Red Dot Finderscope

[Jazza11]

What is a red dot finderscope anyway? and are they better then a normal finderscope???

[Glenhuon]

It projects a small red dot onto a clear screen at the front of the finder. They have a variable brightness control and limited up/down right/left adjustment. Okay for rough alignment on bright objects. I've since retired mine in favour of a couple of right angled finderscopes, as my aging eyes need a bit of magnification. Find they are inclined to wash out dimmer objects as I could never get the brightness low enough. The Telrad seems to be a better option, although I've only used one once some time back.

Bill

[wavelandscott]

Google "Telrad" or look for it on Bintel's website.

It is a 1x (no magnification) viewfinder that, after being properly aligned, lets you point your scope in the right direction.

With the Telrad, you look through a clear screen that has a "bull's eye" projected on it allowing you to find your target. I love mine and prefer it to a magnifying view finder. Once aligned they are easy to use...my kids enjoy using it to point to things that they want to explore. There some sky maps/charts that even have the "bull's eye" marked to show you where to look.

There are others that project red alignment dots (instead of the "bull's eye").

Some prefer the traditional finder (or a right angle finder)...I prefer the Telrad...

[JethroB76]

I find they work well in conjunction with a RACI finder; making rough initial alignment with the RDF and then "fine tuning" with the regualr RACI finder.