Position of finder scope

[Seoras]

I’m sorry for posting so many questions lately but I have a lot to learn and everyone on this forum has been super helpful ☺️. I bought a new finder scope and on my first real stargazing night I noticed I was having difficulty seeing through it because I’m a wheelchair user and the finder was mounted just a bit too high on my telescope for comfort. I have moved it to a lower position on the scope but wanted to ask if this will be ok before my next viewing session so that I can put it back to the top. I’ve attached a photo so you can see what I mean,

 

regards, Geo

[Zermelo]

My RACI is in a very similar position on my Mak. As long as you can line it up to point in the same direction as the scope, it will be fine.

The only time that it makes a difference is when you're trying to find an object that's just above your local horizon (in my case, the garden fence). In that case, my goto will leave the finder pointing at the top of the fence, but the scope could see the target, provided I can locate it without the finder. You still have the red dot on top to help.

[bosun21]

What he says 👆

[Stu1smartcookie]

Hi Geo , i third the above ... i think a finder scope is more important that a RDF on an sct /mak . I think yours is positioned fine . 

[Carbon Brush]

And a fourth YES.

It is important to be able to move easily between main eyepiece and finder.

The only problem with a low down finder is when viewing just over a hedge or roof🤣

[bemak187]

As others mention this will be fine, no issues I can see.

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @Seoras ...same from me too!

No issues with the finderscope positioned on the underside on my C6/SCT.

[Seoras]

7 minutes ago, Philip R said:

Hi @Seoras ...same from me too!

No issues with the finderscope positioned on the underside on my C6/SCT.

Thanks Philip, what is the scope on the right?

[bemak187]

That is a nice, neat dual scope setup.

[RT65CB-SWL]

On 23/11/2022 at 12:49, Seoras said:

Thanks Philip, what is the scope on the right?

Hi Geo.

It is a TeleVue Ranger... 480/70mm semi-achro mounted on a Tele-Optic Giro GR-DX ll.

Edited December 7, 2022 by Philip R

[Seoras]

15 hours ago, Philip R said:

Hi Geo.

It is a TeleVue Ranger... 70mm/480 semi-achro mounted on a Tele-Optic Giro GR-DX ll.

Nice, you have a great set up 👍

[LukeSkywatcher]

I'm also a wheelchair user. I have 4 scopes including the 8Se (yours looks like an 8Se).

I wish I had some advice, but I never use an RDF or finder scope. 

If using a Go-To scope, I just align it to a planetary object. If using a manual scope, I just point it anywhere and search for objects.

[Second Time Around]

Paul, would a Celestron Starsense Explorer (CSE) scope work for you?  It's quicker and easier than Go-To.  It would also be more accurate for you as well as only a one star alignment is needed anyway.  This is because it uses plate solving to determine where it's pointing. Like you I just use a planet though.   

With the latest update it's got a huge number of objects in its database.  However, it doesn't track.

With a simple mod the CSE can be transferred from scope to scope via finder shoes.

Edited December 6, 2022 by Second Time Around
Deleted "work" by mistake

[LukeSkywatcher]

12 hours ago, Second Time Around said:

Paul, would a Celestron Starsense Explorer (CSE) scope work for you?  It's quicker and easier than Go-To.  It would also be more accurate for you as well as only a one star alignment is needed anyway.  This is because it uses plate solving to determine where it's pointing. Like you I just use a planet though.   

With the latest update it's got a huge number of objects in its database.  However, it doesn't track.

With a simple mod the CSE can be transferred from scope to scope via finder shoes.

I had to Google CSE. I have Stellarium on my phone if I need reference points to navigate. 

I'm happy plodding along with things as they are.

[apaulo]

as for hedges getting in the road of a low finder scope, the opposite happens with a top mounted finder scope. a high finder will see targets over the roof of houses and trees lol, but your scope may not. lol. we cant win.