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[headdunce]

So can I give up on the spotting scope and put this on instead?
www.telescope.com/Orion-SkyLine-Deluxe-Green-Laser-Pointer-amp-Telescope-Bracket/p/24780.uts

I just don't know if I would ever really be able to aim that green laser to line up everything like I should?

Thanks for the feedback

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Jim,

I use my green laser on the C11 every time I do a public session.

It guides the OTA in the general direction...and if aligned properly...the beam will be on target and display the object in the eyepiece dead center. But, I have not tossed away my finderscopes - as both are important in locating your objects.

That Orion set-up does not reveal the Mw power...so I do not know if it will be suitable.

[headdunce]

Thanks Joe, I've seen your laser and am green with envy... err...

I'm just annoyed with the finder scope because it needs an elbow so that I don't have to keep twisting my neck, etc, when I move from the eyepiece to the finder. I'm just not sure if I should get a finder scope with a right angle, or just get a laser. I'm use to aligning the finder scope, I just can't picture how to align the laser. I assume it's more of a "general direction" thing with the laser instead of the crosshair accuracy of the finder? Or do I shoot the laser at a telephone pole or something and look for the green dot in the eyepiece?

[-=CROMAN=-]

Jim... Did you ever pick up a Rigel finder? very useful and very small. The green lasers are cool but they only work properly when they are warm, the cheaper ones anyway. Once they get cold the beam goes to crap.

[headdunce]

I tried the telrad, it was too big to mount to the upper part of the truss dob. Haven't tried anything else yet, but I am annoyed with the current finder scope already.

Good point about the cold batteries, especially since I've got the scope in the middle of no where Wisconsin - I doubt Farm and Fleet will have batteries for the laser (but they do have some cool/weird-to-me things there)

...maybe I should just stick to a right angle finder...

[headdunce]

Just looked at the Rigel again, I'd have the same neck turning view as the current finder scope, but thanks for the suggestion

[-=CROMAN=-]

im seriously considering one of these for this summer. I think a permanent mounting would be in order here

www.ebay.com/itm/320734265360?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Jim,

The Rigel is a nifty accessory and I prefer it over the Telrad.

But on the laser....

The solid and true finder scopes are superior to the laser in that they will never fail you. I used a home built right angle finder on my Newt for many years - made from binocular parts and PVC. Worked well and I prefer the 90 angle than to a straight through and recommend it for ease on the neck & back. But, C.A. Paulie finds the straight through manner better for him.

The lasers do indeed fail during colder weather and are useless in the dead of winter if left on the scope. I pocket mine, and rest it on the tube for rough targeting. Does the job, but not too accurate.

When mounted on the tube...you can easily see the green beam in your finder scope. It's just then a simple matter to adjust the laser holder screws to coax the beam right onto the target centered in the finder.


Then, just follow the beam for adventures!

I was also thinking about a set-up like Rich portrays there for the C11, instead of a pocket pointer. It has great possibilities.

[atomant]

Yeah, Jim. You need a two pronged attack on locating stuff.
A 1x finder ie telrad, rigel or laser to quickly point scope to vicinity.
A powered finder ie straight-thru or RACI

finder like 6x30 or 9x50 with 5 degree view to zero-in on your target.

Hopefully you have chance to observe during our outings to try the stuff before you buy.

[headdunce]

Alright, I'll put off the laser for now and get the right angle finder first. Any opinions on the 6x30 vs the 9x50?

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Jim,

Both have their pros..6x30 being a wider field and the 9x50 with a more magnified area.

Considering I used the 50mm objective lens off a broken pair of binos for my homemade finder scope with great success,

astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Equipment&action=display&thread=2327

...I would recommend the 9x50s finder scope. It would help in catching the dimmer objects that the 6x30 would miss.

And besides, you got a big scope there and it deserves a bigger finder for the DSOs.

[erikruud]

If I can build one, you should be able to.

astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ATM&thread=3456&page=1

[Paulie pchris00]

May 22, 2012 9:31:04 GMT -6 -=CROMAN=- said:

im seriously considering one of these for this summer. I think a permanent mounting would be in order here

www.ebay.com/itm/320734265360?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[headdunce]

Alright, I've got a 9x50 now just without the elbow. Looks like I'll be staying with 9x50 just with an elbow (and maybe some light up crosshairs) - time to shop around...

Thanks everyone

[headdunce]

Just bought this one -
www.telescope.com/Accessories/Telescope-Finder-Scopes/Orion-9x50-Illuminated-Right-Angle-CI-Finder-Scope/pc/-1/c/3/sc/49/p/101449.uts

Thanks for the help!

[patrickm]

Lithium AA batteries help solve the cold laser problem a little bit.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Jim,

I think that's a good finder for your tube.

The illuminated cross hairs will be good when you take the Dob to your dark skies and the right-angle will make your neck and back happy.

But...

I don't see that a dove-tail base is included.

Do you have one already on the OTA that fits this?

[headdunce]

Yes, I'm pretty sure the mount that's on my current finder is the same dovetail (unless Orion did something weird.) So this should be an easy swap. I had a hard time on my hot tub telescope adventure seeing the crosshairs, these light up ones should be cool!

I wonder if I'll get it by this weekend, fingers crossed. My scope is in my camper right now and will be there all summer, even got one of them silver covers for it (for my bday) so I can set it up when I get there and just cover it during the days (of course taking it down when I leave)

....as I was surfing here last night, my hard drive died in my laptop. I don't know what's up lately, but that's 3 hard drives I've cooked in the last month?!!?! All on different machines. The projects never end.

[headdunce]

Looking at the "In the Box" tab, it sounds like it comes with the bracket too -

Orion 9x50 Illuminated Right-Angle Correct-Image Finder Scope
Dovetail bracket with O-ring
Illuminator arm with 3 button-cell batteries
Instruction manual

[RobbW]

Jim, you won't be let down with that finder. I have the same exact one (sans the illuminated EP) on my C8. I, too, would have recommended a RA finder over a laser. GLPs are really cool and useful, but it would be a pain to align the laser with your optical train without using a finder scope.

Truthfully, I rarely use my OTA-mounted GLP for finding anything. It is mostly for show and quickly pointing out to spectators where in the sky the scope is currently pointing. At public outreach events, I stick strictly to using the Go-To on my scope so I don't keep the audience standing around for 15 minutes while I star-hop to a faint fuzzy.

On the other hand, I can totally see the usefulness of a GLP if I wanted to hone my star-hopping skills. If I was out in dark skies by myself or other amateur astronomers (i.e. non-public event), it would be cool to turn off the Go-To and use the GLP to get close enough to a target, and then use the finder or scope to hop the rest of the way. It would certainly be quicker to unlock the clutches on my mount and swing the scope around using the GLP to point than trying to slew with the motor using a Telrad or the finder scope.

Good luck with your purchase, and I hope it arrives quickly. Although, that means we'll probably have crummy skies here soon. Just make sure it arrives well before the Venus transit. Otherwise you'll have a lynch mob after you if the transit gets clouded out!!!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

This is yall's first warning:

NOBODY buy any new telescopic equipment until after the Venusian Transit.

I know your IP addresses.

[wwpierre]

May 23, 2012 5:33:42 GMT -6 headdunce said:

Looking at the "In the Box" tab, it sounds like it comes with the bracket too -

Orion 9x50 Illuminated Right-Angle Correct-Image Finder Scope
Dovetail bracket with O-ring
Illuminator arm with 3 button-cell batteries
Instruction manual

The bracket referred to is the "holder" for the finder scope, consisting of a "stalk" with a ring on one end and a "foot" on the other. The part that fastens to the telescope tube is sometimes referred to as a "shoe".

[headdunce]

Glad to hear it's a nice piece.

Ah, bracket being the holder for the finder -got it- I hope the shoe fits

Pfffftttt... clouds

[RobbW]

Do not mock the curse or you will feel the wrath!

[-=CROMAN=-]

looks like rain coming. Where is that FedEx guy?... shoulda been here by now

[Paulie pchris00]

May 23, 2012 10:43:53 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

This is yall's first warning:

NOBODY buy any new telescopic equipment until after the Venusian Transit.

I know your IP addresses.

Don't worry. I'm broke until then.

[-=CROMAN=-]

Do batteries count?

[RobbW]

I wouldn't push it, Rich. Have you seen the size of Joe's flashlight?!?!

[headdunce]

May 25, 2012 13:56:31 GMT -6 RobbW said:

I wouldn't push it, Rich. Have you seen the size of Joe's flashlight?!?!

Oh, that was a flashlight I just thought he was happy to see me

...should be here Wednesday

[headdunce]

Got it! Way cooler than the one I currently have, can't wait to try it out!