Center Marking Kit · Up to 12.5"
Mark the exact center of your primary mirror — the essential first step before collimation can begin.
The Farpoint Primary Mirror Center Marking Kit gives you everything you need to accurately mark the center of your Newtonian or Dobsonian primary mirror. Accurate collimation depends on knowing exactly where the center of your primary mirror is; without a proper center mark, your laser collimator and Cheshire eyepiece have no reference point — you are guessing instead of aligning. A correctly placed center mark makes every collimation session faster and more precise.
Specifications
Mirror size
Standard template — accommodates primary mirrors up to 12.5" diameter
Template
Acetate center-marking template, precision-cut to find the exact center of your primary mirror
Targets
8 triangle center-mark targets; triangle edges touch the outside of the illuminated field through a Cheshire, removing the guesswork of centering a round dot
Compatibility
Newtonian & Dobsonian reflectors only
Where it fits in the workflow
Center mark (you are here) → Laser → Cheshire
Center marking is the preparation step that comes before any optical alignment tool. Once your mirror is marked, your laser and Cheshire finally have a reference point to align to.
New to collimation? Start with our preparation & center-marking guide (Layer 1), browse the full How to Collimate hub, and download the CORE and COMPLETE reference PDFs. For the "why" behind it all, see our complete Telescope Collimation Guide.
Already included in collimation kits. A center-marking kit ships with every Farpoint collimation kit. This standalone kit is for replacing used targets or for astronomers who already own a laser and Cheshire separately. Starting from scratch? Bundle everything: 1.25" Collimation Kit, 2" Collimation Kit (laser + Cheshire + center-marking kit + carrying case), or the 2" Super Kit (adds the autocollimator). Need a bigger template? See the LARGE kit (12"–26").
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does center marking matter for collimation?
Accurate collimation depends on knowing exactly where the center of your primary mirror is. Without a proper center mark, your laser collimator and Cheshire eyepiece have no reference point, so you are guessing instead of aligning. A correctly placed center mark makes every collimation session faster and more precise. It is the essential first step before collimation can begin.
What size mirror does this kit fit?
The standard template in this kit accommodates primary mirrors up to 12.5 inches in diameter. For larger mirrors from 12 inches to 26 inches, see our LARGE center marking kit listing.
What is in the kit?
An acetate center-marking template precision-cut to find the exact center of your primary mirror, plus 8 triangle center-mark targets. The triangle edges touch the outside of the illuminated field when viewed through a Cheshire, removing the guesswork of centering a traditional round dot and making alignment much easier to confirm.
Will this work on my SCT, Maksutov, or refractor?
No. This center marking kit is for Newtonian and Dobsonian reflecting telescopes only. It is not intended for refractors, catadioptric, or SCT designs.
Start collimation the right way
Mark your mirror, then align with confidence.
Shop Collimation ToolsHow to Collimate Your ScopeFor Newtonian and Dobsonian reflecting telescopes only. Not intended for refractors, catadioptric, or SCT designs.
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