I only use reflex finders. I have used three different brands. I like Telrad the best. You can see it, to align it with the scope, much earlier in the evening. I also like the Rigel Quickfinder. Both of these are high enough that you can lay your face near the tube of the scope and still use either eye to view through the finder. The Orion is too low and the older versions are difficult to align. The only reasons I see for having a magnifying finder is 1. You need more weight at the end of the tube. (really rare) 2. Star Hopping. I just change the eyepiece to a lower power when I am doing #2. I think that part of my problem with finders was that they added so many stars to the field that I was unable to compare the field to the map (Orion) that I was using. The first one that I had was a 90deg one so the image would have been left and right reversed (if I remember right). That was also confusing. Dave -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+david.dunn=albertsons.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+david.dunn=albertsons.com@mailman.xmissio n.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 7:35 AM To: Utah-Astro Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Finderscope poll As I begin to address the details on a new scope, I find myself curious as to what the current trends are as far as finderscopes. I have my own personal favorites, but it never hurts to see what else is out there. Can list members help? A. What is the aperture of your primary finder? B. Do you use an auxilliary scope? (larger than primary finder, usually much smaller than main instrument) If so, what is it's aperture? I'm not referring to guidescopes used in imaging applications, but a visual auxilliary telescope mounted on the main instrument. C. Do you use a reflex site? (Terad, Starbeam, Quickfinder, Mars-eye, etc.) D. Is your primary finder correct imaging, inverted, or mirror-reversed? E. Finally, what kind of reticle or other cross-hairs do you favor for the finder, if you do? Illuminated? Just an informal poll. TIA. ________________________________________________________________________ ____________ The all-new Yahoo! Mail beta Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster. http://new.mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com