Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Mar 14, 2005 13:27:44 GMT -6
Joe and the Rigel QuickFinder...
For many years now, I have been using the screws on the outside of my tube for alignment purposes in locating objects. It worked ok, but objects high up...at zenith, it gets rather awkward. If I'm going to be that close to the ground, I better be drunk.... So I decided to purchase a zero mag finder apparatus. I researched quite a bit and settled on the Rigel QuickFinder.
Telrad is the leader of the pack and does the job well, but I don't like the bulkiness of the unit..and it's 1/2 pound to boot! The reviews for both units were good, with Telrad edging out the Rigel just a tad. But the benefits of the Rigel sold me over the telrad.
It's lighter, comes with two bases, battery and the blinking targeting circles is the norm, not an additional purchase like the Telrad. It's also a vertical unit as opposed to Telrad which is horizontal. This way, I can place the Rigel right next to my eyepiece for efficient sighting. I am tired of sighting objects from the end of my tube, sighting over the top and capturing my object.
The Telrad has three concentric rings and the Rigel has only two, but that's ok. I don't have the dark skies here in Chicago, so it really doesn't make a difference. The circles are spaced 1/2 and 2 degrees outward. The Telrad has the additional circle at 4 degrees. The clear projection plate on the Rigel is plastic, while the one on the Telrad is glass. I figure if it ever breaks on me or gets damaged, I can easily cut a piece of glass and replace it. The rigel also has a built in dew shield.
The cost of the Rigel QuickFinder was $37.50, cheaper than the Telrad, and it comes complete. I should be receiving it next week sometime and I think it will make my targeting a it easier.
Who said that the skies were free?