High Quality finderscope!

[Darkplague]

Ok, So I have stumbled across a spare $500 so I thought I would upgrade the stock finder on my GSO 12" Dob.

My back will definitely thank me later down the track

Can anyone suggest a high quality RA finder, or even a small refractor that would be suitable to use as a RAngle finderscope.

I'm thinking of using an Orion ed80, but don't know if it will be too heavy or give me a wide enough FOV.

I also am thinking of perhaps this finder:

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds...fied_id=375330

Can you stick in say a panoptic with this finder and still achieve focus?

Any help or other finder suggestions much appreciated.

Please help me spend my money!!!

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Check this out:

8x50mm Correct-Image Right Angle Finder
listed at $99
http://www.aoe.com.au/finders.html

Now what to do with the remaining $401. Binos? Eypiece(s)? More finder thingies rad rigel nigel? Dew heaters?

I think the ED80 will be too heavy and field of view too narrow for a finder even with some of the longer FL wide angle 2" eyepieces.

[iceman (Mike)]

I think the ED80 will be too heavy and field of view too narrow for a finder

Ditto, and I'd hate to think how you're going to mount it on your 12" water heater. It will just be too heavy and cumbersome.

There are several 9x50 RA finders out there, or you can even make your own RA 1x mirror finder like BD has done, do a search or BD himself may post the link to the thread.

I certainly wouldn't spend over $100 on a finderscope, the extra money will be well served on a premium eyepiece

[Darkplague]

Originally Posted by iceman

Ditto, and I'd hate to think how you're going to mount it on your 12" water heater. It will just be too heavy and cumbersome.

There are several 9x50 RA finders out there, or you can even make your own RA 1x mirror finder like BD has done, do a search or BD himself may post the link to the thread.

I certainly wouldn't spend over $100 on a finderscope, the extra money will be well served on a premium eyepiece

Mounting is easy for me as I can easily knock up some rings and brackets.

I am really after a better finderscope that doubles as small refractor. I'm hoping that if I get a high quality one, I can use it on planets, and larger open clusters where my 12" doesnt really capture all of them.

The weight isnt really an issue for me as I can just chuck on some more magnets on the bottom.

Now I'm thinking of an Orion st80.

My final 3 picks are:

Lumicon 12x80 RA finder.
Orion ST80 Refractor.
Megrez 80SD.

[mch62 (Mark)]

The idea is not that far out.

I use my Celestron ED 80 as a finder and with a 2" 40mm 60deg and a 31 Nagler wide field eyepieces and with and without a 0.8 focal reducer I get between 3-5deg FOV .
The scope is also used for guiding imaging with the low C.A. and a grab and go , so it become a very versatile instrument , but my main scope is EQ mounted.
Your problem will be weight if on a dob .
May be mounting lower down and counter weighting it?
No reason why you can't mount it a little lower except for having to bend over to use it .
I have seen it done on a Dob like this.
At least if it doesn't work out you have a decent refractor for wide field imaging later on if the urge gets to you.Also makes a good grab and go scope for those quick lookies.
I made a set of cross hairs for the 40mm GS eyepiece out of thin wire mounted at the field stop.
Just remember you will have to purchace a 2" diagonal for the refractor and that will add to the cost.
If you don't thinlk you will ever image through it may be a Synta 80mm f5 acromate will do and be lighter.