Skymax 102mm help please

[Philoz]

Hi there

I have got a Skywatcher Skymax 102 scope that i recently won on the bay. It’s a light blue coloured tube.

I have also got a skywatcher A.Z. go to mount for it.

The scope didn’t have a dovetail bar on it, so I have a small one I have fitted to it.

The problem I have is that when i attached to scope to the goto mount the finder scope is underneath, due to the position of the mount on the scope.

Am i doing something wrong? I look at pics on the internet and all seem to have the finder scope on top??

There is no way to do this with the way the holes are on the scope.

I hope this makes sense 

Thanks in advance

[Cornelius Varley]

The Skymax range usually come in two versions. The version you have was probably intended for either an eq mount or a photographic tripod. In this version the dovetail is situated so that the finder is on top. In the version supplied with the AZ GOTO mounts the dovetail is positioned on the side so that it matches the mount, keeping the finder on top of the telescope.

[Louis D]

How about a photo of your assembled setup?  If it's an AZ mount, can you mount the scope reversed and use in on the other side of the azimuth axis?  That would put the finder scope on top.  I had to do that with my DSV-1 mount and 127mm Mak.  It means using the scope on the "left" instead of "right" side of the mount.  I did have to loosen the handle mount and rotate it 180 degrees to avoid it being on the front side of the mount.

[Philoz]

Thanks for the replies, will try to get some photos this weekend. 

[Steve Clay]

3 hours ago, Cornelius Varley said:

The Skymax range usually come in two versions. The version you have was probably intended for either an eq mount or a photographic tripod. In this version the dovetail is situated so that the finder is on top. In the version supplied with the AZ GOTO mounts the dovetail is positioned on the side so that it matches the mount, keeping the finder on top of the telescope.

This is correct. You could get an L bracket this would allow you to get the correct orientation. 

Steve

[John]

Sometimes people use tube rings with these scopes so that they can rotate the tube so that the finder is in a more convenient position:

[Philoz]

Thanks again for the replies, I think i have the eq mount version, as that’s what came with the scope. 

The tube rings look to be the way forward, i guess.

Are these the things i need? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/skywatcher-telescope-tube-rings.html

Not sure on the size, i have emailed FLO for guidance