{"product_id":"farpoint-2-inch-autocollimator","title":"Farpoint Autocollimator — 2\" Newtonian Reflectors","description":"\u003c!--FPSEO|v1|20260518|110111111110000010--\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint 2\" Autocollimator — the advanced third step in the collimation workflow for \u003cstrong\u003eNewtonian and Dobsonian reflectors\u003c\/strong\u003e. After your laser collimator aligns the secondary and your Cheshire delivers final primary alignment, the autocollimator enables an \u003cstrong\u003eiterative refinement approach\u003c\/strong\u003e that takes precision to the highest level achievable. Made from sturdy machined, anodized aluminum. \u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e10 Years of Engineering\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn autocollimator is a seemingly simple device, but it must be manufactured with \u003cstrong\u003eabsolute optical-grade precision\u003c\/strong\u003e to function properly — and it turns out that's extraordinarily difficult to achieve. In the beginning, we designed what we thought was right and got close, but not close enough. So we tried again and again and again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe purchased every other brand of autocollimator we could find, took them apart, and examined them. None of them were really good — most of them were junk. So we kept at it. It literally took \u003cstrong\u003e10 years\u003c\/strong\u003e to figure out how to machine these devices to the level of precision that makes them work the way they should.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003e2016 we finally cracked it\u003c\/strong\u003e — we found a way to make them really, really good. Compared to everything else on the market, this is the best autocollimator available, and our customer feedback agrees. Customers consistently tell us it's better than the leading brand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFarpoint 2\" Autocollimator\u003c\/strong\u003e — precision-machined from sturdy anodized aluminum to optical-grade tolerances\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMirror center-marking template\u003c\/strong\u003e and triangle center spots — standard template works with mirrors up to 12.5\" (large templates for mirrors up to 26\" \u003ca href=\"\/products\/farpoint-primary-mirror-center-marking-kit-large\"\u003eavailable separately\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifetime alignment guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eStart with the Right Foundation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn autocollimator works best as the third step after the essential two-tool workflow. If you don't already own a laser collimator and Cheshire eyepiece, start there first:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/farpoint-2-inch-collimation-kit-carrying-case\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2\" Collimation Kit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e — laser + Cheshire + center-marking kit + carrying case\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/farpoint-2-inch-super-collimation-kit-carrying-case\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2\" Super Kit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e — laser + Cheshire + this autocollimator + center-marking kit + carrying case (the complete three-tool solution at a kit price)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWho Needs an Autocollimator\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDedicated astrophotographers\u003c\/strong\u003e — fast focal ratio imaging Newtonians demand the tightest possible collimation for pinpoint stars across the full field\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge Dobsonian owners\u003c\/strong\u003e — bigger mirrors amplify collimation errors, making iterative refinement especially valuable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExperienced visual observers\u003c\/strong\u003e — if you've mastered the laser-and-Cheshire workflow and want to push your optics to their theoretical limit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the ultimate resource on autocollimator technique, visit the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.cloudynights.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eCloudy Nights community discussion thread\u003c\/a\u003e on collimation with autocollimators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e📖 \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/telescope-collimation-guide\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRead our complete Telescope Collimation Guide →\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor Newtonian and Dobsonian reflecting telescopes only. Not intended for refractors, catadioptric, or SCT designs.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Farpoint","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40161620361369,"sku":"FP262","price":112.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0567\/6639\/8617\/products\/Product-Shot-FP262-RAW_8f36b45f-2349-46ac-9a7c-297f5a1a7e73.jpg?v=1625072129","url":"https:\/\/farpointastro.com\/products\/farpoint-2-inch-autocollimator","provider":"FarpointAstro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}