Finder Scope

[princezippy]

Hi All

Wondering if any small scope can be used as a finder

Dont really understand this whole thing about finder scope upgrades

Any advice?

I own a celestron 8SE SCT

Regards jeff

[Demonperformer]

I suspect that the 8SE is fitted with the same RDF that comes with the 6SE (which I have).

Personally I always found it to be useless with the amount of light pollution near me, so I ditched it and replaced it with a wixey, as I only ever used it for alignment anyway.

[princezippy]

Cheers but what is a wixey?

[Demonperformer]

First Light Optics - Wixey digital angle gauge

Use it to set the altitude of the scope when aligning (taken from CdC), then sweep horizontally and find the star, quick centre on both axes and robert, as they say, is your father's brother.

[Nova]

Have seen these and wondered how they were used....cheers Demon

As far as I know anythng can be used as a finder scope couldn't it? as long as it has low magnification and a nice wide FOV and your able to mount it on the scope. If you were looking to upgrade to better finder scope I have seen the Orion 9x50 right angle finder recieving great reviews. If you wanted to move away from a finder scope then there are red dot finders such as the Telrad that is on my shopping list

[princezippy]

Interesting

So what would you suggest about a different finder cos i hate this red dot thing

[Nova]

the Orion 9x50 right angle finder recieving great reviews.

http://www.telescopehouse.com/acatalog/info_07212.html

Its a bit out of my price range at the mo but perhaps one day. I only have the SW 6x30 finderscope but as it doesnt have a rightangle its a real bitch when looking straight up. Id deffinatly recommend going for a 9x50 at least but im only a beginner in all this. Some of the more seasoned members may have a better sugestion