Using Bins with one eye (New to all this)

[Toadeh]

Hi All,

First post I'm looking at starting astronomy and want to start with a set of bins. My issue is, since as long as i've known I only use one eye at a time, they both work, just not together.

Not an issue in itself, but if I am looking at something through bins, my eyes CAN switch which makes the image appear to jump (try closing one eye, look at a point then use the other eye and see how it shifts).

I assume this would be fine for a scope since I can conciously (sp) choose which eye to use (and not by closing an eyelid), but is this going to make observing through bins impossible?

Has anyone got any suggestions to aleviate this or is it just a get on with it and see?

Cheers all

Mat

[brantuk]

Has the condition been diagnosed medically or is it something you ascertained for yourself? I ask because it could make a difference as to what equipment you get.

[Toadeh]

Well, its medically in the sense that when I get my eyes tested they can prove its happening. There is a test with a red line and a green line, 'normal' people see both, I see whichever depending on which eye I use.

Its not some strange rare condition, just a squint operation when I was younger which appears to have made me use one at a time.

[brantuk]

Hmmm... well I'm no eye specialist, but it may be an idea to have a word with yours to get some idea of how your eyes can be expected to behave with astro gear.

Another thing I would strongly suggest is that you visit an astro society or go to a star party, and get to try some scopes out to see what you feel comfortable with.

Once you're happy with the possibilities - set a budget and we'll help you spend it on suitable equipment

[Toadeh]

Any idea where I can get a list of astro societies?

[brantuk]

Try this link - if you're anywhere in the Midlands there are one or two groups from this forum that meet locally.

Federation of Astronomical Societies - Member Societies

[LukeSkywatcher]

You could try wearing an eye patch on the eye you are not using and then switch it over if needed.

[BinocularSky]

If you can only use one eye at a time, why not get a monocular or spotting scope instead of a binocular? It really does seem a waste of lucre to get two identical optical tubes when you can only use one of them at any given time.

[JamesC]

Weird, but cool. Most people have difficulty looking through a telescope and not being distracted by what the other eye sees. I wear an eye patch, put my hand over my eye or screw it shut (uncomfortable for any length of time). If you can just ignore one eye then you won't need to bother with any of that.

Do you're eyes point in the same direction? If so, I wonder if you could use a monocular and switch between 0X with one eye and 10X with the other? When I'm trying to find something with binoculars I look with the binoculars down then I keep looking in the same direction and lift the binoculars into place.

If you really can only see through one eye at a time, why are you interested in binoculars? They're cheap I suppose, but I would be tempted by a monocular. Maybe it's easier to hold binoculars steady? I would think you could still use both hands to hold a monocular - might be steadier than binoculars actually with the lower weight. I find it helps to steady my hands against my head a bit.

Just by the way, you may find one eye is better than the other for astronomy. When my pupils are dilated, my left eye has bigger spikes than my right. This effect is only noticeable with large exit pupils. I can see it by looking at a bright star and just covering one eye, then the other (but I guess you can do that mentally).

[Toadeh]

They point in the same direction, and I can't move them independantly (am not a chamelion ). One is better than the other but only a bit.

Going for bins since I want to get the mrs into this as well, and both her eyes work

[brantuk]

If going for bins then it may help to get some with indepedently adjustable diopters - it's just a hunch but it might make a difference.

I'm liking your sense of humour re: "not a chamelion" lol

[Toadeh]

No point in getting upset and seriouse about it Someone compared me to marty feldman in work the other day

Am borrowing a pair of me dads for a few weeks to see how I get on with them, if there horrid, i'll go for the monocular, if not, i'll get some for myself.

Now all I need is a clear night and a simple list of things to find

[brantuk]

Andromeda (M31) is well positioned right now, plus Jupiter of course good binoc objects - others will add more

[argonaut]

Toadeh,

I'm just wondering if you get your IPD measured and then look at some binocular specifications to see if the binocualrs will fit your IPD. Quite a few manufacturers do quote the IPD specifications.

Glen.

[BinocularSky]

Re IPD: if your IPD is small, it's also worth establishing whether the bridge of your nose will permit the eyepieces to come that close, -- most usually a problem with wide angle eyepieces.

[Toadeh]

Re IPD - What is it

I don't look any different to look at, and you would never know am just using one eye so I can hold binoculars comfotably, just will only use on side at a time.

[argonaut]

It's inter-pupillary-distance. Just the measurement between your pupils. It can be quite important when buying binoculars. Most binoculars have a small quadrant printed on the hinge somewhere which measures your IPD.

Thinking back a few years I had a similar problem with my left eye and found that it was a mini-stroke (blood clot) behind my left eye. DON'T PANIC,it's not serious,it did pass and I observe with binoculars 90% of the time.

Glen.

[BinocularSky]

Most binoculars have a small quadrant printed on the hinge somewhere which measures your IPD.

...and its value is usually a piece of imaginative fiction! Check with a ruler!

[argonaut]

That would depend on which binoculars you have.

[haitch]

From your description your problem sounds neural rather than optical. In some people the 2 halves of the brain are more separated causing difficulty in 1 half receiving signals from the other half. Your problem sounds like this could be the cause. Maybe a visit to the doctor could clarify?

[Toadeh]

Yeah, it is that my mind won't link to 2 images together. There is nothing that can be done and I don't know any different so am fine with it.

Had a go last night, think the moons a bit bright, but was amazed at what extra detail the binoculars show. I was dissapointed with jupiter, it looks like a white blob at the moment but am not sure if thats the sun. Couldn't make out any moons around it though.

[brantuk]

The moon was fairly close to Jupiter last night - could've washed out jupiters moons.

[Toadeh]

Yeah, thats my thinking. Looking at stellarium its the same tonight, will keep my back to the moon tonight and see what I can see. Managed to see some clusters last night as well, need to mark down what I have seen and when (but then, it was 12.30am and I had been drinking )

[Toadeh]

Yay, tonight I have seen 3 of the moons of Jupiter well happy with that.

Does confirm I would be better with a monocular though, but still well happy

[Star child]

I'm the oposite, I cant close one eye and keep the other open, its annoying when trying to use a telescope and also for properly focusing my binoculars, as ive just leanr the correct way to focus them involves having to close one eye and use the diopter adjuster, I guess i could wear a patch but i would rather i could just close one eye! infact over the last fewe nights i have been pracrtising trying to do it and can just about manage to close my right eye, but i have to screw my face up, i cannot do it at all with my left eye though!