Rigel QuikFinder Illuminated red bullseye finder

$47.95

Availability: More on the way

This straight-through viewing non-magnifying finder has a bull's-eye reticle, rather than a red dot, with two concentric circles of red light seemingly projected on the sky to help you aim your scope . . .
Our Product #: 3960
 

Product Description

This straight-through viewing non-magnifying finder has a bull's-eye reticle, rather than a red dot. When you look at the sky through the tilted clear plastic plate at the top of the finder, you see two concentric circles of red light seemingly projected on the sky to help you aim your scope. The outer circle is two degrees in diameter and the inner circle one-half degree in diameter. You can use the outer circle to starhop from object to object in two degree steps. The inner circle will help you center your eyepiece on an object at high powers. Three collimation knobs on the back of the finder let you line up the center circle precisely with the center of the scope's eyepiece field.

The circles stay the same size no matter how far your eye is positioned behind the finder. Unlike ordinary magnifying finders, you don't have to keep your eye pushed up against the QuikFinder to use it. You can be as much as 12" to 18" behind the finder and it will still work properly.

Separate controls on the finder adjust the brightness of the red circles of light and adjust the rate at which the circles pulse on and off. Some observers find it easier to use a pulsing light to avoid tiring out the eye. The Rigel QuikFinder builds this feature in, rather than making it an option as it is with some other finders. The pulsing action also conserves battery life.

The finder uses one user-replaceable 3 volt BR2032 or CR2032 lithium camera battery (supplied, but not guaranteed by Rigel to be fully charged when received). Battery charge and battery life are not covered by the finder warranty. When it is time to replace the battery (readily available at Walmart, Radio Shack, camera stores, etc.), you can use either of the above batteries or a BR2025 or CR2025.

The QuikFinder comes with two bases, each measuring 2" x 2.5". They attach semi-permanently to your telescope optical tube by means of supplied double-faced tape. The tape can be removed from the optical tube, but might mar the finish on a sonotube reflector, so be sure the finder is precisely where you want it to be before taping it in place. One base is shaped to fit scope optical tubes under 5" in diameter, the other fits larger scopes. The finder itself is 5" tall by 1-3/8" square. Its compact size, height, long eye relief, and small base option makes it ideal for small scopes such as the Bushnell 4.5" Voyager and the Meade ETX scopes, where it is difficult to get your head close enough to use a conventional finder. At the same time, it makes an excellent second finder for quick object locating with virtually any large telescope.

Tech Details

Warranty 5 years

Reviews

Review by:
This viewfinder is great for so many reasons. Most notably, I love the height that it has without taking up any other unnecessary space elsewhere. It's great to be able to comfortably get your line up your scope without your noggin getting in the way : ). Having the concentric circles to align your object with is also a serious upgrade from a large dot which could simply cover the object that you're attempting to view. Other nice features are the brightness and pulse controls! Overall I'm very satisfied with this product. (Posted on 10/23/2019)
Review by:
I have two of these things. They take up less volume than a Telrad, although they do stick up a bit higher. I think finders like this are a lot easier to use than a finderscope, at least for getting within a half degree or so. I also like the adjustable brightness on these. (Posted on 10/4/2019)
Review by:
Bought this originally because I couldn't fit a Telrad on my C5 and hated the OEM "spot" finder that covered the star you're aiming at. It works great. The offset above the tube is the perfect height for getting my head behind it without worrying about bumping the scope and 2nd included base is a nice thought.

BTW, if you do a search on CN for "Rigel" and "dovetail" you'll find a vendor who offers a 3-D printed base so you can slip the Rigel into an vixen type finder slot if your scope has one. (Posted on 1/13/2019)
Review by:
this unit adds a few features over a basic red dot sight, but it's not significant'y better. I suppose if you have a thousand dollar scope it would be penny pinching to say you could get the same thing for $15 versus $50.

It's a red dot sight with a little tiny bit better ergonomics. Chances are you will still forget to turn it off. Bring spare 2025s because you can't pop in a standard battery. (Posted on 1/3/2019)
Review by:
I bought this finder over 20 years ago and never thought that any other reticle would match the convenience and performance of this instrument. The lightweight single CR2025 button lasts a very long time. The brightness variability and the blinking option on the reticle is a great feature which minimizes any impact to dark adaption. It is incredibly lightweight and attaches/detaches easily for on the go situations such as case fitting or out of the way reasons. Once you adapt to this device it is hard to do without. (Posted on 1/1/2019)
Review by:
I bought this finder over 20 years ago and never thought that any other reticle would match the convenience and performance of this instrument. The lightweight single CR2025 button lasts a very long time. The brightness variability and the blinking option on the reticle is a great feature which minimizes any impact to dark adaption. It is incredibly lightweight and attaches/detaches easily for on the go situations such as case fitting or out of the way reasons. Once you adapt to this device it is hard to do without. (Posted on 1/1/2019)
Review by:
I personally have 3 of these (and just bought 2 more for my kids' scopes). Needless to say, I'm a huge fan of the Rigel Quikfinder. I prefer it over the Telrad because: it's higher off the tube; it includes an extra base, the blinker circuit, and dewshield (though the latter is questionably effective in high humidity); and it's small and light. No scope balance or 'where do I fit this?' problems here!

The only nits to pick are that there is a tiny bit of parallax error if the eye is a good distance away from the window, no outer (4*) ring on the bullseye, and you need to use care in how you attach the base to the OTA. The single central screw might allow the base to rotate a little, add double-stick tape to prevent this. Also, don't over-tighten the mounting screw, as this can hinder mounting/dismounting. (Posted on 11/6/2018)
Review by:
The best points of the quikfinder are:

+ light weight
+ eyepoint away from scope tube (easy or ergonomic)
+ variable brightness and pulse (faint pulse great for faint targets)

You have to remember to turn this off or you may get a surprise after a long stretch of cloudy weather, and be careful not to lose a push-on knob in the dark grass. It's usable with a missing knob since you can still turn the stalk the knob fits on.

I find these useful enough that I have 2 quikfinders, first one is second-hand and over 5 years old, second going on 5 years: one for SCT using standard snap-in base, and one with the shoe adapter for dovetail finder base on a couple of smaller scopes. (Posted on 8/4/2017)
Review by:
Light weight, compact, highly adjustable, and runs forever on a single CR2025 button cell, what's not to like? The slightly smaller circles than on a Telrad, that's all. Ten years ago, after my Telrad's AA cells corroded out in less than 4 years of intermittent use and ruined the electronics (I don't know how), I switched to this have never looked back. Ultradependable and simple to use. Highly recommended. (Posted on 8/4/2017)
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