GSO Finder Scope

[Popeye (Bert)]

I bought a GSO straight through finder scope for my GSO RC OTA. But I cannot get it to centre on the object that I am trying to align it on. I have the telescope motors off and aiming at a spot on a power pole in daylight.
There are two screws and a spring loaded 'thingy' that should be a screw. But all I can do to get close to the aligning object is having the scope hard up against the barrel next to the spring loaded 'thingy.' Very frustrating. There needs to be a proper screw there not this spring loaded bit.
One of the members of ASWA has got some movement by putting paper wads agains the barrel thus moving it out a bit, but it shouldn't be that difficult to use.
Anyone else have the same problem? Better still an answer? An explanation for the use of this spring loaded substitute screw?
Cheers!
Bert.

[N1 (Mirko)]

Basically the spring loaded thingy is left alone, and adjustments are made using the other two screws only.

Looks like the finder, finder shoe and holes on the OTA don't quite line up for the finder to work as it's not the finder supplied with the OTA originally. I've had the same problem on my GSO dob when changing finders, even though the new finder is GSO also. See if you get some play by loosening the screws that hold the finder shoe to the OTA so you can move it slightly (holes might be slotted even???) in the direction you need, then re-tighten and retry.

[Wavytone]

Originally Posted by Popeye

There are two screws and a spring loaded 'thingy' that should be a screw. But all I can do to get close to the aligning object is having the scope hard up against the barrel next to the spring loaded 'thingy.' Very frustrating.

This isn't a three-point adjustment - its a two-way adjustment up/down and left/right (the two screws); and the spring-laded stud is there to eliminate slop.

That you can't get it aligned is because the base bolted onto the OTA is so far out of whack that there isn't enough adjustment range. To fix that you will have to loosen the screws holding the base and either shim it, or twist it to get it reasonably close to start with - there is some movement possible there. At the worst, unscrew it completely, drill new holes that are straight and reattach.

[Popeye (Bert)]

Thanks fellas. First chance I get to where the scope is I will see about your suggestions.