Finder Scope

Hi guys and gals

I'm on the look out for a finder scope for my Megrez 110, but I'm wondering if it would be better to get the straight through version or the right angle model?

I know for observing close to the zenith the RA is preferable, but when observing is lower down the straight finder works.

Any thoughts will be welcome.

Paul

Hi Paul, I suppose that would depend on how low you can set your mount, personally I have alwaays used straight through finders, thre's also a little more glass for light to pass through the right angled ones. I guess it's just a matter of preference.

Keith..

I only knew of one person with a right angled finder, and he cursed it the day he got it,

Hi Paul. There is an advertisement on page 104 of this month's issue of the Sky at Night magazine for a straight-through finderscope. It's 8X40 achromatic made by Orion, and can be focused, unlike some of the rubbish that's out these days. Price is £59 and can be purchased from the Windscreen Centre in England.

Aubrey.

I've got a RACI finder that I can use on my scopes. It's really nice for me to be able to look down to the finder when it's on one of my refractors instead of having to kneel and peer up. When I have on the 8" newt, I can see where I'm pointing without having to get my head really close to the tube - much more comfortable.
I've always found it easy to reconcile the reversed or rotated images in a finder with where I need to go but the right angle correct image finder just makes it a bit more comfortable to do that.

An ideal combination for me would be a Telrad with the 50mm RACI finder. I have a red dot finder which is great for low power stuff but the 50mm finder makes a huge difference in ease of finding.

YMMV though.

Thanks for the replies guys, great as always.

Hi Paul. There is an advertisement on page 104 of this month's issue of the Sky at Night magazine for a straight-through finderscope. It's 8X40 achromatic made by Orion, and can be focused, unlike some of the rubbish that's out these days. Price is £59 and can be purchased from the Windscreen Centre in England

Thanks Aubrey, I am looking at Teleskop-Express in Germany, they are selling a 8x50 finder for €55, €17 for the shoe, plus shipping.

With the really terrible exchange rate this is the cheaper option.

I suppose in an ideal world one of each would be best, but the budget does not stretch that far.


Paul