AutoCollimators
3 products
3 products
The Farpoint 2" Autocollimator is the advanced third step in the collimation workflow for Newtonian and Dobsonian reflector telescopes. After your laser collimator aligns the secondary and gets the primary into the ballpark, and your Cheshire eyepiece delivers final primary alignment — the autocollimator enables an iterative refinement approach that takes alignment precision to the highest level achievable. Proudly made in the USA.
Start with the Right Foundation
An autocollimator works best as part of the complete collimation workflow. If you don't already own a laser collimator and Cheshire eyepiece, our collimation kits bundle both tools together with a center-marking kit — the essential foundation before adding an autocollimator to your toolkit. Our super kits include the autocollimator for the complete three-tool solution.
10 Years of Engineering
An autocollimator is a seemingly simple device, but it must be manufactured with absolute optical-grade precision to function properly — and it turns out that's extraordinarily difficult to achieve. We purchased and disassembled every competing autocollimator we could find, and none met our standards. It took 10 years of iterative design and machining refinement before we finally cracked it in 2016. The result is what our customers consistently call the finest autocollimator on the market — better than every other brand we've tested, and our customer feedback agrees.
Built to Precision Standards
Every Farpoint autocollimator is machined from sturdy anodized aluminum to the exacting tolerances that optical-grade collimation demands. This isn't a mass-produced accessory — it's a precision optical instrument backed by a lifetime alignment guarantee.
Center Marking Kits
Accurate collimation starts with a properly marked primary mirror center. Our standard acetate center-marking template works with mirrors up to 12.5". For larger mirrors, we offer large application templates sold separately.
Who Needs an Autocollimator
- Dedicated astrophotographers — fast focal ratio imaging Newtonians demand the tightest possible collimation for pinpoint stars across the full field
- Experienced visual observers — if you've mastered the laser-and-Cheshire workflow and want to push your optics to their theoretical limit
- Star party perfectionists — from dark sky sites in California's Central Valley and Texas Hill Country to the Appalachian mountains and Pacific Northwest, the autocollimator is the tool that separates good collimation from perfect collimation
- Large Dobsonian owners — bigger mirrors amplify collimation errors, making the iterative refinement of an autocollimator especially valuable
📖 Master the process: Visit our Telescope Collimation Guide for detailed autocollimator instructions alongside laser and Cheshire techniques.
For the ultimate resource on autocollimator technique, visit the Cloudy Nights community discussion thread on collimation with autocollimators.
Note: Farpoint autocollimators are designed for Newtonian and Dobsonian reflecting telescopes only. They are not intended for refractors, catadioptric, or SCT designs.