Red Dot Finders

[Back Yard Boy]

:hi:
I am intending to acquire a red dot finder to supplement my existing finder scope. Have read a few reviews on the different RDF's available on the market, but I still have not decided which one to buy.

Would appreciate comments from those who already use RDF's as to which one I should purchase (and which ones I should stay clear of).

Many thanks

[peter_4059]

I've got a telrad : very good and variable brightness. Batteries (2xAA) last forever but a bit heavy

I've also got one of the 4 reticle orion ones : light but way too bright when the battery (one of the CR2032) is new. The plastic foot is also a bit flimsy and it is much more difficult to centre the reticle.

[ausastronomer]

Hi,

I really like the one from Stellarvue, which you can purchase from several outlets in the USA. OPTCORP sell them and ship to Australia.

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=105-166-167-15569

They have several different dot patterns and 8 brightness levels. It is very well made and solid. I much prefer these to the standard red dot finders sold by most dealers in Australia, which look like this.

http://www.skywatcher.com/swtinc/product.php?id=110&class1=5&class2=501

I have a Stellarvue red Dot finder on my 14" SDM and it is excellent. I have a TELRAD on my 18" Obsession and to be honest I prefer the little Stellarvue red dot finder in combination with the Stellarvue 8 x 50 Straight through optical finder.

Cheers,
John B

[ColHut]

I have previously used a red dot finder but the (cheap) one I had used a tinted plastic/glass surface on which the dot was projected. The tint reduced the brightness of stars to less than naked eye visibility so it was nearly useless.


A better bet might be a Telerad or Rigel Quickfinder. I believe both are excellent and have two of the latter. Used in conjunction with a normal finderscope they will get you in the ball park and the finderscope can get you the rest of the way if needed. They both seem well regarded.


cheers

[luigi]

I have a Orion Deluxe RD finder. I like it a lot.

It has different grids an different levels of brightness.

The Stellarvue looks very similar so they are probably comparable.

[Back Yard Boy]

Many thanks to all who provided comments on RDF's. They are all very much appreciated:thanx: