Positioning of Telrad?

[wrinkly]

Acquired a Telrad, having been influenced by all the good postings and wanting to go star hopping. The 150 mm f5 Newtonians aren't that large and therefore need advice on two questions.

1) Best position for the Telrad, right up front?

2) Does one need two finders or can one just remove the standard item providing you have spare batteries always available?

Thanks in advance for your input.

[JamesM]

As Bulky as they might appear, Telrads are not as 'heavy' as they might first appear which allows you to place them anywhere that is convenient. When you asked about two finders, do you mean two Telrads? The Telrad itself attaches to the scope via a shoe (bracket) so in theory you could attach a number of these brackets to different scopes and just move the Telrad unit between them. If your question meant do you need to keep or use a visual finder as well as the Telrad, the answer would be yes but preferably a right angled one rather than a straight through type, as this in my view would provide the ultimate finder combination.

Hope that helps.

[Bizibilder]

I would fasten the Telrad with a bit of sticky tape first so that, by moving it around, you can find the "best" position for it on the scope. Then stick the base on its own sticky pads - these don't come off so get it right first time!

The normal finder is often useful - so keep it.

[brantuk]

I'd place it next to the finder but squarely on top of the tube at 90 degs to the drawtube and towards the aperture end of the tube - but it's personal choice - whatever you're comfortable with really

[Nova]

Yep. As close to your finder scope as you can get it. Keep your finder scope as well as both telrad and finder can be used very well together

[swamp thing]

Does one need two finders or can one just remove the standard item providing you have spare batteries always available?

Batteries??

You won't need spares. Mines been on my Dob years and I've never needed to change em.

Even forgot to switch it off once when I put it away so it was on for about a week and still the same ones are in it.

Regards Steve

[Stephen]

Mine goes where the finder used to go

[coffee_prince]

I think he meant if it was possible to remove the finderscope and put the telrad there instead, which is what many people on here seem to have done when I did a search. I only just got my telrad and put it to the right of the finderscope, its slightly awkward but I am getting used to it. Idealy I woudln't have the findercope but i didn't want the hassle of removing it

[Stephen]

I think he meant if it was possible to remove the finderscope and put the telrad there instead, which is what many people on here seem to have done when I did a search. I only just got my telrad and put it to the right of the finderscope, its slightly awkward but I am getting used to it. Idealy I woudln't have the findercope but i didn't want the hassle of removing it

Removal of the finder scope if simple enough, two screws (to remove the base from the OTA)

WARNING!!!!!

The 200P (and as such I presume other similar finders) have a bracket INSIDE the OTA. Once you remove the screws that bracket is free to drop down.

Make sure the OTA is horizontal before you do this else you will encounter the problem I had ....

"clunk", "clunk", "thunk"

[Moonshane]

hi there

here's mine on the 6" with a home made dew cover and a 9x50 RACI finder

[wrinkly]

Thanks again guys and guyesses.

Will take the angle grinder to the ghastly Synta finder and superglue the Telrad there instead.

[MorningMajor]

I've mentioned this before but I used a cable tie to "temorarily" fix my telrad and it's so secure I've never found the necessity to make it "permanent" - the only think to be aware of is not to place it too close to the EP so that you bang your head on it when you lean forward to look through the EP!

[wrinkly]

More sensible advice from Morning Major.

Thanks Sim, it is not my cup but my brain that runneth over.

Post Script:-How did you know I had a big head? It's the one eye in the middle that causes the problems.

[coffee_prince]

p.s do you all keep it on the scope or do you follow the official instructions and take it off after viewing?

ta

[Moonshane]

hi there

personally I take all my finders off and store in a padded flight case. I find that if I don't I keep knocking my head etc on them as I walk past / carry the scope. it takes no time to align.

[MorningMajor]

p.s do you all keep it on the scope or do you follow the official instructions and take it off after viewing?

I got mine 2nd hand and didn't get instructions so never take it off the OTA - what's their reason for taking it off after viewing?

[Moonshane]

I only take mine off to store it safely as if I don't I constantly knock my head or shoulders on it as I was past the dob. there's technically no need to do so.