Travelscope/finderscope

[Commanderfish]

Hi team SGL,

I'm lucky enough to be going to Portugal in a couple of weeks, where the wife informs me the Milky Way is easily visible. The problem is that with all the kids stuff, our baggage limit will be a big problem so I don't see how I can take my 120mm Evostar F8 Frac.

I could take my 6x30 finder scope. Is there a better finder scope or other small scope which people would recommend taking along?

Also, what do the numerical descriptions of finderscopes mean? Ie what is 6x30? How do I calculate mag and fov for a finder scope?

Cheers,

Fish

[mister_wavey]

6x30 = 6x magnification, 30mm aperture, just like with binocs. FOV varies but is usually 5-7 degrees in a finder.

But it seems to me you'd be hugely better off with a pair of 10x50 binocs than a 6x30 finder.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

+1 for binoculars. I take my 15x70 and/or 10x50 with me almost everywhere I travel

[Alfian]

Another +1 for binos.  8x42/10x50s or even a 15x70 with a very portable monopod. 

[damnut]

Another vote for a decent pair of bino's, under a dark sky you will be amazed at what you can see. If you have a smartphone / tablet download stellarium for it. And enjoy your hol!

[Gina]

Is this for visual or imaging?  Definitely bins for visual.

[Commanderfish]

_{Yes, it's for viewing, so Binos it is.  I have a pair of 10 x 50s somewhere in my parents house.  Funnily eough I got those for my birthay when I was about 8 and really wanted a telescope, but when I got the scope  I couldn't make it work so it got returned (parents were no help).  30 years later and I finally have my first scope (120 frac) and second scope arriving tomorrow!  (SCT9.25 AVX)}

[Commanderfish]

As an aside, would people generally recommend upgrading the finderscope from the 6 x 30 to the 9 x 50?  Is it more useful to have the additional magnification or is it a hinderance when astronavigating?