It has become almost impossible for me to now use a standard straight-through finder scope, due to the pain in my neck. Getting under a standard finder and in all types of contorted positions is just too uncomfortable. So, a 90º RACI (right angle correct image) finder is now essential.

I have one 90º Antares 7.5 x 50 correct image finder (as pictured below) used with my 10-inch Newtonian, but on other telescopes I still use a standard finder.

The Antares finders have a removable eyepiece. I often replace the standard finder eyepiece with a vintage 20mm University Optics Erfle for use as a 50mm wide-field telescope.

I use a “Rigel QuikFinder” in conjunction with my magnified finders:

The Rigel makes for an excellent pointer for the telescope, as it’s much better and easier than attempting to sight along the optical tube. I have two Quikfinders and a standard base on my all my telescopes.

The Rigel finders are fairly small and lightweight…better suited for smaller telescopes than the much larger and heavier Telrad. I also like the “higher profile” of the Rigel for greater ease to sight.

Rigel QuikFinder from Agena Astro as following:

A new GSO (8 x 50 RACI finder) arrives on December 9th 2025:

I purchased and received a 90º right angle correct image finder to replace an 8 x 50 straight-through finder.

I would have purchased another Antares finder with a removable eyepiece, but unfortunately several astronomy vendors were out of stock. And this is the time and season to observe with cold, clear and transparent nights…so no time to waste!

The quality of the Antares is superior to the GSO, but this finder is fine and will also work with my 102mm refractor or my 4.5-inch reflector. The focus must to be adjusted via the objective lens. The Antares is also adjusted with the objective lens, but the eyepiece can also be used to focus by pulling up or down for greater precision.

So, if you can wait…get the Antares finder, but a dovetail holder or (Schmidt-Cassegrain holder) must be purchased separately. (December 16, 2025)

For extremely faint deep-sky objects, of whichever telescope I’m using; a magnified finder is essential.

I first draw a circle on my atlas before going out with the same degree field as my finder. I then attempt to point the magnified finder to match that of my star atlas, with the deep-sky object in the center of the circle.

If the desired object is a very faint low-surface-brightness, such as galaxy NGC 6118…it can be very difficult using a star atlas and comfort is important.

Consider the following atlas page and circle, despite being so close to bright stars: Yed Prior and Yed Posterior the galaxy was invisible. I used the faint single star just to the north of the galaxy and it could not be seen. I spent hours on this galaxy over many observing sessions and seasons, attempting to see the galaxy. However, during moments of perfect seeing “I saw the galaxy” with averted vision, but not constant and only intermittently.

NGC 6118 is considered by most all amateur astronomers to be the most difficult object in the Herschel-400 list.

My suburban backyard is now averaging a naked-eye limiting magnitude of ~4.8 on my best nights, which is pretty bright; making very faint deep-sky objects difficult to find.

Patience and comfort is important when star-hoping to those very faint deep-sky objects…and as for me, a 90º RACI finder is now essential.

December 14, 2025

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