Finderscope

[Riley86 (Adam)]

I have a bintel 10inch Dob with 9x50 bintel right angle finderscope, i sometimes have a hard time figuring out which star im looking at and was thinking of getting either a reflex sight or red dot. Is there anyway you can dual mount onto the finderscope so you can align the star, find DSO with finderscope and then view with the main scope?

Is it easier to try to mount or just use red dot on its own?

Any suggestions would be helpfull

Cheers
Adam

[Waxing_Gibbous (Peter)]

Hi Riley,
The combination of a red dot finder (RDF) ,I recommend Vixen's, and something like a Telerad or Rigel quickfinder, is a very common 'mod' on a Dob/Newtonian.
Loads of people find the upside-down/reverse/twist with a half-summersault somewhat confusing (me included).
I use the telerad to get the general area and the RDF to pinpoint my target.
I barely use the finderscope anymore, and then usually just to check I've hit the right spot.

Most red dot finders will come supplied with a mounting shoe that fits directly into the finderscope barcket.
The Telerad comes with a base and sticky tape the you can mount anywhere on the OTA that you find comfortable.
Both still have to ne zero'd-in in the same way as a finderscope, but I find it much easier than with a lot of fiddly screws.
Peter

[Riley86 (Adam)]

thankyou very much for your advice im gonna go with the telerad, i was reading up on them after your comment and it seems like a must have accessory!

Cheers buddy!

Adam