Finder Scope

[hgole]

Would like to replace stock straight line finder scope...thoughts on the Stellervue F50M 9x50 RACI Finder? Overkill for orion skyview pro 8? If so recommendations for alternative 90 degree finders? Thanks in advance, everyone has been so helpful, huge relief for a newbie.

[Ruud]

RACI is wonderful. Very comfortable for looking up!

I have a GSO 8x50 with a true field of 5.4° and a Skywatcher 6x30 with a true field of 7.5°.

The 8x50 shows more and brighter stars in a narrower field. Sometimes so many stars stars makes it difficult to recognise the field.

The 6x30's view is closer to a naked eye's view. It's field is always easier to identify. I find my targets quicker with the 6x30. It also has fewer aberrations.

Both RACIs beat my red dot finder hands down. They give clear views and one doesn't need to be a contortion artist to find things overhead.

UsingRedDot.png (66.37 KiB) Viewed 2344 times

[Lady Fraktor]

I use Antares 9x50 and Stellarvue 9x50 as I like to have the ability to use a eyepiece of choice to suit the FOV to suit my session.
I also use the Stellarvue MRF.

For a large newtonian I would recommend a RACI finder along with a Telrad.
A great combination for hunting and finding objects.

[pakarinen]

I have an old University Optics 9x50 RA on my ST120, but just bought this for my 90mm Mak:

https://www.telescope.com/Black-6x30-Ri ... p/7211.uts

I'd probably go with a 9x50 for a larger scope like yours:

https://www.telescope.com/Orion-9x50-Ri ... p/7212.uts

The Orion finders aren't top of the line, but I find them to do just the job quite well.

[Greenman]

I have an old University Optics 9x50 RA on my ST120, but just bought this for my 90mm Mak:

https://www.telescope.com/Black-6x30-Ri ... p/7211.uts

I'd probably go with a 9x50 for a larger scope like yours:

https://www.telescope.com/Orion-9x50-Ri ... p/7212.uts

The Orion finders aren't top of the line, but I find them to do just the job quite well.

Agreed Pakainen, I have the Orion Illuminated RACI, it's really useful and has supplanted my Antares versascope (that will be useful once I start guiding).

[Bigzmey]

Typical 8x50, 9x50 or 6x30 RACI work fine for beginner to intermediate observer. In terms of quality they are about the same (Orion, GSO, Celestron or other brands). Just pick one with better price. As others mentioned I would get 6x30 for dark skies and 8x50 or 9x50 if you observe under light pollution. Very dark skies require illuminated reticle, for a typical urban/suburban sky none-illuminated reticle works fine.

As Gabby indicated, the main advantage of Stellarvue RACI is ability to change eyepieces. For an advanced user it gives the opportunity to change finder power, field of view, exit pupil and even type of reticle to match sky quality and type of targets you are hunting. This comes at a price, since in addition to purchasing RACI, you will need to buy EPs for it.

I have started with 6x30 and 9x50 Orion RACIs, but after a few years of observing (and building my collection of scopes and EPs) upgraded to Stellarvue RACI.

[OzEclipse]

Hi,
I guess these decisions are based on personal preference.

When using a cassegrain or cat on a low EQ mount, the finder ends up so low that I can understand the desire for a right angle finder RACI or not.

I haven't used an Orion Skyview Pro 8 and I don't know the height of the finder on the OTA. In general, with the finder at the top of a newt tube, it's much easier to look through a straight through than on a cass or refractor where the finder is very low. Despite the dual image reversals, I have always found a straight through finder very natural to use because my other eye is open and looking it the same direction. In fact some of my home made finders have no crosshairs. I just line up and centre my naked eye image with the finder image and hey bingo.

I suggest you try both before you decide.

Joe

[turboscrew]

I've also getting annoyed of the circus stunts it takes to look into a straight finder scope on a dobsonian, so I'm spying here...

[pakarinen]

I've also getting annoyed of the circus stunts it takes to look into a straight finder scope on a dobsonian, so I'm spying here...

I feel the same way about RDFs on my refractors. I can get around it though by cranking up the center column on my tripod. I have only one scope without a RACI now and I think I'll just buy one for it anyway.

[OzEclipse]

I've also getting annoyed of the circus stunts it takes to look into a straight finder scope on a dobsonian, so I'm spying here...

I feel the same way about RDFs on my refractors. I can get around it though by cranking up the center column on my tripod. I have only one scope without a RACI now and I think I'll just buy one for it anyway.

A red dot finder is pretty light and cheap. you could mount it or a second RD finder at the top of the refractor tube

Joe

[pakarinen]

A red dot finder is pretty light and cheap. you could mount it [...] at the top of the refractor tube

Joe

Yeah, I've done that. I think I still prefer a RA(CI). One of my red dots might find it's way onto binos if I ever get something bigger than 10x50s.

[Baurice]

I have a Skywatcher 9x50 RA. It is great.

[Baurice]

I have a Skywatcher 9x50 RA. It is great.

[AbbN]

I don't use finder scopes anymore unless I'm really really stuck and I don't even have one on my Orion ST80. However there is one exception, my Orion 102 Mak. Because of it's very narrow FOV (F12.7) I find I actually need one on this scope. I replaced it's 6x26 correct image finder scope with the Orion 9x50 right angle correct image finder scope. It turned out to be better than I was expecting and am quite happy with it.

Abb

[helicon]

I have a 8x50 RACI on my Dob and also a Rigel Quickfinder. On my refractor I also have an 8x50 finder that I seldom use as the low power field of view is over 2 degrees.