Right angle viewer for polar scope solution

[wetcoaster]

I decided to find a solution to the problem of looking through a polar scope with Polaris at 50°. After checking out some forums, including here, I came up with a solution that is a bit different than any I have seen to date.

The polar scope of my ZEQ25 mount is flush mounted and that was the first problem. I bought an adapter from Paul Chasse (V5Astro) which backs the polar scope out far enough to allow access to the reticle adjustment screws. That also allows me to attach a right angle finder. Most mount owners won't have this problem.

I purchased a Canon manual Right Angle Finder B from someone in a Canon forum who popped up to offer it to me. The eyepiece adapter can be unscrewed which turned out to be very helpful.

I then set about searching for a method to attach that finder to my scope. It so happens that I have a 1.25" extension tube. The end with locking screw fit nicely over the back end of the p-scope. The challenge then became how to attach the finder to the other end of the extension tube. A friend suggested O-rings. I found the right size for the nosepiece of the right angle finder. I was then able to slide the nosepiece of the finder into the extension tube.The only thing left was to cut 1cm off of the extension tube.

It takes almost no work and and can be easily attached and detached.

Don

[brantuk]

Neat solution! - I use one of these:

http://www.365astronomy.com/Amici-Prism-for-Polarscope.html

[Alien 13]

I use one too and it pretty much solves all my problems even with my mount at its lowest position for imaging.

Alan

[Zakalwe]

Neat solution! - I use one of these:

http://www.365astronomy.com/Amici-Prism-for-Polarscope.html

£110! Meep           

Those Seagull viewfinders are £30 off eBay. A couple of quid, some superglue, a bit plastic tube and some ingenuity and you will be £70 richer. I am in the wrong business!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seagull-Finder-Minolta-Olympus-cameras/dp/B004CGE90U

Or search for a 2nd hand Nikon viewfinder:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-angle-finder/351432521897?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D30773%26meid%3D563eda21fa0a437e9ef22dd48c8d4c69%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D251819848975&rt=nc

Edited June 26, 2015 by Zakalwe

[Alien 13]

My Seagul cost £22 I think, would be a great money maker for someone with a 3D printer.

Alan

Edited June 26, 2015 by Alien 13

[Dave_D]

£110! Meep           

ahhh but you forget the dreaded 'astro' link with it's auto 4x cost calculator

[iamjulian]

Just the other day I discovered the seagull finder plus a 32mm plug from wicks solution.

Cannot believe I spent the last six months kneeling or sitting on the freeing cold floor, straining my neck.

Almost looking forward to polar aligning this autumn.

[Ouroboros]

I've wondered whether one of those little diddy wifi security cameras that works with an iPlayer or android device might do the job.

In fact does someone make an electronic polar scope that works in that way?

[melsky]

The wife made one up for me a couple of years ago from a camera right angle viewer and turned an acetal nylon adapter to fit on my IEQ45, works a treat no more bad backs [emoji4]

Mel

[wetcoaster]

I also have an iEQ45 at my cottage and expect the assembly to work on it as well. It protrudes enough for my solution to work.

[richyrich_one]

Just the other day I discovered the seagull finder plus a 32mm plug from wicks solution.

Cannot believe I spent the last six months kneeling or sitting on the freeing cold floor, straining my neck.

Almost looking forward to polar aligning this autumn.

Seconded, works a treat.

[wookie1965]

I was very lucky got a seagull for £12  and a adapter that slots straight in for £6 3 years ago as I have very bad back problems this has been a godsend.