I give up - skywatcher 9x50 raci finder

[Starslayer]

4 minutes ago, AstroNebulee said:

Yes and release the spring loaded silver one 

Thanks.. what is the purpose of removing it (having just bought it new) ? To make sure the  o ring is seated properly in a groove? 

[Zermelo]

Yes, but then try not to dislodge it again when you re-insert into the bracket. Some wiggling is required. The O ring is essentially a static fulcrum that pivots the finder tube when you adjust the screws.

It's one of those things that is probably easier to try than to explain in writing.

[Starslayer]

1 minute ago, Zermelo said:

Yes, but then try not to dislodge it again when you re-insert into the bracket. Some wiggling is required. The O ring is essentially a static fulcrum that pivots the finder tube when you adjust the screws.

It's one of those things that is probably easier to try than to explain in writing.

I get it now.  Thank you. 

[Stu]

5 minutes ago, Starslayer said:

Thanks.. what is the purpose of removing it (having just bought it new) ? To make sure the  o ring is seated properly in a groove? 

I find the it’s best to position the O ring to the bracket side of the groove it is supposed to sit in. Then when you push the finder back into the bracket the O ring tends to drop back into the groove.

[Starslayer]

Will that also give the opportunity to line up the cross hairs. (For the OCD amongst us! ) Otherwise I don’ think I will dabble until other options are exhausted. 

[NGC 1502]

Lots of good extra help above.  Someone mentioned don’t try to align the finder on anything close, that’s important. In use for astronomy you’ll be finding objects at infinity.  Lots of parallax different between infinity and something close, less than about 200 meters.  
 

For those reading this who own older models of this type of finder, the important rubber O ring can be perished. A simple fix is to bin the O ring and use electrician’s tape. Experiment to find the best amount of tape.

[Starslayer]

2 minutes ago, NGC 1502 said:

Lots of good extra help above.  Someone mentioned don’t try to align the finder on anything close, that’s important. In use for astronomy you’ll be finding objects at infinity.  Lots of parallax different between infinity and something close, less than about 200 meters.  
 

For those reading this who own older models of this type of finder, the important rubber O ring can be perished. A simple fix is to bin the O ring and use electrician’s tape. Experiment to find the best amount of tape.

Useful thanks. I do appreciate the close up issue. Just had no option today. I usually do the daytime one on a local hospital mast 2 miles away.