Telescope Reviews: Binocular Mounts

I noticed that the subject of binocular mounts has come up on several different threats here recently so thought it may be helpful to have a subject-specific thread started where binocular mounts can be discussed and then more easily searched later on.

After doing a bit of research on the web and here at Cloudy Nights, I had thought about purchasing a parallelogram-type binocular mount for my Takahashi 22x60 binos (4.8 pounds). However, while searching for ready-made products I also ran across several articles on Do-It-Yourself bino mount plans and throught it may be both a fun project and a way to save a bit of money along the way.

Well, I have just finished making an all mental parallelogram-type binocular mount for under $48 (US) total and it works perfectly. Did I save money? Yes. Was it a fun project? Depends upon your definition of fun, but it was gratifying (that I completed it, it works, and I didn't damage myself in the process).

I don't have any photos yet but will post major web sites I used to come up with a set of plans (probably more like idea sketches and hints). I used the basic ideas of Jan van Gastel's article on an aluminum binocular mount, however, I used my own ideas for the binocular adapter and tripod adapter. In addition, I used 3/4"x3/4" aluminum square tubing but would highly recommend 1"x1" aluminum square tubing. The 3/4" was all I could find at the time.
A word of caution. If you are going to make your own mount, you must be very careful to line up all matching drilled holes. Otherwise, the arms of the parallelogram will be out of line and it may bind, stick, wobble, or shimmy (may even do the Boogalu).

I went with Jan van Gastel's design over several others because I wanted to use the mount while reclining on a lawn lounger (but the mount will work equally as well with a chair). A mount used while reclining appears to work best when it comes from either the left or right hand side as opposed to sitting in front of the observer.

I would also submit that it may be easier to make such a mount from wood. Wood is much more foregiving than metal and, I have read, dampens out vibrations faster than metal.

Would I recommend a commercial product over making your own? Sure. Depends upon how skilled you are with sawing, drilling, etc. If you don't have the tools or a place where you can borrow them, then it would be more economical to purchase a ready-made mount. There is no doubt that there are some value-for-dollar mounts when one considers the cost of labor and the engineering that has gone into the product. But, all things being equal, there is no reason to be intimidated by such a project and there is the satisfaction of making something yourself that works.

With all that being said, here are the web sites where I was able to get information on binocular mounts sufficient to go and make one myself (Disclaimer: I have no economic interest in any site, author, article, product, or concept presented in any of the sites listed and provide these only as a reference and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information in any of them.): (1)Jan van Gastel, "Building an aluminum binocular mount", http://home.wanadoo.nl/jhm.vangastel/Astronomy/binocs/binocs.htm ; (2) Dale Keller's Parallelogram Bino Mount, http://home.att.net/~dale.keller/atm/binoculars/keller/kellerbino.htm ; (3) The Boulton Group, "A New Binocular Mount", http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/david-ratledge/tm6.htm ; (4) Steve Lee, "My Binocular Mount - a simple parallelogram masde of wood and aluminum", http://www.aao.gov.au/local/www/sl/sl-tels#bino-mount [url=http://www.aao.gov.au/local/www/sl/sl-tels]; (5) Scott Wilson, "A binocular mount", must register to enter "astronomydaily.com" to reach this article ; and (6) Philip Harrington, "Starware", purchase or may be available at your local library.

I apologize in advance if this is somewhat long, and for not having the photos to accompany the piece. But, it is meant as a "starter" for anyone thinking of making their own binocular mount. I am happy to say that I was able to do it below the budget I had set and it works as I had intended.

Best of luck, Nick