{"title":"Explore Scientific Finders","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore Scientific finder scopes and the Hybrid 2N1 finder base system. Goods ship factory-sealed. If you're unsure what fits your setup, ask us before you order and we'll confirm it.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"8x50-non-illuminated-finder-scope-with-bracket","title":"Explore Scientific 8x50 Non-Illuminated Straight-Through Finder Scope with Bracket","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Explore Scientific VF0850S is an 8x50 straight-through finder scope with a standard crosshair reticle, supplied with its quick-release bracket. Explore Scientific publishes a 6° field of view, a 55.5 mm body diameter and a weight of 1.35 lb (0.61 kg) for the optic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe job of a finder is to bridge the gap between what you can see with your eye and the narrow slice of sky a telescope eyepiece shows. At 8x with a 50mm objective, the exit pupil works out to 6.25 mm — close to the diameter of a dark-adapted eye pupil, which is why a 50mm finder shows stars several magnitudes fainter than the naked eye at the same time as showing 6° of sky. For scale, the full Moon spans about half a degree, so the field holds roughly twelve Moon diameters end to end. That is enough sky to recognise a naked-eye star pattern and enough magnification to pick out the faint stars a chart uses as stepping stones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe image is straight-through and non-erect, which means it is inverted in the same way a Newtonian or a refractor with a star diagonal inverts. Astronomical charts and planetarium software handle that without difficulty; terrestrial use is where a non-erect image becomes awkward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStar-hoppers:\u003c\/strong\u003e a 6° crosshair field is the classic tool for walking from a bright naked-eye star to a faint target one chart step at a time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOwners replacing a red-dot finder:\u003c\/strong\u003e a red dot shows you where the tube is pointing but adds no light grasp. A 50mm objective adds several magnitudes, which changes what is findable from a light-polluted yard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnyone whose finder bracket has an Explore Scientific footprint:\u003c\/strong\u003e the same optic serves both the Hybrid Finder Scope base and the original Explore Scientific finder bases.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eObservers who prefer a passive finder:\u003c\/strong\u003e with no illuminator there is no battery to go flat halfway through a session and nothing to switch on in the cold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e8x magnification with a 50mm objective:\u003c\/strong\u003e a 6.25 mm exit pupil, which sits well within the range a dark-adapted eye can use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6° true field of view:\u003c\/strong\u003e about twelve full-Moon diameters across, wide enough to keep a recognisable star pattern in frame.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard crosshair reticle:\u003c\/strong\u003e a simple cross that marks the centre of the field for precise centring, with nothing in the view to distract from faint stars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStraight-through, non-erect image:\u003c\/strong\u003e the observer sights along the same axis as the telescope tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e55.5 mm body diameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e the published figure across the tube body.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1.35 lb (0.61 kg) published weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e light enough that adding it rarely upsets a balanced tube by much, though it does shift the balance point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick-release bracket included:\u003c\/strong\u003e the optic and its mounting bracket ship together, so the only compatibility question is the base on your telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulti-base compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e works with the Hybrid Finder Scope base as well as Explore Scientific's earlier finder base pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocating and centring deep-sky targets by star-hopping from naked-eye anchor stars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAligning a telescope on a bright star before starting a goto or setting-circle routine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecentring a target that has drifted on an undriven mount, without hunting through a narrow eyepiece field.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a lost, damaged or under-specified finder on an existing tube that carries an Explore Scientific base.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePublic outreach sessions, where getting from object to object quickly keeps a queue moving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBases:\u003c\/strong\u003e the supplied bracket fits the Hybrid Finder Scope base and the original Explore Scientific finder base. If your telescope carries a different shoe pattern, send us a photograph of the base and we will tell you whether this bracket seats in it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eField of view arithmetic:\u003c\/strong\u003e the 6° field is a true field, not an apparent one, so it can be laid straight onto a star chart at the chart's own scale.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBalance:\u003c\/strong\u003e at 1.35 lb the finder sits at the front of the tube on most instruments, so rebalancing after fitting is usually a small adjustment on the dovetail or the counterweight shaft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlignment:\u003c\/strong\u003e the bracket's adjustment screws set the finder parallel to the main tube. That alignment is done once in daylight on a distant landmark and touched up on a bright star.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReticle illumination:\u003c\/strong\u003e this model is the non-illuminated version. On very dark nights the crosshair can be hard to see against the sky, and observers who want the wire lit choose an illuminated finder instead — we stock those if that turns out to be the deciding factor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe image is non-erect.\u003c\/strong\u003e That is normal for a straight-through astronomical finder and matches what most star charts and planetarium apps can be set to display, but it does rule the finder out as a spotting scope for daytime use. A correct-image right-angle finder is the alternative if terrestrial use matters, and we carry those.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe reticle is unilluminated.\u003c\/strong\u003e Under a genuinely dark sky the crosshair reads as a silhouette against the sky glow, which works well on most nights and less well when the background is very dark. A dim red light held near the objective for a moment is the usual field workaround.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe optic sights along the tube axis.\u003c\/strong\u003e On a telescope pointed near the zenith, a straight-through finder puts the observer in an awkward position, which is why some observers eventually add a right-angle unit alongside it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExplore Scientific does not publish the optical coating specification or the eye relief for this finder,\u003c\/strong\u003e so those rows read as unpublished rather than carrying an estimate. If either figure is important to your decision, we can put the question to our Explore Scientific rep.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The bracket slides into the finder base on the telescope and locks, and the finder is then aligned to the main tube using the adjustment screws — a five-minute job done once on a distant daytime landmark and fine-tuned on a bright star that night. There is nothing to assemble and no power to connect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much sky does 6° actually cover?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoughly twelve full-Moon diameters across the field. In practical terms, most of the bowl of the Little Dipper would sit inside it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit my telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt fits telescopes carrying the Hybrid Finder Scope base or the original Explore Scientific finder base. For anything else, a photograph of your base is enough for us to give you a straight answer before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the view upside down?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe image is non-erect, so it is rotated relative to the naked-eye view. That matches the orientation most astronomical charting software can display, and it becomes second nature quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need batteries?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. This is the non-illuminated version, so there is no electronics and nothing to charge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much better is it than a red-dot finder?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA red dot projects a reticle onto the sky at 1x and adds no light-gathering at all. A 50mm objective at 8x shows stars several magnitudes fainter, which is the difference between pointing at a patch of empty-looking sky and actually seeing the stepping-stone stars a chart is asking you to follow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: an 8x50 straight-through finder with a crosshair reticle, a 6° field, a 55.5 mm body and a published weight of 1.35 lb, supplied with its quick-release bracket for Explore Scientific Hybrid and original finder bases. If you are unsure whether the base on your telescope matches, send us a photo of it and we will check the fit for you.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44012818464879,"sku":"VF0850S","price":110.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/es8x50basicviewfinder__83250.jpg?v=1766548296"},{"product_id":"8x50-illuminated-finder-scope-with-bracket","title":"Explore Scientific 8x50 Straight-Through Illuminated Finder Scope with Bracket","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the Explore Scientific 8x50 straight-through illuminated finder scope, supplied with its quick-release bracket and the long-battery-life Illuminator II. It magnifies 8x through a 50mm objective and shows a 6-degree field of view, which is roughly twelve full-moon diameters across in a single look. A roof prism inside the body presents the image the right way up and the right way round, so what you see in the finder matches what you see with your eyes and matches a printed or on-screen chart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reticle is an open-centre illuminated crosshair carrying degree markings, with variable red brightness so it can be dimmed to a faint glow on dark targets or turned up when the sky is bright. EMD-coated optics are used through the optical path to raise contrast. Published dimensions are 216mm x 57mm x 62mm at 15.9 oz, and the bracket fits standard Explore Scientific finder bases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe box contains the viewfinder, its bracket and the Illuminator II unit. The Illuminator II runs on two AAA batteries, which the vendor does not include.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStar hoppers:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8x50 with a 6-degree field is the classic combination for working a chart down from a naked-eye star to a faint target, and the erect image removes the mental gymnastics of a flipped or mirrored view.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOwners of telescopes with an undersized or missing finder:\u003c\/strong\u003e a 50mm objective gathers roughly fifty times the light of a 7mm dark-adapted pupil, so it reaches stars well beyond naked-eye range from a suburban yard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eObservers who use a reticle for centring:\u003c\/strong\u003e the open-centre crosshair leaves the target visible instead of hiding it behind an intersection, and the degree markings give a scale for offsetting from a bright reference star.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e8x magnification over a 50mm objective:\u003c\/strong\u003e enough magnification to show real detail in a star field, enough aperture to reach well past naked-eye limits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6-degree field of view:\u003c\/strong\u003e wide enough to bridge the gap between a naked-eye chart and a telescope eyepiece field without losing your place.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoof prism erect-image optics:\u003c\/strong\u003e correct orientation left-to-right and top-to-bottom, which is what makes chart matching straightforward.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen-centre illuminated reticle with degree markings:\u003c\/strong\u003e the target stays visible at the centre, and the markings give you a measured offset to work with.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariable red brightness:\u003c\/strong\u003e the illumination dials down far enough not to wash out a faint star, and up far enough to be readable under a bright sky.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIlluminator II:\u003c\/strong\u003e the current long-battery-life illuminator unit, running on two AAA cells.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEMD coatings\u003c\/strong\u003e through the optical path for contrast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick-release bracket included,\u003c\/strong\u003e fitting standard Explore Scientific finder bases.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished size and weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 216mm x 57mm x 62mm, 15.9 oz.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStar hopping from naked-eye stars to deep-sky targets on any telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCentring an object before switching to a high-power eyepiece, where the main telescope's field is far narrower than 6 degrees.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAligning a GoTo mount, where the illuminated crosshair gives a repeatable centring reference on each alignment star.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutreach nights, where a queue moves faster if the object can be recovered quickly between viewers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing an unilluminated or damaged finder on an existing telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e the supplied bracket fits standard Explore Scientific finder bases. If your telescope carries a different pattern of shoe, send us the make and model and we will check what it takes to mount this cleanly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBatteries:\u003c\/strong\u003e two AAA cells run the Illuminator II. They are not supplied with the finder, and they are the one item worth having on hand before the first clear night.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eField of view in context:\u003c\/strong\u003e at 6 degrees, the finder field is around twelve times the apparent width of the full Moon. A 30mm eyepiece in a 952mm telescope shows about 2.6 degrees, so the finder comfortably brackets the main instrument's widest view.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExit pupil:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50mm divided by 8x works out to 6.25mm, which is close to a fully dark-adapted pupil and part of why the view stays bright.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStraight-through geometry:\u003c\/strong\u003e you sight along the tube in the same direction the telescope points. On a refractor or Schmidt-Cassegrain aimed near the zenith that can mean an awkward neck position; right-angle finders exist for exactly that reason, and we stock them if that is how you observe.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlignment:\u003c\/strong\u003e the bracket carries adjustment screws for aligning the finder to the main telescope, done once in daylight on a distant fixed object and then touched up rarely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBatteries are not in the box.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Illuminator II takes two AAA cells, which are inexpensive and available anywhere — worth adding to the order if you would rather not hunt for them at dusk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt is a straight-through finder, not a right-angle one.\u003c\/strong\u003e That keeps the view intuitive and the body short, at the cost of comfort when the telescope is pointed high. If most of your observing happens near the zenith, a right-angle finder is the more comfortable tool and we can suggest one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExplore Scientific does not publish eye relief or exit pupil figures\u003c\/strong\u003e for this finder, so those rows are absent below rather than estimated. The 6.25mm exit pupil quoted in the notes above is simple arithmetic from the published 8x and 50mm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe bracket is built for standard Explore Scientific finder bases.\u003c\/strong\u003e Most telescopes use one of two common shoe patterns, and adapters are available for the rest — send us your scope and we will confirm which route applies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The bracket slides onto a standard Explore Scientific finder base and locks down, then the finder is aligned to the main telescope using the bracket's adjustment screws — a five-minute job in daylight on a distant chimney or pole. After that it holds alignment and only needs an occasional touch-up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the image the right way up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The roof prism gives a fully erect image, correct both vertically and horizontally, so the star field in the finder matches your chart and your naked-eye view.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat batteries does the illuminator take?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo AAA cells, which are not included. The Illuminator II is the long-battery-life version, so a set lasts a long stretch of observing nights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow wide is the field?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6 degrees. For scale, the full Moon is about half a degree across, so the finder shows roughly twelve Moon-widths at once.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat reticle pattern does it use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA standard crosshair with an open centre and degree markings. The open centre means a faint object sits in clear sky rather than behind the intersection of the lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit my telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt comes with a bracket for standard Explore Scientific finder bases. Many telescopes from other makers use a compatible shoe, and where the pattern differs, an adapter base solves it. Send us the telescope model and we will tell you which situation you are in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: an 8x50 straight-through finder with erect-image roof prism optics, a 6-degree field, an open-centre illuminated crosshair with degree markings and variable red brightness, supplied with its bracket and the long-life Illuminator II at a published 15.9 oz. If you are not sure whether the bracket matches the finder base on your telescope, send us the model and we will sort the fit out with you.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44012820398191,"sku":"VFEI0850-01","price":249.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/ill8x50__47176.jpg?v=1766548308"},{"product_id":"finder-scope-base-with-mounting-screws","title":"FINDER SCOPE BASE WITH MOUNTING SCREWS","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 2em; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; font-size: 14px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(236, 229, 227); text-transform: uppercase; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINDER SCOPE BASE WITH MOUNTING SCREWS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003eThis Finder Scope Base is specifically designed to allow you to secure one of Explore Scientific s high-quality finder scopes to the telescope of your choice. The easy-to-install base is sturdy and comes with reliable mounting screws.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013214924911,"sku":"FNDRBASEBLK","price":53.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/explore_scientific_fndrbaseblk_finder_scope_base_1046161__93612.jpg?v=1766548845"},{"product_id":"50mm-finder-scope-rings-standard-height","title":"50MM FINDER SCOPE RINGS STANDARD HEIGHT","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial;\"\u003eExplore Scientific finderscope rings are all made for 50mm finders. Choose from a classic low profile bracket (about an inch tall), one that is a tad higher (1.5\") or a high profile bracket that stands 4\" above the finderscope base.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial;\"\u003eRegardless of the height you choose, these brackets have two rings to hold your finder firmly yet gently, and each ring has three adjustment points. Heavy-duty plastic thumbscrews are included, and have large heads for easy adjustment even if you're wearing gloves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial;\"\u003eBecause your telescope may not fit in its case with the finderscope attached, you will appreciate the quick release feature on Explore Scientific finder brackets. The bracket itself dovetails into the finder base (sold separately), and locks down with thumbscrews. It is a simple thing to remove or install your finder and bracket on your telescope in this manner.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial;\"\u003eTo install your finder into the bracket, simply back the thumbscrews out so that you've opened up the full inside diameter of the rings. Slide the finder into place, and adjust the screws inward until your finderscope is securely held in position. You should have very rough alignment at this point, which means when you look through the finder and center an object, and then look through a low power eyepiece inserted in your telescope diagonal or focuser, that object will most likely be in the field of view, but not at or near the center (unless you are very lucky!). Doing that first fine alignment...the task of matching what's in your finder to what's in your eyepiece...can be tedious and frustrating sometimes, but once you complete the job, it should never be required again. Sure, you will have to tweak the adjustment every time you re-install the finder\/bracket combo onto your telescope, but it should be fairly quick and simple.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial;\"\u003eHere is a helpful hint when it comes time to do that first alignment. Set your telescope up in the daytime, and make sure you bring out a variety of eyepieces with you. Find an easy target that is relatively far away, like a streetlight or the top of a telephone pole. Starting with the lowest power eyepiece, adjust your finder bracket until you have \"matching\" views. The more accurate you are, the easier it will be when you trade out your low power eyepiece for something a little stronger.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial;\"\u003eNow do just that; put in a medium-powered eyepiece and do the same thing, being as accurate as you can. Finally, it's time for the high-powered eyepiece. Once you have finished this alignment process, you can either wait for the sun to go down to finish tweaking your finder, or you can put your telescope away and wait until the next time. Either way, once it is dark, find something bright, like the Moon or Venus or Jupiter, and center it in your finder. Now install the medium-powered eyepiece and check your view. If the object is not centered, make your adjustments, then insert the high-powered eyepiece and check again. Once you have made the necessary tweaks, you are good to go. From now on, unless you remove the finder from the bracket or something else happens to severely change alignment, you should only have to make small tweaks before every observing session. I know it sounds like a lot of trouble to go through for such a \"small\" thing, but trust me, I have seen more beginners make the mistake of trying to do finder alignments in the dark on small, dim objects, and it is not a pretty sight! All they want to do is observe, and they feel like they are wasting precious time doing silly things. A well-aligned finder makes astronomy SO much easier...give yourself a break and do the hard part during the day, and you won't be sorry!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013285408879,"sku":"FNDRRGSSTD","price":61.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/fndrrgsstd__23523.jpg?v=1766550507"},{"product_id":"t-shaped-finder-scope-bas","title":"T-SHAPED FINDER SCOPE BAS","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 2em; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; font-size: 14px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(236, 229, 227); text-transform: uppercase; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINDER SCOPE BASE WITH MOUNTING SCREWS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color: rgb(52, 44, 42); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"product_description\" class=\"rte\" itemprop=\"description\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"tabs\" class=\"ui-tabs ui-widget ui-widget-content ui-corner-all\" style=\"position: relative; padding: 0.2em; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em; border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); color: rgb(34, 34, 34); border-radius: 4px; background: url(\" images repeat-x rgb\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"tabs-1\" aria-labelledby=\"ui-id-1\" class=\"ui-tabs-panel ui-widget-content ui-corner-bottom\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-hidden=\"false\" style=\"border: 0px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); color: rgb(34, 34, 34); border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; display: block; padding: 1em 1.4em; background: none;\"\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"height: 300px; width: 454px; overflow: auto;\"\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis T-Shaped Finder Scope Base is specifically designed to allow you to secure one of Explore Scientific s high-quality finder scopes to an Essential Series telescope. The easy-to-install base is sturdy and comes with reliable mounting screws\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013302972527,"sku":"FNDRBASE-ESSEN","price":68.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/store-ES-FNDRBASE-ESSEN__79402.jpg?v=1766550600"},{"product_id":"explore-scientific-50mm-finder-scope-rings-tall","title":"Explore Scientific Tall 50mm Finder Scope Rings","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are Explore Scientific's tall-profile mounting rings for 50mm finder scopes. Where a standard ring set holds the finder close to the tube, this one raises it: the published height is 115mm, which stands the finder roughly four inches above its base. That extra clearance is what makes the finder usable when a large 2-inch eyepiece, a dew heater strap, a focuser knob or a camera is occupying the space beside it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublished dimensions are 73mm long, 61mm wide and 115mm high, at 7oz (198.4g). The set uses two rings, each with three adjustment points, so the finder is aligned at six contact points rather than clamped and hoped for. The thumbscrews are heavy-duty plastic with large heads that stay usable with gloves on — a detail that matters more at two in the morning in February than it does in a product photograph.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA quick-release dovetail lets the finder lift off complete with its rings, which keeps the alignment intact and lets the telescope pack into a case with less headroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOwners of 50mm finder scopes\u003c\/strong\u003e who want a mounting that holds alignment through transport.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnyone whose finder is crowded\u003c\/strong\u003e by a large 2-inch eyepiece, a diagonal, a dew strap or a camera body — 115mm of height moves the eyepiece end of the finder clear of all of it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eObservers who wear gloves:\u003c\/strong\u003e the oversized thumbscrew heads are sized to be turned with cold hands.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeople who transport a telescope regularly:\u003c\/strong\u003e the quick-release dovetail takes the finder off without disturbing the six alignment screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnyone replacing a damaged or lost ring set\u003c\/strong\u003e and looking for a taller mounting than the original.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e115mm published height:\u003c\/strong\u003e a high-profile mounting that lifts a 50mm finder roughly four inches above its base for clearance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo rings, three adjustment points each:\u003c\/strong\u003e six screws bearing on the finder body, which is what allows fine alignment in both axes and holds it once set.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick-release dovetail:\u003c\/strong\u003e the finder comes off as an assembly and returns to the same position, so realignment between sessions is minimal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeavy-duty plastic thumbscrews with large heads:\u003c\/strong\u003e turnable with gloves on, and plastic heads mean no metal-on-metal marking where they bear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e73mm long and 61mm wide:\u003c\/strong\u003e the footprint the rings occupy along and across the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e7oz (198.4g) published weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e light enough that it does not meaningfully change the balance of a telescope tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSized for 50mm finder scopes,\u003c\/strong\u003e which is the size Explore Scientific specifies for this set.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a 50mm finder scope where a low-profile bracket leaves too little clearance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRaising a finder over a wide 2-inch eyepiece, a dew heater band or a camera train.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing an original ring set that has been damaged, lost or outgrown.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSetups that are packed down each session, where a quick-release finder saves case space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCold-weather observing where large glove-friendly adjusters are worth having.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinder size:\u003c\/strong\u003e specified by Explore Scientific for 50mm finder scopes. A finder body of a different outside diameter is outside what the rings are stated to hold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBase pattern:\u003c\/strong\u003e the set uses a quick-release dovetail, but Explore Scientific does not publish which dovetail standard the base follows or whether a matching base is supplied. That is a question worth settling before ordering — send us a photograph of the shoe on your telescope and we will confirm the fit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinder scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e not included. These are the rings and their mounting only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight on the tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e at 198.4g the rings add very little; the finder itself is the larger part of the load.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlignment:\u003c\/strong\u003e six adjustment points allow the finder to be tipped to match the main telescope precisely, which is the difference between a finder that helps and one that misleads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe finder scope is not part of this listing.\u003c\/strong\u003e The rings mount a 50mm finder you already own, or one bought separately — we can quote a finder alongside them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExplore Scientific does not publish the ring inner diameter,\u003c\/strong\u003e only that the set is for 50mm finder scopes, so that row reads as not published below rather than being estimated. Measure the outside diameter of your finder body and we will check it against the specification with our Explore Scientific representative.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe dovetail standard is not published either.\u003c\/strong\u003e Explore Scientific describes a quick-release dovetail without naming the pattern. We are happy to confirm compatibility with your telescope's finder base before the order goes through.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe tall profile is the point of this set.\u003c\/strong\u003e If your finder already clears everything around it, a standard-height ring set does the same job in less space; this one exists for the cases where it does not.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThumbscrew material is plastic by design.\u003c\/strong\u003e Large plastic heads are easier on cold fingers and gentler on a finder tube than knurled metal, and there are six of them sharing the load.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The rings slide onto the quick-release dovetail, the finder goes between them, and the six thumbscrews are turned until the finder is held and pointing at the same place as the main telescope. Aligning it on a distant object in daylight takes a few minutes and holds from then on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size finder does it fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore Scientific specifies this set for 50mm finder scopes. If yours is a different size, send us the outside diameter of the tube and we will tell you whether it is in range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy choose the tall version?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClearance. At 115mm the finder eyepiece sits about four inches above the base, which puts it clear of wide 2-inch eyepieces, dew straps, focuser knobs and camera bodies. On a crowded tube that is often the difference between using the finder comfortably and craning around something.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the finder stay aligned when it is removed?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is what the quick-release dovetail is for — the finder and rings come off as one assembly and return to the same seat, so the six alignment screws are left untouched.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it with gloves on?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The thumbscrews are heavy-duty plastic with oversized heads chosen specifically so they can be turned with gloves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it come with a base to mount on the telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore Scientific does not state that in the published specification, so we would rather check than guess. Tell us which telescope it is going on and we will confirm what is in the box and what your tube already has.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 115mm-tall, 198.4g ring set for 50mm finder scopes, with six adjustment points, glove-friendly thumbscrews and a quick-release dovetail — a mounting for the cases where a low bracket leaves the finder buried among eyepieces and cables. Send us the make of your finder and a photo of your telescope's finder base and we will confirm the fit before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013530808431,"sku":"FNDRRGSTALL","price":89.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/finderscope_50mm_480x480__59067.jpg?v=1766555081"},{"product_id":"explore-scientific-hybrid-finder-scope-base","title":"Explore Scientific Hybrid Finder Scope Base","description":"\u003cp data-open-accessibility-text-original=\"16px\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin-top: 1rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: rgb(76, 81, 84); font-family: \" libre franklin sans-serif rgb font-size:=\"\" background-color:=\"\"\u003eThe Explore Scientific Hybrid Finder Scope Base is designed to accept all legacy Explore Scientific finder scope brackets and mini dovetail-type (e.g. Vixen, Synta, and Celestron) finder scope brackets.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-open-accessibility-text-original=\"16px\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin-top: 1rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: rgb(76, 81, 84); font-family: \" libre franklin sans-serif rgb font-size:=\"\" background-color:=\"\"\u003eThe base has rugged all-metal parts with black-anodized base and chrome-plated metal screws. Safety stops prevent the finder scope from sliding through to prevent falls when attaching screws are loosened.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-open-accessibility-text-original=\"16px\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin-top: 1rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: rgb(76, 81, 84); font-family: \" libre franklin sans-serif rgb font-size:=\"\" background-color:=\"\"\u003eThere are threaded holes on the left and right sides of the \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-open-accessibility-text-original=\"16px\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;\"\u003eExplore Scientific Hybrid Finder Scope Base\u003c\/span\u003e for desired access to attaching screws. Includes bolts and screws for mounting the base to the optical tube assembly. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-open-accessibility-text-original=\"16px\" style=\"box-sizing: inherit; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-size-adjust: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin-top: 1rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: rgb(76, 81, 84); font-family: \" libre franklin sans-serif rgb font-size:=\"\" background-color:=\"\"\u003eDirect replacement for all Explore Scientific telescopes, allowing the use of a wide range of other-brand finder scope options.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013679345775,"sku":"ES-FB2N1-00","price":54.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/2n1finderbasealone_480x480__75354.jpg?v=1766559488"},{"product_id":"explore-scientific-reflexsight-zero-power-red-dot-finder","title":"Explore Scientific ReflexSight Zero-Power Red Dot Finder with Multi-Dot Reticle","description":"\u003ch2\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Explore Scientific ReflexSight is a zero-power reflex finder that projects a deep red aiming pattern onto a coated glass window, letting you point a telescope by looking at the real sky rather than through a magnified, inverted eyepiece view. Explore Scientific specifies a multi-dot reticle in 4.0-degree, 2.0-degree and 0.5-degree circular patterns, with the target dots reflecting sharply at 9.8 MOA, illuminated by a long-life LED running from two AAA alkaline cells. The unit measures 7 inches long by 1.8 inches wide by 5 inches high (18 x 4.7 x 12.7 cm) with a projection glass of 1.375 by 2.165 inches, is built from a combination of metal, glass and plastic, and is water resistant. Explore Scientific publishes a weight of 0.55 lb (249 g).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStar hopping is the part of visual observing that defeats most newcomers, and it is almost never the telescope's fault. A conventional optical finder magnifies, which narrows the field, and most of them invert or mirror the image, so the pattern in the finder no longer matches the pattern on your chart or in your memory of the sky. You end up translating twice, once from chart to finder and once from finder to eyepiece, in the dark and at an awkward angle. A zero-power sight removes that translation entirely. You look through the glass at the actual constellation, put the illuminated circle on the star you want, and the telescope is already there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is also the finder you want if you observe with both eyes open, or if you hand the telescope to someone else at an outreach night. The concentric 4.0, 2.0 and 0.5 degree circles give you a nested set of angular references you can use directly: the outer ring roughly brackets a low-power eyepiece field, and the inner circle lets you place a target with real precision before you go to the eyepiece. For anyone chasing comets, satellites, bright variable stars, or simply learning the sky, that is faster and far less frustrating than any magnified finder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrue zero-power (1x) reflex sight, with no magnification, no image inversion and no field restriction beyond the size of the projection window.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulti-dot reticle projected in 4.0-degree, 2.0-degree and 0.5-degree circular patterns, with target dots reflecting sharply at 9.8 MOA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge, continuously adjustable brightness knob with a positive full-off click stop, sized to be operated while wearing winter gloves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProjection glass measuring 1.375 inches wide by 2.165 inches long, with a reflective coating tuned to the red LED.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTool-free parallax adjustment through three rear-facing smooth-head knobs, so alignment can be corrected at the telescope in the dark.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRuns on two AAA alkaline batteries (not included), with a low-draw LED for long continuous operating time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMini-Vixen-style dovetail foot plus a 1\/4-20 threaded socket built into the base for piggyback adapters and photo tripods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater-resistant housing of metal, glass and plastic with a smooth profile that resists snagging, supplied with an optical cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOptical Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA reflex sight is not a telescope and does not form an image of the sky. An LED behind the housing illuminates a mask, and the coated projection window acts as both a partial mirror and a weak collimating element, throwing the reflected pattern back toward your eye as though it were focused at a great distance. Because the pattern and the sky both reach your eye effectively collimated, the two stay superimposed as your head shifts within the window, and that is the parallax-free behaviour the three rear adjusters exist to fine-tune. The coating is wavelength-selective, reflecting the deep red of the LED efficiently while transmitting the rest of the spectrum, which is why the star field behind the reticle stays bright and natural in colour. Deep red is also the least damaging choice for dark adaptation, and the continuously variable brightness matters more than it sounds: turned up, the circles stay visible against suburban skyglow; turned nearly off, they can be dimmed below the brightness of a faint star so they do not wash out the very target you are trying to centre. The 9.8 MOA dot size is a deliberate compromise, large enough to catch instantly with peripheral vision but small enough that it does not swallow the object inside the 0.5-degree circle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrimary zero-power finder on a Dobsonian, Newtonian or refractor used for visual star hopping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompanion to a magnified right-angle finder, where the reflex sight gets you into the neighbourhood and the optical finder closes the last degree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutreach and public observing, where visitors need to aim the telescope themselves without a lesson in inverted images.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide-field and nightscape photography, mounted on a camera bracket or tripod through the 1\/4-20 socket, for aiming a lens at a specific patch of sky.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComet, meteor-radiant, satellite and bright variable star work, where fast approximate pointing beats precise magnification.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ReflexSight mounts to mini-Vixen-style dovetail viewfinder bases, the common shoe found on a great many Vixen, Sky-Watcher, Explore Scientific and third-party telescopes. If your telescope does not carry that shoe, Explore Scientific offers a Hybrid Finder Scope Base that adapts it. Two exclusions are worth stating plainly because they catch people out: the ReflexSight does not fit the Explore Scientific and Meade-style upside-down T finder bases, and it does not fit the Explore Scientific educational telescope lines. Beyond telescope shoes, the 1\/4-20 threaded socket in the base opens up piggyback adapters, camera brackets, ball heads and photo tripods, which is how most people use it for wide-field imaging. Finder shoes vary between brands more than they should, so if you tell our team in Bolton what telescope you own, we will confirm whether the ReflexSight drops straight on or whether you need the hybrid base first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two AAA alkaline batteries are not included, so pick up a pair before your first clear night. This is a zero-power sight: it shows you where the telescope is pointing against the naked-eye sky, so it will not help you locate an object that sits nowhere near a naked-eye star, and it is not a substitute for a magnified finder if you routinely hunt faint galaxies from a light-polluted site. The housing is a mix of metal, glass and plastic rather than all-metal, which is how the weight stays at 0.55 lb, and it is water resistant rather than sealed and submersible. The sight also needs to be aligned to your telescope once, in daylight or on a bright star, using the three rear parallax knobs. It holds that alignment well afterwards, but the first setup is not optional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it magnify?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. It is a true 1x sight, so the sky through the window looks exactly as it does to your unaided eye, with the illuminated circles projected on top. That is the whole point: nothing is inverted, mirrored or cropped.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit my telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e If your telescope has a mini-Vixen-style finder shoe, yes. If it has the Explore Scientific or Meade upside-down T-style base, no. The Explore Scientific Hybrid Finder Scope Base solves most of the awkward cases, and if you are unsure, send us your telescope model and we will check it for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long do the batteries last?\u003c\/strong\u003e Explore Scientific rates the LED as low draw with long continuous operating time. In practice a pair of AAA cells lasts a long stretch of normal use, provided you use the full-off click stop rather than simply turning the knob most of the way down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it on a camera instead of a telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. The base carries a 1\/4-20 thread, so it will take a camera bracket, a shoe adapter or a photo tripod head directly, which makes it a practical aiming aid for wide-field astrophotography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ReflexSight makes star hopping feel natural: a bright, continuously adjustable, multi-circle red pattern laid directly over the real sky, on a mini-Vixen foot, at 0.55 lb. It is the fastest way to turn a chart in your head into an object in the eyepiece. If you are not certain about the finder shoe on your telescope, contact us and we will confirm the fit before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53958556516463,"sku":"ES-REFLECT-01","price":82.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/ES_REFLECT-00_1_2021.jpg?v=1785960513"},{"product_id":"explore-scientific-50mm-finder-scope-rings-right-angle-finder","title":"Explore Scientific 50mm Finder Scope Rings for Right-Angle Finders with Thumbscrews","description":"\u003ch2\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are Explore Scientific's high-profile finder-scope rings: a two-ring bracket sized for 50 mm finder scopes and built tall enough to clear the body of a right-angle finder. Explore Scientific lists the bracket at 50 mm long, 61 mm wide and 110 mm high, which puts roughly four and a quarter inches of standing height above the finder base. Each of the two rings carries three adjustment points, and heavy-duty plastic thumbscrews with oversized heads are included. The foot is a quick-release dovetail that slides into a finder base. Explore Scientific publishes a weight of 3.9 oz (110.6 g).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA right-angle finder is a different mechanical problem from a straight-through one. The prism housing hangs below the optical axis and the eyepiece stands up at ninety degrees, so a low-profile bracket of the sort that suits a plain 50 mm finder will bury the diagonal against the telescope tube or the dew shield, and leave you with an eyepiece you cannot comfortably get your eye to. That is what this bracket exists to fix. The extra height lifts the finder's optical axis far enough above the base that the diagonal body clears the tube and the eyepiece ends up somewhere your neck agrees with.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe other people who reach for this part are those replacing something. Finder rings get lost in the dark, get cross-threaded, or arrive worn out on a used telescope, and a lot of budget brackets use a single screw working against a spring or an O-ring, which lets the finder rock under its own weight and drift out of alignment between sessions. Three adjustment points per ring is a genuine upgrade over that arrangement: once you have the finder aimed, it stays aimed, because nothing is relying on a spring to hold a position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo-ring bracket sized for 50 mm finder scopes, holding the tube at two widely spaced points rather than clamping it at one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree adjustment points on each ring, giving six-screw control over the finder's aim and a mechanically stable rest position.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-profile design standing 110 mm tall, specified for the clearance a right-angle finder needs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuick-release dovetail foot, so the finder assembly comes off in seconds when the telescope has to go back in its case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeavy-duty plastic thumbscrews with large heads, sized to be turned while wearing gloves and gentle on the finder's tube finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOverall dimensions of 50 x 61 x 110 mm at a published 3.9 oz (110.6 g), so it adds very little to the balance of a small telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reason three screws per ring matters is geometry. Three points spaced around a circle fully constrain a cylinder in the plane of that ring, so with two rings you have complete control of the finder's position and tilt without any part of the system depending on spring pressure. That is what lets you aim a finder precisely and have it hold: you adjust the front and rear rings differentially, exactly as you would collimate a small refractor, and the tube then sits in a determinate position it cannot creep out of. A single-screw-and-O-ring bracket, by contrast, is always a compromise between enough tension to stop the finder sliding and little enough to avoid squeezing the tube, and it will shift the first time the telescope gets bumped. The tall standoff introduces the one trade-off worth understanding: height is leverage, so a 110 mm bracket is inherently less rigid than a one-inch one, and Explore Scientific compensates by making the base wide and the rings widely separated along the tube. The plastic thumbscrews are a deliberate choice too. Soft screw tips bear against the finder's painted tube without denting or scoring it, which is why they should be brought up snug and no further.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a 50 mm right-angle or right-angle correct-image finder where a low bracket does not give enough clearance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing damaged, worn or missing finder rings on a used telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUpgrading a single-screw or O-ring finder bracket to a six-point ring set that holds its alignment between sessions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a second finder position to a telescope that already carries a red dot sight on its original base.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo questions decide whether this part works for you. First, the finder tube: the rings are made for 50 mm finder scopes, meaning a tube body of about 50 mm outside diameter, which covers most 8x50, 9x50 and 10x50 finders. A 30 mm or 6x30 finder will be lost inside these rings, and a 60 mm or 70 mm finder will not go in at all. Second, the base: the bracket ends in a quick-release dovetail foot that slides into an Explore Scientific finder base, and that base is not included here. If your telescope already carries an Explore Scientific finder shoe, this drops straight in. If it carries a Vixen, Sky-Watcher, Celestron, Meade or Synta-pattern shoe, the dovetail profiles are not interchangeable and you will need either a matching base or an adapter. Finder shoes are the least standardised fitting in amateur astronomy, so the sensible move is to tell our team in Bolton what telescope and what finder you have, and we will confirm the fit before anything ships. If you are replacing a whole finder assembly rather than just the rings, mention that too and we will make sure the base comes with it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the bracket and rings only. There is no finder scope in the box, and no finder base either, so if you are starting from a bare telescope tube with no shoe on it you will need both. Explore Scientific does not publish a ring inner diameter beyond the 50 mm finder sizing, so if your finder is an unusual tube diameter it is worth measuring it and checking with us first. The thumbscrews are plastic by design rather than by cost-cutting, which means they should be snugged by hand and not leaned on. Finally, note that this is the high-profile version at 110 mm; Explore Scientific also makes roughly one-inch and 1.5-inch brackets for straight-through finders, and if you do not actually need right-angle clearance, one of the shorter ones will be stiffer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this include the finder base that attaches to my telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. The bracket dovetails into a finder base, and that base is sold separately. Many telescopes already have one fitted, but if yours does not, or if it is a different pattern, let us know the model and we will sort out what you need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it hold my 6x30 or 8x50 finder?\u003c\/strong\u003e An 8x50 is exactly what it is designed for. A 6x30 has a much smaller tube and will not be gripped properly by 50 mm rings, so you would want the 30 mm bracket instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is this one so much taller than the other finder brackets?\u003c\/strong\u003e Because a right-angle finder needs the clearance. The prism housing sits below the optical axis and the eyepiece points up, so the finder has to be lifted away from the telescope tube for the assembly to work and for you to get your eye to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I take the finder off without losing my alignment?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, that is what the quick-release dovetail is for. The finder stays in its rings, the whole bracket slides out of the base, and when it goes back in it returns close enough to aimed that a touch-up is usually all that is needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA high-profile, two-ring, six-screw bracket that gives a 50 mm right-angle finder the clearance it needs and then holds it where you put it. The only thing to settle before ordering is whether your telescope's finder base matches the dovetail, so send us your telescope and finder model and we will confirm the fit for you.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53958590988399,"sku":"FNDRRGSRA","price":110.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/11_a49fd37c-b767-4fe6-bc88-8d5213ac34ef.jpg?v=1785960602"}],"url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/collections\/explore-scientific-finders.oembed","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}