Laser mount instead of finderscope

[HunterGeo]

I have a (relatively-low power) green laser that I would like to mount onto my Sky-Watcher ED80. The idea will be that the laser will be used instead of a finderscope.

I found this: http://www.optcorp.com/ce-93774-green-laser-finderscope-kit.html (which includes a laser - which I don't really need given that I already have one).

I then found this on eBay: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/380482023357?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

That one off eBay has the right mount (is that called a dovetail mount? I'm new to astronomy so don't know all the names yet) to suit the shoe (again, is that the right term??) that is on my OTA (that term I know is right!), but the eBay listing details it as having slightly different dimensions on the dovetail foot (the bit that is stuck into the 'shoe' and is screwed in... whatever you want to call it) and so it won't fit my specific telescope.


Does anyone know anywhere else you can get just the mounting rings like the one I found on eBay? I'd rather be a tight-a--- and not pay for another laser, if possible...

Thanks in advance,
Dave

[HunterGeo]

Never mind. Found this: http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories/Finderscopes/Orion-Laser-Pointer-Bracket/1492/productview.aspx

A review on Amazon says it fits those pen-style lasers (which is what I have got), not just the Orion SkyLine Deluxe GLP. Have bought it. Will post to advise how I get on. :)

[HunterGeo]

Ok, got it about a week ago and it fits any standard 1mw green laser (the ones that are built to look like a pen) that they sell on eBay for a coupla bucks. Everyone I have spoken to (folks at Bintel, other astronomers) say the 1mw laser is useless but I found mine to be highly visible (even in my light-polluted Melbournian backyard), so I have no complaints whatsoever. Hope this helps someone in future to decide.

For the particular model of laser that I have ( http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/280980740246?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX: IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 ), the back end screws off to get to the battery compartment. Thankfully, this sits just beyond the locking screws on the laser mount, so I can change the batteries without having to realign the laser mount to the telescope.

[Tom Hancock]

Hi David,

Would you be able to post a photo of the laser beam, beaming out from your telescope mount, as I am thinking of using it too?