Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope Review

Let’s Dive into Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope

The Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope promises to be a game-changer for astrophotographers and serious stargazers needing precise polar alignment. Manufactured by Explore Scientific, this finder scope boasts erect image viewing, illuminated polar alignment crosshairs, and a wide field of view for easy target acquisition. It’s designed to simplify the often-frustrating process of setting up an equatorial mount, especially in light-polluted areas.

I’ve always struggled with polar alignment, often spending precious dark-sky time fiddling with adjustments. My old finder scope offered a narrow, dim view, making it difficult to locate Polaris and other alignment stars accurately. I needed a solution that would streamline the process and allow me to spend more time capturing stunning images of the night sky.

Upon unboxing, the Explore Scientific finder scope felt substantial and well-made. The metal construction exuded quality, and the adjustments for focus and illumination were smooth and precise. The 90° eyepiece was a welcome addition, promising a more comfortable viewing angle.

Compared to my previous finder scope and a friend’s similarly priced Celestron model, the Explore Scientific stood out due to its illuminated polar alignment reticle and erect image viewing. The Celestron offered a wider field of view but lacked the precision alignment features. I chose the Explore Scientific for its potential to drastically improve my polar alignment accuracy.

My first impression was excitement tempered with a bit of apprehension. Would this scope truly simplify the alignment process, or would it be another expensive piece of gear gathering dust in my astronomy kit? Only time, and a dark night sky, would tell.

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Real-World Testing: Putting Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope to the Test

First Use Experience

I tested the Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope at a dark sky site about an hour outside of my city. The location offered minimal light pollution and a wide, unobstructed view of the northern sky. The initial setup was straightforward: attaching the finder scope to my equatorial mount using the included mounting bracket.

Performance was immediately impressive. The 8x magnification and 50mm objective provided a bright, clear image, even at the edges of the 6-degree field of view. Focusing was easy, and the illuminated reticle made precise alignment with Polaris simple. The deep red illumination didn’t overpower my night vision, and the variable brightness knob allowed me to adjust the intensity to suit the ambient lighting conditions.

The erect image viewing was a significant improvement over my previous finder scope, making it much easier to orient myself and identify stars. I had a moment of initial confusion when I realized the image was rotated, but the manual explained how to account for this during alignment. After this minor hurdle, aligning my mount took only a few minutes, a fraction of the time it used to take.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several months of regular use, the Explore Scientific finder scope has proven to be a reliable and valuable addition to my astrophotography setup. It has consistently delivered accurate polar alignments, resulting in sharper, more detailed images. The scope has held up well to transport and handling, with no signs of damage or degradation.

The aluminum body has proven durable, and the optics remain clear and well-aligned. I’ve only needed to clean the objective lens a couple of times, using a standard lens cleaning cloth. The illumination system continues to function flawlessly, and the battery life seems excellent.

Compared to my previous struggles with polar alignment, the Explore Scientific finder scope has been a revelation. I now spend significantly less time on setup and more time capturing the wonders of the universe. It has exceeded my expectations and proven its worth as an essential tool for serious astrophotographers.

Breaking Down the Features of Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope

Specifications

• The Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope features an 8x magnification and a 50mm objective lens. These combine to offer a bright and relatively wide field of view, aiding in star identification.
• It has a 6-degree field of view, which is wide enough to make locating Polaris and other alignment stars easier. A wider field of view simplifies navigation in the night sky.
• The reticle is a Polar Alignment Crosshair, featuring markings for both northern and southern hemisphere polar alignment. These markings are essential for precise alignment with the celestial pole.
• The scope provides erect image viewing, correcting the upside-down view found in many telescopes and finder scopes. This makes it easier to compare the view through the finder scope to star charts and phone apps.
• The illumination is deep red with variable brightness control. The red illumination preserves night vision, and the variable control allows adjustment for optimal viewing in different light conditions.
• The eyepiece is at a 90-degree angle, providing a more comfortable viewing position, especially when the telescope is pointed near the zenith. This angled eyepiece reduces neck strain during alignment.
• The weight is 1 lbs, 9.1 oz (approximately 710 grams). This is a manageable weight that shouldn’t significantly impact the balance of most telescopes.
• The dimensions are 200mm x 62mm x 112mm. These dimensions should be compatible with most finder scope mounting brackets.

These specifications are critical because they directly affect the usability and accuracy of the finder scope. The erect image, illuminated reticle, and wide field of view make polar alignment significantly easier and faster.

Performance & Functionality

The Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope excels at its primary function: facilitating accurate and rapid polar alignment. The erect image and wide field of view make it easy to locate stars, while the illuminated reticle allows for precise alignment, even in moderately light-polluted skies. The adjustable illumination is a key feature, allowing users to optimize the brightness of the reticle for different viewing conditions.

One strength is the high-quality optics, providing a sharp, clear image with minimal distortion. The 90-degree eyepiece is comfortable to use, even for extended periods. The variable illumination of the reticle is also a significant advantage, allowing fine-tuning for optimal visibility.

A minor weakness is the need to account for image rotation when aligning the mount. While this is explained in the manual, it requires a bit of practice to become second nature. Also, the finder scope only includes the scope and mounting bracket and not a dovetail.

The finder scope meets and even exceeds expectations for making the polar alignment process easier. The precision of the alignment reticle, coupled with the bright, clear image, allows for more accurate and faster setup.

Design & Ergonomics

The Explore Scientific finder scope features a robust metal construction, providing a solid and durable feel. The weight is substantial but not excessive, and the scope feels well-balanced when mounted on a telescope. The 90-degree eyepiece is a thoughtful design choice, offering a comfortable viewing angle and reducing neck strain.

The focus adjustments for both the main objective and the eyepiece reticle are smooth and precise, allowing for sharp focusing of both stars and the alignment markings. The variable brightness knob is easily accessible and provides a wide range of illumination levels.

There is a slight learning curve involved in understanding how to properly orient the finder scope image and adjust for image rotation. However, the included manual provides clear instructions, and with a bit of practice, this becomes second nature.

Durability & Maintenance

The metal construction of the Explore Scientific finder scope suggests that it will last for many years with proper care. The scope is well-sealed, protecting the optics from dust and moisture. I expect the scope to be able to handle typical use for many years with minimal performance degradation.

Maintenance is minimal, primarily consisting of cleaning the objective lens with a lens cleaning cloth as needed. The illumination system is powered by a small battery, which should last for a considerable amount of time, but will eventually need to be replaced.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope includes a mounting bracket compatible with many telescopes. The user must verify that it will work with their telescope.

Customization options are limited, as the scope is primarily designed for a specific purpose. However, the mounting bracket can be replaced with a different bracket if necessary to accommodate specific telescope configurations.

Third-party illuminated reticle eyepieces may be compatible if users prefer a different reticle design. In addition, because this finder scope uses a standard dovetail shoe to mount to a telescope, it is compatible with most standard-sized dovetails sold by Vixen, Synta, and other manufacturers.

Pros and Cons of Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope

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Who Should Buy Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope?

The Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope is perfect for astrophotographers and serious amateur astronomers who require accurate polar alignment. Those who struggle with traditional finder scopes or frequently observe from light-polluted areas will greatly benefit from its features. This is especially useful for users of equatorial mounts.

This product might not be necessary for casual stargazers who primarily use alt-azimuth mounts or don’t require precise tracking. Someone using a GoTo mount with good tracking may also not need this.

A must-have accessory is a compatible dovetail plate for mounting the finder scope to the telescope. It’s also a good idea to have extra batteries on hand for the illumination system.

Conclusion on Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope

The Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope is a well-designed and highly functional tool that significantly simplifies the polar alignment process. Its erect image viewing, illuminated reticle, and wide field of view make it easier to locate stars and achieve accurate alignment, even in challenging conditions.

At $299.99, the price is justified by the time and frustration it saves, as well as the improved accuracy it provides. It will become an indispensable tool in an avid astrophotographer’s kit.

I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who is serious about astrophotography and wants to streamline their setup process. Invest in the Explore Scientific 6 Degree Field of View 8×50 Polar Illuminated Erect Image Finder Scope and spend less time aligning and more time capturing the beauty of the night sky!