Telescope Reviews: Re: Laser Pointer for 3.5" Questar?

Hi Gary
I attached a green laser pointer using an Orion laser "finder scope" mount (stk #52062)with dovetail base (stk# 7214). I attached the base to a piece of 4" ID black PVC plumbing pipe about 1 3/8" wide. I cut a slot in this ring so it would be expandable to slip over the telescope tube close to the dec axis. I drilled two holes on the ring opposite of the slot and mounted the dovetail mount with two short self tapping flathead screws-make sure they do not extend past the inner surface of the ring. I added a small piece of self adhering soft pad near each side of the slot on the inside. With the dew shield off I hold the ring near the slot and expand it's diameter and slide on the tube, then slide on my dew shield. It keeps it's zero within reason and highly convenient to use. I bought a Questar to eliminate most of the aggravations that I have experienced over the last 50 years of observing (bad back, bad patience and bad eyesight)and bending over to align the tube near my object of interest and then using the built in finder was beginning to aggravate my back. My contruction explanation is poor but I think you get the idea. Final note: finding low magnitude objects is now much easier. Also you can see the laser beam in the finder scope and eyepiece on either power!

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