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Prima Luna
super member
Reged: 01/17/09
Posts: 112
Loc: Huntington Beach, California
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I received my Orion binoviewer last night and the 35MM EP and I'm not diggin it.
1- Finder scope gets in the way so I end up having to turn the binos so that instead of having the EPs going across from left to right, it's one above the other so I end up having to stand to the side of the scope with my head and neck all twisted.
2 - the set screw in the scope is almost impossible to tighten now that the binos are right on top of it.
3 - (this is the worst part) it seems like after 30 minutes of using it, the tracking got messed up, even after removing the binos and just using a single EP. Every 3 seconds, the scope slightly jerks downwards so the object moves up the movie. It's very annoying. I don't know if the weight stripped the gears a bit.
4 - With the 35mm EP, it is very hard to makethe imgage seem like there is just one. Especially since it has really good eye relief; the image blacks out way easier than with just one EP since now there are 2 images that can black out. Now with the moon, it's not bad, but with Saturn, forget about it.
5 - Adjusting the binos while on the scope is difficult to do without keeping the scope on target with the object. It just shakes the scope too much.
So far I only used it last night on just the moon and Saturn, but all these issues makes using the scope not enjoyable at all.
Now, maybe once my other EPs come in (all the ones listed below with be added so I have 2 of each) then I can use some EPs that have less of an eye relief issue than the 35mm one. But I really like the 35 and want to use them with the binos. I also read in the instructions that the binos make the most difference on brighter object - the 35 is for low power galaxy and nebula viewing. So forget about that.
I can return all the additional EP and the bino, so I'm not too worried about that. I really want to want to keep it though. I just hope it didn't ruin the motor in the scope 
Any thoughts?
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Meade ETX-125AT w/UHTC & Tripod
Celestron Regal LX 10X42
7mm TMB Planetary
9mm TMB Planetary
26mm Meade Series 4000 Super Plössl
35mm Orion Ultrascopic
2X Barlow Orion Shorty
Aluminum Hard Carry Case 07609
TeleVue TAC-1003 Air Chair
Celestron NightVision Flashlight 93588
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4585
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Quote:
I received my Orion binoviewer last night and the 35MM EP and I'm not diggin it.
1. Why not just move the binoviewer when you want to use the finder, move it back when you don't. The ultimate solution might be something like the Rigel Quikfinder.
2. I assume you are in alt-az mode. If so, as long as the screw is reasonably snug, you should be OK.
3. It is very doubtful the binoviewer "stripped" the gears. What you might do is a calibrate-motors and a "train drives" with the binoviewer in place.
4. This will probably become easier the more you use the binoviewer. To some extent you have to train your eyes to use it. Also, since this import binvoviewer does not use self-centering eyepiece holders, you may have to experiment with tension on the setscrews on each eyepiece to get the images merged.
5. Once you get it setup for yourself, you shouldn't really have to do too much adjusting. Set the interpupillary distance and the setscrews and you should be good to go.
6. Again, I think the more you work with the bino, the more you will like it and the easier to use it will become.
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 6763
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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The finder does get in the way on some ETX's. On those I use a parfocal ring to lift the binoviewer up a bit so it just barely clears the finder. You might be able to make a small spacer with a piece of PVC tubing. I also found the spacer isn't needed when the Barlow is screwed onto the end of the binoviewer. With the spacer in place the set screw is also easy to reach, but I usually don't bother tightening it.
One eyepiece blacking out versus the other sounds like a spacing issue. To set my spacing I look through my binoviewer with one eye closed and center the view with my open eye, then switch eyes and adjust the spacing until the view through that eye is centered. After a couple of iterations the spacing it set about right. I tweak the final spacing using both eyes.
I have 4 sets of eyepieces for my binoviewer; 17mm and 25mm Orion Explorer IIs, 26mm Meade Super Plossls, and 32mm Orion Highlight Plossls. If I recall rght the 32mm eyepieces are a bit tricky to use for the same reasons you describe. I've found the cheapy Explorer IIs to work great. They're relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and have a nice field of view. I observe with my glasses off so their relatively short eye relief isn't a problem and are in fact quite forgiving. I bought a long eye relief eyepiece (Orion Epic ED-2 series, just one, not a pair for the binos) and it drove me nuts trying to hold my head in just the right spot to keep the view steady. Ever since that experience I'v stayed away from long eye relief eyepieces.
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-John
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Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5"
Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130
Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST
Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro (I, II, & III), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC
Tasco 60mm Refractors
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teskridg
sage
Reged: 01/15/08
Posts: 279
Loc: PA
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I believe you'll be much happier if you jettison the right angle finder that comes with the the ETX and get the Rigel Quickfinder Uncle Rod recommended. This is whether you binoview or not. I was able to star hop using this finder and found the right angle finder the scope comes with less than ideal. It can be rotated to the left to get it out of the way of the binoviewer if you don't want to remove it altogether. Also, the field stop of 35mm plossl eyepieces is excessive for binoviewers with only 20-22mm clear aperture. The 26mm Meade super plossls would work, but I wouldn't exceed this or perhaps 30mm.
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Tim Eskridge
CPC 800
Scopebuggy
Burgess Binoviewer Model 24
8mm Radian
11mm Nagler
15mm GTO
20mm Burgess binolite and Stellar
26mm Meade SP Series 4000
30mm Vixen NPL
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1_old_dog
sage
Reged: 09/07/07
Posts: 435
Loc: Smoky Mnts
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Hi
I haven't had any real issues using binos other than a balance problem. This was solved by using John's DIY solution. I also made a spacer (PVC) to get at the set screw more easily.
As for the eyepieces, as was suggested, anything over a 25mm or 26mm is not gonna be satisfactory. For our ETX60 a pair of 25mm astrola plossl's is the cats meow.
hope this helps
OD
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old stuff but good stuff
http://chu65nang67.us/nam/vietnam.html
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Prima Luna
super member
Reged: 01/17/09
Posts: 112
Loc: Huntington Beach, California
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Thanks for the advice guys!
Today I got my shippment for 2nd set of all the other EPs I already own, as well as new set of 7mm. I'll try them all out tonight (fingers crossed!)
Maybe, based on your advice, I should only return the one 35mm? God I really love that EP!
I have to read up more on what a parfocal is. Do you think it would be more sturdy than the pvc suggestion? I figure the parfocal would be a better fit (being a standard EP size), but does it have another piece of glass in it that could color (add imperfections) to the view? I would guess even the binoviewers themselves adds imperfections.
I'll read up on the Rigel Quickfinder too. My current finder is nice in that with the maginification it makes it easier to see small and faint objects, but it's a pain in the a@@ to center it! 2 of the plastic set screws didn't twist and so I had to replace them with metal screws. I still can't get it centered.
OK, so you guys have given me some great advice. And I will be doing some research and testing out the other EPs.
Keep the advice comming guys! Thanks a whole bunch!
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Meade ETX-125AT w/UHTC & Tripod
Celestron Regal LX 10X42
7mm TMB Planetary
9mm TMB Planetary
26mm Meade Series 4000 Super Plössl
35mm Orion Ultrascopic
2X Barlow Orion Shorty
Aluminum Hard Carry Case 07609
TeleVue TAC-1003 Air Chair
Celestron NightVision Flashlight 93588
Edited by Prima Luna (04/30/09 10:14 PM)
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Prima Luna
super member
Reged: 01/17/09
Posts: 112
Loc: Huntington Beach, California
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Is this the Rigel unit? Anyone have a picture of it on their scope?
Rigel Quickfinder
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Meade ETX-125AT w/UHTC & Tripod
Celestron Regal LX 10X42
7mm TMB Planetary
9mm TMB Planetary
26mm Meade Series 4000 Super Plössl
35mm Orion Ultrascopic
2X Barlow Orion Shorty
Aluminum Hard Carry Case 07609
TeleVue TAC-1003 Air Chair
Celestron NightVision Flashlight 93588
Edited by Prima Luna (04/30/09 10:54 PM)
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Prima Luna
super member
Reged: 01/17/09
Posts: 112
Loc: Huntington Beach, California
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I haven't done any viewing tonight, but I did some tinkering.
I turned the view finder so that the eyepiece part is parallel openening is to the side instead of straight up so now I can almost have my binos set at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions. And I think I could drill a new hole for the EP set screw in the telescope in the 6 o'clock position (it's factory drilled at 3:00) so that will allow me tightne the screw all the way in while having the binos all the way into the EP holder of the scope.
Still have to try some viewing and I still probably will get the Rigel. So far things are look a bit more assuring!
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Meade ETX-125AT w/UHTC & Tripod
Celestron Regal LX 10X42
7mm TMB Planetary
9mm TMB Planetary
26mm Meade Series 4000 Super Plössl
35mm Orion Ultrascopic
2X Barlow Orion Shorty
Aluminum Hard Carry Case 07609
TeleVue TAC-1003 Air Chair
Celestron NightVision Flashlight 93588
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14732
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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I'm bettin you will find 7mm eyepieces way to much power for a binoviewer in an 5" SCT. Because the BV moves the focal point behind the BV, it increases the focal length at which the scope operates. My guess is your's will be operating at about F=1600 to F=1750. A typiocal Chinese binoviewer often operates well up to 150x, sometimes up to 200x. Above that and you start getting some issues. Those 7mm eyepieces might put you up around 230x. You could get lucky. Or not.
You might find the best range of eyepieces between 10mm and 26mm.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3612
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Yes-------- here is a picture of the Rigel mounted on my ETX90--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boatman1/2145341118/
By the way my Stellarvue 23mm eyepieces are the ones I usually use--- very light weight eyepieces..... pretty good quality.
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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
Edited by Joe Lalumia (05/01/09 09:39 AM)
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Prima Luna
super member
Reged: 01/17/09
Posts: 112
Loc: Huntington Beach, California
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Quote:
I'm bettin you will find 7mm eyepieces way to much power for a binoviewer in an 5" SCT. Because the BV moves the focal point behind the BV, it increases the focal length at which the scope operates. My guess is your's will be operating at about F=1600 to F=1750. A typiocal Chinese binoviewer often operates well up to 150x, sometimes up to 200x. Above that and you start getting some issues. Those 7mm eyepieces might put you up around 230x. You could get lucky. Or not.
You might find the best range of eyepieces between 10mm and 26mm.
edz
It's actually a fl of 1900mm with out the binos.
So what you are saying is that my binoviewer is ONLY good to go with just the 1 EP out of the 4 I own?? And it just happens to be my worst EP
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Meade ETX-125AT w/UHTC & Tripod
Celestron Regal LX 10X42
7mm TMB Planetary
9mm TMB Planetary
26mm Meade Series 4000 Super Plössl
35mm Orion Ultrascopic
2X Barlow Orion Shorty
Aluminum Hard Carry Case 07609
TeleVue TAC-1003 Air Chair
Celestron NightVision Flashlight 93588
Edited by Prima Luna (05/01/09 11:52 PM)
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Prima Luna
super member
Reged: 01/17/09
Posts: 112
Loc: Huntington Beach, California
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I returned the binoviewer today.
It's just too much of a hassle using it it, especially on this scope. But I have learned that I should get the Rigel Quickfinder. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Meade ETX-125AT w/UHTC & Tripod
Celestron Regal LX 10X42
7mm TMB Planetary
9mm TMB Planetary
26mm Meade Series 4000 Super Plössl
35mm Orion Ultrascopic
2X Barlow Orion Shorty
Aluminum Hard Carry Case 07609
TeleVue TAC-1003 Air Chair
Celestron NightVision Flashlight 93588
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