Modding a Skywatcher Finderscope for Guiding

that_guy (Tony) · #1 17-01-2011, 08:11 PM

Hi all, my Meade DSI arrived today YAY!! So, i'll be able to start guiding soon as soon as I mod the Finderscope and Mount, Im getting the Mount modded with an ST4 port, question is, how do I mod the finderscope so the 1.25 nosepiece would fit?

cheers
tony

that_guy (Tony) · #2 20-01-2011, 11:07 PM

....bump.... anyone?

peter_4059 (Peter) · #3 21-01-2011, 07:22 AM

Tony,

You need to replace the finderscope eye-piece with an adaptor that will accept the nosepiece of your guide camera. Depending on the type of finder you can usually unscrew the entire eye-piece end of the finder. This typically leaves around a 2" diameter thread. You then need something that will fit back into that thread with an 1 1/4" hole in it and locking screw for the finder. A possible place to start is to get a 2"-1 1/4" adaptor (like the one in a typical 2" focuser). I have made them out of a stick of aluminium on the lathe also.

You also need to ascertain the position the guide camera comes to focus in the finder.

Good luck

Peter

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #4 21-01-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by that_guy

....bump.... anyone?

Well you can try here.

that_guy (Tony) · #5 29-01-2011, 08:42 PM

wells, my first attempt at modding was an utter failure

it was a combination of unfamiliraty of the DSI software and the dodgey job i did. It was more of a hunch than anything

i just found a spare 2" to 1.25" and electric taped the hell out of it and stuck the dsi on it.... laugh all you want cos i am haha

it might of been working but im just not used to the software and mayhttp://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5687724_n.jpg

kinetic (Steve) · #6 29-01-2011, 08:49 PM

Tony,

there is NOTHING wrong with doing exactly what you have done.
I have done the 'tape' job many times so that I can prove a concept
without wasting unecessary money and time on something that
might end up a dismal failure.
Things like...buying an adaptor to find you can't reach focus
Buying an adaptor to find you have terrible vignetting, coma etc
If it is a success then you know exactly the dimensions of the
adaptor you need and you can do some homework to source one.
Well done.

Steve

gbeal · #7 30-01-2011, 07:57 AM

Agreed, and the 1.25" to 2" adaptor can work if the OD of it is close to the ID of the tube, smaller obviously. Wrap some tape around the adaptor until it is a snug even tight fit inside the tube and experiment with where the rough focus is. Then do as you did, tape the heck out of it. Prove it works, and then get a "proper" fitting made, if you need. I suspect you will leave it as is,
Gary

DavidTrap (David) · #8 30-01-2011, 08:52 AM

Tony,

I'm not 100% sure if this will work with an EQ5, but can't you connect to the mount directly from the PC, rather than putting in an ST4 port. This would alleviate the need for a GPUSB box as well??

DT

RobF (Rob) · #9 30-01-2011, 09:22 AM

Good on you Tony. If proof of concept works no reason you can't chase up a proper adaptor.

Does EQMOD work with EQ5? I would never go back to the handset over PC control of my HEQ5Pro. Pulseguiding, n star calibration/pointing, variable rate PEC in RA, configuration settings for multiple sites, wireless gamepad slew control, etc...

peter_4059 (Peter) · #10 30-01-2011, 09:27 AM

Same for me - can't imagine trying to drive the EQ6 with the hand controller now

hotspur (Chris) · #11 30-01-2011, 03:49 PM

I too recently explored these paths to 'finder guiders' the concept is a good one,I like the fact they are light.

I have no experience in making such mods,But explored many options.Very recently I made my decision to buy a 50 mm Borg guide scope with Borg brackets,see this link

http://www.sciencecenter.net/hutech/...opes/index.htm

The one to get is the AG50B2B this works with orion or QHY5 guiders.
The brackets are no 7060.

I did seriously think of buying a cheap finder and paying someone to mod it,but by the time I paid all that,I would have been half way to the Borg cost wise,so may as well just buy the Borg straight up.

A little pricy- $319 scope,$79 for brackets and $44 USPS,but well worth it-looks good with the new Vixen GPD2 and 103 refractor,Also I had some concerns with modded 'finder guider' in regards to flex issues,only 3 screws holding scope a guide camera.Also the Borg has a focuser.

Hope this helps-good luck.Chris