anyone seen/used these as an alternative to a telrad/rigel

[elusiver]

u know i want the details thiink!!

is it pretty? easy to mount? do the rings look cool?? does it make finding stuff easier??
first impressions??

next week.. next week..
el

[Thiink]

Rigel Systems Quikfinder

Price: $69 + shipping

First impressions: The thing weighs next to nothing! I tried to weigh it on kitchen scales but it wouldnt register (the scales have 50 gram increments). A quick google doesnt really show up actual figures either. If you can find its official weight let me know.

First glance of the quality of it shows that the plastic can be a little rough around the edges, and the glass seemingly hasnt been cut perfectly, but all in all it seems well built. Because of the weight, though, it does feel quite fragile, in reality however it may be quite strong and sturdy. I dont really want to drop it to find out.

The baseplate that was provided makes it really easy to install. Two strips of double-sided foam tape and its stuck on. I chose to put mine between my existing 8x50 finder and the focuser for easy access. Also, for some reason I was only sent one base plate. From reading up on the Rigel online it seems a lot of international stores (and BATSC locally) were shipping the Rigel units with two base plates. I was really expecting two base plates, but as I only have one telescope I have no real need for the second one. Its also easy to put on, and take the unit off the baseplate. Its simply a matter of depressing the release button and away it comes.

First light: I have so far been unable to test it under the stars, the curse strikes again. From some playing around in a dark room it appears to work well. The variable brightness and pulse affect are good to have, and when I can finally get some clear skies I can test these further.

Comments: I would love to do a side by side comparison between this and other red dot finders so I have a clear basis for comparison. Time will tell how the unit performs, and as soon as I can get some clear skies I can edit this thread and give better details of it.

Pictures:
http://users.on.net/sjeriksson/img/i...gel/rigel1.jpg http://users.on.net/sjeriksson/img/i...gel/rigel2.jpg

http://users.on.net/sjeriksson/img/i...gel/rigel3.jpg http://users.on.net/sjeriksson/img/i...gel/rigel4.jpg

[elusiver]

cheers for that thiink.

looks great.. like u i'd love to see this side by side with the telrad. but i think as an 8" owner who doesn't want to drill new holes in his ota.. i'll stick with the rigel.

el

[Thiink]

From what I have read Rigel is the go if; you dont want to drill holes, and dont want a mass of weight up near the focuser. Its definitely light weight.

Even though I plan on removing the Rigel after each viewing session, I am still planning to drill a small hole in the Rigel base and putting a small amount of string or similar from the base to say the 8x50 finder base as extra security just in case the tape gives way, to save it hitting the ground.

ps. the case I got from Andrews for $39 appears to be exactly the same as this from Jaycar. It has the same case shape, and the same pull out squares.

[slice of heaven]

I'd like to see them side by side too.
The Telrad has the same mounting requirements as the Quickfinder, double sided tape or bolt it, so drilling is not a necessity.

[elusiver]

thats true slice.. but i think for alot of dob owners who'd prefer to put it in between the finder and focuser it means repositioning the finderscope to fit the larger telrad.

el

[slice of heaven]

Your right that is a problem on the smaller scopes El, on the 12"s though theres enough room . I dont have the need(or want) for a finderscope and have none on my scopes. The different orientation of views between the finderscopes and the newts also puts me off finderscopes.
I like the extra hieght of the viewfinder on the rigel, puts it near the hieght of the ep.

Good price and size for that case Simon, might have to grab one.