Beaker
sage
Reged: 09/15/06
Posts: 253
Loc: Ellicott City, MD
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I have been reading these really great discussions on this forum and thought I would finally post my own question.
I have the Orion Superview 10X50 binoculars and have been using them to get acquainted with the night sky. I mostly just go out in my yard here in Maryland for an hour or so and have a look around by following some sky charts. My 7 year old son sometimes accompanies me. The idea of a parallelogram mount intrigues me since then we would be better assured of looking at the same area. I first started looking at the Unimount but I am not sure I want to spend that money. I did run across references to both Burgess Optical (http://www.burgessoptical.com/) and T & T Binocular Mounts (http://www.benjaminsweb.com/TandT/products.htm). Burgess has a Red Oak Parallelogram Mount ($129, $149 for a heavy duty version) and a Tiny Titan Red Oak Parallelogram Mount ($49) that seem to work more with their oak tripods. T & T has The Kids Mount ($60) which claims to be able to attach to any photographic tripod. I already have a photographic tripod. Would anyone like to offer their opinions or suggestions? If it makes any difference, especially in regard to tripods, I am 6’ 0” tall.
Gary
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Celestron 80mm f/11 refractor, Alt/Az Mount
Orion 10X50 Ultraview WA binoculars
Celestron SkyScout, PST
32mm GSO plossl, 20mm GSO Superview, 25mm Kelner
GTO 2X Barlow, Siebert Modular Barlow
Eyeglasses (sometimes clean)
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Rick M
member
Reged: 01/14/05
Posts: 70
Loc: Santa Clarita, CA
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Gary,
If your good with woodworking you may want to make one yourself. The plans for my design are at http://www.astro-tom.com/projects/binocular_mount.htm
It will cost you about $35 and you'll need a drill press.
Good luck,
Rick
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Rick M
Leica 7x42 BA
Leica 8x20 BCA
Leica 10x30 BA
Pentax PCF III 7x50
William Optics 7x50ED
Fujinon 10x70
Miyauchi NBA-71 Saturn II
Garrett Optical 20x110 Signature
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Bill Cheng
super member
Reged: 05/21/05
Posts: 178
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Rick,
Nice looking mount. Do you think it will be able to hold a 100mm binos? Thanks Bill
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Bill
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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 14594
Loc: Hurricane Alley
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Gary -
Welcome to CN and the Binocular forum.
I have a wooden parallelogram made of white ash that will easily handle a 10-pound 100mm binocular. There are also several other members of this forum who use parallelograms of various designs. So I'm sure you'll get plenty of sound advice here.
If you want something made of wood, then check out AstroWood. That is the p-mount I use and I am thrilled with it.
Here is a link to the review I wrote about it. I am currently in the process of switching to a new server, so the pictures are down at the moment.
http://bellsouthpwp2.net/m/o/moxibustion/astrowood.html
I am absolutely spoiled on the parallelogram now. I could never go back to using a standard tripod. I'm 6'3" and my wife is 4'11", so the p-mount is a blessing when it comes to sharing views. It would be of similar benefit to you when sharing views with your son.
Good luck and clear dark skies...
MikeG
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Michael Gilmer - Member of the Meteoritical Society & Collector of Falling Stars.
Galactic Stone & Ironworks - Buy/Sell/Trade Meteorites, Moon Rocks, Mars Rocks, & 35 different falls and types!
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Rick M
member
Reged: 01/14/05
Posts: 70
Loc: Santa Clarita, CA
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Bill,
I wouldn't use that exact design for 10+lb binos. I made a similar mount with thicker wood and aluminum posts rather than wood and it held my 28lb BT100s with no problem. I"ll post a photo of it once I figure out how to make the image small enough to post in this forum.
Rick
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Rick M
Leica 7x42 BA
Leica 8x20 BCA
Leica 10x30 BA
Pentax PCF III 7x50
William Optics 7x50ED
Fujinon 10x70
Miyauchi NBA-71 Saturn II
Garrett Optical 20x110 Signature
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electra glider
super member
Reged: 08/05/06
Posts: 164
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Hey Gary, I went through the same decision process your going through. I had heard how great those p-mounts were and wanted one of my own but didnt want to spend $350.00for a UA. After surfing this site and the web for ideas I decided to build my own . I used one inch aluminuim tubing and a double arm design for my 25x100s..I love it! Heres some pics of it mounted on a CST tripod
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electra glider
super member
Reged: 08/05/06
Posts: 164
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This set up cost me $70.00 for the custom P-mount and adapter and $160.00 for the CST tripod.I also can quickly slide the Bogen head(shown lying under my tripod) into my adapter and use that also for the Oberwerk 25x100s. With the P-mount I can lay on my back comfortably as low as 30 inches off the ground or raise them to full zenith up to 78 inches at the mounts full extension(perfect for a six ft viewer) I finally got a new camera and can send more pics if needed...........Electra Glider.
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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 14594
Loc: Hurricane Alley
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Looks pretty darn sharp. Nice setup.
Clear dark skies...
MikeG
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Michael Gilmer - Member of the Meteoritical Society & Collector of Falling Stars.
Galactic Stone & Ironworks - Buy/Sell/Trade Meteorites, Moon Rocks, Mars Rocks, & 35 different falls and types!
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Dobber
member
Reged: 08/13/06
Posts: 26
Loc: Central Indiana
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Gary, Rick M.'s plan and design is solid Thank you Rick!!
..http://www.astro-tom.com/projects/binocular_mount.htm
I was in a similiar situation and thought I could make something equal to what was available. Th binos I have are 3# 15x70 Skymasters.
I like Rick's plan. I thought for $40 in oak and hardware you get a pretty good setup. I'm also very frugal and have always looked at all the "broken hockey sticks" my 3 boys generate as hardwood gone to waste. So, with that in mind, I took "inventory" of what I had in the garage. Hockey sticks, for the most part, are usually ash or hickory laminates, and glued up to withstand some pretty tough shots. I had a couple of sticks on hand but also picked up a couple of broken ones at a tournament. Dumpster diving at its best! 
My results have been great. I balanced the 3# Skymasters with a 5# weight and a 1/2# wt for the fine tuning part. I plan on buying either the 22x100 or 25x100 Obies or ? for th next pair of binos. Either way, I'll beef up this mount to handle the increased load. In my opinion, these hockey sticks are every bit as tight and strong as the red oak would be.(And fun, because the wood was free!)
Check out the pics. Two of my three are very interested in what we can see. Beats video games!
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Orion XT-8 Classic Dob w/Telrad, $12 Push-To with Pocket Stars/Dell Axim PDA
Celestron 15x70 Skymasters (a good copy)
Garrett Optical 22x85 HD-WP Signature Series
Homemade Stuff: Couch Potato Bino Chair, HD Tripod, Hockey Stick P-Mount....lots of stuff
Carmel, Indiana Home of the Fighting GreyHounds!
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Dobber
member
Reged: 08/13/06
Posts: 26
Loc: Central Indiana
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More...
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Orion XT-8 Classic Dob w/Telrad, $12 Push-To with Pocket Stars/Dell Axim PDA
Celestron 15x70 Skymasters (a good copy)
Garrett Optical 22x85 HD-WP Signature Series
Homemade Stuff: Couch Potato Bino Chair, HD Tripod, Hockey Stick P-Mount....lots of stuff
Carmel, Indiana Home of the Fighting GreyHounds!
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Dobber
member
Reged: 08/13/06
Posts: 26
Loc: Central Indiana
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more..
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Orion XT-8 Classic Dob w/Telrad, $12 Push-To with Pocket Stars/Dell Axim PDA
Celestron 15x70 Skymasters (a good copy)
Garrett Optical 22x85 HD-WP Signature Series
Homemade Stuff: Couch Potato Bino Chair, HD Tripod, Hockey Stick P-Mount....lots of stuff
Carmel, Indiana Home of the Fighting GreyHounds!
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Dobber
member
Reged: 08/13/06
Posts: 26
Loc: Central Indiana
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And finally...
I have added a "dew buster" running off a 11.1v 1800mAh lithium battery. (RC planes) TI have a few of these batteries around. These will produce about 2 watts for each eyepiece for about 2 hours. Swap out/in a new battery when needed. Waaay cool and keeps these babies from dewing up and ending your night...Plus, my kids can work these with no worries!
Rick M.-- I may have to make a rig out of oak, only because I think they would be pretty!
Thanks again...Dobbers in Indiana
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Orion XT-8 Classic Dob w/Telrad, $12 Push-To with Pocket Stars/Dell Axim PDA
Celestron 15x70 Skymasters (a good copy)
Garrett Optical 22x85 HD-WP Signature Series
Homemade Stuff: Couch Potato Bino Chair, HD Tripod, Hockey Stick P-Mount....lots of stuff
Carmel, Indiana Home of the Fighting GreyHounds!
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Rich V.
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/02/05
Posts: 967
Loc: Carson Valley, Nevada USA
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Hi, Dobber,
My boys went through a number of hockey sticks too but it never occurred to me that these discarded sticks were a parallelogram mount waiting to be made!
Nice job, and a great way to connect the kids to astronomy!
Best regards,
Rich V
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Binoculars:
33-150x100 Saturn III, 16x70FMT-SX, 10x50 PCF-V, 10x43 DCF-SP, 10x35 E2, 7x35 E, 8x30 E2, 7x26 Custom, 8x23AS Diplomat, 8x23 Travelite
Scopes:
C9.25, 6" f8 reflector, SV80S
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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 14594
Loc: Hurricane Alley
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Dobber -
As a hockey fan and a binocular addict, that is one of the coolest things ever!
The dewbuster is a nice touch as well.
Quote:
Beats video games!
Yes it does. By a mile.
Thanks for sharing and clear dark skies...
MikeG
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Michael Gilmer - Member of the Meteoritical Society & Collector of Falling Stars.
Galactic Stone & Ironworks - Buy/Sell/Trade Meteorites, Moon Rocks, Mars Rocks, & 35 different falls and types!
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refractory
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/05/05
Posts: 1014
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Hockey (aperture) masks? From 'Jason'? Pucks for tripod vibration damping? Hmmmmmmm......
Jess Tauber
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Rick M
member
Reged: 01/14/05
Posts: 70
Loc: Santa Clarita, CA
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Hi Dobber,
I think the hockey stick idea is great. It looks like an advertisement. Glad you enjoyed the plans.
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Rick M
Leica 7x42 BA
Leica 8x20 BCA
Leica 10x30 BA
Pentax PCF III 7x50
William Optics 7x50ED
Fujinon 10x70
Miyauchi NBA-71 Saturn II
Garrett Optical 20x110 Signature
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Astrowood
super member
Reged: 04/02/05
Posts: 156
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
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An excellent idea !!
The shaft of a hockey stick has consistent demensions, is stable, and very strong. I do have a question - are the beams (er,sticks ) solid wood or laminated ?
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Roy
22 X 100 Antares
20 x 80 Meade
couple of Pmounts
8" F/5 Dob
4" SkyWatcher
Observing Chair
Wooden gadgets to numerous to mention
Observing Buddies "Max & Sam"
www.astrowood.com
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Dobber
member
Reged: 08/13/06
Posts: 26
Loc: Central Indiana
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The main beams were made with mid-priced Sherwood sticks. New these run about $50-$100 each. Crack 'em and in the dumpster they go...
Ash core with 1/8" ash lamination layers on the short sides. Towards the business end there is also a thin layer of laid up fiberglass. Super strong. I cut up two good sticks for the main arms and one plain, but still hardwood, stick for spacers. The main post was made by gluing and screwing two long pieces of good stick and then cutting that to make the 2nd vertical support piece. Prior to gluing I also sanded the finish off of the mating surfaces so the yellow wood glue would hold better....
BTW, check the dumster of any rink and you'll find a stick or two...be courteous though because teen rink managers just don't understand...I tell 'em "science fair project". 
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Orion XT-8 Classic Dob w/Telrad, $12 Push-To with Pocket Stars/Dell Axim PDA
Celestron 15x70 Skymasters (a good copy)
Garrett Optical 22x85 HD-WP Signature Series
Homemade Stuff: Couch Potato Bino Chair, HD Tripod, Hockey Stick P-Mount....lots of stuff
Carmel, Indiana Home of the Fighting GreyHounds!
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Beaker
sage
Reged: 09/15/06
Posts: 253
Loc: Ellicott City, MD
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WOW! You folks are great craftsmen. Do you take apprenticeships?
Since my construction skills are highly suspect, I was originally looking for a P-mount I could purchase that wouldn't set me back a lot. That is why these caught my eye: http://www.burgessoptical.com/Mounts/RedOakMount.html, http://www.benjaminsweb.com/TandT/kids_mount.htm
I may give Rick M's plans a try but if it doesn't work out, would these do the job?
Gary
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Celestron 80mm f/11 refractor, Alt/Az Mount
Orion 10X50 Ultraview WA binoculars
Celestron SkyScout, PST
32mm GSO plossl, 20mm GSO Superview, 25mm Kelner
GTO 2X Barlow, Siebert Modular Barlow
Eyeglasses (sometimes clean)
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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 14594
Loc: Hurricane Alley
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Hi Gary -
Keep in mind, the Burgess mount does not have an azimuth bearing, so the motion is somewhat limited. It will allow you to easily share views between observers of varying heights, but you will have to have a camera-style tripod with a fluid or pan head for the azimuth motions. In other words, you can look up/down but not side to side. The T&T mount operates in the same manner. Both are nice looking mounts, especially the T&T, but the range of motion is rather limited. These parallelogram mounts are still better than no p-mount at all. But if you want to sit behind the binoculars and pan around from your chair without having to fiddle with lock-handles and change chair positions, then you are going to want a p-mount with at least 4 degrees of motion.
And yes, I was going to build my own mount as well. In the end, I chickened out and had Roy build one for me! Mine would have worked (maybe) but it would have been mighty ugly compared to the one I have now.
Also, be sure to check out Craig Simmons thread on Binocular Mount Making here :
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=binoculars&Number=552836
Clear dark skies...
MikeG
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Michael Gilmer - Member of the Meteoritical Society & Collector of Falling Stars.
Galactic Stone & Ironworks - Buy/Sell/Trade Meteorites, Moon Rocks, Mars Rocks, & 35 different falls and types!
Edited by Glassthrower (10/01/06 11:08 AM)
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