Stellarvue Finder

[mick pinner]

has anyone here used a Stellarvue 13 x 80 finder and if so what are your impressions? thanks.

[qld]

i use this finderscope on my two 16 inch dobs (Obseession and lightbridge) and wont use anything else again ..views are better than my orion ed80 and my skywatcher pro ed80....it is a very lightweight scope and does not need too much weight to counterbalance on dobs,i have esed it on my c8 sct and 8 mak but too big for these type of scopes. The views are tack sharp and deep sky objects that you would not resolve in a 9 x 50 finder ,easily appear,this is very usefull when you are using high mag eyepieces in your main scope and the argo navis is just off center,or when wide field eyepieces(13 ethos) can be nudged to adjoining objects that you can see in the stellar but are not in the main scope ep.the other benefit is the helical focuser combined with the supplied illuminated reticle that makes initial alignment for argo navis go to and other goto systems a breeze.I purchased mine from SDM and took the whole package including the rings and dovetail shoe mount as it slips easily into any finderscope shoe.I also have noted that the built in dew shield is excellent and keeps dew away even when the main mirror on the dob is dripping....i can still enjoy viewing.Great scope ,great finder....incidently i purchased a second helical focuser and ring setup from SDM and applied them to a Saxon 70mm refractor and a skywatcher 70 mm refractor which both provide wide field views with the supplied stellar view eyepiece and i use these scope as finder scopes on my 10 and 8 dobs.THis scope fits into a standard Bunnings type alluminium case for storage or transport.Last but not least you can use this scope as a grab and go scope as well....it wont dissappoint....its very light in weight
hope you get the picture
:)

[mick pinner]

thanks mate very informative.

[DavidU]

That looks like a real winner.

[mick pinner]

l ordered my new 13 x 80 finder today from SDM Telescopes, finder, guide rings, diagonal with ep and straight through adapter posted for $345.00, if it's half as good as l have been told this a real bargain, and l think he has one left so if anyone is looking for a great finder get on the phone.

[TrevorW]

Mick I've used my 10x60 as a guidescope with my SSAG and works fine for that as well

[Rodstar]

I have just ordered a Stellarvue 13 x 80 finderscope from SDM for the Mary Rose.

Are you guys still big fans of this finder?

I do a lot of star hopping following Uranometria, as there is lots I want to find that is not in the Argo database. I also enjoy the rich field views, and a 50mm GSO finder was not cutting it for me.

[mick pinner]

hi Rod, mine turned up last week and it is one of the finest pieces of astro gear l have bought, you will love it.

[gb_astro]

Hi Rod.

I had one until recently.
Yes it is a great finder, quite evenly sharp across the field.
Fairly heavy though for a dob, might need a bit of counter balancing.
I wanted to put it on my 14.5 but Peter said it was too heavy, also there was not much to attach it to..
I thought of keeping it as a grab and go refractor but there are a couple of downsides.
The amici prism naturally introduces some diffraction spikes on very bright objects like Jupiter
and maybe for the same reason the brighter stars were a bit fuzzy.
It was nice to use hand held.
You can just get the Ethos 13 to focus in it.

gb.

[Rodstar]

Thanks for the encouragement, Mick!

Greg, Peter mentioned to me today the issue you describe. I must say though that I will not be using the finder to look at bright object like Jupiter!!! The purpose is to star hop across mag 7-10 objects, and perhaps view a few of the larger OCs. I am sure I won't see diffraction spikes for such a purpose.

[mick pinner]

on Jupiter the diffraction spikes in mine were minimal, when used as a finder as l am it is perfect. in combination with a T16 this will be a fantastic scope for wide field cruising of the night sky and to top it of the price is unbeatable.

[Rodstar]

Hey Mick, are you just using the SV eyepiece at this stage, or have you tried some other Ep's in it? I notice Greg and qld have tried the straight through view with the 13 ethos.

[mick pinner]

the only ep l have tried was a 2" 30mm vixen LV and it was great.

[qld]

hello there,i can only assume from your posts that the finderscope is ok,and i caannot fault that judgement.next time you have some spare cash ask Peter to sell you the 28mm reticle (illuminated) that he supplies for this scope,it is great for alignment and to asses the location of nearby objects.
good luck
qld

[mick pinner]

hi qld, it came with the scope.