Skip to content
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Daystar Universal Solar Finder

Daystar Universal Solar Finder

by Daystar Filters
SKU DAY-USF
$49.95 - $49.95
$49.95
$49.95 - $49.95
$49.95
Price Match Policy!
  • Safe, no-look solar alignment
  • Projects a harmless dot of light onto a target screen
  • Dual mounting system fits most telescopes
  • Includes both a dovetail base and a bungee cord
  • Essential for quick and easy solar observing sessions
5 in stock
Qualifies for FREE Shipping in CONUS on orders over $350.
  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Universal Solar Finder

    The Daystar Universal Solar Finder provides a safe and intuitive method for centering the Sun in your telescope's field of view. It works by projecting a small dot of light onto a rear target, completely eliminating the danger and difficulty of aligning your instrument by eye. This simple device ensures you can start observing quickly and safely, whether you're using a dedicated solar telescope or a standard telescope equipped with a full-aperture solar filter.

    Universal Solar Finder: Align on the Sun Safely and Without Looking

    Properly and safely aligning your telescope on the Sun can be a challenge. The Universal Solar Finder solves this problem with an elegant, projection-based system. A small aperture on the front of the finder casts a bright dot onto a white target screen at the back. To align your telescope, you simply adjust its position until the dot is centered on the target's crosshairs. This method is fast, precise, and ensures you never have to look directly at or near the Sun.

    Universal Solar Finder: Mounts via Dovetail or Bungee Cord

    Designed for maximum compatibility, this finder includes two distinct mounting options. For telescopes equipped with a standard finder shoe, the included small dovetail base allows for a secure, conventional attachment. For optical tubes without a finder base, such as many refractors or custom builds, the included bungee cord wraps around the telescope tube for a firm, non-permanent installation. This dual system means you can easily use the finder across multiple instruments in your collection.

    Universal Solar Finder: Critical Safety Protocol

    Solar observing requires uncompromising attention to safety. It is critical to understand that the Universal Solar Finder is an alignment tool, not a solar filter. You must never look at the Sun through the finder's aperture hole or without a dedicated, professionally-made solar filter installed over the front of your main telescope. Looking at the Sun without proper protection will cause immediate and permanent eye damage.

    • Not a Filter: This device does not block any harmful radiation and is for pointing purposes only.
    • Requires Main Filter: Always use this finder in conjunction with a full-aperture solar filter on your telescope's objective or a dedicated solar instrument like a DayStar Quark.
    • Never Look at the Sun: Do not look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or any unfiltered optical device.

  • How does the Universal Solar Finder work?

    The Universal Solar Finder has a small hole in the front that allows a tiny, harmless beam of sunlight to pass through. This beam projects a bright dot onto a white target screen at the rear of the finder. You align your telescope by moving it until this dot is perfectly centered on the crosshairs of the target, all without ever looking at the Sun itself.

    Will the Universal Solar Finder fit my specific telescope?

    The finder is designed to be as universal as possible. It includes a standard dovetail base that fits many common finder shoes, and a bungee cord for telescopes that lack a finder shoe. However, there is a wide variety of dovetail sizes on the market, so a perfect fit is not guaranteed in all cases. In some instances, the thumbscrew on the telescope's finder base may be too short and require a longer screw from a hardware store.

    Can I use the Universal Solar Finder by itself to look at the Sun?

    Absolutely not. The Universal Solar Finder is a pointing device only and offers no protection for your eyes. It is not a solar filter. Looking through its front aperture or at the Sun without a certified solar filter covering the main objective of your telescope will cause severe and permanent eye damage.

    What do I do if the thumbscrew on my finder base is too short for the Universal Solar Finder?

    If the existing thumbscrew on your telescope's finder shoe doesn't reach far enough to securely hold the finder's dovetail base, you can typically find a longer replacement screw of the same thread type at a local hardware store. This is a common and easy fix for ensuring a secure fit.

    How do I attach the Universal Solar Finder to my refractor that has no finder shoe?

    For telescopes like refractors or Maksutovs that often do not have a built-in finder shoe, you can use the included bungee cord. The cord and clamp are designed to wrap around the main optical tube, holding the solar finder securely in place for your observing session.

    Is the Universal Solar Finder a good accessory for my DayStar Quark filter?

    Yes, it is an essential accessory. Since the DayStar Quark provides a very narrow, high-magnification view, finding and centering the Sun can be difficult. The Universal Solar Finder makes this initial alignment step fast and simple, allowing you to get to observing prominences and surface detail much more quickly.

  • Daystar Filters Warranty