Finaly got a Telrad..

netwolf · #1 16-02-2006, 10:12 PM

Hi All,

Saw the Telrad on Gecko for a $50 with pulse mod, that also allows pulse rate control. Michael Toms from Gecko was a absolute pleasure to deal with. Very friendly lots of tips and pointers. Goods were well packaged. Some nice deals to be got from geckooptical.com.

Like every other wise dob owner will tell you this is one of those things you really cant do without for very long. I am geting very tired of my straight through finder scope and want something a bit better. I did not get one because i had the DSC, but alignemnet is a paing with the straight through. I find myself waisting about 1/2 hour fideling with the finder scope to get it objects in the centre of the EP's. And I still have not completely mastered this two screw adjustment for alignment, as just by themselves you can not get the cross hair on the object, you need to yank out the spring loaded screw. Maybe someone can explain it all to me..

I will advise post first light how i go. Have to buy some double sided tape. Trying to find a source for 3m VHB Double sided tape. Anyone know a place in the city (sydney) where i could get some.

Regards

wavelandscott (Scott) · #2 16-02-2006, 10:23 PM

Not sure on where to get the 2 sided tape...

However, I'm a Telrad fan...I like it beter than a regular finder...

Don't forget to make yourself a "dew shield" for it...you'll need it.

Hammerman · #3 17-02-2006, 04:52 AM

Congrats on the purchase, Netwolf! I can't imagine being without my Telrad. They really do make finding things easier.

I don't understand why you need double sided tape. Everyone I've ever seen has the tape on it from the factory. Here's a tip for you before you attach the Telrad..... Some folks like the Telrad in different spots than other folks. Before you stick it down, get a bungee cord and simply wrap the cord around the OTA and the Telrad, temporarily holding it in place. Try it out for a night, move it to a couple different spots, and see which one you like best. (For me it's right next to my 9x50 finderscope, for some folks it's lower on the OTA) Once you see where you like it best then stick it down with the tape.

The 2 screw adjustment takes a bit to get used to. Once you play around with it for a few you'll have no problem. Nice thing about the Telrad, it normally stays put (unless you do like I did... I bought a second base and switch my single Telrad between both of my scopes. I have to readjust it every time I switch.)

rmcpb (Rob) · #4 17-02-2006, 08:29 AM

You sure will not regret that purchase. As Gary said try some different positions for the Telrad before sticking it down. Double sided tape should be on the base already, that is how mine came BUT when I repositioned it I simply went to the local newsagent and got some from there. Another thought, it may be worth taking off your finder scope and trying to use your Telrad exclusively, that is what I eventually did.

See how you go

netwolf · #5 17-02-2006, 11:53 AM

Thanks guys for the tips, mine does not have the tape because its second hand purchase from the Gecko classifieds site. Hammerman, i was wondering about trying it in diffrent locations to get a comfortable spot for it. What is bugee cord? and where can i get that from?

rmcpb. ya i thought of replacing the finder too, maybe moding the telrad base to fit the Finder base.. I belive there is a modded base sold in the US that does this. I may sell it off and buy a right angle one down the track or use it on another SCT/MAK OTA i purchase in the future.

Regards

Vermin (Tom) · #6 17-02-2006, 12:31 PM

Bungee cord == elastic rope with plastic coated hooks at each end, available from most hardware stores, trailer, car and bike shops.

Here's an image of one: http://www.overland-solutions.com/sh...ee_strap_s.gif

netwolf · #7 17-02-2006, 01:33 PM

Thanks Ving, will have to get a pair of those i think. Does anyone know what the Outter Diametere is of the 10" GSO dob.

Regards

RAJAH235 · #8 17-02-2006, 03:42 PM

UUmmmmm, X 3 perhaps???..

L.
ps. circumference.

netwolf · #9 17-02-2006, 03:52 PM

That would be true if the dia was 10" but for a 10" mirror i am guessing the dia is about 12-13"

Edit: Never mind found it on this site
http://www.telescope-service.com/dob...t.html#GSD250E
dia = 31.5cm. approx 12.4"

Regards

ving (David) · #10 17-02-2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netwolf

Thanks Ving, will have to get a pair of those i think. Does anyone know what the Outter Diametere is of the 10" GSO dob.

Regards

Eh?
er... no problem

I once tried to use a telrad, just couldnt get the hang of it.... bought a 90 degree angle finder instead. the extra magnification works well for me.
your telrad should bring you joy tho, it does for hundred of poeple here on ISS

Vermin (Tom) · #11 17-02-2006, 04:16 PM

Typical! I do all the work and someone else gets the credit.

Hammerman · #12 17-02-2006, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netwolf

Hammerman, i was wondering about trying it in diffrent locations to get a comfortable spot for it. What is bugee cord? and where can i get that from?

rmcpb. ya i thought of replacing the finder too, maybe moding the telrad base to fit the Finder base..

You don't need a bungee cord. You can also use a length of electrical wire, or some thin rope, basically anything that you can snuggly tie all the way around the scope OTA and the Telrad, just to hold it steady for a short while so you can test it out.

I wouldn't even think about getting rid of the finderscope. It makes a real nice compliment to the Telrad. The reason why? Simple. The Telrad is only a 1X finder. It doesn't magnify a thing. A finderscope does magnify. A 9x50 magnifies 9 times, as I'm sure you know.

The problem with the finderscope is sometimes it's hard to tell exactly where you are pointing it because of the magnification.... (hmm.... do I see Sirius in the finder? or just a close bright star?) In the daytime you set up your telescope and align all three things on a distant object, the telescope first, then the finderscope, then the Telrad. OK, now you know that all 3 are pointing at the same thing in the night sky. Let's go to nighttime....

Let's say that you want to find M41 which is in Canis Major. The only star you can see nearby with the naked eye is Sirius, which is a bit away. The Telrad only magnifies 1X. You get Sirius centered in the Telrad. Now you know that your finderscope is pointing at the same object. Now you can look through the finderscope and see stars that you couldn't see through the Telrad, and looking at Sirius, and your starcharts, you can now starhop over to your intended target. So putting it simply, the Telrad gets you close and eliminates the guesswork of the finderscope, then the finderscope gets you where you want to go.

I've never been a fan of GoTo electronics. I like to find things on my own, not have the computer do it for me. (but to each his own on this. I don't hold anything against others who use GoTo.) Anyway, since I started using the Telrad AND the finderscope together, I've found a LOT more faint fuzzies than I ever could just using one or the other.

By the way.... what type of a scope are you putting it on? Here's a link to a photo on my web site that shows the Telrad and the finderscope together on my XT8. http://home.comcast.net/~astrohammer/Telradand9x50RA.jpg

Hope this helps!

netwolf · #13 17-02-2006, 04:51 PM

Hammerman thanks for the indepth advise, sensible tips.
A good device would be a combination of the Telrad and a Right angle finderscope. An illuminated finderscope with adjustable magnification, with dual cross hair lines and similar circular pattern to a Telrad.

I have a GS 10" Dob same as the original XT10's, before they switched them to Synta.

Regards

mickoking · #14 17-02-2006, 06:46 PM

G,day cobbers,

I am with ving on this subject, Telrad was not for me. Much prefer a traditional finder