new finderscope

[rapidfire]

Hi all,

i'm thinking about getting a better finderscope for myself. the one i currently have is rather average. and plastic. I am undecided as to whether to get a traditional 8x50 finderscope or check out one of these newer style telrad or red dot finders. Whats other people experience and/or preference. How does the telrad work. and the red dot finder? Does this project a laser into the sky to help alignment?

Cheers. Marc.

PS. How groovy are the NASA tv live feeds with the guys upstairs installing the new truss segment and solar panels onto the ISS. lucky dogs. I really picked the wrong job stuck here behind a desk...on earth :(

[hogly52]

Hi Marc,

I use both a 8X50 finderscope, with right-angle view, and a Telrad. Going to an up-market finderscope will at least give you far better optics and a much better field of view than the plastics. The Telrad is great, and I have Telrad bases mounted on a number of scopes and just move the main item between them. I'm not sure how to describe how it works, apart from a "target" projected into your field of view, but there is no magnification involved, and they are very easy to align and use. If asked to choose only one, my preference would be for the Telrad. If you get a chance, try as many types as you can before making a purchase :thumbsup: .

Cheers,

Graeme :)

[WadeH]

Hi there Mark,

Like Graeme, I too use a combination. A 9X50 finder scope that came with the Skywatcher(great unit) and a latter purchase of the Telrad.
The Telrad is great for things that are naked eye visible or for an approximate for other deep skies. Also the full moon clobbers it a bit!
The finder is great for zeroing in on the faint fuzzies although looking straight alongside the main tube can be a bit of a pain in the neck.
I dont think I could choose just one as they both have their particulay uses and I think they are both very good.

Lash out and buy both!! Whats money for anyway?

Enjoy your viewing,

Wade

[Tamtarn]

Hi Marc

We have installed Telrads on both our scopes,replacing 8x50 and 9x50 finder scopes. Many sky maps including the maps in SkyMap Pro which we use show the Telrad target projected to show you where the object is in relation to its area in the sky.

Try to have a look through one if you can. :thumbsup:

[rapidfire]

Hi Tamtarn, where abouts in Victoria are you? I see you are a member of the SVAA. I'm pretty close to Ballarat. Perhaps I can check out your telrad before forking out my dosh. I'd love to do as suggested and buy both a telrad and a 8x50, but i also want a house. and a new subaru. with a turbo. another trip OS. a new computer. a bike.....my astro hobby gets the end of the deal at the moment :-(

[erick]

Hi Marc (rapidfire), I'll be at the Snake Valley Astrom Society this coming Friday night, 15th. I have an 8x50 finder, others will have different types of finders. I also have a really cheap red dot finder. I'll have both there so you can have a look. A Telrad is better than my el-cheapo red dot finder - but it gives you an idea of how they work - it's the same general principle. Someone might have a Telrad there.

You are welcome to come along:-

http://snake-valley-astro.homelinux.org/ <=== location maps on this site

If you really want to project a laser into the sky as a "finder", that is possible as well - but completely different equipment - a green laser plus a laser holder. We'll have green lasers there.

Eric:)

[Tamtarn]

Hi Marc

Unfortunately we are a fair bit away from you. We are about 20min past Lilydale out along the Warburton Hwy, on the opposite side of Melb. to you.

However if you are ever out this way you are more than welcome to call in.

David

[rapidfire]

hmmmm that looks like fun Eric. I think I might come along. I havent attended any astro clubs or events yet. But sounds like a good time to start.

[astro_nutt]

I now use a right-angle finder on my dob which I find easier on the neck muscles..but I find it wise to make an extension tube out of cardboard for the front and to cover the lot with a cloth on those dewy nights.
Cheers!

[rapidfire]

oops. i couldnt make it to the SVAA meeting. but i have however decided i need to have a right angle for easy viewing. so that kinda makes the 8x50 with a right angle my choice. Next step is to purchase one and fit it to my scope. I hope to make it to the next SVAA group....or the next maybe....one time soon anyway.

cheers. Marc.