Telrad Reflex Finder
The Gold Standard in Zero-Magnification Star Hopping
If you're navigating the night sky the old-fashioned way—by star hopping—the Telrad Reflex Finder is arguably the best visual aid you can mount to your telescope. With its legendary bullseye reticle projected against the sky, the Telrad has become a trusted companion for amateur astronomers for over four decades. It’s not just a finder—it’s a tool that makes the entire sky easier to read.
The Telrad is a unity (1x) reflex sight, which means it doesn’t magnify the view. Instead, it projects a red bullseye pattern—consisting of 0.5°, 2°, and 4° circles—onto a glass screen that appears to float in the sky. This allows you to see both the sky and the illuminated rings simultaneously, making it easy to match what you see through the finder with a star chart or planetarium app. No mental gymnastics required.
Whether you’re zeroing in on M13 in Hercules or star hopping your way to the Veil Nebula, the Telrad’s concentric circles provide intuitive distance references to guide you. Many modern star atlases and digital charts even print Telrad circles as overlays for easy alignment.
Installation is easy: the included two-piece base attaches to your telescope with double-sided tape (no drilling necessary), and the Telrad finder slides on and off the base via a dovetail mount. It runs on two AA batteries (not included), with a rotary control for variable brightness. Turn it down for faint stars or up when observing under light-polluted skies.
The Telrad is compatible with a wide range of accessories, including risers, dew shields, pulsing circuits, and dew heaters—so you can tailor it to your setup and observing style.
Key Features:
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Projects a red bullseye (0.5°, 2°, and 4° rings) directly onto the night sky
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Zero magnification with a wide, unobstructed field of view
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Quick and intuitive aiming for star hopping and target acquisition
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Installs on most scopes with included adhesive-backed mounting base
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Runs on two AA batteries with adjustable brightness control
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Rugged plastic housing with simple dovetail mount for easy removal
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Compatible with a full range of Telrad accessories and risers
Whether you're new to the hobby or a seasoned visual observer, the Telrad remains one of the most useful, time-tested tools for finding your way around the sky.
