Skywatcher 8" Dob and Mounting Telrad

[leinad]

I'm wondering if anyone has the same issue I have here.

As the focuser baseplate and finderscope baseplate are quite close together, mounting the Telrad in between the two is really not gonna work as Ive seen it done on other Dobs'

Im wondering in what position others have mounted there's in this situation.

I guess really It doesn't need to be mounted right on the front of the scope, but somewhere thats comfortable to lean over and see through.
Already I need to lean over the Dob to look through the finderscope with my right eye.

Thanks

[Kokatha man]

A lot of the dobs have the same situation leinad - I put mine the other side of the finder. I suppose personal preference is prime but I think that these types of devices need to be up the open end of the OTA similar to the focusser and finderscope.

With the Telrad it is important to realize that you're not "jamming" your eye up against it to use it: one needs to have your head/eye set back down the tube somewhat to see the illuminated reticles properly and for it to be effective.

I also use my right eye for both targetting devices - to me the Telrad is a fantastic tool; but it could be raised a little off the OTA imho - I understand that there may be accessories for such that I'm pursuing through Matt at telescopes/astronomy.

Regards, Darryl.

[leinad]

Thanks Darryl.

Is alignment/centering an issue, or as close to straight as possible is the only rule?

Im thinking of using a belt or cord to hold in on to find the right positioning. As I'd hate to peel the double sided sticky and place it, then find that its not comfortable or where I want it.

May try these methods:
http://www.stefan-gotthold.de/Bilder/tubus.JPG
http://www.craigcolvin.com/Astronomy/telrad.html

[leinad]

Well guess I should do more research on the web before asking some questions.
3 knobs to align the telrad on a star much like the process with the finderscope.

Now just to find a comfortable position to mount it.
Love my new toy. Cant wait for the weekend; weather permitting.

[GTB_an_Owl]

on my 8" GSO i think i had to move the finder over by drilling one more hole and then had to pare a little of the plastic off the side of the Telrad and it fits just fine

geoff

[wavelandscott]

I removed the finder completely (as I did not find it helpful to me) and placed the Telrad in its place.

Works great!

[Kokatha man]

Hi again leinad - although you've got the Telrad's alignment/adjustment "knobs" at the back it's allways good to "align" its base along the OTA. This is nothing more than using a ruler with a "square" end and resting the ruler along the OTA with the "square" end pressed up flush against the end "flange" that runs around the open end rim of the scope - this process just makes sure the ruler is laying on the OTA in an "aligned" way.

Just make a couple of marks against the ruler edge to position one side of the Telrad base with, and bingo - you'll know where to "stick" the base.

I don't recommend dispensing with your finder though: the Telrad is a zero magnification device that is absolutely fantastic at zero-ing in on a spot in the sky - but then, if the object you're looking for isn't naked-eye visible, a finder scope is pretty darn helpfull to make further fine slewing movements to centre on your intended object (and other faint stars that you may need to use to reference this object!

Regards, Darryl.

[programmer]

I don't think people in the suburbs could possibly do with just a Telrad (well, not my suburb anyway). I've used it only once or twice unfortunately, and you need bright objects or the red light, as dim as it is, drowns them out. Would be ideal with dark skies. Then again maybe I just have more to learn :)

I mounted mine such that the top end of the Telrad bracket was about in line with the bottom end of my finder scope, and in between the focuser and finder, as it were. Bit tricky to get down to look along the line of the Telrad though.

[tbentley]

I have the same scope (8" Sywatcher dob) and I just mounted it on the right hand side of the finder. I have no problem leaning over the scope to look down the sights, however I am 6ft 6in tall.
Travis

[Kokatha man]

Just ordered a 4" riser from Matt Lovell at Telescopes & Astronomy for the Telrad, alleviating/curing my only ***** about this great device. These risers go on the Telrad base and then the Telrad clamps onto this riser, also available in a 2" version ($32 either one.)

More like the Rigel vertical job then, and should make the ergonomic factor much better viz looking through/into it and bending over.