Explore Scientific 8x50 erecting finder

[pmrid]

This finder is a beaut but made better by adding a Rigel pulse illuminator instead of those daggy things that seem to die after a week.
With the Rigel, this would set you back about A$225-250 landed. It can go for A$150 plus post.

Peter

[PostalRuhl]

Is the finder corrected or still upside down like those other finders? And it is illuminated crosshairs, right?

[pmrid]

G'day Bryan - it is corrected - i.e. "right way up ". I've added a pic showing that it also comes with a set of rings mounted on a pair of ADM vixen-saddles.
Peter

[PostalRuhl]

Hmmm...Tempting. But I only have the standard finderscope bracket to hold a standard 8x50 finderscope. Does it have the same diameter and will it fit?

[pmrid]

Yes. Diameter is the same.
P

[Astro_Bot]

I'm interested in this myself, so checked specs and measurements.

The ES erect 8x50 finderscope has a tube diameter of 54.9mm, according to the Agena Astro product page: http://agenaastro.com/explore-scientific-8x50mm-erect-image-illuminated-finder.html

My SkyWatcher 9x50 finderscope (that comes with the standard bracket) has a tube diameter of 53.1mm according to my digital caliper.

Looking at the rubber ring and minimum internal diameter of the bracket, I have doubts that the ES finder would fit in the SkyWatcher bracket - I think it might be too tight a fit. But, maybe worth the chance anyway. I think I'll roll some dice, or toss a coin, to make up my mind. ;)

Edit:
After deciding a coin toss was too risky, I pulled apart the SkyWatcher finder and measured the bracket internal diameter - there's a recess that the rubber ring sits in and behind that is the narrowest part of the bracket - the largest diameter of the narrowest part I could measure was 53.85mm, so it looks like it won't fit.

[pmrid]

I'll have a look and see - but I'm pretty sure I have a WO finder bracket that would fit it. I'm not sure if I have a "foot " or shoe or whatever it is called to go with it though. Stay tuned.
Peter

[Astro_Bot]

Thanks for that, but that'd have to be for Bryan since I'd be putting it on a small refractor where the "shoe" is part of the focusser, so no way to bolt on an alternative.

[PostalRuhl]

I hope it fits mine but I am unsure. Let us know thx peter

[pmrid]

Well, that's interesting.
I found 2 finder scope holders. The photos show them both. The " single-piece " one has 6 adjusting screws and is designed to be screwed into a newtonian OTA. It has 57mm at one end and 59mm at the other - so plenty of room for adjustment.

The other one is still a single cast piece but is designed to sit in a shoe - which I don't seem to have.

But it too has plenty of room for adjustment with openings of 61 mm - it is one of those with 2 screws and one spring-loaded point at each end. Not meant for guiding but fine as a finder.

SO you can actually nominate the holder of your choice.

Peter

[Astro_Bot]

The second "twin ringed" bracket looks like it has a Meade foot.

[PostalRuhl]

The first finder bracket photo looks similar to the one I have, but the shoe looks different. Any chance thus might fit mine? Im going to use it with my orion ed100 and im sure youre familiar with the finder socket thats on it

[pmrid]

The first one is for a newt, not a refractor.
P.

[PostalRuhl]

Hello peter, my bracket looks like this. Hows this one?:)