Positioning a finder on a GEM mounted scope?!

[Stormwatch]

I've been attempting to use an Orion 9x50 finderscope with my C8 (on the CG5) and I find it extremely irritating trying to use it when the scope is pointing at such an angle that I have to get down on my knees to look into the finder! It's not a right angle finder, but even if it was, I can see times where it's going to be really difficult to get to.

Anyway I gave up with that,as I just don't like finderscopes, and bought a Telrad. But I'm thinking - this thing is going to suffer the same problems with the GEM mount.

How on Earth do you guys with GEMs all position your finders so they're comfortable to use?!

I'm thinking of buying an extra mounting base (or three!) for the Telrad and mounting them on opposite sides of the OTA so I can move it between them? Is that feasible?

[blinky]

Maybe I am not understanding your question, but can you not rotate your tube to bring the Finder to a comfortable spot?

[Stormwatch]

Maybe I am not understanding your question, but can you not rotate your tube to bring the Finder to a comfortable spot?

Nope, the tube is fixed to the dovetail, which is, in turn, fixed to the mount. Unless I'm missing something here....

[Whippy]

I'm assuming you have a SCT in which case you don't have tube rings so you can't rotate your OTA yes?

Tony..

[Stormwatch]

I'm assuming you have a SCT in which case you don't have tube rings so you can't rotate your OTA yes?

Tony..

Yeah sorry, I modified my profile to say so! Any advice?

[Whippy]

A right angle finder maybe your way forward. RDF's like your Telrad are slighly easier in that you just 'look' and there's your view with your dot, no squinting into a 'normal' finder but you still have to contort your body if you're looking near the zenith. The only other alternative I can think of is to get a low power, wide angle EP and 'find' objects that way.

HTH

Tony..

[Stormwatch]

A right angle finder maybe your way forward. RDF's like your Telrad are slighly easier in that you just 'look' and there's your view with your dot, no squinting into a 'normal' finder but you still have to contort your body if you're looking near the zenith. The only other alternative I can think of is to get a low power, wide angle EP and 'find' objects that way.

HTH

Tony..

I believe Telrads can be fitted with mirrors too, so I may look into that.

What about sticking on two mounting plates for the Telrad - one on each side of the OTA - so I can swap it between the two postiions? Anyone tried that?