Green laser finder for my scope

[Baron von Richthofen (Vaclav)]

Hi All
Before I go out and buy a green laser finder for my scope
I would like to know the good bad and ugly side of using them
Vars

[casstony]

Laser pointers are handy for pointing the scope in the general direction of an object or for quickly pointing the scope at a planet, but their most productive use is for pointing out constellations, etc to other people (especially kids).

[erick (Eric)]

Yes, good for pointing the scope. Best in darker skies where the beam can be easily seen. You should be able to easily get your target into your widefield eyepiece view without bending and looking through a finderscope or red dot finder. Downsides:- leaving it on the scope where someone (kids?) can play with it. If it is cold (below say 5-7 deg) the laser mechanism itself doesn't work all that well - the beam can fade. Having a way in which the laser can be removed and kept in a warm pocket between uses is good.

Also, it can be a problem if you have others on the field - imaging in particular.

[hilb]

I have a 5mw green laser mounted on my dob (bought the mount with the pointer) and it's the best. No more bending over for extended peering through the finderscope getting a crick in my neck. I point the scope in the direction of where I need to be using the laser as a guide, and then bend down to do the "fine tuning" through the finderscope. Saves my back and neck no end. It has a "constant on" rather than a "momentary on" switch, which works well as a mounted pointer. If you want to use it as a hand held pointer you should only get one with a "momentary on" switch. That's the safest, so if you drop the pointer, it switches off immediately.

I have another one for pointing out constellations, etc, to other folks and that stays warm in my pocket. I haven't had a fading power problem with the mounted one, but it isn't used a lot or for a long time.

Cheers,
HilB...

[Robbie]

My green laser was a godsend it made life easier for me by a longshot, once properly aligned set it on the object and its right there in the eyepiece and it takes the effort out of long slews. I keep it permanently mounted due to the law in this state here if you're caught with one in your pocket they lock you up and throw the key away .

[h45e (Anthony)]

I know this is not what your supose to do, but I shine a strong torch (when im at home by myself) into my dob and that allows me to guide my scope to the star/planet etc.

[Robbie]

Originally Posted by h45e

I know this is not what your supose to do, but I shine a strong torch (when im at home by myself) into my dob and that allows me to guide my scope to the star/planet etc.

in the old days I used a candle through an empty dunny roll but the coppers had a protest out front of parliment and had that practice stamped out