Explore Scientific 8x50 Illuminated Right Angle Polar Finder Scope with Illuminator II

Precision Polar Alignment in Minutes

Struggling with star trails in your long exposures? This 8x50 illuminated polar scope delivers razor-sharp alignment—without the neck strain or guesswork of standard finders.

Features

• Precision-etched Polar Reticle: Includes both Northern and Southern Hemisphere markings for fast, accurate polar alignment anywhere on Earth.
• Ergonomic 90° Eyepiece: Enjoy comfortable, upright viewing without awkward body positioning—ideal for equatorial mount users.
• Erect Image Optics: Provides a natural left-right and up-down correct view, making alignment intuitive and easy.
• 7° Field of View: Wide enough for fast target acquisition, narrow enough for accurate centering and fine alignment.
• Dual-Focus Adjustment: Independently adjust both the objective and eyepiece reticle for pin-sharp clarity—no more guessing.
• Deep Red LED Illuminator II: Features a variable brightness control with on/off switch and ultra-long battery life.
• Standard AAA Battery Operation: Uses two widely available AAA batteries (not included) for extended runtime—no more coin-cell hunting.
• Mount Compatibility: Fits Explore Scientific’s standard, T-style, and new Hybrid Finder Scope bases—plug-and-play for many GEM setups.
• Compact and Durable Build: Measures 200mm x 62mm x 112mm and weighs 1 lb 9.1 oz—portable, sturdy, and ready for the field.

The 8x50 Illuminated Polar Finder Scope is for you if…

• You own a German Equatorial Mount and need quick, accurate polar alignment for long-exposure astrophotography.
• You’ve had enough of crawling under your mount to align through straight-through finder scopes.
• You regularly observe from dark-sky sites and need a dimmable, non-intrusive reticle that preserves night vision.
  
• You already use Explore Scientific mounts—or compatible hybrids—and want a no-hassle installation without extra adapters.
• You value high-contrast optics and clear reticle markings that support both Northern and Southern Hemisphere viewing.
  

When you’re setting up for a night of imaging, wasted time and inaccurate alignment aren’t just frustrating—they can ruin hours of hard work. The 8x50 Illuminated Polar Finder Scope is built to eliminate those setup delays and give you confidence in every session. No second-guessing your tracking, no wasted subs from drift.

This isn’t just another finder scope—it’s an ergonomic upgrade designed for serious backyard imagers. The right-angle eyepiece means you won’t be crawling on the ground or contorting under your mount anymore. Just align in comfort and get on with capturing the night sky.

Crisp, high-contrast optics make stars pop against the night, while the precision-etched polar reticle stays razor-sharp—even for eyeglass wearers—thanks to dual focusing on both the objective lens and reticle. No more squinting or adjusting your eye position mid-alignment.

You’ll appreciate the dimmable red LED illumination system that won’t blow out your dark adaptation. A tactile brightness control lets you fine-tune with gloves on, and the included Illuminator II uses standard AAA batteries—so you’ll never be sidelined by a dead coin cell again.

Compact and well-balanced at just 1 lb 9.1 oz, with a footprint of 200mm x 62mm x 112mm, this scope is mount-friendly and travel-ready. It integrates cleanly with Explore Scientific’s standard, T-style, or hybrid finder bases—no additional adapters or modifications, just seamless compatibility.

This is the kind of gear that works with you, not against you—so you can spend more time imaging and less time aligning.