anyone seen/used these as an alternative to a telrad/rigel

[elusiver]

http://www.telescope-warehouse.com/product.aspx?itmID=171

just wondering if anyones seen/used/has one.. and their opinions. Price is almost too good to be true compared to what u'd pay for a telrad or rigel.


el :)

[ving]

interestingly cheap... :)

was just considering the rigel...

[elusiver]

so was i.. cause i don't know how well the telrad would fit with the finderscope still attached on the 8"...

el :)

[ving]

my thoughts exactly

[Robby]

Weight: 2.5 Pounds ! Must be made of steel...

[slice of heaven]

Nice and compact aren't they.
I could use 2 but who's going to buy 1 first and do a review?

2.5 lbs ? Got to be a typo.

[elusiver]

it looks like i may be the guinea pig :P

shipping to aus is $9.

el :)

[Starkler]

Theres a review of these compared to the alternatives on the cloudy nights website.
My recollection is that basically you get what you pay for.

[stringscope]

My recollection was the same as Starkler. I have just reread the CN review which is a downloadable PDF file. If you are contemplating purchasing one of these I strongly recommend you visit Cloudy Nights and read this review first!!

Cheers,

[ballaratdragons]

Even if the circle finders are crummy, they have 60mm Meade Refractors for $19.95!!!

[Thiink]

Here (http://www.cloudynights.com/documents/9finders.pdf) is the PDF if anyone else is interested. I'm about to buy a Rigel from the US (waiting on shipping costs), before I do does anyone know if they can be sourced locally?

[[1ponders]]

That's a relatively cheap 5lb counterweight. Oh you guys with dobs don't need them that's right. Waste of money then.

It puzzles me how companies still try to sell poor quality equipment in a hobby area with such tight knit communities. Surely they don't make enough money out of selling this type of quality equipment to warrant gearing up for production. If someone gets a bad piece of equipment its not long before the word is out. Surely it makes more sense to produce equipment that is going to be recommended and there by improving your longterm sales and compnay reputation????? :confused: :confused: :confused:

[slice of heaven]

http://www.batsc.com.au/tr/TR_BTS.NSF/all/30EC74D4AE27CA724A256D390081B994?Op enDocument
Binocular & Telescope Service Centre P/L | FINDERSCOPES - Quikfinder | Total Retail

Give us a rundown on it once you have it.

[Thiink]

I'm just waiting for my tax to come back (hopefully I dont end up having to pay this year :mad: ) and then I can order. I saw in the latest AS&T (that I picked up today :2thumbs: ) that Andrews have the Rigel Quickfinder for $69. I was going to get it from the US and it was going to be around $70AU including postage, but I might end up getting it from Andrews to simplify the process.

[elusiver]

OHHH THIIIIIIIINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

why did u have to say that andrews have them for $69.. now i really really really want to buy one.. and I know I shouldn't.. cause i've got a 42mm superview and a crayford on the way.. but I really really really really want one.. ohhhhh.. this isn't good.. i feel like anakin skywalker ... i feel the conflict within :fight: .. i really want one.. is that the 3rd time i've said that? :confused: i'm babbling now.. i think the only cure for the babbling is another purchase :( :D :P :D the rigels the next thing on the list.. followed by a right angle finder.. ohhh i want one(just in case u didn't get it the first 3 times)


el :)

[Thiink]

Get it delivered with the other goods if you havent ordered yet and save on the postage!

I just ordered something from Andrews too, I wish I had of waited (and extra $10 shipping I could have put towards something else). The disadvantage of living away from the capital cities. :(

[elusiver]

they're already on their way.. :(

2 weeks.. i'm giving myself 2 weeks.. patience.. patience.. it's gonna be raining anyway for the next couple of weeks with my new goodies coming..

el :)

[Thiink]

I ordered my Rigel from Andrews today ($69). I used my tax money and also got one of Lee's medium sized eye piece cases ($39). Will add a post here tomorrow if they turn up.

[elusiver]

next week thiiink.. i'll have mine next week.. next week... next week.. i have to be patient.

el :)

[Thiink]

Well mine arrived today! Do you want details now El, or do you want to wait until you get yours next week?

The eyepiece case is pretty damn good for $39 too, suprised!

[elusiver]

u know i want the details thiink!! :lol:

is it pretty? easy to mount? do the rings look cool?? does it make finding stuff easier??
first impressions??

next week.. next week..
el :)

[Thiink]

Rigel Systems Quikfinder

Price: $69 + shipping

First impressions: The thing weighs next to nothing! I tried to weigh it on kitchen scales but it wouldnt register (the scales have 50 gram increments). A quick google doesnt really show up actual figures either. If you can find its official weight let me know.

First glance of the quality of it shows that the plastic can be a little rough around the edges, and the glass seemingly hasnt been cut perfectly, but all in all it seems well built. Because of the weight, though, it does feel quite fragile, in reality however it may be quite strong and sturdy. I dont really want to drop it to find out.

The baseplate that was provided makes it really easy to install. Two strips of double-sided foam tape and its stuck on. I chose to put mine between my existing 8x50 finder and the focuser for easy access. Also, for some reason I was only sent one base plate. From reading up on the Rigel online it seems a lot of international stores (and BATSC locally) were shipping the Rigel units with two base plates. I was really expecting two base plates, but as I only have one telescope I have no real need for the second one. Its also easy to put on, and take the unit off the baseplate. Its simply a matter of depressing the release button and away it comes.

First light: I have so far been unable to test it under the stars, the curse strikes again. From some playing around in a dark room it appears to work well. The variable brightness and pulse affect are good to have, and when I can finally get some clear skies I can test these further.

Comments: I would love to do a side by side comparison between this and other red dot finders so I have a clear basis for comparison. Time will tell how the unit performs, and as soon as I can get some clear skies I can edit this thread and give better details of it.

Pictures:
http://users.on.net/sjeriksson/img/iceinspace/rigel/rigel1.jpg http://users.on.net/sjeriksson/img/iceinspace/rigel/rigel2.jpg

http://users.on.net/sjeriksson/img/iceinspace/rigel/rigel3.jpg http://users.on.net/sjeriksson/img/iceinspace/rigel/rigel4.jpg

[elusiver]

cheers for that thiink.

looks great.. like u i'd love to see this side by side with the telrad. but i think as an 8" owner who doesn't want to drill new holes in his ota.. i'll stick with the rigel.

el :)

[Thiink]

From what I have read Rigel is the go if; you dont want to drill holes, and dont want a mass of weight up near the focuser. Its definitely light weight.

Even though I plan on removing the Rigel after each viewing session, I am still planning to drill a small hole in the Rigel base and putting a small amount of string or similar from the base to say the 8x50 finder base as extra security just in case the tape gives way, to save it hitting the ground.

ps. the case I got from Andrews for $39 appears to be exactly the same as this (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HB6356) from Jaycar. It has the same case shape, and the same pull out squares.

[slice of heaven]

I'd like to see them side by side too.
The Telrad has the same mounting requirements as the Quickfinder, double sided tape or bolt it, so drilling is not a necessity.

[elusiver]

thats true slice.. but i think for alot of dob owners who'd prefer to put it in between the finder and focuser it means repositioning the finderscope to fit the larger telrad.

el :)

[slice of heaven]

Your right that is a problem on the smaller scopes El, on the 12"s though theres enough room . I dont have the need(or want) for a finderscope and have none on my scopes. The different orientation of views between the finderscopes and the newts also puts me off finderscopes.
I like the extra hieght of the viewfinder on the rigel, puts it near the hieght of the ep.

Good price and size for that case Simon, might have to grab one.