[AZ-Observing] Another form of Telrad style reflex finder

There is a second form of "Telrad" style reflex finder available, the 
Quickfinder from Rigel Systems:
http://members.cox.net/rigelsys/rigelsys.html
http://members.cox.net/rigelsys/quikfinder.html
(Sold by various dealers.)

The Quickfinder uses the same reflex or "HUD" (Heads Up Display, 
reflective beamsplitter window) principle as the standard Telrad, but is 
arranged as a more compact, upright gadget, in which the reflective 
window is farther away from the telescope tube.  I have one of each 
(Telrad and Quickfinder), but have not made any comparisons re: visual 
star brightness, so I can't comment on that. 

My two non-astronomer friends indicated they could not get the standard 
Telrad (on the SAC Loaner Scope, a Pierre 6 inch) to work properly for 
them -- they were pretty disappointed in it.  I did notice it is mounted 
pretty close to the tube (baseplate adapter mounted right on the tube), 
and requires really straining your neck to get your eyeball aligned.  
Maybe it's just the small size of that 6 inch scope.  The brightness 
adjustment seemed to be working ok.  Of course, if the brightness is set 
anywheres near bright enough to see or check the projected reticle in 
the daytime, it is way too bright for night use.

A long time ago I made a zero-power, tube style "bean shooter" sight for 
my 8 inch Meade 2080 SCT (now nearing its 25th anniversary), and then 
realized, I didn't really need the full length tube, so I cut the whole 
thing down to its essentials.  The aiming sight consists of two sets of 
white PVC rings (carefully cut from plumbing tubing scraps with a 
hacksaw), drilled and mounted on standoffs -- screws and spacers 
(washers) -- fore and aft on the tube. (There are convenient tapped 
holes on the SCTs that allow aligning the rings.)  The spacing (about 13 
inches, the length of the SCT tube) between the two sets of rings gives 
a good field indication, which I could actually calculate the angular 
size of, if I was so inclined.... On a standard scope, you could adjust 
the spacing between the two sets of rings to give a particular field, 
based on the diameter of the tubing used.  No lighting is needed (no 
battery to run down), and therefore, no loss of night vision.  The white 
PVC rings stand out clearly against the sky.  The back one (nearest your 
eye) has two concentric rings:  a larger outer one, and a smaller inner 
one for centering.  (Spaced apart with washers on the mounting screw.)  
The one on the far end has a post that sticks up to the center of the 
ring.  You sight the front post through the smaller centering ring in 
the back, and point the scope to have the object of interest behind the 
post.  (You really only need the centering ring and a post, I 
suppose....or maybe just two posts fore and aft, sticking up... probably 
a bit dangerous in the dark!)

Biggest issue for me is that I am near-sighted, so I need to wear my 
glasses to be able to see both sets of the sighting rings and also the 
stars.  Therefore, I am constantly removing and replacing my glasses, 
for infinity vs. eyepiece views...  Ditto, have to re-focus the 
conventional finder optics.

The "Starlite" adjustable brightness LED astronomy flashlights by Rigel 
Systems are absolutely THE BEST I have ever found, in 50 years 
observing!  (Sold by various dealers.)
http://members.cox.net/rigelsys/flashlight.html

Gene Lucas
(17250)

--
See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please 
send personal replies to the author, not the list.

Other related posts: