{"product_id":"farpoint-650nm-laser-collimator-1-25-inch","title":"Farpoint 650nm Laser Collimator — 1.25\" Barrel","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint 650nm Laser Collimator with 1.25\" barrel handles the first step of Newtonian collimation: aligning the secondary mirror, then giving the primary a fast check. It is built for Newtonian and Dobsonian reflectors with standard 1.25\" focuser drawtubes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery body is machined from a single piece of aluminum in one machining step, so the barrel and the laser axis stay concentric. An eight-screw alignment system locks both ends of the 650 nm diode with two sets of directly opposing screws. Farpoint makes it in the USA and guarantees the alignment for the life of the tool. A mirror center-marking template, triangle center spots and a carrying case are included.\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 — common on smaller Newtonians, tabletop Dobsonians and many imported reflectors — and you want collimation to be a thirty-second check rather than a chore. It works for a visual observer who wants to confirm alignment at the eyepiece before starting, and for an imager squaring the focuser axis before a run of long exposures. If you own a reflector with a 2\" focuser, or a mix of both, the 1.25\"\/2\" combo-barrel version covers them in one tool.\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\u003e0.76 mm (30\/1000\") beam aperture:\u003c\/strong\u003e the smallest Farpoint publishes for any collimator on the amateur astronomy market. Less speckling, and a tighter return spot to read against the center mark.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEight-screw alignment system:\u003c\/strong\u003e two sets of directly opposing screws hold both ends of the laser diode, instead of the three-screw arrangement used in cheaper designs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSingle-piece machined body:\u003c\/strong\u003e barrel and diode housing cut from one aluminum blank in one machining step, which keeps them concentric.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1.25\" stepped barrel:\u003c\/strong\u003e seats in standard 1.25\" focuser drawtubes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtra-bright 650 nm red laser:\u003c\/strong\u003e readable at the focuser and on the primary without a white light.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProtected switch:\u003c\/strong\u003e positive action, shielded by an aluminum ring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed anodized aluminum body:\u003c\/strong\u003e rugged, and easy to find by red light.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifetime alignment guarantee:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint warrants the laser's alignment for the life of the tool.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA laser collimator's accuracy comes down to one relationship: the angle between the beam and the barrel that holds it. If the two disagree, every adjustment the tool suggests is wrong by that angle, and nothing about the tool's behaviour reveals it. Farpoint constrains this at both ends of the problem. Machining the barrel and the diode housing from one piece of aluminum in a single step eliminates the tolerance stack you inherit when a barrel is pressed or threaded into a separate body. The eight-screw mount then clamps the diode at both ends with directly opposing pairs, so it is held in compression rather than pushed against a spring or a single face — which is what keeps the alignment through handling, transport and the occasional knock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 0.76 mm aperture addresses the reading rather than the alignment. Laser light scattered from a mirror produces speckle, and a wide beam returns a large, noisy patch that is hard to centre against a mark. Narrowing the aperture tightens the returned spot so a small residual error stays visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecondary mirror alignment:\u003c\/strong\u003e the main task. The beam shows at once whether the secondary sits centred under the focuser and at the right tilt.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick primary check:\u003c\/strong\u003e confirms the primary is close before a Cheshire refines it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDark-site checks:\u003c\/strong\u003e the return reads by its own light, so a mid-session check costs no dark adaptation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAfter transport:\u003c\/strong\u003e a tabletop Dob or a Newtonian that has just come out of a car is worth checking before the first target.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBefore an imaging run:\u003c\/strong\u003e misaligned optics show up in the corners of a long exposure as coma and elongated stars.\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 1.25\" stepped barrel, for standard 1.25\" focuser drawtubes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2\" focusers:\u003c\/strong\u003e this barrel does not fit a 2\" drawtube. The Farpoint 1.25\"\/2\" combo-barrel collimator covers both, and we stock it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope types:\u003c\/strong\u003e Newtonian and Dobsonian reflectors. Refractors, catadioptric and SCT designs collimate by other means.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMirror center mark required:\u003c\/strong\u003e the laser aligns to a mark on the primary. The supplied template and triangle spots cover 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\u003ePairs with a Cheshire:\u003c\/strong\u003e the Farpoint 1.25\" Collimation Kit bundles this laser with a matching 1.25\" Cheshire in a fitted case.\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\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 tool.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheck your focuser size first.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the 1.25\" barrel. If your drawtube is 2\", the combo-barrel version is the one to order — and it fits both if you own two scopes.\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; marking a mirror is a one-time job.\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\u003eA laser gets the primary close, a Cheshire finishes it.\u003c\/strong\u003e For visual work the laser alone is usually enough; for imaging, the pair is worth having.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt is 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. It drops into the focuser like an eyepiece and switches on. The one preparatory step is marking the centre of the primary mirror, and the template and spots for that come in the box — done once, the mark lasts the life of the mirror.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit my telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your reflector has a 1.25\" focuser drawtube, yes. If it has a 2\" drawtube, order the combo-barrel version instead, which steps to fit either. If you are not sure which your focuser is, send us the make and model and we will check.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the 0.76 mm beam aperture change in practice?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt tightens the spot that returns off the mirror. A wider beam comes back as a larger, speckled patch that is harder to judge against the centre mark; a narrow one returns a small spot, so a slight misalignment is still visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a Cheshire as well?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a quick check before visual observing, the laser on its own does the job. For the last of the primary alignment — and for imaging, where the frame corners show every error — a Cheshire reads more precisely. The Farpoint 1.25\" Collimation Kit pairs this laser with one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes it different from an inexpensive laser collimator?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe single-piece machined body, the eight-screw diode mount holding both ends, and the 0.76 mm aperture. Each exists to keep the beam true to the barrel and the return spot readable, and Farpoint backs the result with a lifetime alignment guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it on an SCT or a refractor?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — those designs collimate differently. Tell us what you have and we will point you at the right tool for it.\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 collimator with a 1.25\" barrel, a single-piece machined body and an eight-screw diode mount, for Newtonian and Dobsonian reflectors with 1.25\" focusers. It needs a centre-marked primary — the template is supplied — and it pairs with a Cheshire when you want the primary finished precisely.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Farpoint","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54271559434351,"sku":"FP211","price":237.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/ProductShotFP211.jpg?v=1789136491","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/farpoint-650nm-laser-collimator-1-25-inch","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}