Bino viewer question

[linstar88]

Hi all,
I have a BT302 12" dobsonian (f/5) scope from Bintel. I'm very interested in a bino viewer for this scope. Currently looking at either a Tele vue bino vue or a Denkmeier Binotron-27 super system :eyepop:
Does anyone know if either of these bino viewers are suitable for the 12" dob and if so, which one would be best to use. Also what accessories will be needed for best quality viewing and which eyepieces might best work with them.
Nothing is set in stone here so if anyone knows of a cheaper version of these that may work just as well, this info will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers Linda and Guy.

[Allan]

I don't have a lot of experience with bino viewing, so I just went for the best. The BinoTron in my 12" is really nice. I have not looked at the moon or planets in mono mode once since I got the Denks, the difference is that good. Initially, I think the Denk 21 are the best eyepieces to go for.

[Satchmo]

Steer clear of the TeleVues - they haven't been updated in 20 years. The Binnotron 27 is pretty much the state of the art , and three people who I know use Denks swear by the Televue panoptic 24mm + the power switch as their eyepieces of choice. Badder Hyperion 24mm or Orion Stratus @ $180 locally ( same EP ) are excellent low cost alternative to the Panoptic .

Binoviewers can never match the bright pupil and richness of a true binoscope but they are worthwhile and give eyecomfort and a certain amount of presence in the view which you don't get with a monocular .

If you are on a budget the Baader Maxbright binoviewer with the 1.7X corrector designed specially for Newts is a good choice at around $560 USD , but you need to be aware of the infocus requirements - you may have to remount the primary mirror cell a little closer to the front and use a 2" extension tube of 35 or 50mm in the focuser when you want to go in mono mode.
http://www.alpineastro.com/Binoviewers/binoviewers.htm#ORJ

Just checked , you need 31mm free in focus to bring to focus with the 1.7 X Newt variant of the Max bright .

Hope this helps .

[Raybot (Ray)]

I use William Optics binoviewers viewers in my 8" Dob, they certainly give the perception of depth particularly when observing the moon. I hardly use the single eyepiece anymore :)
They were reasonably inexpensive compared to others on the market

[linstar88]

Hi all,
Thanks for your info and advice, as always very helpful . Was really hoping the Denk 27 would be the best one to go for. Guess I'll save them few extra $$$ and shoot for the stars with that.
Cheers Guy

[axle01]

I have the Bino27 and power switch with the Denk21's on a 130mm Refractor and very very happy.

If you decide to go with another bino remember the Denk power switch and 2 Denk21 eyepieces virtually gives you 3 sets of high quality eyepieces, so you will have to add the cost of 2 more sets of equal quality eyepieces to the cost of another brand of bino.

[axle01]

Also you should get a Baader Zeiss Prism 1.25" and the Denk adapter to mount the bino directly onto the diagonal to cut down on light path.

If you want I will post a photo of mine.

[FlashDrive]

I have the Denkmeier Super System II with Power and Filter Switch.
A pair of Denk 21mm and Delos 17 and 14mm Eyepieces are mostly used on a Vixen NA140 and Tak 60CB Refractors.
My ' optical corrector ' is screwed into the telescope side of the 2" Diagonal and thus keeps the optical train short.
Love using them on the Moon/Jupiter/Pleiades M45/Orion Neb' M42 and general wide field viewing.

The eyepieces in the Denk' Bino in the photo's are a pair of Celestron Ultima 18mm .... these are good eyepieces.....I have a pair of 12mm Ultima's also.
The Denk 21's also get a lot of use.

Using these with the TAK60CB on the Moon is just ' breathtaking ' ....changing the ' magnification ' with the Power Switch for even closer views is just incredible.
The TAK's Optics really can take a lot of ' pushing ' when it comes to ' high ' magnification ... and no degrading of the image either.....mind you...focusing gets very fine then.
Never regretted buying these....very comfortable viewing indeed.

I'm sure you will enjoy a BinoViewer if you decide to purchase......

Col....

[linstar88]

Yep, photo(s) would be great :thumbsup: (if not to much trouble).
Thanks in advance.
Cheers Guy and Linda

[linstar88]

That's the one I want, thanks for the photos Flash :thumbsup:.
cheers Guy

[axle01]

Sorry for the links but I haven't learnt how to post photos here yet, I know I should make the effort and learn.

http://i61.tinypic.com/qn2uc0.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/65b9fd.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/2a65gqu.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/2wgdabq.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/124g6qg.jpg