TheSkySearchers

When using my 6" f/8 apo, on the G11S eq mount, sometimes the finder becomes inconveniently placed or even inaccessible from the eyepiece position. I decided to remedy this, by making a rotatable finder mount. I obtained two surplus tube rings to fit the scope, drilled and mounted 1/4 x 3/4 x 4 inch aluminum bars between the rings, and mounted the finder on top of one of these bridges. This would also work well for mounting a much larger finder or guide telescope.

So do you rotate the two rings?

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 4:19 am So do you rotate the two rings?

Yes, that's the idea. I usually confine each observing session to one area of the sky, so rotation won't happen more than once or twice a session. I suspect a slight tweak to alignment might be necessary after rotation. On an equatorial mount, the finder can easily become hard to access with the eye.

A interesting idea I hope it works well. With my Antares finder I can rotate the diagonal if needed.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 5:20 pm A interesting idea I hope it works well. With my Antares finder I can rotate the diagonal if needed.

I can rotate my finder diagonal also, but in some positions it doesn't help. I will post on how well this setup works after a couple of observing sessions.

It's been cloudy and rainy here for several days now. Might be clear tonight, anI can test, unless other obligations get in the way.

This time of year, near Independence Day, I cannot open the dome until quite late, for the odd chance a bottle rocket might come in through rhe open shutter and detonate inside, with devastating results.

Yes, we have inconsiderate folks here who shoot them for days, and have no cares as to where they go. More or less a state of anarchy, with regard to fireworks.

It's working great. I have two 50mm finders on it, one per side. One of them is always accessible.