Telrad alternative?

[olddogg60]

That is a good deal. I certainly like my Telrad. I was having to do some gymnastics to get a good view when the Telrad is mounted on my Dob but then I discovered the Telrad riser available in 2" and 4". The 4" is on the way and I think that that will lessen the strain on my old body.

[stryder]

Alright! I ordered my Telrad from Opticsmart.com this morning. $39 w/free shipping.

Messier objects don't stand a chance!

[wbp]

Every one has their favorites. I really prefer the Rigel over the Telrad - it's the same price, much smaller, has 1 and 2 degree circles, and has the pulse feature. That alone would sell me - I can see much fainter objects because of the pulsed LED. I have one on my finderscope as well.

[Pinkfuzzysocks34]

Every one has their favorites. I really prefer the Rigel over the Telrad - it's the same price, much smaller, has 1 and 2 degree circles, and has the pulse feature. That alone would sell me - I can see much fainter objects because of the pulsed LED. I have one on my finderscope as well.

I'm curious, what exactly does the pulse feature do? I mean, I'd imagine it pulses, but how does it help you find fainter objects?

[wbp]

When it's pulsing, it's off half the time. I find it much easier to see faint objects compared to when the circles are illuminated all the time, even when they are dim.

I'm curious, what exactly does the pulse feature do? I mean, I'd imagine it pulses, but how does it help you find fainter objects?

[Cunningr]

Not a finder scope but maybe doing a setting circle mod and angle finder might be cheaper. However I agree with everyone else the telrad per dollar spent is cheapest accessory so far and best money spent. Mine was $40 us dollars with shipping.

[fogfire]

I'm curious, what exactly does the pulse feature do? I mean, I'd imagine it pulses, but how does it help you find fainter objects?

You can set not only the brightness but the speed it blinks on and off.. as has been said.. if you are using it to find things not just align a goto.. it helps because when its off you can see dimmer stars for second and "star-hop" with them before you start looking in the scope to get to your final target...

In my LP skies sometimes I need it just to see my calibration stars especially if aligning in twilight.

You can mod the Telrad to do this for some time and about $22 bucks for the kit. From what I have red the Telrad suffers from some restrictions on improving the design that is part of the license to manufacture and sell it. So others coming later have added features into the base design for lower cost than what it takes to mod the original Telrad.

[Zeiss]

Just wanted to chime in here. we use a Telrad, and thats all we use. No electronics. The Telrads circles make star hopping incredibly easy. 30-40 messiers per night is not out of the question

[Kevin Z]

I have both the telrad and the rigel quick finder. I just shake my head in wonder at the posters who prefer the Rigel.
The telrad is sturdy, well made, large clear optics, good eye relief, no parallax error. I use it with a 4 inch riser, it also has 1/2, 2, and 4 degree circles. It still has the original set of batteries in it. I consider it to be a very professional quality tool.

The quick finder, I think, is a lightweight pos that is only marginally better then the bbgun finder that many
scopes come with. The knobs are too close together, its got a lightweight plastic lens, and its impossible to line up and find the circles. I gave it away.

Put them side by side then try and use them, you'll find that I am not exaggerating.

For five dollars more get the telrad

[deimos3428]

I spent $60 for my Telrad from a local shop, but I don't feel like I was ripped off. It's extremely useful for aligning a scope in a heavily light polluted area. You can see a few stars, but good luck getting them in a scope without a good pointer, and most scopes don't come with a good one. Saved many hours of observation time by now.