Hello Friend,

Sometimes FREE can be nothing but a  headache .

Let's say someone gives you a free telescope for example.

In this case it was a friend on the island
who was "gifted" an old Tasco 60mm refractor.

She called me up and asked if she could bring it over so I could help her figure it out because
she could not see anything through it.

It didn't take me long to figure out why it was given away.  

The eyepieces were useless, as a baptist preacher at an atheist's convention.

were plastic and only a 4mm and SR 12.5mm  (I think SR stands for super-rotten).
You could barely focus the 12.5mm, and the high power 4mm, I didn't even bother.

The finder bracket was missing the finderscope (Obviously , a godsend because the original  finder was probably
totally useless).

And that's where Mcdonalds comes in.  

I took a large straw from the drawer that was from  a Mickey' D's Shamrock milkshake
I had consumed last year  and mounted it in the finder bracket.

 A far better finder than the original I would hazard to  say.
Because you can actually pinpoint a star through it.

I managed to fix up the rest of the mount and tripod so it could at least be useful to observe the moon.
Installing a decent eyepiece I sent her on her way with a planisphere and moon map.

She will likely be thrilled when see get's her first glimpse of the lunar surface, and another amateur
astronomer is born.

That's how it goes.    

Now if you really want to replace an existing finderscope on a telescope, and you are on a budget 
then here are my two favorite choices, that will make a world of difference in your observing experience.

Unfortunately, there are many telescopes in the marketplace that are still sold with sub-standard finderscopes.
If yours is one of them, then consider replacing one of these:

Telrad:    

 direct link: http://khanscope.com/products/original-telrad-finderscope-red-reflex-sight-telrad

*Ideal for most telescopes of any size

Rigel Kwik-finder

direct link: http://khanscope.com/products/quickfinder-red-circle-reflex-sight-rs-qf

*Ideal if you have a smaller telescope from 70mm to 114mm.

You will have a far better observing experience with either one,  guaranteed.

Clear Skies,

Ray Khan

PS What's your favorite finderscope? OR what really irritates you about finderscopes you've used now or in the past?
Hit reply and let me know.