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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Binoviewers

I have enjoyed my limited time with the binoviewers that some Chicago Astronomers have used during some of our sessions. Certainly, using both eyes while viewing most celestial objects brings a sense of a 3-D experience...especially when used on the Moon. Saturn is also great in binoviewers and the Galilean satellites "pop" out.

Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Some telescopes don't offer enough "inward" focus to bring the image into sharpness or the need to use an adapter - usually a barlow tube - to bring it into focus.

The higher end Binoviewers, (Televue, Denkmeier, Baader, Siebert..etc...) are just too expensive for this astronomer.

But, it's time for me to get my own.

I came across a deal on Celestron Binoviewers...

Description

The Stereo Binocular Viewer allows you to adapt two eyepieces to your telescope and view with both eyes simultaneously. In addition to eliminating eye fatigue associated with viewing through one eye for a prolonged period of time, this 1.25-inch bino viewer also provides a three-dimensional effect when you're observing many celestial objects. In addition, it will improve contrast on deep-sky objects and solar system objects. The Stereo Binocular Viewer is designed to work with Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes (SCT) and many refracting telescopes.

The Stereo Binocular Viewer requires you use two eyepieces of equal focal lengths and optical design. Your telescope will come with one or more eyepieces - you will need to purchase a matching eyepiece for use with the binoviewer.

High quality FMC BAK-4 prisms to reduce light loss Quality control inspected for collimation and performance.
Fully Multi-Coated BAK-4 prisms
Foam lined aluminum storage case
Eyepiece diopter scales for sharp focus

With some promos and rewards...I could get it down to about $169.00

Researching...I came across the Orion Binoviews...

Description

The Orion Binocular Viewer comes with a thread-on 2x Barlow lens, so you can choose two levels of magnification. The hinged aluminum housing contains fully multi-coated BAK-4 prisms that provide high light transmission. You can use almost any matching pair of 1.25" eyepieces. Individual helical focusing collars ensure a sharp focus for each eye.

The viewer's 1.25" nosepiece is threaded to accept filters. The Binocular Viewer works with all types of telescopes. On reflectors or short-focal-length refractors you may need to use the barlow lens to accommodate the requirement for 4" of additional inward focus travel.

Features -

Includes thread-on 2x Barlow lens so you can choose two levels of magnification
Hinged aluminum housing contains fully multi-coated BAK-4 prisms for high light transmission
Reflectors and short-focal length refractors may require the short 2x barlow lens
Includes storage case and caps for eyepiece holders and barrel

Both offer free shipping and are comparable - but I like the Orion better. It comes with 2x barlow lens tube adapter and it also has three nylon screws on each eyepiece insert. Binoviewers need to keep both eyepieces in pretty much the same vertical orientation with each other. Single set-screws "tilt" the eyepiece in the barrel...causing a double image at times - but the three set screws will enable centering nicely.

Reading the extensive reviews on both these binoviewers, they seem to be accepted as decent optics and providing satisfactory images.

With already on hand several 25mm plossls, I'm set with starter eyepieces. And with the 1.25" to 2" adapter...I'll be able to use the Binoviewer on the C11 with little problem. And maybe...I can even use it as a make-shift viewer when imaging - using one ocular for the camera and the other to track and confirm.

Now, just to order the Orion Binoviewer.


But wait...

I came across this..

Same Orion binoviewer package...but at 30 bucks cheaper...!

Still with free shipping, I'm under $140.00 on an accessory that I hope will enhance my observation experience. I may use the pair for limited public observation session, but as a rule - as with all the various eye-spacings and diopters with our visitors...not very practical. But for our solid regular fans and supporters, I will be happy to share to special views.

Ordered and done.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

They have arrived....

Home sick this day - some respiratory thing going on - when I hear a thud on my doorstep..and there are my Bimoviwers. Hastily opening the box, I find well packed optics...

Bubble wrapped, air bagged and peanut filled, the transit to my estate looked good. The binoviewer was also wrapped in plastic, as is the mini barlow lens. The tool feels solid and has some heft to it. It's 4 3/4" in width...

...and slightly over 5" in length with the mini barlow attached.

All openings are capped and it's an all metal build with a hard rubberized exterior with angled grasp friction slits.

Red flag....! A reason I bought this Binoviewer over the others is that it had 3 nylon eyepiece set screws to center the eyepieces in the holders. Here, I only see one...

Aw man!

That was a big selling point for me and I was disappointed... But wait....

Do I see brass compression rings...? Yes!

All cool.

Perhaps the only drawback so far before a field test, is that the 2x metal barlow has no protective case and just lays there naked in the foam padding. I'm sure there is something layin' around the estates to bring into service here.

The hard case is the usual accessory aluminum textured style type most of us have and is smaller than my Android Tablet...

With some careful and creative razor knife slices, two eyepieces can be included in the case - relocating the barlow to an unused open area.

And....

Glory be...it's completely clear this evening!!!

Despite the hacking cough, I just gotta try them out this evening...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

First Preliminary test of the Orion Binoviewers...

It is a gorgeous absolutely clear night in Chicago...and despite the hacking cough and cold temps, I had to test out the new equipment. I asked Maria to come and join me for a brief garage observation/test session.

I tried to use the 90mm Refractor first for the test, but I just could not get enough focus to bring it to a sharp image of the Moon. Too cold and not feeling robust, I immediately removed it from the mount and mounted the C5 with much better results.

Targeting the Moon first, it was a blurry blob. Using the SCTs focus knob, it slowly came into sharp focus, (Much like the opening of the old "Outer Limits" tv show... ) The near full Moon was not the best phase for a test, but even so, with the binoviewers, the lunar surface, of which I spent decades observing....came to a newly appreciated life.

Using my banged up 25mm Celestron 25mm Plossel workhorses, the entire lunar orb fit nicely within the FOV, displaying the ejecta ray systems all over the surface in great detail. Closing one eye and then the other, one ocular was not as sharp as the other one. Twisting the helical focuser on that eye brought it into sharp focus...and now, absolute clarity!

Familiar landmarks such as Kepler, Copernicus and Clavius took on a total different feel. Now, I have peered through Binoviewers of other Chicago Astronomers, (some really high-end sets), and really enjoyed them, but now with the luxury of unlimited time, I could totally enjoy and take it all in.

I prompted Maria to come and enjoy what I was relishing in and immediately gasped in astonishment on what she was now viewing with both eyes. This was her first time using a Binoviewer and only brought into urban astronomy through me recently.

She approves of the purchase...

I then slewed over to Jupiter and liked what I saw. The banding on the planet in the C5 popped out nicely and three of his Satellites took on a 3-D effect. I was punching through branches of my now leafless backyard tree and I could discern clarity issues - as the planet would vary in sharpness & brightness dodging limbs, as it traversed the ecliptic. But, it looked good...

Popping in the 2x mini Barlow lens, I appreciated the now 12.5mm views of Jupiter, with nice clarity. The two EQ band were very prominent, but quite a few minor banding was visible - along with splotches and other markings.

With the Barlow still in place, I slewed back over to the Moon and and enjoyed the higher magnified view, best on the southern limb, where shadowing was still offering some relief detail. The Barlow did not diminish the sharpness and clarity, but as expected, does dim the object some, but not objectionable.

Satisfied on this 20 minute test, I wondered if I could use the Binoviewer as a make-shift guide scope for imaging - using one ocular for the camera and the other for guiding. Attaching the Canon w/ adapter on one eyepiece, I went through the motions of imaging the Moon - but without power to the mount, imaging would be poor. But, it works!

With that, the cold air was affecting my lungs and I concluded the test session.


Evaluation:

No doubt, a great addition to the Chicago Astronomer arsenal of astronomical tools. I need to attach this to the C11 for a true test of it's ability, but I expect nothing short of remarkable views. Using the 2" to 1.25" adapter will enable me use utilize my 2" filters for some great seeing. I would like to see how this performs on other Chicago Astronomer scopes...perhaps next week during the brief warm-up that's coming our way.

(Maria says I'm happiest behind a scope and would be content spending hours in my yet to be built Observatory on top of the garage.)

She's sooo right!.... ;D

The Orion Binoviewer - Highly Recommended.... #Thumbsup#

[Paulie pchris00]

I'm looking forward to getting my tax refund next week. Most of it is going to be spent on final necessities for the Venus transit, but if there is enough left over, I'm giving serious thought to these Orion binoviewers and a pair of eyepieces for it. I've only had some limited observing with Joe and Bill's binoviewers, but the lunar and planetary views were incredible. Here are my questions, though.

1) How do they perform on deep sky objects? The Moon and planets are close enough to give a sort of 3D effect to the image. Would star clusters and nebulae also get a kick?

2) For the moment I'll only be ordering one pair of eyepieces. I really want to get the best mm fit. I already know the binoviewers show the planets and Moon great at higher magnifications, but deep sky stuff is usually best viewed with lower magnifications. (I'm assuming here that DSOs will benefit from the binoviewers). Should I go with a pair of 25 or 20mm EPs, and use the thread-in Barlow to push the magnification for planetary observing? Or if DSOs don't benefit from binoviewing, would I be better off with a set of teener EPs, and use the Barlow to push planetary magnification when the seeing is really good? A complementary pair of EPs could be purchased later on, but I'd like to have the best overall pair to begin with.

3) Is the Barlow also threaded for filters? It would be nice to be able to use filters when pushing higher magnification.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Paulie,

DSOs also get a kick from binocular viewing.

Clusters will certainly take on the 3D effect nicely and the Orion Nebula is great with them. The barlow can accept a filter, but if the one you get does not, you can always screw it on to the binoviewer and then the barlow onto that. And...I would screw a filter onto a eyepiece - leaving the other one naked....ENHANCING the 3-D effect.

The eyepieces themselves is a more difficult area and a matter of preference and application.

Teeners are great for lunar and planetary, but the views may be dimmed with scopes under 8" in aperture. I would grab the 20/25mm eyepieces for a brighter/wider FOV. Now....you already have the Eyepiece kit. Why not get matching eyepieces to whatever you now got? Let's say a matching 25mm and something in the higher mags that you already have? - instead of a dedicated dual mm set.

OR....

Get a Zoom eyepiece...then my friend...you can match all of your eyepiece with just one extra eyepiece...!

Next time we are together, let's try this out on your scopes with my zoom eyepiece/Binoviewer and see if you like it. If so, then you'll know ahead of time.

You'll dig the binowviewers bunches and will not regret it.

[mojocvh]

...OK I'm slowly going through the site so firstly apologies for not being 100% up to date...

Smashing report Joe.

As one gets on a bit you realise that sometimes comfort wins, and with binoviewers, I personally feel you do "get more" from the comfort of using both eyes.

For all us European dudes an offer from Baader Planetarium..www.baader-planetarium.de/download/maxbright_paketpreis.pdf

cheers

Mo.