replacing red dot finder

[jayem123]

Hi All, 

 

I have the Skywatcher 130p reflector telescope.  My Red Dot finder has stopped working (i've tried replacing the battery but it hasn't made a difference), so I'm looking to buy a new one.  Is there one that you guys would recommend?

I'm looking for one that i can easily fit onto my scope.

TIA

Jay

[The Admiral]

I quite like the all-metal gun sight type, such as this: http://www.365astronomy.com/365Astronomy-Deluxe-Multi-Reticle-Red-Dot-Finderscope-with-Metal-Body-RED-GREEN-LED.html, but there a many clones of this type.

I'm sure you'll get as many preferences as there will be responders though. Each to his own.

Ian

[laudropb]

As Ian has pointed out there are many different solutions to your problem and often it is down to personal choice. Did you like using your red dot finder? If so you could just replace it with something similar. I personally use a Rigel finder in conjunction with a RACI optical finder. I have found this to be a good combination for star hopping. Others prefer a Telrad finder.

[billyharris72]

Does the 130p have a hot shoe or is the rail fitted directly to the scope (like on the Heritage)? If it's the former you might also consider a finder scope (I like the Skywatcher RACI a lot). You could also (or alternatively) fit a Rigel Quickfinder (Telrad is a bit overkill) which is a major improvement over a standard RDF and not much more expensive.

[Knighty2112]

I've just bought a Celestron StarPointer Pro, which projects two concentric circles on the reticule rather than just a red dot, so can aid with star hopping etc. Similar to the Telarad &Rigel, but not with a so large a footprint or presence on your scope. Comes with 4 different types of mount to attach onto your scope. Only plan to use it for course finding first, then switch to my 6x30 finderscope to home in on higher magnifications. So far works very well once aligned with your scope. The picture shows the rings in the reticule, but look much better at night time of course, especially on low brightness level. I got mine for £27 off eBay, so it doesn't break the bank at all. Depending on which mount you use to fit to your scope you may have to buy a synta shoe to fit it if you use the synta mount. 

[jayem123]

On 8/4/2016 at 10:53, billyharris72 said:

Does the 130p have a hot shoe or is the rail fitted directly to the scope (like on the Heritage)? If it's the former you might also consider a finder scope (I like the Skywatcher RACI a lot). You could also (or alternatively) fit a Rigel Quickfinder (Telrad is a bit overkill) which is a major improvement over a standard RDF and not much more expensive.

It has a rail fitted with a finderscope that looks like this:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finderscope-Finder-Starpointer-Astronomical-Telescopes/dp/B01C53EI98/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1470757608&sr=8-4-fkmr0&keywords=130+finderscope

 

Am I better off just getting a direct replacement?

[billyharris72]

A direct replacement would work fine. If it is exactly like the one in the pic (I.e. with the stalk, and the foot at the bottom that fits into a Skywatcher style bracket, which looks like this https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/finder-mounting-shoe.html) then you have lots of options. Personally, I really like optical finders like this one:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/skywatcher-9x50-right-angled-erecting-finderscope.html

But others prefer the RDF. Another option, that will go on any scope, is this:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/rigel-quikfinder-compact-reflex-sight.html

The advantage is that the circle it projects is always 2 degrees (doesn't matter where you put your head) which makes it easier to star hop or to make sure the object is in your field of view. I have both of these on my Dob and the combination works great.

The Skywatcher RDF really is okay though, and at a good price, so you can't go too far wrong.

Billy.

[Louis D]

1 hour ago, billyharris72 said:

A direct replacement would work fine. If it is exactly like the one in the pic (I.e. with the stalk, and the foot at the bottom that fits into a Skywatcher style bracket, which looks like this https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/finder-mounting-shoe.html) then you have lots of options. Personally, I really like optical finders like this one:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/skywatcher-9x50-right-angled-erecting-finderscope.html

Why not mount both with this?

[jayem123]

On 8/4/2016 at 14:12, Knighty2112 said:

I've just bought a Celestron StarPointer Pro, which projects two concentric circles on the reticule rather than just a red dot, so can aid with star hopping etc. Similar to the Telarad &Rigel, but not with a so large a footprint or presence on your scope. Comes with 4 different types of mount to attach onto your scope. Only plan to use it for course finding first, then switch to my 6x30 finderscope to home in on higher magnifications. So far works very well once aligned with your scope. The picture shows the rings in the reticule, but look much better at night time of course, especially on low brightness level. I got mine for £27 off eBay, so it doesn't break the bank at all. Depending on which mount you use to fit to your scope you may have to buy a synta shoe to fit it if you use the synta mount. 

I ended up going with this, and it's SO MUCH better and and easier to use than my previous one.   Thank you for the suggestion.

[Knighty2112]

On 19 August 2016 at 16:24, jayem123 said:

I ended up going with this, and it's SO MUCH better and and easier to use than my previous one.   Thank you for the suggestion.

Glad it worked out for you. I'm loving mine too!