Telescope Reviews: Re: Using the Questar Standard finder

At one time I also could not easily use the telescope in finder mode. Why - as others have said I think it was because only the very bright stars could be seen and because of the left-right shift of the view and because of the very large part of the sky seen with such a small angular field of view. Whew...

Anyway, with practice, and some sighting aids, I have gotten better at using the finder mode.

First, I used a Rigel QuikFinder red-dot unity finder that I attached with rubber bands (temporarily) to the dew shield. It really worked well, but I got tired of crouching behind the scope to use it after five or six nights. But once I could aim the Questar I also looked through the finder and this helped reduce my finder-mode-handicap.

Then, I tried a green laser pointer, based on an idea from LarryV on CloudyNights (link). Two large black rubber gaskets/o-rings/bushings were obtained such that the hole would accept the pointer and a notch could be cut on the outside of the rubber. The notches allow for a degree of axial alignment. The rubber gaskets were placed at each end of the pointer with the notch down. To use it the pointer was placed lightly against the dew shield and thus it would point to the general area in the sky where the scope was aimed. Then I could move the scope or check things in the finder mode.

Sooooo, now I am better at using the finder mode because of practice and assists from some other aids. And I know I can use the green laser pointer if I get really confused again.

Perhaps this may give you some ideas to consider.

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