Homemade Parallelogram

[Shark Bait]

Years ago I got sick of trying to hold a pair of binoculars steady when scanning the night sky. After finding an article in an astronomy magazine detailing the benefits of parallelograms, I knew I had to make one for myself.


This parallelogram was constructed from the following materials:

one adjustable music stand base.
one camera tripod head - bent to allow for comfortable viewing.
four sections of wall shelf framing.
two blocks of hardwood with holes drilled for the bolts, music stand and camera mount.
4 bolts with washers and wingnuts.
one homemade clamp to connect the binoculars to the camera mount.
some weights to provide balance.
The camera mount was from a broken tripod and the music stand is still used for its original purpose as well as astronomy. The only item that was purchased 'as new' for this project was the shelf framing. The wingnuts allow for extra tension to be added to the framing if conditions are windy, otherwise the counterweights do the job of balancing the rig.

With this rig I can enjoy stable, wide field views of the night sky. It is great for kids as well. The adult can locate the object and lock off the camera mount and simply lower it to the child's height.

If you love using binoculars for astronomy and your camera tripod is not quite up to the task, a parallelogram might be the solution.

[h0ughy]

they look great

[Shark Bait]

Cheers Houghy,

I love the views through the eyepiece of the telescope, but sometimes it is really nice to kick back and enjoy the night sky in stereo. Some parts of the night sky just look better through binoculars. :)

[Deeno]

Nice work!

Something I've been meaning to have crack at.

[FlashDrive]

Stu .. very nice setup .. well though out to...!!!

Flash :hi:

[Shark Bait]

Thanks for the comments Deeno and Flash.

I forgot to mention some of the flaws in the setup as it is at the moment:


If the parallelogram frame is placed on the ground during pack up and it pivots to the the 'wrong' side, it can clamp down on my fingers. This is a self correcting error, as you only let it happen once. :(
This rig is a little bulky when compared to some of the other parallelograms that I have seen advertised. The trade off for the extra weight is probably a little more stability.
The camera mount that allows the binoculars to be attached is starting to show its age and the movement is no longer smooth. I will have to start looking around for a new and more refined camera mount.