Zero power finder scope

[Johndepro]

Hi, John here
Dose anyone know if I can put a zero power finder scope (I don't know what it's called) on my 127eq ?

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[bornfree]

telrad? sure u can. it has a base u can just use a blutack or double sided table to hold it in place.. i am using double sided tape on my telrad.

[Johndepro]

I see, but what do you mean my tetrad?

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[Gary]

I see, but what do you mean my tetrad?

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There are a few brands/models of zero power finders (also known as one-power finder or unit finder). Two of the popular ones are Telrad Finder and Rigel QuikFinder.

Telrad --> http://www.telescopes.com/telescope-acc ... ngbase.cfm

Rigel QuikFinder --> http://rigel.datacorner.com/rigelsys/quikfinder.html

They each have their own pros and cons - e.g. parallax error, bulk, battery life, blinking functionality, how fast it dew up without modifications ..etc.

[Johndepro]

I see, but which brand do you recommend?

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[MooEy]

The cheapest one that you can find. I personally like this one

http://www.telescope.com/Accessories/Te ... p/7228.uts

I remember getting it for $12.95 during promos.

~MooEy~

[Johndepro]

Oh, I will see if I can get it, thank you

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[Gary]

I see, but which brand do you recommend?

Depends on how your rank your priorities and preferences for selecting one.

Comfort in looking through - Telrad
Very little parallax error - Telrad
Super long battery life - Telrad
Align once only (assuming you fix the base very securely) - Telrad
Dew up slightly slower without user modification - Rigel
Prefer seeing projected rings up to 4 degrees (3 rings) - Telrad
Bulk, portability, weight - Rigel
Like blinking feature - Rigel

Some prefer red dot but personally I don't. I don't like the dot blocking parts of the object but more importantly I prefer the red rings which is very useful for star-hopping and estimation.

I have both Telrad and Quikfinder and use them at various times for various telescopes for various objects depending where I use it and how high accuracy I need for a particular session.

For example, for most sidewalks in Singapore which we usually only get to see simple-to-find objects, accuracy is not so important. So I usually use Quikfinder. If your telescope have a relatively wide field of view, then you may not need a very high accuracy finder to get the object inside the telescope FOV.

If I need high accuracy on a manual telescope system (e.g. 10-inch dob) with high magnification for planetary observing, then Telrad is my preferred finder.

For people like myself without private transport, bulk may be an issue to consider. The space savings from carrying a Rigel over Telrad can allow one to stuff one or more useful astro accessory into a bag to enhance to the overall experience of a stargazing session - e.g. an extra eyepiece, small binocular, small powered finder, ...etc.

But I suggest you look through both of them during public sessions before deciding. Some people rank comfort and ease of seeing the red circles very highly and find the Quikfinder unpleasant to use and willing to compromise with the bulk of Telrad. So they may choose a Telrad or red-dot finder instead.

Some also prefer powered-finder over any zero powered finder.

Some telescopes are not suitable or looks "ugly" (if that bothers you) with the bulky telrad, e.g. a short refractor which may not have a long enough smooth area to attach the telrad base. For your 127, both finders should not be a problem when it comes to finding place to attach them.

[orly_andico]

had a Rigel. hard to acquire the reticle, your eye must be positioned just so.

now have two telrads. bulky ugly things, but very functional. easy to acquire the reticle, minimal parallax.

[Johndepro]

Hi, Gary thanks for all the information, I personally prefer the red circle one I have seen through it and I like it. The red dot is quite hard for me.

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