Finding the right finderscope can make all the difference in your stargazing experience. Finderscopes vary widely in features and price, ensuring there’s something for everyone, from seasoned astronomers to those just starting out.
When looking for a good finderscope focus on key aspects like magnification, reticle type, and mounting compatibility. These factors define how well a finder scope can complement your telescope. For instance, magnification affects how much detail you can see, while the type of reticle determines how easily you can align objects in the sky.
Investing a bit of time in reading through reviews and comparisons can save you effort and money in the long run. Whether you’re after a straightforward optical finder or a more tech-savvy electronic finder, it’s wise take both professional reviews and user feedback into account when choosing.
Why Use a Finder Scope?
Simple—it saves time and hassle. Instead of squinting and fiddling to get the moon or that elusive planet in your view, a quality finder makes the whole process smooth and enjoyable.
You could say that a finder scope is like a mini version of your telescope. It gives you a wider field of view and helps line up your main telescope with ease. Just imagine trying to find a pinpoint star in the vast sky with only your telescope; it’s tricky without help. That’s where this tool shines.
Types of Finder Scopes
There are mainly two types of finder scopes: optical and non-optical.
The optical ones look just like a mini telescope and are great for spotting faint objects. These are basically small telescopes with low magnification (usually between 6x and 9x) and crosshairs to aid in targeting.
Then there are non-optical ones, like Red Dot Finders, Reflex Finders or Telrad Finders. These are perfect for lining things up quickly.
Red Dot Finders project a red dot or reticle onto a transparent screen. They are simple to use, lightweight, and inexpensive.
Reflex Finders are similar to red dot finders but with more complex reticle designs and sophisticated targeting.
Telrad Finders have a reflex sight that projects concentric circles onto a glass screen and are excellent for identifying and aligning larger areas of the sky.
You can read more about choosing the right finderscope for your telescope below, but if you don’t have a lot of time, here are five highly rated finderscope choices for your telescope.
| Image | Name | Scope Type | Magnification | Material | Power Source | Lens Coating | Latest Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Omegon Red Dot Finderscope | Reflex | 1x | Metal/Plastic | Battery (included) | Starbright XLT | Check Latest Price |
 | Celestron 51630 StarPointer Finderscope | Red Dot | 1x | Aluminium | Battery (included) | Multi-Coated | Check Latest Price |
 | Svbony SV182 Finderscope | Optical | 6x | Metal | No Batteries Required (Optical) | Fully Multi-Coated | Check Latest Price |
 | Celestron 51635 StarPointer Pro Finderscope | Reflex | 1x | Plastic/Metal | Battery (included) | Multi-Coated | Check Latest Price |
 | Explore Scientific Telrad Viewfinder | Reflex | 1x | Plastic | Batteries (not included) | Starbright XLT | Check Latest Price |
Omegon Red-Dot Finderscope
The Omegon Red Dot Finderscope offers a straightforward solution for astronomers. Its compact design literally puts convenience in your hands, allowing you to observe the skies with greater ease.
One of the standout features of the Omegon Red Dot Finderscope is its simplicity. The device uses an illuminated red dot projected onto a clear screen. This simple red dot acts like a laser pointer for the sky, helping you align your telescope with star positions without any hassle.
The Omegon Red Dot Finderscope holds an edge over traditional crosshair finderscopes. Without intricate alignment mechanisms, you get a broader view of the sky and minimal distraction during your observation sessions. This also means a faster setup and better focus on what really interests you: the wonders of space.
Celestron 51630 Starpointer Finderscope
The Celestron 51630 StarPointer Finderscope is a red dot finder designed to help you quickly and easily locate celestial objects. It’s a simple yet effective accessory that can be used with most telescopes.
The Starpointer has an adjustable brightness for the red dot, and the CR2032 battery (which is included) lasts a long time, ensuring you won’t frequently need to replace it. The lightweight design of this Celestron finderscope is such that it doesn’t affect the balance of your telescope.
The Celestron 51630 StarPointer Finderscope is a great choice for beginners and casual stargazers due to its ease of use and quick setup. The StarPointer attaches to just about any telescope and even works great with astronomical binoculars and spotting scopes.
Svbony SV182 Finderscope
The Svbony SV182 is a 6×30 right-angle finderscope designed to help you quickly locate celestial objects. It’s a popular choice among amateur astronomers for its affordability and functionality. It’s particularly useful for telescopes with a right-angle viewing setup.
Since Newtonian reflectors have the observing eyepiece on the side of the optical tube close to the front of the telescope, a right-angled finder is by far the most comfortable to use. If you were to use a straight-through finder, you would have to angle your face down the side of the telescope to see through it.
The Svbony SV182 features a cross-hair reticle with adjustable brightness. The metal construction ensures it’s sturdy and can withstand regular use.
While it may have some limitations, the Svbony SV182 is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable and easy-to-use finderscope.
Celestron 51635 StarPointer Pro Finderscope
The simplicity and user-friendly operation of the Celestron Starpointer Pro device attracts a variety of users—from beginners venturing into astronomy to seasoned experts seeking convenience.
The StarPointer Pro stands out with its versatile dual-circle reticle. This design not only helps novice astronomers line up stars with ease but also assists seasoned users in pinpointing celestial objects quickly.
A red LED light illumination ensures minimum light interference, enhancing accuracy.
Setting up this Finderscope is straightforward. The dovetail attachment ensures secure mounting on most telescopes, and calibrating the finder is a simple matter of adjusting a few screws.
The StarPointer Pro is compact and lightweight, making it a portable choice for those impromptu stargazing adventures. The large objective window provides a wide field of view, which is important for identifying objects against the vast cosmic backdrop.
Explore Scientific Telrad Viewfinder
The Telrad Viewfinder, a staple in the astronomy gear community, offers a three-ring reticle that helps both amateur and seasoned astronomers navigate the night sky with greater precision.
With its simple yet revolutionary design, the Telrad projects a bullseye pattern onto the night sky, allowing you to pinpoint stars and celestial objects without any magnification.
The Explore Scientific Telrad viewfinder stands out because of its zero magnification feature, which means you’re seeing the sky as it is, just framed by a set of rings at 0.5, 2, and 4 degrees.
This setup helps eliminate some of the guesswork, particularly when dealing with opaque finderscopes that can complicate things for beginners.
In the astronomy world, precision always matters, and the Telrad Viewfinder delivers just that. Unlike optical finders, Telrad uses a heads-up display approach, making star hopping a more intuitive experience.
Seasoned users often praise its straightforward design, durability, and the way it complements more robust telescope systems.
Choosing the Right Finder Scope
Picking the right one largely depends on what you plan to gaze at. For the casual sky-watcher, a basic red dot might work wonders. But if you’re an intermediate or advanced user, perhaps diving into deep-sky objects, go for something with a bit more power and precision.
A well-crafted finder scope not only enhances your viewing experience but also adds durability. Solid construction means it can withstand the knocks and bumps of regular use without affecting performance.
A good reticle design is right up there in level of importance.. Whether it’s a basic crosshair or something more intricate, having a clear reticle makes lining up the telescope so much easier. Also, some people swear by illuminated reticles for night use as it ensures you won’t lose sight of that crucial target in a dark sky.
Aperture and magnification are worth considering. A larger aperture gives you more light-gathering capability, which is crucial in spotting those faint celestial objects. The right amount of magnification helps to pinpoint details without going overboard and making objects hard to locate.
You can learn more about aperture and magnification in the post How to buy a telescope – A beginners guide
Compatibility is another key criterion. Your finder scope should seamlessly attach to your telescope, and manufacturers often offer compatibility charts or guides. A mismatch can result in frustrating installations or recalibrations.
Budgeting appropriately can guide your choices. Higher-end models often boast more advanced features like illuminated reticles or superior optics, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find great value in reasonably priced options. Considering how often and where you’ll use your telescope might impact how much you’re willing to spend.
Guide to Proper Installation and Calibration
Setting up your finder scope correctly can greatly enhance your stargazing sessions. Installation involves securely attaching your finder scope to the main telescope. Most finder scopes come with a dovetail bracket which makes mounting straightforward, but always double-check that it’s tight with no wobble to ensure accuracy.
Once mounted, calibration—or alignment—is crucial. Start this process during the daylight using a distant object like a church spire or a tree. Centre the object in your main telescope and then adjust the finder scope’s alignment screws until the same object is centred in the finder’s view.
Even slight misalignments can lead to frustrations later at night. After an initial daylight setup, fine-tuning under a clear night sky is recommended. Aligning with a bright star ensures everything’s perfectly in-sync.
Regular maintenance of your finder scope is also essential to keep its performance top-notch. Clean the lenses carefully with a lint-free cloth to avoid scratches. Periodically check fixings to ensure nothing has come loose, especially if you regularly transport your equipment.
If things go off-track, a common troubleshooting step is to recheck alignment and retighten any loose screws. This simple action often resolves minor inaccuracies.
How to Maximize Your Experience with a Finder Scope
Take the time to familiarize yourself with the settings and adjustments. It makes finding objects so much easier and faster. You’ll start to notice the little tweaks that make a big difference.
Despite your best efforts, things won’t always go smoothly. Common issues, like losing focus or failing to spot smaller stars, happen to the best of us. Don’t let these hiccups discourage you. Instead, approach them as learning opportunities. Sometimes a bit of troubleshooting is all it takes to get back on track.
As you get comfortable, challenge yourself to enhance your observational techniques. Start with visible objects before slowly moving onto fainter, more elusive stars and planets. It’s a bit of trial and error, but with patience, your skills will grow, and so will your appreciation for the universe.
Maximizing the use of a finder scope isn’t just about the tool itself, but about how you engage with it. Keep experimenting, learning, and before you know it, you’ll be navigating the night sky like a pro.
