What focal length illuminated reticle?

Hello everyone,

I've recently changed from a fork mount to a GEM with my C-11, and am starting the polar alignment learning curve.
It seems that a decent illuminated reticle is a must-have, so the question is...what focal length is appropriate?

Scope is 2800mm, F/10. Most imaging is done using focal reducers (6.3 & 3.3).

Thanks, and clear skies,

Shawn
C-11XLT
Atlas EQ-G
DSI-C

Shawn --

I used a 12.5mm reticle at 2000mm and found it worked fine. Tried the same reticle at 4000mm and it was too hard to get (and keep) the stars in the field. I now use it with a 0.5 filter-threaded focal reducer, but I think it's operating at more like 0.7 or so because I still find the field a bit more cramped than I'd like.

In the 3000mm-ish range, I'd be looking for something around 18mm. A 12.5mm reticle with your 6.3 reducer ought to work well.

-- Jeff.

It depends on what you want to use the reticle for. To guide you want higher power. To locate and frame, you want lower. To just Polar align, you want probably higher power.

However, a Barlow can give you lots of flexibility here. Remember for most things that you use a reticle eyepeice for, you do not need the highest quality optically.

Alex