5 replies to this topic

[ccate]

I'm curious to know how much of the need for mounting larger binoculars is weight vs magnification.

or...

Has anyone tried to suspend large binoculars with elastic or spring of some sort, eliminating the weight problem but still enabling free movement?

[harbinjer]

Big binoculars usually have a high magnification, by which I mean "high" for hand-holding.  Generally over 10x. So you really need the stability to see things clearly. I don't think you can get that kind of stability with elastic or a spring. And if you do, that system will have to be just as rigid as a metal or wood mount, which means its not free moving.  The goal is usually have have a very smooth mount to make movement quick, accurate and pleasant.  A parallelogram mount can have almost free movement if it's set up correctly, with correct tension and counterweights. 

[Rich V.]

It's both weight and magnification. 

 

While some weight can add some hand held stability due to inertia, your arms become tired over time just holding the weight.  It's one thing to hand hold a 2-3# bino for a while, but 5# gets tiresome pretty quickly. 

 

When you increase magnification, the inherent "shakiness" is increased proportionally with the magnifiation.  Going from 10x to 20x doubles the magnitude of the shakes you see at the eyepiece.  Many users draw the line at 10-12x hand held; you can hand hold higher mags, but you're going to lose some resolution compared to mounted.

 

I've never cared to try to use anything elastic or springy to support my larger binos; I just use a tripod/head or a parallelogram, myself.  They provide a solid, steady view, so more details can be seen. 

 

Another good alternative is using an image stabilized binocular.  There are many new IS options lately.

[Sketcher]

I'm curious to know how much of the need for mounting larger binoculars is weight vs magnification.

Any reasonable answer would have to specify some of the relevant variables.

 

For example, if one is primarily interested in using larger binoculars for quick observations of many deep-sky objects under a seriously dark sky (as is done with a Messier Marathon) and has developed the skills necessary for using 10 pound, 25x binoculars handheld for that type of observing, then the need for mounting can disappear entirely for that size and smaller binoculars.  Note that for this kind of observing, one is not trying to see fine details.  The dark-adapted eye, looking at extended, faint deep-sky objects isn't capable of seeing fine detail -- effectively eliminating the need to use a mount once one has developed the necessary skills.

 

For observing fine details (splitting double stars, solar details, lunar details, and all manner of daytime terrestrial observations) a mount becomes a bit more important.  But the significance of weight and magnification (for handheld use) are still going to depend on the individual and the skills they've developed in binocular usage.  If the individual is able to quickly and accurately point the binocular at any desired object, then both (weight and magnification) become a bit less critical.

 

As one desires to see more and more detail, it will become necessary to either use a mount with the binoculars or to set the binoculars aside and use a mounted telescope.  The latter being a far more suitable solution for such observations.  (One can vary the magnification quite widely with a telescope, as well as make use of larger apertures).

 

When it comes to my astronomical binocular usage, I mostly use my binoculars (up to 25x100 in size and magnification) handheld.  And most of the time when I'm wanting to see finer detail and/or more magnified views I'll take out a telescope -- a matter of choosing the right tool for the job.  Though there are still rare occasions where I'll choose to mount my binoculars.  I do enjoy using my mounted 25x100s when it comes to observing lunar eclipses, and I use to use my 20x80s mounted for observing and sketching finer details on the Sun and Moon.

 

Nowadays, personally, I find the ability to use a binocular handheld to be one of the most important reasons for choosing to use a binocular -- considering just how vastly superior any mounted telescope can be over any mounted traditional binocular.

 

See post #27 here:

 

https://www.cloudyni...noculars/page-2

[ihf]

One needs to suspend the artist too. Something like this.

[nuffink]

One needs to suspend the artist too. Something like this.

I love that film.