varifocal spectacles and red dot finder

silverdale · #1 02-09-2012, 09:31 AM

I cannot accurately use the red dot finder on an 80LCM Celestron telescope.
I have tried both eyes, one eye and lying on the ground upto a yard away from the finder. Result - I rarely find the alignment star in the telescope.
So 1. is it because I wear varifocal spectacles?
2. is it possible to replace Celestrons red dot finder with a different finder that is easier to use?
Thanks.

TheOD · #2 02-09-2012, 10:12 AM

Hello Silverdale, Is that Silverdale, WA? It can be hard to get used to, maybe. Did you pull out the clear plastic strip that keeps the battery from coming on-line while in the shipping box? Are you even seeing the red dot at all?

Bob327 · #3 02-09-2012, 11:10 AM

Sure you can replace the RDF...but have you aligned it to the scope in the daytime ? it also should have adjustments left/right & up/down ..they are not difficult to use ..I wear bifoicals plus am blind in one eye...I never had a problem using any RDF ..you sure do not need it to be spot on...especially if you stick a low powered eyepiece in the scope...

Bob G.

jcdoherty · #4 02-09-2012, 11:15 AM

If I understand your post correctly, the red dot finder works but the star you align upon is not seen through your telescope.

Have you aligned the finderscope on a distant object in the day?

I don't wear glasses when using the finderscope or telescope but keep them nearby when I need to read a setting circle or star coordinate.

There are plenty or replacements Rigel quickfinder, Telerad, RA's
but I wouldn't dump the one you have until I made sure it was not functioning properly.

Let us know if you get it worked out.

Have a good one, Jim

silverdale · #5 02-09-2012, 12:58 PM

Thanks for your replies.
Its Silverdale in Lancashire UK.
The red dot is there.
I have aligned OK in daylight (with some effort) on a telephone mast and had it checked by a nieghbour .. its at night that I cannot see the black outer circles or the dot and the target object at the same time.
However its good to know that it is possible to use with varifocal lenses. I will endeavour to persevere.

skinnyonce · #6 02-09-2012, 04:12 PM

consider a green laser finder

Anthony dotcom · #7 02-09-2012, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverdale

Thanks for your replies.
Its Silverdale in Lancashire UK.
The red dot is there.
I have aligned OK in daylight (with some effort) on a telephone mast and had it checked by a nieghbour .. its at night that I cannot see the black outer circles or the dot and the target object at the same time.
However its good to know that it is possible to use with varifocal lenses. I will endeavour to persevere.

It sounds like you have the red dot that is found on the Astromaster telescopes. You'll do much better with any other type of red dot finder. Even something simple like this will give you a big improvement [Registered users can see links. ] I haven't used the one you mentioned but I have read a lot of complaints about it being difficult to use.

silverdale · #8 02-10-2012, 08:14 AM

Thanks for the two suggestions about replacements. For ease of mounting I am going to try a "Red Dot Finder with separate base" from "Sky's the Limit" which looks to be pretty much the same as the Celestron 51630 Finderscope StarPointer. Until that arrives I will continue to endeavour to persevere with the current set up.

fogfire · #9 02-10-2012, 10:46 AM

I use progressive lens glasses when I am aligning or the stars are not sharp and bright enough. I have an RDF on one scope.

The stock finder on the 80LCM doesn't look like an RDF it looks like a very small finder scope that has an illumined reticle on it. From what I have red it has TWO dots that you visually line up to make sure you are looking at the right angle through it.

I think even on a scope of that size you might be able to add a Rigel quickfinder which is what I use on my 6". My bet the only people here who have ever used that would be other 80LCM owners.

JamesTosches · #10 02-10-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverdale

I cannot accurately use the red dot finder on an 80LCM Celestron telescope.
I have tried both eyes, one eye and lying on the ground upto a yard away from the finder. Result - I rarely find the alignment star in the telescope.
So 1. is it because I wear varifocal spectacles?
2. is it possible to replace Celestrons red dot finder with a different finder that is easier to use?
Thanks.

I have the same problem with my Celestron AstroMaster 76EQ RDF

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varifocal spectacles and red dot finder

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