Antares Red Dot Finder with Quick Release Bracket

5.0 Nice simple red dot finder

This was a perfect replacement for a stock finderscope on an 8" Orion dob used for scout outreach. Fit perfectly in the existing orion/synta shoe. Simple, lightweight, and easy for the scouts to use.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 Good product, works as expected.

Lightweight,Compact,Easy to Use,Accurate

Once you've aligned the finder, the red-dot viewer is a joy to use. It works exactly as it should without any fuss or drama. Not only is it inexpensive, but Agena provides a free dovetail bracket, free shipping and no taxes in my state. Why would you buy from anybody else!

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 Simple, reliable, just right

Compact,Easy to Use,Lightweight

You never value the simplest tools until you don't have one! Even wide-field refractors need a little finder help now and again. This item is nothing but handy, lightweight, works right out of the box, and worth the small price.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 Very good finder

Lightweight,Accurate,Easy to Use,Compact

This finder is well made, reliable, and comes with a solid quick-release mounting bracket and adjustable brightness, although the minimum brightness is still fairly bright. But it hasn't been a problem. Overall, this finder does its job as expected and makes my viewing experience more productive and enjoyable.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 Excellent Product!

Strong Construction,Accurate,Easy to Use

I got this to put on one of my dobs as the RACI finder couldn't quite cut it alone. I have another one that is very similar on my other dob so I knew this set-up would work great for me. This RDF could not be any easier to use. Once aligned with the scope, put the red dot where you want the scope to point and there you are! The brightness can be adjusted so you can use it in a variety of conditions. The quick release base works great as well and keeps alignment when you want to remove it. It is also really nice that it comes with the base. Often, the base will be an additional add on but not in this case. Shipping was fast and packing was great as usual. Highly recommended.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

3.0 Nice finder

Compact,Lightweight,Easy to Use

Not the best material

It works fine, but the material (plastic) doesn't seem to be very strong. The dovetail base that is provided is very useful.

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 Simplifies use

Accurate,Compact,Strong Construction

With my old finder I couldn't see the cross hairs in the dark. This makes things much easier..!

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 Great red dot finder!

Accurate,Compact,Strong Construction

I own about many red scopes and have bought the GSO and the Antares versions on Agenaastro more recently. These finderscopes are dead on and you can't beat the prices here. The GSO and Antares are identical except that the Antares version has the plastic covering over the battery so I would go with that (unless you prefer wihout the battery cover and easier battery access).

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

5.0 Great Red Dot finder!

Accurate,Quick release bracket,Strong Construction,Compact,Easily adjustable

I got this to use on my Orion scope and love it. With the horizontal and vertical knobs it is very easy to align to your view and the quick release makes it very simple when taking down your setup. The brightness of the dot is adjustable, which is helpful, and as long as you remember to switch it off when you shut down for the night the batteries last a long while (and are cheap to replace if you do forget as they are just common watch batteries). I would definitely get this again if I had to get another finder!

This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com

4.0 The Antares red dot finder.

An effective low cost device that makes hunting dim objects easier

Brightness control is close and similar to vertical adjustment causing mistakes.

I was looking for a light weight finder that could fit into the narrow gap between my focuser and 50 mm straight through finder. I wanted something with illumination because the cross hair is not easy to see when looking for low magnitude objects in a dark sky. Oh, did I mention I'm a skin flint ? Well this little finder costs only 26 dollars

(Agena Astroproducts) and with its small nickel sized battery and plastic construction, it weighs only a couple of ounces. It also can be squeezed into a one inch wide space. The red dot finder has adjustments for up and down and sideways and for light amplification. I like to turn it down to where it is barely visible. What a difference it makes. Low magnitude galaxies are not visible in a 50mm finder anyway so I go straight to the finder using star charts. Much faster, probably 1/3 the time. Brighter objects like globular clusters open clusters and planets I center in the spotting scope first.