Dropped F25mm lense

[Andy Josiah]

Hi guys I've just signed up to you site and recently picked up a 1993 Tal (I think) for £45 two weeks ago with no clear skies yet. It's battleship grey with a centre stem and three feet. On looking tonight to try to figure it out and understand it a  little and the F25mm has a small lense in it on the bottom end and the bloody thing dived to its death and cracked the lense with the finder cross on it although the main lense is fine. I'm assuming it's just a finder cross. My question is if you would be so kind is it necessary and can it be replaced and what do I call it please. I have attached some pics of them independently and both in together. Thank you in advance and can't wait to get out viewing. 

[gurneyfan67]

Hello sorry to hear about your misfortune. The lens that you are referring to is called  a reticle. It is attached to an eyepiece so that is can be used as a star guider in astrophotography. When I purchased my Tal 1M telescope in 2004 the reticle was supplied in the kit and screws into the bottom of the Tal 25mm Plossl. Your eyepiece is an earlier vintage so it appears differently but serves the same purpose. It may be difficult to find a replacement but honestly I have not used the reticle much.