Bintel Parallelogram Mount + heavy Duty tripod

[dugnsuz]

Howdy,
I've been trying to get info re Bintel's binocular parallogram mount as advertised on their website (Binoc' Accessories).
Not much to date - the info on line is minimal as are pics.
Does anyone have experience with this mount?
I have just bought a pair of 15x70mm binos from AOE and am keen to steady them!
Also would be keen to know about mirror mounts too.
Any info welcome
Thanks for the help in advance...

Cheers

Doug

[janoskiss]

That bintel mount is way to expensive to my mind. A good camera tripod, maybe 2nd hand (~ $100?), will do the job + bino adapter (~$20). I have an old Linhof camera tripod and it worked well with 20x80 triplets. Donno about mirror mounts...

[elusiver]

check out the show us your rig thread.. i'm pretty sure there was a diy mirror mount in there.

el :)

[asimov]

I just got the same binos as well. I've got an old EQ2 that I might convert to an altazimuth & mount them on that..

[dugnsuz]

Hi
These binos have got to do me for a while so I need a bit of comfort!
I've used a standard tripod before for 80mm binos but found the tripod hugging too uncomfortable for long term use.
I had hoped the parallelogram design might allow easier viewing but the price is a wee bit high! Although the U.A. mounts are way too expensive to even consider.
I will look into (no pun...) the mirror mount option.
The Sky Window gets rave reviews on its own website!!!!!
I enquired about shipping costs to Oz - $120 US!!!!!
I nearly fell of my seat!
thanks for the responses
Cheers
Doug

[asimov]

I'm going to extend the counter weight shaft & mount them to that, to get me away from the tripod. (the shaft will be horizontal of course)

[TidaLpHasE]

If you don't mind getting out some tools and a tape measure, maybe you could make your own.

This link has some plans for one that you might be interested in, http://home.wanadoo.nl/jhm.vangastel/Astronomy/binocs/binocs.htm

[dugnsuz]

Thanks for all the replies and links - it has given me more food for thought
Cheers again

Doug

[seeker372011]

Hi doug:

I posted pictures of my home made bino mirror mount and some details in this thread

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=65&page=1&pp=20


scroll down to about 5 or 6th post


happy to answer any questions

Narayan

[dugnsuz]

Thanks seeker372011
I had a look, cheers.
Does the type of mirror matter?
Do the binoculars have to be fixed a specific distance from the mirror?
I've heard you don't need too much tilt on the mirror to view from zenith to horizon is this true?
Cheers again

Doug

[seeker372011]

Doug
The mirror is vital..it must be a front surface mirror. An ordinary mirror will give you double images-just unworkable.If the mirror is not good quality you will soon experience severe discomfort when observing, so it is very important to get this right

The exact distance to mirror from the bino objectives doesnt seem to be a critical parameter-within reason.

It is usual to design your mount so that the binos are at 55 deg angle-I built mine to allow two angles-45 deg and 55 deg and in practice use the 45 deg as it is more comfortable

Remember that if you allow the mirror to rotate enough you can actually use the mount to view objects that are behind you in the sky as well as objects from horizon to zenith, so you dont need to swivel around as often

here's some other approachs to building a mirror mount

http://www.stargazing.com/bino/

http://www.indytel.com/~rnabholz/downbino/

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/observatory/binocularmount.htm


Narayan

[dugnsuz]

Thanks for the info - I've just been outside with a framed house mirror and had an unpleasant time!
Where do you get a front surface mirror?
A web search found me a guy who used an ex-tank periscope mirror - that's a bit too esoteric for me! (I see he's your first link)
Is there an easier source?

Cheers again

Doug

[dugnsuz]

I posted before looking at the links you posted - they answer a lot of my questions.
Thanks for the replies and time taken

Cheers

Doug Robertson

[dugnsuz]

A question for the community...

Where can a man get a first surface mirror in Brisbane?

Cheers and thanks in advance!

Doug

[seeker372011]

Doug:
you can get first surface mirrors from surplus shed or First Surface Mirrors..links are in the other thread I posted that I referenced above..just scroll down a bit :)

Narayan

[janoskiss]

Both those shops are in the US. Is there anywhere we can get surface mirrors in Australia? (Doug was asking in Brisbane, but I'm from Melbourne and I'm interested too.)

BTW: Narayan, I just saw your awesome shot in AS&T. Congratulations!

[dugnsuz]

I've got to say though even with a full moon bleaching out the sky and holding these binos by hand - they reveal lots of detail. I 've just had a tour through Scorpius.
Credit to AOE for offering products like this at low cost ($119 + $15 Delivery).
It's a great time for astro gear freaks on a budget thanks to the proliferation of good quality Chinese optical products out there. I paid almost 10x the price for a pair of 80mm Celestron binos 10 years ago which I see you can pick up for about $250 today!!!!! Just as today the big names rebadged the same product and sold them at inflated prices. I've recently came back to the hobby and was really happy to see companies like AOE and Andrews providing quality gear for the amateur community.
I'm not affiliated in any way - other post in this forum tell the same story also.
Sorry I've gone off topic a bit - I'm just pumped!!!!
Cheers

Doug

[astroron]

There was a glass and mirror place near Albion fiveways where I got mine a few years ago, look in the yellow pages under mirrors and glass, make sure you state first surface mirror.By the way it is not cheap. :thumbsup: astroron

[dugnsuz]

I emailed Don@Bintel to get a bit more info on this mount he sent a few better pics than the one on their webpage.
Hope this might help somebody too...
Cheers

Doug

[Starkler]

Another product idea for Mick Pinner enterprises ?

Watching this thread with interest as I just ordered a pair of 15x70's :D

[asimov]

Just thinking out load here. I wonder if you could position 2 decent size (2") diagonal mirrors under the eyepieces? :confused:

[dugnsuz]

I tried and failed with my first attempts at a mirror mount as described in an earlier post.I know I was using the wrong type of mirror but, the whole "watching the sky upside down in a mirror" experience wasn't as easy or as intuitive as I'd expected. The email pics from Don at Bintel kind of turned me back on to the parallelogram mount as a more viable option as it looks a lot more "Chunky" and useable than the website details would suggest. Yes it's a pricey little package ($300 for the parallelogram mount + $179 for the AZ3 tripod)but...
Actually there's no but!! It is pricey for a one trick pony (the tripod could be used to carry small scopes I suppose) - but (there's that word again) big binoculars must be comfortably mounted to get the most out of them.
My neck lets me know this fact often.
Many thanks for all the info
This is a great forum
Cheers

Doug

AOE 15x70mm Binos and NO MOUNT!!!!!

[dugnsuz]

Just a final thought re this thread...
It's a wee bit worrying that Bintel sent me pics of what look like Image Stabilising Binos on their Bino mount :scared2:
But that's another thread!

Doug

[seeker372011]

Doug and Steve

Sorry I have been away travelling on work for the last couple of days.

I couldn't find a source for a reasonably priced first surface mirror here in Australia..
The closest I could do was to source some optical quality glass from a local glass dealer who i found in the yellow pages and then get it silvered at Astro Opticals, it was still pricey and the hassle didnt seem worth it

There is a company who makes first surface mirrors-Lords(?)-I think in Sydney-can't remember the name-but even the price for an offcut was more expensive than getting an FS mirror from the US-despite the postage when I checked-this was a couple of years ago though.

However: for binos around 7 x 50s -get your FS mirrors from Surplus Shed in the US
they cost US $3 each ! even with postage it is still very cheap.Service is great and they don't mind small orders-will even ship it by sea if you ask them to (and are willing to wait for your purchases to arrive) . Its a terrific ATM resource. Here's the link again:

http://www.surplusshed.com/

However the FS mirrors they usually stock are too small to use with binos larger than 50 mm-(and dont even try to use two mirrors-just thinking about it gives me a headache)

Doug I couldnt agree more with your views on these inexpensive binos. I have a pair of 11 x 70s from Andrews and they absolutely rock-and they cost $119 I think.I particularly like the long eye relief--for the first time I can observe with my glasses on.

Narayan
PS And Steve,... re the AS&T pic...thanks! :)

[astroron]

Albion Glass & Mirror Co PTY LTD Gore St Albion Corner Abbotsford Rd Phone 3262 2711 www.albionglass.com.au
email help@albionglass.com.au. thats where you will get first surface mirrors. astroron :cool: :astron: :stargaze: :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Thanks astroron
Maybe I'll give the upside down mirror option a rethink!!
Thanks for the link - much appreciated.
Cheers

Doug

[astroron]

Hi Doug, when things are strange they take a bit of getting used to,but you will find that it can be quite relaxing looking down rather than up. all the best astroron :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Hi Again
UPDATE>>>>>>>>>>>
I'm really enjoying these binoculars reclining on a cheap Target sun-lounger with a glass of SA Chardonnay. Just sweeping the milky way until the muscles get tired...have a little drink...look around with dark adapted eyes...hit the binoculars again until arms get tired...repeat ad infinitum!!!
They say the best thing is the one you'll use again and again...so I can heartily recommend the SA Chardonnay :cool:
Cheers
Doug

[seeker372011]

they say alcohol effects visual acuity.what do "they" know eh?

[asimov]

Congrats Doug! That SA red is certainly a beaut piece of "equipment" :thumbsup:

[dugnsuz]

Alcohol like Chromatic abberation has little effect at lower magnifications
Its Doug's first law!!
Cheers
Doug (hic!)