Laser pointer attachment.

[BEYOND EARTH]

Hey SGL,

I would love to attach a laser pointer to my current ota but still want to keep my 9x50 finder. I have a Skywatcher 80 ED which only has one place for attachments, and that stop is being used by my 9x50. So is there a way to attach a Hotech Astro Aimer Gen II without drilling into my ota mounting tube rings? Could I use some sort of tap or even glue just to attach the mounting bracket.

Any help would be great!

Thank you

Be.

[hazegood]

would it actually be legal to point that at the sky? given there have been cases of idiots shining laser pointers at passing aircraft and there by blinding the pilots?

[rowan46]

would it actually be legal to point that at the sky? given there have been cases of idiots shining laser pointers at passing aircraft and there by blinding the pilots?

He's in America they are allowed to shoot things My quick finder is held on by those double sided cushions I don't know if they would work, but they might

[Gweedo]

Could you araldite some neodymium magnets to it and attach it to your tube that way?

[BEYOND EARTH]

Gweedo I never thought about that... I could try it out, but would the magnet be strong enough?

[Scooot]

http://www.astro-engineering.com/prod/laser/pointer/green-laser-pointer%20bracket/AC666.html

Don't know if it would fit this, it uses double sided self adhesive foam strips.

[BEYOND EARTH]

Also yes Hazegood it is legal here in the US, and thank you Rowan46 for your help.

[BEYOND EARTH]

Scooot are the double sided strips strong enough? Or would I have to keep calibrating the laser pointer?

[Scooot]

I don't know, haven't got one. I'd guess they're similar to the ones on a Telrad base. The laser in your link looks quite large compared to the pens they sell for this, so maybe contact them for more info.

[Pyrodave]

Have you got a tripod adaptor thread on your scope rings as the laser finder has a hole threaded for a tripod

[BEYOND EARTH]

Yes.. yes I do! Were talking about the Astro Aimer Gen II correct?

[Pyrodave]

yes I looked on the page you linked to and it shows a tripod mount thread on the laser pointer

[BEYOND EARTH]

Ya I just saw that. Thank you Pyrodave and everyone else for your help!

[Pyrodave]

No problem

[Alma]

The law regarding laser pointers in the U.S. seems pretty straightforward compared with most countries - it's OK to sell and use a pointer up to 5mW output; anything more powerful requires a permit from the FAA to operate a laser light show. Shining a laser at any kind of aircraft - on purpose or accidentally - is a Federal offence.

[Steve Ward]

And shining bright green lasers around other astronomers is pretty well frowned upon too . . .