DIY 50mm Guide Scope Part 1
While surfing around checking out astrophotography sites I happened across a great article on building a guide scope from a inexpensive finder scope and decided I would give it a try. I picked up an inexpensive 10x50mm finder scope from an eBay store – Telescope Warehouse – for just over $50 delivered and I picked up another used Celestron 9×50 from Astromart Classifieds. Why two? Cause I know me and I figured I would screw one of them up (surprisingly I didn’t).
Anyway the instructions found here are pretty straight forward and I spent about $10 at Lowe’s for the PVC spacer, set screws, and tap kit. I ended up using 8-32 set screws and thumbscrew since Lowe’s did not have any 6-32s – this worked out just fine.
Here are some pics of the finished product.
Inexpensive 10x50mm Finderscope
The PVC Spacer secured in the finderscope tube.
With the Starshooter Autoguide camera attached.
I powered up the laptop, connected the camera, and I was able to get good focus on a tree off in the distance. So I am pretty confident that I am going to be able to obtain quick focus when I use it as a guide scope. I am able to loosen the thumbscrew and move the camera in and out to help if I am not able to get focus by adjusting the front lens.
So for just over $60 (not counting the quick release bracket) I have a nice (and light) guide scope.
The reason this I titled this post Part 1 is that I have not yet mounted the scope to my C8 or AT66, this is because I am not able to get the dovetail and mount to match up right with either scope. I have ordered a Celestron quick release finder scope bracket and should have it any day. Once I get it mounted and get a chance to try it out I will post a follow up.
Again check out Constructing a guide scope from a finder scope for instructions on putting one together yourself.
