WANTED: Right angle finder scope

[drmorbius]

Hi everyone,

My brand new 8" GSO Dob came with a straight-through 8x50 finder scope as they were out of the right angle versions. So if anyone happens to have an extra right-angle version lying around I might be interested.

Thanks!

[Dennis]

Hi Doc Morbius

I purchased an Orion 9x50 right angle finder scope for my Vixen 102mm refractor on a German Equatorial Mount (GEM).

It wasn’t quite the divine experience I was looking for! I found it more awkward squinting along the much shorter OTA to place objects in the finder field of view. I also found that it required mental gymnastics to flip between the upside down ‘scope view and the right way up, but mirror imaged, finder view.

In the end, I kept the Vixen 7x50 straight through finder (easy to sight along the tube), and fitted the Orion right angle finder mounted on the spare dovetail bracket on the other side of the focuser. Now, I find stuff in the original 7x50 but then centre it in the Orion 9x50.

Also, as I am using a GEM, the right angle finder sometimes ends up in an awkward position, which is probably not an issue for a Dob?

Cheers

Dennis

[drmorbius]

Hey Dennis,

I guess it's what you're used to... I found the right-angle finder more intuitive to my brain... but then I work with computers so I'm a little different anyway.

Also, I'm a tall bloke and find it really awkward to bend down to the level of my 8" and then twist my neck around to peer into the straight-through finder. I feel like that girl in the Exorcist movie. :)

Do all finder scopes fit into that standard dovetail bracket or are all scopes different (ie - would I have to modify my Dob)? How much would you be asking?

cheers -- randall

[astroboy]

if you can't find a secondhand one Andrews communications have them for abot $90 for a correct image its a bargain
Another good one but more expensive is the Stela Vue one with a focusable correct image diagonal excellent quality . you can use is as a small telescope i've used mine with a 4.8mm ( about 20 X ) Nagler and gives excellent images some people even use them for photography ....about $130 USD still a great deal though:)

Zane

[ving]

i have the GS one... i havent looked back. i'm with ya on this doc. alas i dont want to let mine go...

[Dennis]

Sorry Doc – mine’s not for sale. From your post, I assumed you had not used one before, so I was trying to alert you to some of the potential pitfalls.

Cheers

Dennis

[Starkler]

If what you paid for was a right angle finder, I'd be making sure they send you one when they become available.

[janoskiss]

I recommend you also get a Rigel quickfinder to keep that RA finder company. ;)

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Randall I actually have a second bracket here, so if you find an r.a. finder that is bracketless grab it anyway and we'll see you right!
:thumbsup:

I second the above comment, I'm planning to buy a Telrad / Quickfinder / something to use in addition to my ra finder and laser guide. I need ALL the help I can get finding a specific object sometimes.

Just waiting for Astrofest, and hopefully great prices!
(I even took an extension on the mastercard in preparation. Looking at adding a peltier cooler to the card too now in case I spend so fast it gets red hot!)
:D