8 replies to this topic

[Li Sun]

I’ve had a Starblast 4.5 for about a year now and have been very happy with it. However, the red dot finder that came with the scope stopped working recently, and replacing the battery didn’t help? Does anyone know what’s up with it and what I can do? Thanks!

[Maritime]

Long shot-do you have a volt meter-is the replacement battery dead-polarity reversed?

[Napp]

I had a cheap red dot that after awhile the cover no longer closed tightly enough for contacts with the batteries to be maintained.

[sevenofnine]

My red dot is a little quirky too. I have to turn the power all the way up then back it down to a less bright level. If I turn it on low-medium it doesn't work 

[J A VOLK]

they are quirky - clean the contacts and battery with alcohol.  The types with the spring clips don't hold the battery firmly over time.  I have put a dime in these to tighten it up and they start working.

[Redbetter]

Looks like it is an Orion scope and finder.  The potentiometers in RDF's can be quirky.  Play with the dial a bit to see if you can get it to respond.  Generally, I find these particular RDF designs to be more finicky in cold weather, but so far all have eventually recovered after flicking them a few times, reseating the battery, turning off and on a few times, "looking at them just right", etc.  If not, call Orion and make use of their warranty.  Generally, companies will send out replacement RDF's without requiring a return, etc.  

[Li Sun]

Thanks for all your replies, but the finder really seemed to be broken as I tried all of the suggestion above without success. I'm calling Orion to make use of the warranty.

[SonnyE]

All things wear out.

Probably the LED that projects the dot burned out.

I had a very old red dot sight I used for several years on my telescope. The light in it burned out.

I tried several of the ones folks here use. But finally went back to my Tasco Red Dot.

For one thing, it has the best low setting I found. Giving a tiny red dot that didn't mess with the star being aimed at.

Some of the other red dot finders were so danged bright they messed up your night vison!

Not to mention they were plastic POC.

 

Last year I went to a high quality laser sight and have put my red dot back in the gun safe.

I like the green laser so much, I bought a blue one and have it on my binoculars.

Both have momentary push button switches for instant on/off use.

[geoffl]

One of my Celestron/Skywatcher RDFs started to become intermittent - sometimes working, sometimes not. I dismantled the body, and found a poor soldered joint where the wire from the battery attached to one of the on/off switch's contacts. It was not obvious visually, but I found it with a digital multimeter. I re-soldered the joint, and have not had any problems since.

 

Geoff