I think using green lasers really blows when observing with groups that are
not specifically meeting as part of a public educational event. I didn't
say anything at the time; but there was excessive use of green lasers at
Montebello last week; I was trying to eyeball some really dim stars in
order to hop to a 12th magnitude planetary and kept getting distracted by
bright green lines streaking across the sky. It wasn't enough to effect
night vision, but it sure was annoying.
I hope they are banned in Shingletown.
RO
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Wagner" <mgwagner@No-Spam>
To: "The Astronomy Connection" <sf-bay-tac@No-Spam>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 4:43 PM
Subject: Re: [TAC] Green Laser Ptr as a Finder -- NOT
> At 1/29/2004, you wrote:
>
> >Is there really any more utility in the green laser version? I doubt
> >it. But I'll stand corrected if anyone can explain to me why it is
better.
>
> Sure, there is an obvious advantage.
>
> The green laser "touches" that point in the sky you are aiming at. The
red
> dot finder has parallax and can dew over.
>
> That said, the only time I would consider using a green laser as a finder
> is when observing alone, or when mine is the only scope around. Even
then,
> I'd just flick it on when pointing.
>
> I think it is really a bad idea in groups.
>
> I think we may specifically ban them at Shingletown.
>
> I find them annoying.