSEYE™ BlackCat style, without crosshairs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo batteries in the Cheshire:\u003c\/strong\u003e it runs on reflected light, with no electronics to fail in cold weather.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMirror center-marking template and triangle center spots:\u003c\/strong\u003e covers mirrors up to 12.5\".\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCarrying case:\u003c\/strong\u003e keeps both tools together and protected between sessions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrecision-machined in the USA\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a lifetime alignment guarantee on the laser.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow the Two Tools Divide the Work\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA laser and a Cheshire are complementary rather than redundant, because they read different things well. The laser projects a beam along the focuser axis, so it answers a geometric question — is the secondary centred under the focuser and tilted correctly — immediately, in the dark, without your eye at the eyepiece. What it resolves less finely is the last of the primary tilt, since you are judging a small bright dot against a mark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cheshire reverses that. Its reflective pane illuminates the optical path and presents a wide, evenly lit field, so the primary's centre mark and the reflected apertures can be aligned with much finer visual resolution than a spot on a target allows. It needs some ambient light on the pane and it is not the tool for secondary geometry. Run in order — laser for the secondary and a rough primary, Cheshire to finish the primary — the sequence takes about five minutes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFull collimation of a 1.25\" Newtonian or Dobsonian:\u003c\/strong\u003e secondary alignment through to precise primary alignment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePre-imaging setup:\u003c\/strong\u003e where corner star shape follows directly from how square the primary actually is.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAfter transport:\u003c\/strong\u003e a tabletop Dob or a small Newtonian that has just travelled is worth a laser check, and a Cheshire pass if you are settling in for the night.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal alignment:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full pass on a scope coming out of storage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eField use:\u003c\/strong\u003e the case keeps both tools together in an observing bag.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocuser fit:\u003c\/strong\u003e both tools are 1.25\" and seat in standard 1.25\" focuser drawtubes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2\" focusers:\u003c\/strong\u003e these barrels do not fill a 2\" drawtube. The Farpoint 2\" Collimation Kit is the equivalent for those scopes, and we stock it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope types:\u003c\/strong\u003e Newtonian and Dobsonian reflectors. Not for refractors, catadioptric or SCT designs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMirror center mark required:\u003c\/strong\u003e both tools align to a mark on the primary. The supplied template covers mirrors up to 12.5\".\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMirrors over 12.5\":\u003c\/strong\u003e the LARGE center-marking template covers 12\" to 26\" and is sold separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGoing further:\u003c\/strong\u003e an autocollimator refines alignment past what a laser and Cheshire resolve. Farpoint supplies one in the 2\" Super Collimation Kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBoth tools are 1.25\".\u003c\/strong\u003e This kit is sized for 1.25\" drawtubes; if your focuser is 2\", the Farpoint 2\" Collimation Kit is the one to order and we carry it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReflectors only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Built for Newtonian and Dobsonian optics. For a refractor, SCT or Maksutov, get in touch and we will point you at the right approach.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYour primary needs a center mark.\u003c\/strong\u003e The template and spots are in the box, and marking a mirror is a one-time job of a few minutes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe supplied template fits mirrors up to 12.5\".\u003c\/strong\u003e Larger mirrors take the LARGE template, which we also stock.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Cheshire wants some ambient light.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its pane is illuminated by the sky or a red light, which is why the laser is the tool for a check in full darkness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt includes a laser.\u003c\/strong\u003e The beam is bright by design, and the usual care about not looking into it applies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Each tool drops into the focuser like an eyepiece. The order is laser first for the secondary, Cheshire second for the primary, and a full pass runs about five minutes once you have done it once or twice. The one preparatory step is marking the centre of your primary mirror, and the template and spots for that are supplied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy both tools rather than just the laser?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach is better at one half of the job. The laser is fast and geometric, so it handles the secondary and works in the dark. The Cheshire reads the primary's final tilt far more finely, because you are judging a wide illuminated field instead of a bright dot. For casual visual observing the laser alone will often do; for imaging, the Cheshire is what keeps the corners clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this fit my telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your Newtonian or Dobsonian has a 1.25\" focuser, yes. If it has a 2\" focuser, order the Farpoint 2\" Collimation Kit instead. Not sure which yours is? Send us the make and model and we will confirm it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the Cheshire need batteries?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It is a reflective-pane design with no electronics — nothing to charge, and nothing that changes behaviour in the cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a CATSEYE™ BlackCat style Cheshire?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA reflective-pane sight tube without crosshairs. The pane illuminates the optical path, so you align against the reflected apertures and the primary's centre mark rather than against a crosshair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does this compare with buying the laser on its own?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit is the same laser plus a matching 1.25\" Cheshire and a case. If you only ever check the secondary before a visual session, the laser alone covers it. If you image, or you want the primary aligned as precisely as the optics allow, the Cheshire is the tool that gets you there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a USA-made 650 nm laser and a 1.25\" reflective-pane Cheshire in one case, covering both halves of Newtonian and Dobsonian collimation for scopes with 1.25\" focusers. It needs a centre-marked primary — the template is included — and a full pass takes about five minutes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Farpoint","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54271561793647,"sku":"FP247","price":288.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/FP247-Collimator-and-Cheshire.jpg?v=1789136641","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/farpoint-1-25-inch-collimation-kit-laser-cheshire","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}