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First light last night - I've learned a few of things

lestergibson

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lestergibson

lestergibson

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1. For me, the straight-through finder on the SW 200p is a PITA to use

2. The Anatres Twist/Lock Adaptor is a handy bit of kit.

3. I need a Telrad, probably with a riser - I don't think I like magnifying finders. at Was trying to find M13 last night and didn't succeed. I knew where to look - I used TLAO and Stellarium to confirm but the finder obviously magnified other stars so everything just turned into a mass of stars which made it tough to know if I was looking at the right star to hop to and from. I think I would have an easier time with a zero-magnification finder. Having said all that, the seeing wasn't too great.

Hopefully, things will get better as I work at it.

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paul schofield

paul schofield

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There is always room for improvement, especially with the 200p finder. I have added a 9x50 raci and a Rigel Quikfinder and it has made finding things a breeze. Worth the £'s just for the sake of viewing comfort. I wish SkyWatcher would sell their dobs with a right angled finder, but then I suppose they would miss out on the after sale purchases of a raci finder.

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lestergibson

lestergibson

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Just returned the laser collimator to RVO, and ordered a Cheshire and a Telrad. Any one got any ideas for mounting the Telrad? I was going to go with 220mm worm-gear pipe clips, lined with felt or something since I don't want any sticky stuff on the OTA but I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions?

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John

John

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I just used the sticky pads provided. They peel off with a bit of care and white spirit when you decide you want to remove the Telrad.

You can buy new double sided sticky pads from most hobby / DIY shops when you need some more.

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pvaz

pvaz

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I've still got the original finder on the 200p. i struggle sometimes to see where im looking, but i'm getting better now. Im thinking more towards a red dot finder than a telrad at the moment. I think RDF would be more practical for me.

The Telrad's circles are a great advantage over a simple red dot. Unless the object you're pointing at is a naked eye object, you'll miss the circles as they allow you to measure distances from nearby stars. With a star atlas and a scaled telrad sight overlay it's even easier, just look at the pattern on the map (with the overlay) than match it on the telrad.

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JonnyP

JonnyP

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Was trying to find M13 last night and didn't succeed. I knew where to look - I used TLAO and Stellarium to confirm but the finder obviously magnified other stars so everything just turned into a mass of stars which made it tough to know if I was looking at the right star to hop to and from. I think I would have an easier time with a zero-magnification finder. Having said all that, the seeing wasn't too great.

M13 was the first Messier I looked for and failed totally for 2 nights until I chanced upon it exactly where all the charts say it should be,

I can find it immediately now, just using the finderscope, and wonder why I had such a problem intially. It's such an obvious object! I'm convinced it hides from newbies.....

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Aenima

Aenima

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As above with the raci, i want one for my 200p, epecially with the EQ5 to add to the nightly contortions. My telrad is still waiting to be mounted but I can already tell the hunt for DSO's will improve once its fixed on, hopefully in a place that allows me to have a choice if one finder is unreachable the other will be nearby.

Good luck with your search.

Regards

Aenima

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lancerde

lancerde

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I use an RDF and find it much easier to locate objects with it. I don't see the point of trying to use a very small telescope (finder scope) to find a DSO. You may as well use your main scope which has a much larger field of view. I use the RDF to get in the right area (with help from stellarium or charts) then use my 2'' Panaview 32mm to locate what I'm looking for then switch to a higher mag eyepiece. Undoubtedly, experienced astronomers will find a good quality finder scope indispensable as they have the knowledge and ability to star hop. Until I obtain that level of ability the RDF is the best way to find what you are looking for.

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lestergibson

lestergibson

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Thanks folks. The Telrad arrived today so hopefully it'll be a clean sky on Friday night. I'll take another crack at M13. I really think the Telrad's going to do a job for me, alright. I might have LP problems though from a small town to the south which might be screwing things up but I hope it's still there to be seen.

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