The Astro-Tech #ATF multiple reticle finder is a single-power illuminated multiple reticle red-dot finder for astronomy and daylight terrestrial use. The lightweight and compact Astro-Tech finder features a precision ground reflex lens viewing window with minimal parallax; four different reticle patterns; seven brightness levels; and a two-part mounting base for installing the finder on a variety of telescopes.
Any of four different reticle patterns can be selected by a lever at the rear of the finder. They include a single dot, such as that found in most traditional red dot finders; a plain crosshair; a circle with four short bars that extend out from the edges of the circle; and a dot within a circle.. The reticle patterns are projected on a multicoated optical glass viewing window that's roughly the proportions and shape (but not the actual size!) of a 16 x 9 HDTV screen. When the sky is viewed through the window, the red reticle appears to be superimposed on the sky or daytime landscape. You can choose the reticle pattern that best suits your viewing style and personal preferences. The actual projected reticles can be seen in the feature image below. A rubber cover is supplied to slip over the glass screen to protect its premium coatings when the scope is not in use.
The Astro-Tech finder is CNC-machined from solid aluminum for strength and durability, rather than being molded of fragile plastic, as are most red-dot finders. The finder is anodized a non-reflective matte black. The finder's matte black dovetail base is also CNC-machined from aluminum stock.
The supplied Vixen style mounting stalk lets you use the Astro-Tech multiple reticle finder with many Vixen/Celestron/Orion-style refractors or reflectors that will let you mount the finder directly into an Astro-Tech/Vixen/Celestron/Orion-style finder mounting shoe.
The bottom of the mounting stalk has a V-shaped base that is 30mm wide at its widest point. This will let it fit into the finder mounting bracket provided with most of the refractor and reflector telescopes from the above manufacturers. It lets you replace the inexpensive plastic single red dot finders and small refractor-type finders with the more flexible illuminated multiple reticle patterns of the Astro-Tech #ATF finder.
The top of the mounting stalk has narrow V-shaped ridges that the #ATF finder body clamps onto in order to lock the finder in place.
Click-stop azimuth and altitude hex head adjustment bolts allow you to line up the finder with your main scope optics. The adjustments are very accurate, with each click stop equal to 1 arc minute of position change. The appropriate hex head wrenches are supplied for both clamping the finder to its base and making the altitude and azimuth adjustments.
There is a combined on-off switch and rotary brightness level control on top of the finder. The control provides seven click-stop brightness levels, allowing you to match the finder brightness to all lighting conditions and targets, from lining up on the Moon to the locating faint naked eye stars without having the finder brightness overpower the faintest stars.
The finder uses one user-replaceable 3 volt CR2032 lithium camera battery (supplied). Battery charge and battery life are not covered by the finder warranty. Replacement batteries are readily available at Wal-Mart, Radio Shack, camera stores, etc.
