Finderscope / guidescope question

[Lee_P]

Hi everyone,

I'm toying with the idea of using my Skywatcher finderscope (http://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/skywatcher-9x50-finderscope.html) as a guidescope. Is this possible? Can anyone suggest a low-cost camera that may be a good match? I assume some kind of adapter would be needed to attach a camera to the finder... Any advice would be appreciated!

[Thalestris24]

Hi

Yes, you can use a finder-guider A qhy5l-ii mono is a good guide cam. You can get guide cams and adapters from Modern Astronomy

http://www.modernastronomy.com/accessories.html#accAdapters

Louise

[Lee_P]

Brilliant, thank you!

[edjrgibbs]

Yep, finder guider is a good option. Been using one with a QHY5 for years. Have a look on Astro but and sell. There are usually QHY5's going for around £100.

[edjrgibbs]

I think i may have meant "buy" ans sell...

[Jannis]

I'm using the finderscope and the QHY5L-II mono as well, and it's working OK. I'm not 100% happy, but it's still 10x better then no guiding. I drilled some holes in the finderscope holder and install some screws though, as i found teh spring-loaded system to be a bit too unstable in my case (as teh finderscope and main scope was aligned with the 2 adjustment screws just baaaaarly touching the finderscope, putting no load on the spring).

If you go for the QHY5L, don't forget to buy the finderscope adapter for it.

Also, added ~5W of heating to the finderscope, and it have never dewed up, not even when it have been foggy outside...

Also, the QHY5L-II mono is a very good lunar camera, and probably good for planetary as well (but i have minimal experience with planetary), here's an example of a lunar pic i've made with that cam: http://img.tek.no/1392/1392966/manen-5-4-2014.jpg