Creating a Polar Scope

[rogerg (Roger)]

I have two polar scopes. They're both too smaller aperture to be useful in many sky conditions for us southern hemisphere people.

It would be much easier to use a polar scope if it were 50mm aperture, or even 30 or 40mm (most polar scopes being 15-20mm).

Has anyone converted a 50mm finderscope to be a polar scope?

I'm considering trying.

There are cross hairs, so surely that could be augmented with a template of star positions.

Any thoughts?

PS. ignore the fact a 50mm scope wouldn't fit inside most mounts - for my purposes using a 50mm scope is not a problem.

[Garyh]

Hi Roger,
I did away with the polar scope and replaced it with a 10mw laser. Had to get a piece of aluminum machined for it but it works a treat!
I just turn it on and use binos to get it pointed in the right direction. Can get real close too.

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by Garyh

Hi Roger,
I did away with the polar scope and replaced it with a 10mw laser. Had to get a piece of aluminum machined for it but it works a treat!
I just turn it on and use binos to get it pointed in the right direction. Can get real close too.

Good point Gary.

That's what I originally bought my laser for years ago but I'd forgotten about that approach.

I will need to get something machined like you did, to fit my laser to the polar scope slot. Hmm, will see what I can do.

Thanks

[bojan]

That's one excellent example of thinking "outside of the box" !!!
Will try it asap..

Originally Posted by Garyh

Hi Roger,
I did away with the polar scope and replaced it with a 10mw laser. Had to get a piece of aluminum machined for it but it works a treat!
I just turn it on and use binos to get it pointed in the right direction. Can get real close too.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

laser pointer mounted to a dovetail plate: is that an option? that way all one needs to do is then remove it and fit the OTA?

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by Arthur Alchin

laser pointer mounted to a dovetail plate: is that an option? that way all one needs to do is then remove it and fit the OTA?

I had a piece machined which alows me to slide the laser point in whee the polar scope would usually go.