Today I [1] modified my Orion XT10i telescope by adding a second dovetail mount to accept a multi-reticule red-dot finder scope on the main telescope. I purchased the red-dot finder as a new accessory a few months ago now, but obviously could only use one finder at a time with the single dovetail mount installed on the XT10.

This modification means that I can now have both the standard 9×50 finder, and the red-dot finder permanently mounted without having to swap them over. This also has the advantage that both scopes will remain accurately aligned, because removing and remounting them previously caused them to go slightly out of alignment.

Each finder has its own advantages:

• The red-dot finder is very easy and intuitive to use, I think more so than the 9×50 which I often tend to get lost with when sighting stars.
• The 9×50 is quite a good finder, with a nice level of magnification to enjoy looking at the stars with in its own right, but it is made all the more useful by having the red-dot finder as a companion.

Adding the dovetail mount to the top of the XT10 was quite easy to do, although some careful consideration was given on the placement of the mount before actually drilling the OTA. I have taken some pictures and will in due course create a new page on my web site detailing the mod.