Reviews & Ratings for Celestron Illuminated RACI Finder Scope — 5 reviews — Page 1

This finder scope is well built with good optics. Illuminated/split crosshairs particularly useful in locating faint objects or performing initial alignment on Polaris. The total absence of a users manual is frustrating and requires a bit of experimentation. Problem: The crosshair illuminator self disassembles if the user is over aggressive in turning off the light, particularly distressing if this happens in dark! Note: Item design is specific to mounting plate (included) for Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tubes. Item box was alarmingly damaged but foam cradle protected scope.

I bought this finder scope to replace finder came with Nexstar 8SE. Works nice but still need considerable adjustment which might not be very straightforward.
Nice wide feild of view, I like the included illumination. I wish the mechanism for aligning the scope was better but definitely better than Nexstar default finder scope!

This product provided a very easy upgrade to my first telescope -- a Celestron AstroMaster 130. With a couple of drilled holes and hardware store screws and nuts it fit well in the original location of the easy sight the came with the telescope. It was also very easy to align the sight with mid-level eyepieces. Being a 9x50 scope it has a rather bright field allowing targeting of dimmer stars and "faint fuzzy" DSO's. Also, I no longer have to stand on my head to get higher elevation objects in the sights. The base also keeps it's alignment when removed and replaced -- a testament to the good design of this sight.

Tired of having to get down on hands and knees to use standard Finderscope with my CPC1100. This little beauty solved many problems, but created one or two. First, the set screws didn't want to stay "set" until I added Teflon tape and thread-lock. Small nuisance. Then, I noticed the view looked as if the internals were filthy. After thorough disassembly, I found all the glass lens were nice and clean. However, I removed the illuminated double-crosshair clear plastic reticle disc and found it was oil-coated and pock-marked on its surface. This created optical artifacts which made the view during daylight and twilight particularly "dirty". Spoke with Celestron about a replacement disc. They required I return entire unit for replacement. I like this Finderscope. It's a back saver. I do a lot, I mean A LOT of public outreach throughout the year. Doing without while replacement process happens? Nope! I can take the crosshairs disc out and still use the scope. I can probably acquire jeweler's rouge and polish the blemishes out and put back into service. I guess I'm just disappointed the simple solution of a replacement disc sent to me wasn't acceptable.