Telescope Reviews: What Finder Do You Use?

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General Astronomy >> General Observing and Astronomy

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JayinUT
I'm not Sleepy

Reged: 09/19/08

Loc: Utah

What Finder Do You Use?
#5657938 - 02/02/13 11:18 AM

Just curious what finder you use? Is it a finder scope like the 9x50 RACI? Is it a refractor mounted? Or do you simply use an eyepiece? I am leaving the 9x50 for just the Telrad and the wide field eyepiece which I am finding easier on faint stuff. So what do you use? Thoughts on the eyepiece alone approach with the Telrad.

Edited by JayinUT (02/02/13 05:01 PM)

Post Extras:

Carol L

Reged: 07/05/04

Loc: Tomahawk, WI 45N//89W

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: JayinUT]
#5658001 - 02/02/13 11:59 AM

I use a red-dot to get into the ballpark, and then a wide fov ep.

Post Extras:

kenrenard
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/13/12

Loc: Dunmore, PA

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: Carol L]
#5658021 - 02/02/13 12:09 PM

I use a Telrad and a 9 x 50 RACI. I need all the help I can get

Ken

Post Extras:

csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: JayinUT]
#5658030 - 02/02/13 12:15 PM

On my 16" dob, I have a Telrad, 8x50 Antares RACI, and a 5mW laser. I use the Telrad almost exclusively. On my 80mm refractor, I have a Stellarview F2 Multi-reticle Reflex finder.

Post Extras:

MikeRatcliff
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/12/04

Loc: Redlands, CA

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: csa/montana]
#5658063 - 02/02/13 12:44 PM

I use a 70mm Gary Russell RACI finder and a Telrad. The RACI is the primary finder for me. Unfortunately, the long slender design of the Russell (allowing it to fit into 50mm rings) cuts off some of the aperture, so it probably is more like a 50mm or 60mm.

The Telrad I admit to using as a glorified red dot finder for getting in the ballpark. And not using the degree spacings of the rings or Telrad finder charts.

It would be interesting to try the wide field eyepiece instead of the RACI as an experiment. It's easier to match up star patterns between the RACI and charts, but you eventually have to get to the eyepiece view anyway. The RACI may have an advantage in not changing eyepieces as much.

Mike

Post Extras:

northernontario
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 07/01/09

Loc: Porcupine, Ontario Canada

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: csa/montana]
#5658066 - 02/02/13 12:44 PM

Telrad on the Dob.

On the refractor...telrad.

On the go to SCT....the stock finder scope...until I am lined up, then the finder is no longer required and can go into your back pocket.

jake

Post Extras:

John Kuraoka
sage

Reged: 12/12/12

Loc: Sunny San Diego, CA

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: northernontario]
#5658093 - 02/02/13 12:53 PM

I use the stock red-dot E-Z Finder that came with my scope. Once it's sighted in, it gets me close enough with my low-power eyepiece.

Post Extras:

Special Ed
Postmaster

Reged: 05/18/03

Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: John Kuraoka]
#5658136 - 02/02/13 01:18 PM

I often use my Canon 12x36 image stabilised binoculars to find the target or to get a feel for the star patterns if the target is not detected. Then I use the Telrad on the C8 and star hop using the degree circles. The stock 10x30 finderscope on the C8 isn't much.

Same process with the Astroscan except I use a Rigel Qwikfinder because a Telrad won't work on the scope's stubby, rotund body.

Of course, it should go without saying that one should always use a low power ep during the finding phase but there--I said it anyway.

On my pier mounted C14, all I have to find is the hand controller. (Sorry, Goto is still new to me and it's like magic)

Post Extras:

Dennis_S253
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 11/22/11

Loc: West Central Florida

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: Special Ed]
#5658155 - 02/02/13 01:29 PM

I use the Celestron 6X30 LER staright through with a 7 degree FOV.

Post Extras:

REC
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/20/10

Loc: NC

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: Dennis_S253]
#5658165 - 02/02/13 01:33 PM

8x50 on my fractor.

Post Extras:

Sorny
super member

Reged: 03/15/12

Loc: Southern MN

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: REC]
#5658321 - 02/02/13 03:10 PM

$20 red-dot celestron on both of my scopes. Illuminated reticle eyepiece to align them, then the red-dot is turned off and ignored as it should be.

Post Extras:

Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: JayinUT]
#5658386 - 02/02/13 03:46 PM

Quote:

Just curious what finder you use? Is it a finder scope like the 9x50 RACI? Is it a refractor mounted? Or do you simply use an eyepiece? I am leaving the 9x50 for just the Telrad and the wide field eyepiece which I am finding easier on faint stuff. So what do you use? Thoughts on the eyepiece alone approach?

Jay:

My choice of finders depends on the telescope as well as the conditions. A refractor with a 2 inch focuser and a focal length of 700mm or less provides a 3.5 degree TFoV or greater so a red dot finder to point to the region of interest is all that is required because the scope itself is essentially a super finder.

For longer focal length scopes, Newtonian in the 1200mm + range, I prefer a Telrad and a magnifying finder, usually a 50mm operating at 8x or 9x . If the skies are dark and clear, then it is very often possible to just use the Telrad and a widefield eyepiece though the magnifying finder is a nice fall back. If the skies are not so dark and clear, a magnifying finder is a necessity because there are regions of the sky that are sparsely populated, so there not enough guide stars visible to use the Telrad effectively.

Jon

Post Extras:

rathbaster
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 03/21/08

Loc: East Bridgewater, MA

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5658403 - 02/02/13 03:53 PM

I use a Telrad on all my scopes and then the widest field of view eyepiece I have once I'm in the area.

-Joe

Post Extras:

Edward E
professor emeritus

Reged: 03/26/06

Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: JayinUT]
#5658405 - 02/02/13 03:54 PM Attachment (9 downloads)

I use an old Edmonds Scientific 5X50 Deluxe finder. It has 12 degree FOV and very good eye relief. Not many of these finders out there anymore. This finder has a propriety "eyepiece" so cannot switch eyepieces with it. Using this finder and Mr. Fred Dase "Hershel 400 Atlas" and there is very little that I cannot find with my C11 or 20" Dob.

Post Extras:

Achernar
Postmaster

Reged: 02/25/06

Loc: Mobile, Alabama, USA

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: JayinUT]
#5658412 - 02/02/13 04:01 PM

I use 50mm straight through finderscopes and Telrads, in tandem with each other and digital setting circles. If it's possible to see it given the local sky conditions, and the telescope, I'll find it.

Taras

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droid
rocketman

Reged: 08/29/04

Loc: Conneaut, Ohio

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: JayinUT]
#5658424 - 02/02/13 04:09 PM

Im currently using a 9x50 finder and telrad on all my scopes.
Working on mounting an 80mm for a finder

Post Extras:

Feidb
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/09/09

Loc: Nevada

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new

[Re: droid]
#5658577 - 02/02/13 05:38 PM

I have a straight-through 50mm finder (I stopped using brand names to avoid circular arguments... see the eyepiece forum for examples). However, I only use that finder when it's not dark enough or is too cold for my green laser pointer not to work. My primary finder is the green laser pointer. I make sure there are no aircraft in that area of sky or nobody is trying to image there and point to the spot from my star chart. Then, using my usual 18mm (102X) 82 degree starter eyepiece, I mow the lawn until I either find the object or give up and move on to the next one. 90% of the time I find the object.

Post Extras:

kfiscus
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/09/12

Loc: Albert Lea, MN, USA

Re: What Finder Do You Use? new