I was wondering if anyone could tell me what it is that sets the Telrad apart from other (ofter cheaper) red dot finders and whether it is a good investment.
Also, I am interested in purchasing a barlow lens but am in the dark as to the power I should go toward. I am not sure whether to purchase a 2X or a 3X, or even beyond. I own 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, 20mm and 26mm eyepieces and read on the Bintel website that the highest practical magnification for most telescopes is around 300X. Does this mean that I should purchase a lower power Barlow that most suitably meets this magnification wit my highest power eyepiece, or should I purchase a high power Barlow that would meet the limit with a low power eyepiece?
If anyone could help me out here I'd very much appreciate it. Thanks!
The three circles in the telrad finder represent scale in space, ie; half deg, two degs, four degs which make starhopping just that much easier. The telrad is the second best accessory I have. Greg
P.S. Equal to an adjustable height observers chair, being comfortable is like having an extra inch of aperture. Greg.
- check the star chart for location in the surrounding sky
- using the Telrad move the scope (it is a Dob) to the right area
- using the Telrad circles check what I expect to see in the finderscope
- refine it using the RA finder (no pains in the neck)
- and then usually all I need to do is decide what EP to swap to
This is quite a quick process even for the light-polluted sky in my backyard.
I can tell you the Telrad craps from a great height on the red dot finder that comes with the Lightbridges, you would think not a cheap and nasty RDF but they perform like one. Mounted on thin wiggly PLASTIC stem, horrible reticles (?) -all four of them: double images etc, alignment adjusted via allen key - bleeerrgghh!
Telrad or RACI all the way.
After reading nettie's comment I guess it would be less straining on the eyes to use a barlow with an EP of about 10mm or above as opposed to a really small eyepiece. I just feel that I can get more size and detail from objects like Jupiter and Saturn, but am limited without a Barlow.
And by the way I applaud Geoff for trying to start a rambunctious astronomical debate!
Shopping spree...
I am not sure whether to purchase a 2X or a 3X, or even beyond. I own 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, 20mm and 26mm eyepieces and read on the Bintel website that the highest practical magnification for most telescopes is around 300X. Does this mean that I should purchase a lower power Barlow that most suitably meets this magnification wit my highest power eyepiece, or should I purchase a high power Barlow that would meet the limit with a low power eyepiece?
