9x50 finderscope / red dot finder

[r.t.swing]

Hi all,

I understand the 9x50 finderscope but how does one use a red dot finder? Are there any benefits or either?

[John]

The red dot type finder gets you to the general area of the sky (within a few degrees) and the optical finder then allows precise location, if needed. The RDF's work by appearing to project a target (a dot or some rings) against the night sky - a sort of heads up display. This shows exactly where the scope is pointing.

I find I can often rely on the RDF alone but having an optical finder is useful ocasionally as well.

[rowan46]

you put the red spot on your target and your there. as to benefits some people find them easier to use but some like the magnification of a finder scope some people have both. If you are having trouble with a finder scope a rdf may be for you

[r.t.swing]

Are fittings generally universal or do different scopes have different fittings. Which red dot finder should I add to my party list?

[John]

Some plug into the existing finder fitting and some have separate bases that fix to the tube with double sided sticky pads. The Telrad and the Rigel Quikfinder are the latter type and my favourite RDF's.

[Geno]

The Telrad is a good bit of kit but has quite a large footprint, whereas I believe the Rigel has a much smaller footprint. It depends on how much space you have on the scope. The Telrad fits nicely next to my 9x50 finder on my 200P.

I mostly rely on my Telrad but do need the finder occasionaly when I can't quite get something.