Hi!... i currently have a 10" and star hopping using my straight thru finder is difficult, but i always find what im lookin for...planetary nebulas, galaxies, etc... now im thinkin in climbing the apperture ladder again... maybe a 16" a 20" mmm not sure... but if my 10" is hard, im wondering how hard is to find ur object with those big cannons?
Big Dob owners.. how do u aim ur telecope?
Started by ozzie, 02/08/2007 01:16PM
Posted 02/08/2007 01:16PM
Opening Post
Posted 02/08/2007 03:53PM
#1
Osvaldo,
I use a Rigel Quickfinder on the upper tube assembly and a widefield eyepiece to sweep up objects that I know right where are. I also have a 12x80 straight-through finder mounted on one of the poles at a comfortable height. It is good for star-hops(though harder to use than a wider field 8x50), and for nice views of large things, and will reveal Messiers and brighter NGCs at a dark site. It's pretty cool to put the crosshairs on the Crab Nebula and then climb up the steps!
Ron
I use a Rigel Quickfinder on the upper tube assembly and a widefield eyepiece to sweep up objects that I know right where are. I also have a 12x80 straight-through finder mounted on one of the poles at a comfortable height. It is good for star-hops(though harder to use than a wider field 8x50), and for nice views of large things, and will reveal Messiers and brighter NGCs at a dark site. It's pretty cool to put the crosshairs on the Crab Nebula and then climb up the steps!
Ron
Posted 02/08/2007 05:58PM
#2
Most useful is a Telrad or other type of 0 magnification site. The Telrad has the advantage of being included with many charts as the FOV indicator.
[SIZE="Large"][/SIZE][COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR] Floyd Blue
Amateur Imager
Posted 02/08/2007 07:34PM
#3
For many years I have used a half-binocular. The erect image makes it much easier to use. To mark the center of field, I drove a tiny screw into the side of the eyepiece at the focal plane. This is visible under dark skies without illumination.
Right now the only company I know of that sells straight-through erect image finder scopes is William Optics.
I don't understand why people tolerate inverted image finder scopes or 1x finders. I had a Telrad a few years ago and got rid of it.
Right now the only company I know of that sells straight-through erect image finder scopes is William Optics.
I don't understand why people tolerate inverted image finder scopes or 1x finders. I had a Telrad a few years ago and got rid of it.
Posted 02/09/2007 03:41PM
#4
Osvaldo
I second the motion on a Telrad or similar 1X finder in combination with a correct image finder, however, my choice would be a finder with a 90 degree diagonal not straight through. The straight through is difficult to use IMO. Well, I have to admit that you still have to get down also for a telrad or other red-dot type finders. During poor transparency I find it necessary do the rough find with the Telrad, then the finder scope, and finally zero in on an object with a long focal length EP by star hopping. This usually requires having some decent star chart available. The ones I use are printed from a cheap program that was available from Tasco. It will show stars up to mag 12.
I second the motion on a Telrad or similar 1X finder in combination with a correct image finder, however, my choice would be a finder with a 90 degree diagonal not straight through. The straight through is difficult to use IMO. Well, I have to admit that you still have to get down also for a telrad or other red-dot type finders. During poor transparency I find it necessary do the rough find with the Telrad, then the finder scope, and finally zero in on an object with a long focal length EP by star hopping. This usually requires having some decent star chart available. The ones I use are printed from a cheap program that was available from Tasco. It will show stars up to mag 12.
I Yam What I Yam!
Funding Member
