This is an outstanding almost traditional finderscope to replace the stock red dot finder that came with the telescope.
Left: Celestron Nexstar 6 SE telescope with Svbony finderscope at top right, a Celestron 5x24 plastic lightweight finder, and a full pulsar green laser at left.
1. Brand: SVBONY
2. Model: SV182
3. Lens Diameter: 30 mm
4. Focal Length: 120 mm
5. Magnification: 6x
6. Eye Relief: 15mm
7. Exit Pupil: 5mm
8. Field of View: 7.5°
9. Lens coating: FMC
10. Objective: Achromatic 2-Element
11. Net Weight: 225g / 0.49lb / 7.92oz
12. Cost $42.99
This is a metal black finderscope, with a coated 30mm diameter objective lens at 6 power with non-illuminated crosshairs. It comes with a white dovetail bracket holder that fits into a bracket that I purchased (Eysdon brand) for my Celestron Nexstar 6 SE telescope. The bracket is available for $4.49. If you live in the USA, the same bracket is available from Orion for $22.99. It attaches to the telescope with one screw which holds everything very firm due to the base design (see photo). Out of many brackets I tested, this was the only one with a recessed area so the screws would reach back into the OTA and the screw heads would not hit the finderscope mount. Construction is excellent, comes with dust caps, and the focus mechanism and mounting are both interesting.
The finderscope objective lens was rattling and loose and as I was preparing a letter to Svbony, I decided to disassemble it to have a look. There's a simple threaded ring that holds the objective lens in place and it was loose. I used a 2.0 mm flat edge screwdriver to rotate the lens retainer to butt up against the lens but not too tight. Then reassembled and everything was better than new!
The finderscope holder had this interesting chromed screw. Unfortunately being a Curious George I unscrewed it to see how it worked and a tiny spring and the entire mechanism flew across the room! After gathering up my wits and the lost parts, it was then time to figure out how to reassemble it. After some trial and error, I discovered how it worked and had it reassembled in short order. This is a spring loaded screw so the scope can be adjusted with just two nylon tipped screws. It's an outstanding design that takes some getting used to.
The crosshairs are some of the best I have ever seen, in superb focus, and in black stark contrast - very easy to see. This little telescope has exceptional optics and seems to brighten up images with excellent color and clarity. No distortion or aberrations are visible and it makes a fine addition to the Celestron Nexstar 6 SE telescope.
1. Brand: SVBONY
2. Model: SV182
3. Lens Diameter: 30 mm
4. Focal Length: 120 mm
5. Magnification: 6x
6. Eye Relief: 15mm
8. Field of View: 7.5°
9. Lens coating: FMC
10. Objective: Achromatic 2-Element
11. Net Weight: 225g / 0.49lb / 7.92oz
12. Cost $42.99
The finderscope holder had this interesting chromed screw. Unfortunately being a Curious George I unscrewed it to see how it worked and a tiny spring and the entire mechanism flew across the room! After gathering up my wits and the lost parts, it was then time to figure out how to reassemble it. After some trial and error, I discovered how it worked and had it reassembled in short order. This is a spring loaded screw so the scope can be adjusted with just two nylon tipped screws. It's an outstanding design that takes some getting used to.
Being a traditional astronomer from decades past, I bought the finderscope because it reminded me of others I had on other telescopes. However, the focus on this one is very different. To focus, first loosen the red ring and then turn the objective lens until focus is reached. Then tighten up the red ring to hold the objective and its focus. Once you get used to this method, it's a piece of cake to use. I took the finderscope off the mount and using it handheld, adjusted the focus on the peak tower light of the tallest skyscraper.
The finderscope works so well, it would be a good main telescope for photographing rich 7.5-degree fields in the night sky with a small CMOS camera.
The advertising literature has some errors. The finderscope does not provide an upright image and it reverses from left to right. This does not bother me, being old school when all the finderscopes worked this way.
The advertising literature has some errors. The finderscope does not provide an upright image and it reverses from left to right. This does not bother me, being old school when all the finderscopes worked this way.
