Binoviewers

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

Anybody used these? If so, are they worth it? Seems most that use them think they're awesome.

[Odd Thomas]

Anybody used these? If so, are they worth it? Seems most that use them think they're awesome.

Yes & definately!

[great_bear]

Unless you're one of the few who can't merge the two images, there's no reason not to use them for lunar and planetary. Personally I don't know how anyone does any serious planetary observation without using them!

With most of the lower-cost units, bear in mind that the longest usable eyepiece is a 26mm 50 deg (e.g. Plossl) or a 20mm 60 degree eyepiece, since there is a ~21mm baffle which restricts the field size.

[Charon]

Not long had my Williams Binoviewers, I think they are wonderful- well worth the money.

[great_bear]

The best of the "low-cost" ones, for sure. They're what I have.

One day I'd like to try a pair of Siebert full-aperture mirror-based (not prism) binos...

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

Well, i was hoping you guys would say they were rubbish... Yet another thing on my saving list...

[PhoenixRising]

I've just sold some here. Hope I don't regret it!

[StevieDvd]

I've just bought some here.

[kniclander]

just make sure you have enough in-focus to get them to focus -you'll struggle with most newts and some fracs (without a barlow) but will be ok with cassegrain designs.

and yes, they're awesome

[Alma]

Well, i was hoping you guys would say they were rubbish... Yet another thing on my saving list...

Sorry, but even the so-called "cheap" ones are good, particuarly on the Moon and planets. Don't skimp on eyepieces though.

[red dwalf]

i`ll second the cheaper options, fantastic views on the Moon, although the william optics ones are very very nice having tried a friends set.

[Charon]

Williams Binoviewers come complete with a pair of 20mm EP's, lunar views are stunning.

[Merlin]

I made a binoviewer using a mirror-type beamsplitter from Edmund Scientific and three flip-up mirrors from redundant SLRs. Its advantage over my WO binoviewer is that it's much lighter.

The disadvantage is that the mirror-type beamsplitter produces a ghost image from its rear face. This doesn't matter for the Sun, Moon and Planets ( the 5% or so ghost image is well to one side ), but it turns every star into a binary!

Not bad if you like ultra-rich fields ( chuckle ).

I've done this post a second time, having pressed the "Go Advanced" button, when I should have pressed "Post Quick Reply".