[Brundah1 (David)]

Standard single RDF limitations soon become apparent.

Telrad is the traditional visual observers tool, because it integrates well with star charts with Telrad guide circles.

However I chose the unique Stellarvue F2 Deep Sky finder (unfortunately had a recent price hike to USD78 - was USD58). (See Stellarvue website).

The SV F2DS has significant advantages over both the single red dot finder and the original Advanced Multi-reticule Finder (AMRF) - sometimes referred to as the "Williams Optics MRF".

Note the original version of the AMRF was actually designed as a rifle sight with multi-coated lens for day & night use and later adopted for astronomy. Surprisingly the lens coating causes annoying reflections and cannot be dimmed enough under dark skies.

The SV F2 features:
- larger clear lens with a thin frame.
- lower intensity red illuminator, still with 6 levels, intensities which are much
better suited to astronomy use. Not so good in daylight.
- easy to use collimation adjustments.
- four selectable reticule targets patterns. I find the SV F2 center circle
with external crosshairs the preferred pattern.
- Very long battery life, just remember to turn it off = 0!
- Design is otherwise almost identical to the AMRF and build quality is
excellent.

Both the "WO MRF" and SV F2 DS compensate for some paralax error, but you soon learn to get the best accuracy by keeping the target pattern centered in the lens.

My personal preference is to mount the SV F2 part way up a refractor OTA, not at the back as you would a standard finderscope. Rear Cell on SCTs.

Stellarvue has a huge range of stalks and mounting adaptors to suit any telescope. (See Hands On Optics listing).

Kendrick produce a dedicated dew heater which fits both multi reticule finders - SV F2 requires minor trimming of the heater plastic frame. (Available from Bintel).

For medium power visual observing with a CPC8, I prefer to use both the SV F2 DS and a SV F60M (10x60 RACI). The SV F60M (USD 189) and SV F50M2 (USD139) are perhaps the best finderscopes ever produced.

These comments are based on extended use of the "WO MRF", SV F2 DS, Single Red Dot Finder, Takahashi 6x30, and various generic finderscopes.

David