Best way of looking thru Dob Finderscope?

[Space Cowboy]

After using a small skymax 127 finderscope I thought the large 8x50 finder on my new 10" flextube auto Dob would be easy to use but i'm finding it very hard to locate stars.

My normal tecnique with the 127 was to look through the finder with my right eye while looking at the star with my left and then slewing the scope to bring the two together. Frustratingly this is not working with the Dob. Maybe its because I'm bending over from the side and not getting my eyes perfectly square?

Any tips from Dob veterans would be gladly received thanks!

[Astro_Baby]

I found the same problem even with an EQ mounted scope - close to the Zenith its very hard to get your eye into position and it can mean adopting yoga like poses. IN the end I bought a right angled finder which seems to be a common approach.

[Chris H]

Get a Telrad or a Rigel quikfinder they make pointing the scope in the right direction a doddle.

[HappySachs]

Is it possible to buy an adapter to turn a straight through finder into a right angle finder, or do you just have to buy a whole new finder?

[Moonshane]

I'd agree with the Telrad/RACI finder as this is just what I did. transformed my ability to locate things.

re the conversion from straight to RACI, you could do it but you'd need to shorten the tube, get a prism / star diagonal and also an eyepiece etc. not really worth the bother in my view - get a 6x30 RACI for £30-35 used!

[Space Cowboy]

How do you align gun barrel style with a right angle finder?

[brantuk]

Telrads are great - especially if you're using star charts as well.

If you go for the right angled finder - get a "Correct Image" one - then the scope moves with the view (i.e. up/down/L/R correspond with what you're seeing).

It's a personal choice but thats what I get on best with. I use the Orion RACI 9x50, they also do a smaller model - bit dear but it works

[Moonshane]

How do you align gun barrel style with a right angle finder?

I don't. I use the Telrad first in this manner and then the RACI finder for fine tuning (and then a reasonably wide EP to finish (if still not in the field, change to my 35mm Pan.

[HappySachs]

thanks Moonshane

[Space Cowboy]

Thanks for your comments guys! The red dot finder does look a sensible option alongside the straight finder as I will be using the GOTO handset so only need to do an initial alignment.

[Moonshane]

sounds like you've got it sussed!

[Space Cowboy]

Ok sorted, ordered £5 red dot finder from astroboot!