JMI Reverse Binocular Telescopes

[Omaroo]

Hey there all :)

I came across JMI's (makers of the NGT-18, etc) range of binocular scopes while doing some research on binos to aid me in constructing my own 12" set.

Nice! Has anyone seen or used these at all?

The range consists of the:

RB-66 (dual 6 inch), RB-10 (dual 10 inch) and RB-16 (dual 16 inch) models. They look fantastic. I'd love to know if anyone has seen or used these in the flesh.

Attached photos are, in order:

1) All three
2) RB-66 (US$2,795)
3) RB-10 (US$5,495)
4) RB-16 (US$11,995)

Cheers
Chris

[iceman]

Wow! I love how the 2nd and 3rd pics look just like oversized compact 8x40 binoculars.

I bet they're not cheap.

[Omaroo]

...updated with prices...

[h0ughy]

your right Mike, they resemble pocket binos. are you changing your mind Chris or just sussing out ideas

[ving]

they look pretty cool...
they do lok like pocket binos :)

[Omaroo]

Just gathering some construction ideas Dave. I've already ordered the two DSO 12" mirrors from Mark Suchting so I'm gathering ideas on how to still employ his overall mirror alignment designs, yet make the presentation of the unit a little different. I still reckon I'll go for an open truss "bongo drums" design though... :D

[gbeal]

There is a guy locally, OK in Auckland, who I think is a forum member as well. His site is http://www.binoscope.co.nz/
I have the feeling he is away for a few days, so may not see this thread. He has built the two sets so far, so would be a good brain to tap.
Gary

[Omaroo]

Yep - I've been to that site many times Gary - and you're right - his is a great brain to tap. Mark Suchting and other make some pretty wonderful observations about bino scopes on the site as well. A really good read. I've emailed him in New Zealand, but to date he's still to answer......

Cheers
Chris

[gbeal]

E mail him again Chris, as he is sometimes slow to reply (to me).
I do know that he is out of town with family business this week, so that is most likely the reason.

[OCULUS]

These look incredible but I wonder if there is a point where the aperture on one telescope with binoviewers will give just as good light and field of view as a bino telescope setup.
I would imagine it must be up towards the 20inch point.

The cost of an 20 is probably double that of a twin 12" setup at least so on that basis it makes sense to do it.

As a side note, its quite amazing how people with refractive errors struggle to read certain lines on the snellen chart with individual eyes but binocuarly can get 3 lines further down! Its nearly as magic as the pinhole effect but with no loss of light and field of view.

[Omaroo]

I guess that your brain is simply getting more data by using both eyes. I know that as individual instruments, both of my eyes are pretty poor performers. Added together and I can see very well.

[OCULUS]

The reason they believe you can see more with two eyes, (in a person with binocular vision) is that the visual cortex has three sets of cells that need to be developed. Right Left and Binocular

To develop your "central" vision you will need both eyes working in tandem. Having both eyes working together switches on your central or binocular processing ability. I guess it is having a higher level of processing. We call this ability to see better with two eyes superacuity. (stereopsis)

[Satchmo]

Its not quite as simple as that. There are a number of subtle reasons that add up to a better view with a true binocular. Also for an equivelent image brightness between a mono+binoviewer vs a true Binewt, the monocular solution will typically have twice the focal length ( including the mild barlow required to get a fast light cone through a narrow binoviewer. This translates to typically half the field of view in an equivelent mono+binoviewer compared to a Binewt.