90 Degree RA Finder

[ZOG]

In my search for one of these I came across this

http://tinyurl.com/y9h4yw

The guy sells quite a bit of Astro related stuf and has good feedback. Has anyone done business with him and can anyone tell me if this is good value at a buy now price of £25 delivered.

Thanks in advance.

[MartinB]

30mm guidescopes are pretty limited and better to go for 50mm if possible. Also although right angled guidescopes sound like a good idea in practice they can be difficult to use. The main benefit of a straight through guider is that you can visualise where you are seacrching. this isn't possible with a right angled one and I have found it amazing how much difference that makes.

[FLO]

With a 'straight' finder, you can also use the 'both eyes open' method where you see the sky and the magnified image together.

Works for me (though I do get the occasional crick in the neck).

[ZOG]

Ok so maybe I'm missing something here, if your target is directly overhead and you're using a newt on a tripod, how do you sight through a straight finderscope short of physically lying on the ground ? Coz try as I might my neck just wont bend enough to do it.

[Ant]

You lay on the ground

Had to do that last night with the double cluster...

Ant

[jakey]

Since I got a telrad I no longer even have a "normal" finderscope fitted. The telrad is so much better, I also use the Messier books that were made with telrad charts. It can be quicker than goto.

[MartinB]

I just use a telrad now with my non goto set up. However that's using short f/l refractor and a 32mm uwa eye piece which is much better than any guidescope anyway. A finder scope can still be helpful for a long f/l scope with a narrow FOV to finally home in on a difficult target.

[Albireo380]

I must admit, I prefer the Rigel Qwikfinder to the Telrad - much lighter (and a wee bit cheaper - I am Scottish - so every penny has to be prised away from me).

But I agree, on a non-GOTO setup, either can be better than a poor finderscope.

Tom

[jakey]

I just use a telrad now with my non goto set up. However that's using short f/l refractor and a 32mm uwa eye piece which is much better than any guidescope anyway. A finder scope can still be helpful for a long f/l scope with a narrow FOV to finally home in on a difficult target.

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I have to disagree with you on that one. I used a telrad on my f20 omc and it was far easier than the back to front upside down finder that was normally fitted.

[The Warthog]

Ok so maybe I'm missing something here, if your target is directly overhead and you're using a newt on a tripod, how do you sight through a straight finderscope short of physically lying on the ground ? Coz try as I might my neck just wont bend enough to do it.

Neither will mine, which is why I bought a 7x50 RA finder for my Newt. I also have a red-dot finder on the scope, which I use to put myself in the right area, and I can search with the 7 degree FOV of the finder. I will never use a straight through finder on a newt again. As mine is a correct image finder, it takes a little thinking to remember which way to move the scope, but you can get used to it. Looking into the finder with your head in a normal position, you can spend the time it takes to get the scope on target without tears streaming down your face because of the pain in your neck. I just might get an RA finder for my frac as well. If I get a crosshair finder for the frac, it certainly will be an RA.

[The Warthog]

Oh, yeah. I can also take it off the scope and use it as a monocular. It's versatile.