Explore Scientific 8x50 Straight Through Illuminated Viewfinder with Bracket and Illuminator II

Wide Field, Sharp Detail, No Guessing

Want fast framing of faint sky objects? This finder gives you a bright 6° view with scale markings—without low contrast or fuzzy edges.

Features

• True-Orientation Optics: Roof prism delivers a right-side-up, left-to-right correct image—perfect for intuitive star-hopping and chart matching.
• Wide 6° Field of View: Broad enough to frame bright and faint targets with ease, with scale markings at 1.5°, 3°, and 4.5° for precise framing.
• Open-Center Reticle: Find and center faint galaxies, comets, or nebulae without blocking them behind crosshairs.
• EMD-Coated Optics: Multi-layer coatings on all optical surfaces maximize contrast and light transmission for deeper object visibility.
• Adjustable Reticle Illumination: Deep red LED offers smooth, continuous brightness control to protect night vision and avoid washout.
• Comfortable Eye Relief: 16mm eye relief and 55° apparent field make it easy to use—even with glasses.
• Bright 7mm Exit Pupil: Delivers a bright, clean view even under dark-sky conditions.
• Dual Focus Adjustments: Independently fine-tune both the objective and reticle for sharp viewing across all conditions.
• Standard AAA Battery Operation: Uses two AAA batteries (not included) for longer life and field-replaceable convenience.
• Base Compatibility: Installs easily on Explore Scientific’s standard, T-style, or new Hybrid Finder Scope bases—no extra brackets needed.
• Lightweight Build: Weighs just 15.9 oz and measures 216mm x 57mm x 62mm—ideal for mobile or permanent setups.

The 8x50 Straight Through Viewfinder is for you if…

• You regularly observe with printed or digital star charts and want your finder view to match them exactly—no mental flipping or mirroring.
• You’ve lost track of faint objects while centering due to bulky or fully enclosed crosshairs.
• You observe in dark conditions and need an illuminated reticle that won’t overpower your night vision or wash out your target.
• You wear glasses at the eyepiece and need a finder with generous eye relief and easy eye positioning.
• You’re upgrading from a bundled or basic finderscope and want better clarity, orientation, and usability—without overcomplicating your setup.
  
• You already own an Explore Scientific mount or base and want a finder that clicks in cleanly—without adapter plates or custom mods.

If you’ve ever fumbled with a finder that flips or inverts your view, you know how frustrating star-hopping can become. The Explore Scientific 8x50 Straight Through Illuminated Viewfinder gives you a corrected image—so what you see through the finder matches your star charts exactly. It removes confusion and speeds up target acquisition.

Designed with deep-sky observers in mind, this finder features an open-center reticle that lets faint galaxies, comets, and nebulae shine through—no more losing your target behind a thick crosshair. And with built-in angular scale markings at 1.5°, 3°, 4.5°, and a 6° boundary, you can estimate object size or separation with precision—perfect for confirming deep-sky targets or framing wide-field views.

Comfort matters too. With generous 16mm eye relief and a 55° apparent field, this finder stays easy on the eyes whether you're wearing glasses or adjusting around your scope. At just 15.9 oz and measuring 216mm x 57mm x 62mm, it’s light enough not to throw off your mount balance—and compact enough for travel rigs.

You’ll also spend more time observing and less time adjusting. Dual focus controls ensure both the target and reticle are sharp, while smooth red illumination lets you set just the right brightness for your eyes and your sky conditions. No more washed-out views or dim, unreadable reticles.

Best of all, it's built to fit—no adapters, no guesswork. It slots seamlessly into Explore Scientific and hybrid finder bases and runs on simple AAA batteries that won’t leave you scrambling at dusk.

If you’ve outgrown your basic finder, this is your next logical upgrade. Reliable, intuitive, and built for real-world observing—it’s a tool that earns its place on your scope.