Jerry Hyman
sage
Reged: 03/29/07
Loc: Mesa, Arizona
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
#4064980 - 09/22/10 02:34 AM
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We were using a binoviewer on a 8" EdgeHD mounted on a cg5 observing mostly Jupiter last night (fantastic view), but alternating use of the telescope was very difficult.
I had my contacts in and thus was focusing for 20/20 corrected vision. My wife has difficulty using the binoviewer with her glasses and doesn't like contacts, so she had to refocus each eyepiece (a real hassle for each of us).
For the most part we were using 25mm Sterling plossls along with pairs of 20 and 17mm Sterlings.
I am thinking maybe long eye relief eyepieces (18/20mm) might work if they weren't too large.
Any suggestions?
~jerry
Anyone have suggestions on how to remedy this situation?
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easye
Thinking Ahead
Reged: 04/08/10
Loc: Moved to Long Island
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: Jerry Hyman]
#4065506 - 09/22/10 10:33 AM
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Hi Jerry
Quote:
I had my contacts in and thus was focusing for 20/20 corrected vision. My wife has difficulty using the binoviewer with her glasses and doesn't like contacts, so she had to refocus each eyepiece (a real hassle for each of us).
I believe you are stating that you use vision correction and your wife does not use vision correction, as in she leaves her glasses off.
That's a tough one without switching to eyepieces with more eye relief. I'd say the best way would be for both of you to have vision correction to minimize adjustments. Even if both of you decided not to use any vision correction, there would be adjustments for each of your vision correction needs. The best bet without buying new eyepieces would be to both have vision correction or try to memorize the adjustment movements of each eye.
More eye relief is probably the best solution, but that does mean buying two new eyepieces.
Oh just thought of a crazy MacGyver approach (this one's a bit out there). See if you optometrist will only correct your vision to your wife's uncorrected vision or vice-versa. These would be a special (MacGyver) astronomy only contact lenses. Very unconventional, but I figure it just might work since you would theoretically have matching vision.
Regards,
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johnnyha
Postmaster
Reged: 11/12/06
Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: easye]
#4065643 - 09/22/10 11:37 AM
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Why don't you take your contacts out?
Jerry, are there diopters on your binos? You should be able to quickly refocus one eye, then use the diopter to focus the other. It should take a couple seconds at most - I'm not sure I understand the problem? 
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thesubwaypusher
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/08/04
Loc: New York City
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: easye]
#4065984 - 09/22/10 01:54 PM
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Quote:
Oh just thought of a crazy MacGyver approach (this one's a bit out there). See if you optometrist will only correct your vision to your wife's uncorrected vision or vice-versa. These would be a special (MacGyver) astronomy only contact lenses. Very unconventional, but I figure it just might work since you would theoretically have matching vision.
Oh brother. Only a New Yorker could come up with this. How can you live in that crazy city anyway? 
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Fred1
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/19/07
Loc: Somewhere in the Orion Spur
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: thesubwaypusher]
#4066498 - 09/22/10 06:04 PM
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This is a hobby of compromises, not matter what income level one has. It's all a matter of what one is able to live with or afford or both, be it a desired degree of portability, aperture or distance to a dark site, it's still a compromise. So, having said that my suggestion is... buy another set of binos and EPs that are set for one pair of eyes, then just switch over to the other set for the other viewer.
 
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Jerry Hyman
sage
Reged: 03/29/07
Loc: Mesa, Arizona
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: Fred1]
#4066912 - 09/22/10 09:51 PM
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It looks as if I should have posted earlier in the evening when my mind was clearer.
Eddie, you are correct. I use vision correction and she doesn't. Actually, I think you guys came up with some suggestions I hadn't thought of.
My binoviewers have two knurled rings on each side that holds the eyepieces. The one furthest from the body of the binoviewer holds the eyepiece in place. The one closest to the binoviewer body focuses the eyepiece. This is not an easy, fast way of focusing when changing observers with different vision requirements.
Money is always an object, but in this case the views are soooo! improved with the binoviewers that I will consider the idea of two binoviewers loaded with eyepieces that are adjusted for each of us.
I also like the idea of longer eye relief eyepieces, but I can't think of a pair of long eye relief eyepieces that wouldn't be too large. I tried the 24mm Panoptic for a few months in mono mode but the eye relief was too short for my wife with glasses. I have also tried the Hyperions and LVW in mono mode and the eye relief was very good, but the eyepieces were just too large and heavy. I did not like the quality of the view with the Hyperion, but the LVW was nice. Same goes for the Pentax XL that I had, but that one did not let my large nose fit properly with the binoviewer.
I have been looking for a rational for the possible purchase of the Badder Maxibrights so maybe now is the time?
~jerry
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johnnyha
Postmaster
Reged: 11/12/06
Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: Jerry Hyman]
#4068394 - 09/23/10 03:37 PM
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Jerry I still don't understand - your wife is using the actual focuser on the telescope to refocus, right? THEN using the diopter on one side?
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Jerry Hyman
sage
Reged: 03/29/07
Loc: Mesa, Arizona
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: johnnyha]
#4069251 - 09/23/10 10:57 PM
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Johnny, yes she is first using the focuser on the telescope and then using the diopters.
~jerry
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johnnyha
Postmaster
Reged: 11/12/06
Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: Jerry Hyman]
#4069292 - 09/23/10 11:32 PM
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Jerry if she focuses one eye sharply she should only have to adjust one diopter - maybe that would help?
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Jerry Hyman
sage
Reged: 03/29/07
Loc: Mesa, Arizona
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: johnnyha]
#4069306 - 09/23/10 11:43 PM
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Thanks everyone for your comments. We are going out tomorrow. We will try some of your suggestions.
I think we may end up with two binoviewers.
Clear Skies!
~jerry
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Fred1
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/19/07
Loc: Somewhere in the Orion Spur
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: johnnyha]
#4070157 - 09/24/10 12:01 PM
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Quote:
Jerry if she focuses one eye sharply she should only have to adjust one diopter - maybe that would help?
Johnny, I think the OP's issue is that it's a hassle to continually adjust the IPD, refocus the Eps, and maybe even fiddle with the EP's seating to gain a merge when sharing observing with a binoviewer. That's why I suggested getting a 2nd set. This way each bino is set up for each observer although some minor refocusing from the telescope's focuser might still be necessary.
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johnnyha
Postmaster
Reged: 11/12/06
Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: Fred1]
#4070378 - 09/24/10 01:29 PM
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Well good luck Jerry! I'm sure your wife would love having her own binos anyway. 
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RAKing
Postmaster
Reged: 12/28/07
Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: Fred1]
#4070591 - 09/24/10 03:00 PM
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Quote:
Johnny, I think the OP's issue is that it's a hassle to continually adjust the IPD, refocus the Eps, and maybe even fiddle with the EP's seating to gain a merge when sharing observing with a binoviewer. That's why I suggested getting a 2nd set. This way each bino is set up for each observer although some minor refocusing from the telescope's focuser might still be necessary.
I think Fred's idea is the best one for this situation.
It's not too bad to simply adjust focus with two different users, but when you have to adjust IPD and tweak a diopter setting?...... I think that's a bit much. 
Jerry, I think your wife deserves her own pair of binos. I'd buy my wife a pair in a heartbeat if she showed half as much interest in astronomy as your wife does. 
Cheers,
Ron
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amys
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/12/06
Loc: Groton, CT
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: RAKing]
#4071201 - 09/24/10 07:31 PM
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Hey, Jerry!
You see . . . I'm not the only one who thinks you should be a 2-bino couple. There are some nice looking TV units for sale on A-Mart . . .
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Jerry Hyman
sage
Reged: 03/29/07
Loc: Mesa, Arizona
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Re: Advice for binoviewer setup for husband & wife
[Re: amys]
#4071803 - 09/25/10 02:19 AM
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Fred explained it better than I did  i really do appreciate everyone's comments.
Today I surprised her with a pair of 15X70 AP binoculars. It was love at first site and she spent most of the evening with those and hardly looked through the telescope! I had the binoviewer in the telescope and again we got some great views of Jupiter.
It looks as if a second pair of binoviewers will becoming for the holidays.
Ron, you are correct in that I am VERY lucky to have a spouse that is really into the hobby.
Again, thanks for all the help!!
~jerry
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