Orion Optics UK AG16 50mm Angled Finder Scope
- 50mm Aperture
- 90-Degree Angled Viewing
- Fully Coated Optics
- Non-illuminated Crosshair Reticle
- Designed for Dovetail Mounting Shoes
The Orion Optics UK AG16 Angled Finder provides a generous 50mm aperture for locating faint deep-sky objects that smaller finders miss. Its 90-degree angled design eliminates neck strain when pointing your telescope near the zenith, a critical ergonomic advantage over straight-through models that forces you into uncomfortable positions.
With its 50mm objective lens, this finder gathers significantly more light than standard 30mm or smaller models, making it easier to star-hop using dimmer guide stars. The fully coated optics ensure maximum contrast, while the integrated crosshairs allow for precise centering of your target. The 90-degree eyepiece is a major ergonomic upgrade, especially for users of Schmidt-Cassegrain or Newtonian telescopes where the main eyepiece can be in an awkward position.
This finder is designed to fit into a fixed dovetail shoe, a system that allows for rapid attachment and removal without tools. This is ideal for transportation and storage, as you can detach the finder to protect it and reinstall it in seconds. The rigid mounting ensures that the finder's alignment with the main telescope is maintained between sessions, saving you valuable time at the start of each night.
Orion Optics UK offers both angled and straight-through 50mm finders, and the choice depends entirely on your observing style.
The primary reason to choose the AG16 angled finder is ergonomics. When your telescope is pointed high in the sky, a straight-through finder can force you to kneel or crouch in an uncomfortable position. The 90-degree angled eyepiece allows you to look down into the finder from a comfortable standing or seated position, reducing neck strain.
A 50mm aperture gathers significantly more light than the 30mm finders often included with telescopes. This allows you to see fainter stars, making it much easier to "star-hop" to find dim galaxies and nebulae, especially from light-polluted locations. It can reveal objects like the fainter members of the Virgo Cluster that are invisible in smaller finders.
No, the crosshairs in the AG16 finder are not illuminated. They are fine, dark lines that are visible against the sky background for precise centering of celestial objects. For most star-hopping, illumination is not necessary.
The Cygnus Loop is located high overhead during summer months for observers in the Northern Hemisphere. With a Dobsonian or Newtonian telescope, this places the main eyepiece at a low, awkward angle. A straight-through finder would be nearly impossible to use. The AG16's 90-degree eyepiece allows you to comfortably stand and look down into the finder to trace the star patterns leading to the nebula.
Yes. The 50mm aperture is a significant advantage for locating galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. It will show stars down to a fainter magnitude than a standard finder, providing the necessary guideposts to navigate the relatively sparse star field leading to M87 and other nearby galaxies like M84 and M86.
The AG16 finder is designed to slide into a dovetail shoe base. This allows for quick attachment and removal. Please note that the dovetail shoe which attaches to the telescope tube is not always included and may need to be purchased separately, depending on your telescope's existing hardware.
| Aperture | 50mm |
| Type | Angled Finder Scope |
| Viewing Angle | 90-degree |
| Optical Coatings | Fully Coated |
| Reticle | Crosshairs (non-illuminated) |
| Mounting Interface | Designed for dovetail shoes |