| FINDERSCOPES | ||
| OPTICAL FINDERSCOPES | tgere are essentially two types of
finderscopes and each one is useful. The optical finderscope is a
miniature refracting scope that magnifies the view to show more detail in
a smaller segment of the night sky. The optical finder is most useful for
advanced deep sky viewing where it is helpful to see a little more detail.
These finders are available in a straight through design or in a right
angle design which allows
the user to view through a diagonal - a feature handy if the telescope is
pointed at or near the zenith. The image is erect, meaning it is the same
orientation as a star chart and the magnification is based on the model.
Some right angle finders even come with illuminated reticules allowing the
user to see the crosshairs in the dark. Single power finderscopes do not magnify the night sky. They project a red dot or a bulls-eye reticle on to an internal screen - not the sky. You aim the telescope by placing the projected target in the right area. Some models also offer a flip-mirror accessory that allows for more comfortable head positioning and all models have adjustable brightness levels. The Telrad and the Rigel are the two most popular finders on the market today that incorporate the "bulls-eye' reticle. The non-magnified view allows the user to simply place the telescope on the point in the sky where the finder is aimed keeping both eyes open and not losing track of your position in the sky in relation to the constellations. Polar Finderscopes are a necessity if your mount absolutely has to be precisely aligned for guiding and astrophotogrphy. |