Provides an upright image with completely corrected left/right image orientation.
A right-angled erecting finderscope provides a more comfortable and convenient viewing position when compared to a traditional straight-through viewing finder.
Fully multicoated optics and 50mm objective lens provide good light gathering, a wide 45° field of view and a cross-hair reticule for easy navigation.
The mounting bracket fits into standard finder shoes from Vixen, Sky-Watcher, Celestron, GSO, etc. Additional finder shoes are available separately.
To focus the finderscope simply unscrew the lock-ring, rotate the objective, then re-close the lock-ring.
Average Rating (28 Reviews): | |
Works OK but better option is Stellalyra 8 x 50 finder. 28 February 2024 | Richard
Bought for use with a Sky-Watcher Startravel 120.
I think the style/size of the finder is a good match for the scope. Switching between finder and eyepiece is much easier now.
The tube and bracket are metal and together with the optics seem to be well made. However, the alignment screws and O ring don't combine well with the tube and bracket. The finder is flimsy to align and once achieved, is not very secure. Not sure exactly why - perhaps the screws are a little loose and the O ring a bit thin. The cross hairs are also a little thick making the overall process of alignment and finding targets less accurate than I expected.
As a comparison, I tried a Stellalyra 8 x 50 finder that came with my 8" Dobsonian, on the refractor. This finder from Stellalyra is a much better product and I believe is the same as that sold separately here by FLO. I bought the Astro Essentials finder because I wanted to match it with the AE focuser upgrade bought at the same time. With hindsight, should have bought the SL 8 x 50.
As usual, first rate delivery and packaging from FLO.
Astro Essential 9x50 Finderscope. 26 July 2023 | Robert
Does exactly what it says on the tin. Coincidently, apart from the paint job, it does seem remarkably similar to Sky Watchers 9x50 Finderscope.
Rob
23 June 2023 | Ian
Small but powerful Finder scope. Nice bright image. Definitely a step up from my old red dot finder. Found it much easier to line up faint targets and could even some of those i could not see with the naked eye. Image is crisp and clear, although the cross hairs are a little on the thick side. Does not come with any instructions. To focus you hold the front section (looks like a dew shield and slacken off the milled lock ring that is behind it. Turn the front collar until you find focus. Then tighten the lock ring to lock the focuser.
Astro Essentials 9x50 Right-Angled, Erecting Finderscope 10 May 2023 | John
Seems well made with good quality optics and is much more comfortable to use than a RDF for objects close to the zenith. Fits well in the finder shoe (Vixen) on my Celestron 127 Mak. Easy to achieve focus though it does require loosening the locking ring, unscrewing the objective lens and then re-locking - it would be preferable if the eyepiece had a focuser as switching between wearing spectacles or not and refocusing is inconvenient. It would also be preferable to be able to rotate the finder eyepiece to match the orientation of the telescope eyepiece/diagonal without having to realign the finder.
Astro Essentials 9x50 right-angled, erecting finderscope 10 April 2023 | Martyn
I wanted a good quality finderscope that I could move between telescopes. The 'straight-through' one on my refractor caused lower back and neck strain; a similar one on my Newtonian caused neck strain. Clamping this finderscope on has alleviated the aches significantly. Also, this is larger than either of my current finderscopes and so much more useful. The right-angled eyepiece orientation makes switching between the telescope eyepiece and finderscope eyepiece simple and comfortable. The optical quality is good and the product has a nice solid feel. Recommended piece of kit. Now the obvious response to this is get another finderscope to avoid the necessary re-adjustments between telescopes. Having given this one a reasonable field test . . I agree. I think I will!
23 February 2023 | Neal
The red dot finder I had was ok but meant craning my neck or kneeling down to view targets.
This RACI Finder makes it far easier to locate targets via the cross hairs in the optic lens , though tbh the cross hairs are way to bold and thick.
The Finder is quite huge on a 130 dob and also very weighty , approx. 200mm/8" in length and 526g in weight. That said I can't complain about it in use and the view is pretty good , adjustment to match the scope view was easy and I had no issue aligning it to the scope view to set it up.
23 December 2022 | John
A great replacement for the stock Finder Scope, I use it on my MAK127, and what a difference, I like the fact the object is the right way around, and not having to get into stupid positions trying to use it on high altitude objects. Had no problem zeroing it in with the main scope, and focusing was not a problem. Would highly recommend this. Big shout out to FLO for speedy processing and delivery.
22 November 2022 | Gerald
The O ring is a bit thin perhaps another half mm on the diameter.
11 November 2022 | Martyn
Great product and service... Fits great on 130PDS....So much easier to use than stock
Finder...👍 👍
11 October 2022 | Keith
Fast and efficient service from FLO, as always. Great value for money.
Read all 28 customer reviews...