SW Heritage 130p finderscope

[OzStarGazer]

... The SW Heritage 130p finderscope is crap... I remember someone else had a problem with it just a few weeks after buying the scope.
I don't know if I should write to the seller (it's still under warranty) or just buy a completely new one. Which finderscope would work well with the SW Heritage?
Thanks!

[julianh72]

In what way is it "crap"? Most people find a Red Dot Finder to be an extremely easy way to point a small telescope.

[Monstar]

Hey OSG,

The shoe for the RDF is moulded onto the scope (from memory), I don't know if they are a standard size or not so you'd probably have to get on to fit that as there's not much room for anything else.

In what way is it crap? Mines OK, it doesn't have quite enough adjustment in the vertical axis but as this doesn't change I just make allowances for it and find it pretty accurate.

BTW whereabouts are you geographically speaking, I know something that you might find interesting if you're near Brissie.

[OzStarGazer]

Well, I had no problems at the beginning. But now it only works now and then, and the battery is new. When it doesn't work I mean it only works if it doesn't point too high.
I am pretty sure somebody else said he had a problem and bought a new one. Hopefully this person will read this thread.
PS: I thought it was Chris, so I looked at old threads, and it was indeed Chris, but he didn't buy a new one - he got a replacement from the seller. He had the same problem I have, so I think I will do the same.
PPS: I am in NSW, Johnny, but I would like to move to Queensland one day.

[CJ]

Hi Ozstargazer. It was indeed me. I bought mine from Ozscopes. They sidestepped the process and gave me a contact number at Tasco Australia. It took quite a while to get a replacement as their Skywatcher man was on hols.
Good luck.

[julianh72]

Are you saying the red dot sometimes doesn't light up, especially when the scope is pointing high in the sky?

If so, that sounds like the battery isn't making good contact with the terminals. Open the battery housing and see if the terminals are pressing firmly onto the battery. If not, try springing them a bit tighter onto the battery. If you can't flex them so as to make good contact without the risk of breaking them, try packing a little bit of alfoil to get more pressure - just be careful that you don't short across the battery contacts.

[OzStarGazer]

Thanks, Chris and Julian. I bought mine from Ozscopes too... :(
Yes, Julian, that's what I meant. Chris also had a problem with a loose spring in the battery contact. I checked mine and it is not quite loose, but not quite firm either. I improved it a bit, but I will also buy some alfoil today. :) Because I noticed that it improved, that's obviously the root of the problem. Thanks for the advice! :)

[julianh72]

You don't need to buy a whole roll (unless you need it for the kitchen anyway) - the foil wrapper from a chocolate bar or stick of gum will work just as well! :thumbsup:

Just get a piece of foil about 4 cm square, and fold it over itself a few times to make a little "slab" about 1 cm to a side by a mm or so thick. Slide this between the button battery and the spring terminal, and it should apply enough pressure to maintain a good contact.

[OzStarGazer]

Actually I need it anyway :), but I could not go out today, so I am going to use a small piece of a croutons package, but I will have to wash it a bit first because it is oily! :(
PS: I wish I had a chocolate bar at home! :thumbsup: