Finderscope advice

[stephenb]

I'm doing some preliminary research for a Finderscope to mount atop my 18" SDM Dob. I was initially looking at a Stellarvue SV 70 ED with a 2" dielectric diagonal ($569 USD).

Does anyone have any other suggestions for a decent quality Finderscope?

Stephen

[traveller]

An ED scope purely as a finder is an overkill IMO. An Orion ST 80 would be a good choice and much cheaper. If you want to image from the guider, then an ED 80 is a proven performer, but tracking may have difficulty with a dob mount.
Bintel has ST 80 for $239 http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotography/Guidescopes/Orion-Guide-Scope-Package/779/productview.aspx
Cheers.

[casstony]

William Optics Online currently has the 70ed with 1.25" diagonal including shipping for $417.

http://www.williamoptics.com/wo_shop/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=575

[gb_astro]

Stephen that's a lot of weight up top especially when you add a 2" eyepiece.
What about the SV 80 finder?

gb.