At 11:50 AM 2/12/2003 -0800, you wrote:
>Hi Jamie,
>
>Since I switched from a straight-through inverting, to a right-angle
>correct image (RACI), my star-hopping and finding skills jumped
>terrifically. Some is just normal practice, but a lot is due to the ease
>of use.
>
>Counter to the old wisdom, the views do not seem noticeably dimmer (RACI
>vs Straight). If anything they are better, because one can more easily
>recognize the star patterns. I was using a Vixen 7x50 finder, very nice
>and sharp. The Orion is every bit as good optically, and RACI puts it
>over the top.
>
>People tell me the Antares 8x50 RACI is even better than the Orion (it
>uses regular 1.25" eyepieces), at some point I'd like to try one.
I like mine, which is mounted on my folded refractor--same image
orientation. The finder is indeed a nice little widefield scope in its own
right.
-Mike