To finder, or not to finder...

[LewisM]

...that is the question!

Recently picked up a WO Megrez 72FP at a VERY good price, with the flattener/reducer (which makes it f/4.8 :) ) It does NOT come with a finder, and since I rarely use a finder anyway except if my GOTO alignment star is well off, was thinking to just use my Vixen 8-24 zoom EP as finder - 24mm to find, then zoom in to 8mm to centre it better (and maybe a reticle EP to nail it further)

Opinions?

Or, I can modify a Vixen finder shoe to single screw and use the Vixen finder :)

[MattT]

Yep a better finder you could not find. I like my 70mm f7 achro with a 20mm 70º double cross hair eyepiece as my finder scope. Have you read Roland C's article on widefield scopes?
I look through mine as much as the main scope. It was also cheaper than a decent 30mm 82º eyepiece.
Matt

[Profiler]

Sounds good!

[Steffen]

Given that the Megrez is essentially a finder scope all by itself I'd just add a WO RDF ;)

Cheers
Steffen.

[LewisM]

Just got back in from using it... indeed, no finder required, though MAY consider an RDF yet.

What a gorgeous little scope! SUPERB clarity, with just the merest HINT of colour fringe (MINUTE!) on a near 3/4 Moon! No apparent colour on any bright star or Saturn.

LOVE it!

[allan gould]

Have the same imaging/guide scope and use an RDF with it. Very easy to image with

[Geoff45]

RDF and WO ZS110 works for me. If you have reasonable go to an RDF is all you need to get that first alignment.

[glend]

I have my finder scope for my Dob in the closet. With my leveling setup, laser North alignment, setting circles and altitude inclinometre I can go right to the object co-ordinates, and with a 30MM Superview EP I am usually spot on the object with little searching or hopping to do. Finders are becoming a useless accessory.

[BC]

Any opinions on what RDFs are good. I once looked through a Rigel and it seemd like slight movements of my head made the red dot move about a lot. TheTelrad on my dob doesn't do that. I'm after an RDF for my ED 80 Equinox.

Bruce

[LewisM]

Decided against ANY finder of any type.

Have modified a Synta dovetail finder shoe to centre hole, and mounted my Orion miniguider on it (repainted red and white :) ). So, now, good to go imaging WHEN the skies will permit.