Searching for a Reticle

[mikemarotta]

I understand that as of now (December 2020), no one is making these. Baader used to make them for Celestron up to 2019, but Baader themselves stopping marketing reticles before that. I have been to the usual retail sites. I tried some classifieds (Astromart, for example), including Amazon. My next plan is to write (paper letters) to the retailers and ask directly if they have any in stock or plans to market them. I learned from talking to customer service reps on the phone that they know things that do not appear on their websites just because stuff comes and goes, especially returns and trade-ins.

Also, my local club would be a good place to ask around and see if anyone has one to sell.

Finally, I understand that several geometries and gradations exist.

I want to use it primarily for stars, binaries, of course, but, like, how far apart are the stars of the Pleiades? (Just for myself, another form of observation.) Can I measure distances on the Moon?

Anyway, are there other suggestions for where to buy a reticle and what to look for or look out for to avoid?

Thanks.
Mike M.

[Gordon]

Hi Michael,

I assume this is what you are looking for. They do have a North America distributor contact.

https://www.haag-streit.com/moeller-wed ... /reticles/

[John Donne]

I have a baader 12.5mm illuminated version.

I will send you pics when I get home.

I purchased this EP for the same purposes you have stated.

And yes you can measure distances on the moon up to a certain precision.
There are instructions for calibrating the reticle to your tekescope.

[John Donne]

This is the EP
It is expensive but of high quality and versatile.
I see them available on several websites.
It runs about 280 USD.

[Sky]

There's also the Celestron branded version (#94171) of the Baader 12.5mm illuminated reticle eyepiece. This eyepiece is really outdated and no longer needed by amateur astronomers since star positions in a digital image can be determined with an accuracy of ~ 0.2arcsec.

Celestron Micro Guide Eyepiece Manual_94171.pdf

(1023.61 KiB) Downloaded 168 times

However, working with an image on a computer doesn't supply the "connection" to the night sky that can only be experienced and appreciated by looking through an eyepiece.

[Lady Fraktor]

I am not sure why you were told Baader has quit making these, things have just slowed availability this year.
The Baader is a good model, one of the better for measurements.

This can be used for measuring:
https://www.baader-planetarium.com/en/a ... nated.html

Alpine Astronomical is the Baader outlet for North America so I always recommend checking here first:
https://alpineastro.com/collections/eye ... lluminator

Large stock for astronomy in Germany:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... ength.html

Either FLO or 365Astronomy will have what you need from UK:
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/specia ... piece.html

[mikemarotta]

This is the EP It is expensive but of high quality and versatile. I see them available on several websites. It runs about 280 USD.

Right. After I posted here, I looked some more and found that. (It's like when your computer does not work and you call the IT person over to your cubie and everything works just fine as soon as they sit down.) The price is something I am going to have to consider. Also, while the scales are all very nice and all, I was hoping for more choices instead of having them all in one field of view. But, yes, that seems to be the standard offering and better than the simple cross.

I am not sure why you were told Baader has quit making these, things have just slowed availability this year.

You said that in October 2019.You said that Baader stopped making them under their own name and then stopped supplying Celestron with them.

Hi Michael, I assume this is what you are looking for. They do have a North America distributor contact.... Haag-streit ...

Thanks!. They have the kinds that I am looking for. However, the reticles are all 12 mm in diameter. So, I would have to make something to accomodate that and that is a barrier considering my mechanical skills. But it is nice to know.

This eyepiece is really outdated and no longer needed by amateur astronomers since star positions in a digital image can be determined with an accuracy of ~ 0.2arcsec. ... However, working with an image on a computer doesn't supply the "connection" to the night sky that can only be experienced and appreciated by looking through an eyepiece.

Right. I prefer the personal interaction. Tonight I sketched the Pleiades.

[Lady Fraktor]

If I said that it was a slip of the finger on the keyboard, Baader has not stopped production of these.
Sorry for any misinformation.
If you can send me a link to the posting I will correct things.

[Lady Fraktor]

There's also the Celestron branded version (#94171) of the Baader 12.5mm illuminated reticle eyepiece. This eyepiece is really outdated and no longer needed by amateur astronomers since star positions in a digital image can be determined with an accuracy of ~ 0.2arcsec.

Celestron Micro Guide Eyepiece Manual_94171.pdf

However, working with an image on a computer doesn't supply the "connection" to the night sky that can only be experienced and appreciated by looking through an eyepiece.

Far from outdated as you can still do a lot of work with one.
Not everyone is interested in imaging with their telescopes, I use my reticle quite a bit.

[Bigzmey]

I don't believe there are reticle EPs other than 12.5mm on the market. However, you can use it in combination with barlows to get shorter focal length.

You may also try focal reducer for longer focal length, although you may run into some issues like vignetting or focuser travel.

[turboscrew]

Not really knowing...
Is this of any help?
https://www.astroshop.eu/eyepieces/15_10?q=reticle