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Silvio
super member
Reged: 04/26/03
Posts: 166
Loc: Gilbert, Arizona.
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This is a re-post from a different thread:
I am buying a Takahashi 22x60 binocs that will sit on a T&T cradle attached to a Blaho Stedi-vu pan head. I am thinking of putting this set up on a Bogen 475 tripod. I am 5'5" tall. A few questions (I'm new at this):
- Does this set up make sense?
- How close to zenith will this set up work if I want 30 seconds or so of looking?
- Any suggestions for extended-period zenith observing?
Thx to all,
Silvio.
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TMB 115 LW Refractor
APM 80/480 CNC Refractor
8" F7 Reflector
Kowa 32x82 Highlander Fluorite Binoculars
Canon 18x50 IS Binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS Binoculars
Tasco 7x35 Widefield Binoculars
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Silvio,
I have a pair of the Tak 22x60s and am a little over 5'5" so thought I would send you a reply to your question regarding a proposed mount for your new binos.
First, I'm not familiar with a "T&T" cradle. I know that T&T makes parallelogram bino mounts but did not know that they sold a separate cradle. Would it be a basic fork cradle like they have on their Three Arm Mark II Mount? Second, do you mean a Blaho Stedi-vu Tripod Head or the Blaho Stedi-vu parallelogram mount? I do not find any reference for a "Blaho Stedi-vu pan head" (perhaps you are referring to the tripod head). Third, the Bogen 475 tripod is good, HOWEVER, if you are planning to use an alt-azimuth cradle on top of that tripod (or any tripod) then I think viewing the zenith is going to be a real "pain in the neck". In addition, even though the Bogen 475 can extend to a height where you can stand and point the binos at the zenith, you will be very close to the tripod and, in my humble opinion, most likely won't be able to easily or comfortably do any viewing of the zenith. And bumping into the tripod will definitely become frustrating as the stars and fuzzies will dance in the Taks just like any other pair of binos.
If you are thinking of getting the Blaho Stedi-vu parallelogram mount then you will probably be O.K.
I made my own parallelogram for under $75 USD, and have it mounted on a Bogen 3011 tripod. It works well with the Taks and I can relax on a lawn recliner/lounger chair and view the zenith with no problem.
There have been several very informative threads in this section of Cloudy Nights regarding parallelogram mounts, including how to build them.
Personally, I am more comfortable and do better viewing through the binos while sitting (reclined is even better), but that is my preference. For someone going out for a brief look at the heavens, standing may be quicker.
Good luck with your mount and I hope you are as happy with the Tak 22x60s as I have been.
Nick
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Silvio
super member
Reged: 04/26/03
Posts: 166
Loc: Gilbert, Arizona.
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Nick,
Thanks for the inputs. Unfortunately, the T&T cradle looks similar to the Televue Giraltar cradle, while the Blaho is indeed simply an azimuth tripod head. Oh well, I'll see how it works out and then take it from there!!
BTW, have you tried to split doubles with the Taks, and if so how tight were you able to go?
Thx,
Silvio.
--------------------
TMB 115 LW Refractor
APM 80/480 CNC Refractor
8" F7 Reflector
Kowa 32x82 Highlander Fluorite Binoculars
Canon 18x50 IS Binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS Binoculars
Tasco 7x35 Widefield Binoculars
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Silvio,
Sounds like you have already ordered the fork cradle and tripod. I think you will wish that you had ordered a parallelogram, oh well, it will give you a start and perhaps it will meet your needs. And, if you wish to have more flexibility in viewing then you may be able to sell the cradle and upgrade to a parallelogram (keep the tripod as it should be quite good).
Yes, the Taks will split doubles. I don't recall any specific ones right off the top of my head as I look for star clusters and galaxies more than doubles. I have been viewing M45 (the Pleiades) lately and trying to determine how many of the stars I can see as listed on Ed Z's study (on this forum). M45 is a beautiful sight with the Taks. Great contrast, no false color noted, just beautiful. M31 in Andromeda and M42 in Orion are nice fuzzies that you should be able to view easily.
You should be able to make out the ring separation on Saturn. When I looked at Mars this past summer it was a disk but I did not make out any markings. I also have a pair of Baader solar film filters and view the Sun quite often (if it's one thing we have in Texas is lots of sun shine).
A good book that I would recommend to you is, "Binocular Astronomy", by Crossen & Tirion. It may be available on Amazon.com, however, I purchased my copy from B&H Photo (bhphotovideo.com). I suspect that it may also be available from various of the amateur astronomy equipment vendors.
The Tak 22x60s are beautifully made and finished, although I was a bit disappointed in the case and straps. One would think that for the money they would have provided something more up-market. The case is a very plain black leather hard case with no lining and a simple velcro pressure square to secure the lid. The straps are plastic and really "cheesy". I have since replaced all of the straps with custom made wide, heavy cotton straps with my name embroidered on them. I chose cotton over nylon in the hopes that there would be less danger of damaging the body of the binos by rubbing or pressure.
Silvio, congratulations on getting the Taks. They are a great pair of binos and should provide you with many years of enjoyable viewing.
Nick
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12566
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Silvio,
Based on some of the viewing i've done with 16x70s and 20x80s, for the Tak 22x60s on doubles you should be able to get well down into the range of 8" to 10" easily.
Depending on your own limits of acuity, if you are capable of seeing to 150 arcseconds, then you will be able to see doubles to 7" (7x22=144). Two doubles for you to try are Gamma Delphinus at 9.6" and Gamma Aries at 7.8", both fairly even. In fact, gamma Aries is a perfectly even double, the best possible example you could find. I would think the Tak 22x60 is THE binoc to tackle that one. So far I don't know of anyone that has split it.
You will be able to see the four components of the Trapezium. I have seen the four in 20x80s masked to 20x50. I have seen three of the four in my Fujinon 16x70s. The fourth component is separated by 8.7", an easy task for the 22x Taks.
Of course all of this is dependant on your acuity. If your best acuity is 200 arcsec, the best you could possibly see would be 200/22= 9.1 arcsec.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
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