Quote:
Originally Posted by reeaal
Is the finder secured to the tube with two bolts? If so move it over and re-use one of the holes and drill a new one further out and perhaps you can fit the Telrad in between.
I like this idea as I'd like to keep both finders on if possible. Just a bit cautious about drilling holes into my pride and joy.
Thanks
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OK, just had a closer look at the picture of your 'scope on the Skywatcher web site. Yes it's too nice to be drilling holes (not for a few years anyway).
Not much room there so back to the two suggestions I had earlier and that is to mount the Telrad on the other side of the finder (use double side foam tape if you dont want to drill or PVC electrical tape around the tube and over the Telrad bracket), or remove the finder altogether. You could also try mounting the Telrad on the lower tube section if it's not too awkward to use.
There is another option that may work that will require a custom made mounting bracket for the Telrad base. It looks to me from the photo that the Telrad may fit between the finder and the focuser if mounted higher (at finder level, maybe slightly lower) and forward so the front of the Telrad is say 5-10cm past the white tube ring. You probably dont want to put any holes on the white tube edge (or the dust cap wont fit) so you will need to mount a 'C' section piece of aluminium (edges parallel with tube, say 50mm long piece or whatever fits. Then a second 'Z' folded piece of say 3mm aluminium would bolt to the flat side of the 'C' piece. The upper part of the 'Z' piece would hold the Telrad base. Minor vibration shouldn't be a problem since it is 1x power and aligning would be done with the three bolts at the rear of the Telrad.
Have the Telrad a little forward would mean you wouldn't be breathing on the unit when reaching over for the finder.
Before drilling holes for the 'C' piece, use PVC electrical tape (Black would look nice) and wrap around the entire upper tube and over the 'C' bracket. This way if it doesn't work out you haven't marred the upper tube with unnecessary holes.
You should be able to get aluminium off-cuts from an alumminium supplier or maybe a hardware store or even Revolve or what ever they call themselves now.
One last suggestion is to use a smaller red dot finder and save the Telrad for another 'scope. It's not ideal but call this the last resort.