John, I tried but unfortunately it does not fit 😔

Hi Stargazers,

I'm tying to mount my AZ4 head to a Manfrotto 475B photo tripod. Does anyone know if I can buy an AZ4 > Photo Tripod converter from anywhere?

Thanks

On 29/09/2020 at 15:37, DaveL59 said:

that's great news Chris. Maybe worth posting how it was solved for future reference in case someone else hits the same issue

Dave this was the procedure I undertook to fix my focus issue.

1. Close right eye and then look though left eyepiece using the left eye and find sharp focus

2. Remove the eyecup from the binocular by unscrewing it (see fig 1. & fig 2.)

3. Using a 0.9 Allen key, locate and unscrew the three small hex screws (see fig 3.)

4. Remove the diopter completely from the binocular (see fig 4.)

5. Close left eye and look through right hand eyepiece using the right eye

6. Adjust the right eyepiece by twisting until the right eyepiece is in sharp focus. You may need a pair of grips. (see fig 5.)

7. Once focus has been achieved, undo the previous steps (reattached diopter, screw down the three hex screws and finally screw the eyecup back onto the binoculars)

Hope this is helpful to others who are facing the same issues I had.

0CCC4C7B-10C7-4E5B-8ECF-57F70447F56F.heic

Hi Stargazers,

I am wanting to fit a GLP to my 20x80 binos. Does anyone use one on binos with a central mounting bar? Where can I purchase a suitable GLP and what type of mounting do I require please?

Thanks in advance

Chris

https://www.opticron.co.uk/our-products/binoculars/observation-binoculars/wp-observation-20x80

100% correct Bill. I am bowled over by their assistance today. Couldn't be happier. 

Thanks for sharing your observations. I too look forward to reading more about your Dob v's Helios

10 minutes ago, michael.h.f.wilkinson said:

Glad the issue was resolved. As far as I know these are made by Vixen, and look identical to the Vixen ARK 20x80mm bins of a former PhD student of mine. I also briefly had the 16x80 version, but the maximum IPD was 72 mm which was just shy of my 73 mm IPD. I didn't notice this in the 20x80s, which gave beautiful sharp images, but with the larger exit pupil of the 16x80s it was a bit of an issue. I now have the Helios LightQuest 16x80, which go to 74 mm IPD, so I have room to spare.

Michael,

They are indeed a wonderful binocular. I had a peek at the double cluster when I first got them a couple of weeks ago. Despite being a little 'wonky' the cluster was easily the best I've ever seen it. The 3.5 degree FOV framed it beautifully. 

My focusing issue has been resolved thanks to a very helpful lady from Opticron. The binoculars now find sweet focus. Looks like I might get chance to try them out tonight under semi clear skies (here's hoping).

Thanks Pete and team at Opticron for outstanding customer service. Especially considering I am a second hand owner of these binos. I really do appreciate this.

Chris

On 24/09/2020 at 12:10, pete_gamby said:

The process is almost but not quite as shown in Steve's guide. These pics and instructions might help you identify which bits need tweaking to reset the dioptre adjustment but if you need some help call our service department on 01582 726522, option 1.

Incidentally those binos were covered by a 30 year, transferrable warranty so you will probably have some element of that still remaining.

Cheers, Pete
Sales Manager, Opticron

wp obs dioptre adjustment.pdf 202.05 kB · 9 downloads

Hi Pete,

I tried adjusting the diopter screws but unfortunately that did not resolve my issue. It seems the right eyepiece fairly easily 'slides' in and out of the eye tube. It can simply be 'pulled' out completely. What I have noticed is the eyepiece will screw down into place. However when securely and fully screwed down the eyepiece will not come to focus using the diopter. But when I unscrew the eyepiece and pull it out of the eyepiece tube (by about 1/4 cm) then I am able to get the eyepiece into a decent and sharp focus.

I'll phone the service department later today to discuss in more details if that's okay?

Thanks

Chris

Thanks gents, using my purchase price seems a sound gauge.

Thanks Peter. I'll take a look at FLO and the other retailers.

Hi Stargazers,

Would anyone with experience please advise me on the second hand value of my Tele Vue 102 (f8.6) 4" refractor?

The OTA plus optics are in mint condition. It also comes with options for either dovetail or Losmandy mountings, the Tele Vue Starbeam red dot finder, the Tele Vue Everbrite 2" diagonal and a Tele Vue hard carry case.

 Of course I have the price I paid for it in October 2014 to guide me. Before I purchased it, it had one previous careful owner.

Thanks

Next question please. Where can I source a bright, reliable green laser pointer?

Thanks Peter. I'll try the laser on the binoculars first and see how I get on. I do have a decent pair of 8x42's to help me get there.

Thanks Steve and Pete, That was my strong inclination. I'll dive deep into your collective guides and see if I can resolve this.. Unfortunately due to other commitments it's now going have to wait until mid next week.

Pete, if I get real stuck I'll give your department a call

I do need the extra help so encoders it is. Or I might add DSC to my Dob, then add a green laser and use the Dob to point the binos in the right direction?

Good points Steve. I will be mindful to source eyepieces from the same batch. Although more expensive, overall the APM's do seem a step up from the Helios but cost might mean I opt for the Helios eventually.

Lovely sketches. Thanks for sharing. I bet they looked even better through the eyepieces.

I was thinking of a fork or Alt Az mount with encoders to help me find things. Is this overkill for a decent pair of 100mm bins? I love sweeping the sky but don't really know how to find things or what I'm looking at?

Does a parallelogram 'fold up' easily for compact storing or does it need to be always assembled for 'grab and go' (this is a big consideration for my needs). 

2 minutes ago, Tomatobro said:

Helios Quantum-5.2 20/40x100 Semi-Apo Binoculars

Thanks, they are ones I've been considering. Seem a good price too.

17 minutes ago, BinocularSky said:

I love my 100 mm binocular (probably my most-used bit of astro kit) but, looking at your kit list, I wonder if a bog standard 25x100 is what you need. Your TV 102 + 41mm Panoptic  will give you far better wide-field views. Something like the Helios LQ-HR  might suit you (my review is here ), but the cheaper ones tend not to have anywhere near as sharp a field. The common 100mm binocular lenses tend to be around f/4, so aberrations tend to be quite pronounced.

In view of the duplication in aperture with your TV, have you considered something bigger? APM and Vixen both do bigger binos - but they are pricey, mind!

But, to directly answer your question, in my opinion it is worth lugging around the bigger bino (+ sturdy parallelogram and tripod), but I wouldn't do it if they didn't have angled eyepieces.

I've just noticed @Tomatobro's post - mine has x20 and x37 eyepieces; I've not used the x20 for more than a decade - the wonderful variety of human experience... 🙂

 

Thanks Steve,

I've only recently gotten into serious binocular astronomy and it has proved a revelation. I feel so much more comfortable seeing with two eyes and my BT has given me the kind of space walk experience I has been yearning for. When comparing looking thought my 20x80 over my Tele Vue / 41mm pano I simply prefer the binos. So much so I'm now seriously considering selling my TV (something I though I would never consider) and purchasing a BT with changeable eyepieces. Then somewhere done the line getting a 127 Mak to fill the high power gap for moon and planets.

13 minutes ago, Tomatobro said:

I have both. The 80's are mounted on a parallelogram and the 100's are fork mounted. Both have provision for precise Alt/Az positioning which when used with a laptop makes finding objects easy. I would say that neither are usable without some kind of support.

The 100's that I have say that they can be used with standard 1.25" eyepieces but all the ones that I have will not achieve focus. There is not enough    " in" movement.

Mine came with x20 and x40 eyepieces. The x20's get used the most.

The 100's give brighter views but a smaller field of view

Thanks Tomatobro, I was considering buying a BT with interchangeable eyepieces. Do you have any recommendations on which make to go for?

Hi Stargazers,

When using your giant binoculars and BT's do you prefer to sweep the sky with your bins on a dual fork mount or is it more comfortable using a typical single arm Alt Az mount? I'd love to hear your thoughts... 

I have a set of 20x80 straight though binoculars (mounted) but my goal is to own a pair of 25x100. I'm fairly new to big binoculars but already love their ability to sweep the Milkyway. When comparing a 80mm frac v's a 100mm frac the larger glass obviously opens up more possibilities especially for higher powers.

Does anyone have experience with the two different sets. I realise bins are meant for low power, wide field views. So does lugging around a slightly bigger, heavier set of bins outweigh the extra 20mm gain in aperture?

Thanks everyone

Well, I bought the bins. I need to meddle with them a bit. But last night the double cluster was breathtaking. So all in a worthwhile purchase. Thanks for your input gents.