Identification of finderscope

[LaurenceT]

I've been gifted this rather ancient illuminated crosshair reticule finderscope and I quite fancy using it. Firstly can anyone identify it and secondly the retaining screws are missing and nothing in my collection of screws will fit so can anyone also give me an idea of the screw sizes I could try.

Thanks for looking.

 

[johninderby]

Can’t remember if they are M5 or M6 but look for nylon thumbscrews.

And why is the bracket mounted the wrong way around on the finder? 

[LaurenceT]

Just now, johninderby said:

Can’t remember if they are M5 or M6 but look for nylon thumbscrews.

And why is the bracket mounted the wrong way around on the finder? 

Thanks John, I'll get some nylon thumbscrews. As for why it's mounted the wrong way..............I'm an idiot🤣

[johninderby]

Actually doesn’t look that old. Here’s a similar Orion one.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orion-Illuminated-Finder-Scope-Bracket/dp/B000TDRXUI

[mikeDnight]

It's a Takahashi illuminator, and it looks very much like a Takahashi finder as far as the focusing eyepiece goes. However I've never seen a Tak finder with the adjustable/focusing front cell, so perhaps it's a hybrid, though it could be a true Tak. The crosshairs on the Tak finder are very fine and engraved onto glass, so that would indicate if its a true Tak. Also, Tak finder tubes are smooth with no groove for a rubber O ring.The finder bracket is not Takahashi!

Edited January 28, 2022 by mikeDnight

[johninderby]

Thinking about it think the screws are M4 pr M5. Got one of the brackets somewhere and will try and find it to check.

[johninderby]

Sorry couldn’t find the old bracket.

I’ve changed over to these brackets now. More expensive but lower profile and solid.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Guiding-Telescope-Diameter-Finders-astrophotography/dp/B07RQT5CHV/ref=sr_1_27?crid=2NT7WACYQ4VMA&keywords=guide+scope+bracket&qid=1643367134&s=electronics&sprefix=guidescope+bracket%2Celectronics%2C73&sr=1-27

[LaurenceT]

Thanks for all the information everyone.

 

[Roy Challen]

6 hours ago, mikeDnight said:

It's a Takahashi illuminator, and it looks very much like a Takahashi finder as far as the focusing eyepiece goes. However I've never seen a Tak finder with the adjustable/focusing front cell, so perhaps it's a hybrid, though it could be a true Tak. The crosshairs on the Tak finder are very fine and engraved onto glass, so that would indicate if its a true Tak. Also, Tak finder tubes are smooth with no groove for a rubber O ring.The finder bracket is not Takahashi!

The Japanese script on the illuminator says Takahashi.

[LaurenceT]

6 hours ago, mikeDnight said:

It's a Takahashi illuminator, and it looks very much like a Takahashi finder as far as the focusing eyepiece goes. However I've never seen a Tak finder with the adjustable/focusing front cell, so perhaps it's a hybrid, though it could be a true Tak. The crosshairs on the Tak finder are very fine and engraved onto glass, so that would indicate if its a true Tak. Also, Tak finder tubes are smooth with no groove for a rubber O ring.The finder bracket is not Takahashi!

On closer examination it seems that the focusing is done with the rear cell.