6 replies to this topic

[schang]

I have been thinking about DIY a parallelogram mount for my binoculars or a future binoscope for wide field viewing of the Milky Way and DSO for some time...  Originally, I have my eye set on a binoscope with 90mm aperture and 500mm focal length, using the offset method as shown here

 

http://www.cloudynig...hp?item_id=2438

 

This method is the simplest way(I think) of DIY a bonoscope without getting into complex alignment/collimation difficulties on the back end.  Other method has also been explored with the use of penta prisms which is still doable, but the penta prisms add a hefty cost to the project.  However, none of the methods worked out after waiting for the objective lens cells for about 10 months, and still I have no idea when they are available.  While waiting all this time, I started the tripod project of making crutch tripod.  I made one for my Dob mount for the C102AZ, which worked well.  So I made another one for the parallelogram mount with the crutches that I have (but bought another pair for $2.00 at a Goodwell store to make up for the single crutch left over).  They are strong and light weight, so light weight that I need to add a weight under the eyepiece tray to ensure that it is not toppled over.  Here is the unfinished pic 

 

 

 

 

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[schang]

The parallelogram mount was made out of red oak that I already have as well as the 5 lbs counter weight.  The mount head is something that I planned to build from scratch.  But before I started, I accidentally found that I had an old (circa 1978) Vivita camera head that was made of aluminum/steel and appeared to be quite sturdy.  So I only needed to add a 1/2" diameter steel rod and the whole thing can be made for less than $15 out of pocket.  Here is the pic of finished parallelogram

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Edited by schang, 27 August 2014 - 09:27 PM.

[schang]

Please note that a counter weight is actually a steel wedge (4 lbs) I bought 30 years ago for falling trees.  

 

The straight through 25x100 binocular was recently bought to complete my astro gear.  It sure will be nice to have a right angle one, but it costs well over $1000 new, and still one needs to have a mount to fit it in (like a fork mount).  I'll pass that and use my beach chair or astro chair for higher up objects.  

 

The closeup view of the camera head I took from the Vivitar tripod is shown here.  I needed to modify the mounting screw so it will lock the big binocular securely on the head.  After two nights of use, I am pretty satisfied with the performance of the parallelogram/tripod, and the view of the 25x100 binoculars.  It enable me to view the wide field Milky Way with both my eyes, without straining.  So I can observe longer.  This mount can also be used for my other lower power binos 7x, 10x if I want to (by using a L brace on the base plate).  So with my other scopes and DIY mounts, I felt that I have pretty much all the gears i need to cover my viewing situations.  They are not exotic, costly gears for sure, but they do the job just fine for me likely for the rest of my life.  I am content now.  

Edited by schang, 27 August 2014 - 07:08 PM.

[Tom McDonald]

Very nice, Shien! Ingenious use of the parts you have on hand.

And I like your use of wood for the construction!

I've been struggling with the Orion P-mount I bought years ago. It needs a few improvements to be really usable. I should PM pinbout and get his input on modifying it.

Thanks for posting your project!

[skywolf856]

Wow very nice.
Looks alot like the one I made from stock aluminum for my 20x80 bino.
 
Classic design works very well.

 

[schang]

Thanks, same as yours.  This classic design works very well and accommodates users more so than other designs,  especially for objects at various altitudes of similar longitudes. I do need to adjust my seating position if I view across a large swap of sky, though. 

[magic612]

Wonderful to see these mounts. I just picked up a set of 20x80 binoculars and will need to build something like these.