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Look Down Binoculars Mount
Look Down Binoculars Mount
A few years ago I made a look down binocular mount for my 11x80 binoculars. The mount worked, but dew was always a problem. I ended up making the parallelogram mount that can be found elsewhere in my pages. The 11x80s work well on the parallelogram and dew isn't a problem so the look down mount went out to the garage to gather dust.
Enter Christmas 2011 and a pair of Barska 30x80s that are too big for the parallelogram mount.
I'd like to begin work on the Astronomical League's Binocular Double and Binocular Deep Sky Club lists and thought that the 30x80s might improve my results. I started wondering if they might work on the look down mount with some modification. To my surprise they worked with only slight additional modification (3 washers, one hole, a 1/4"x20 bolt. and a piece of milk bottle) and I thought I should post the combination here.
NEW 9/1/2017: After finishing the AL's Bino Double Star and Deep Sky Bino programs the look down mount sat gathering dust on a shelf for almost five years. In 2016 I started getting interested in variable stars and managed to complete the AL's Variable Star program in 2017. After announcing the Binocular Master Observer Award after the 2017 ALCON I knocked the coat of dust off the look down mount with plans to use it for the Binocular Variable Program with a pair of 7x50s. The advantage is that I can look at an almost 7 degree circle of the sky through the binoculars and with downward glance without moving my head I can look at my Nexus 7 tablet showing the field with the variable and comp stars. I can rotate the tablet to match the field and compare the variable to the comp stars with ease.
The original pictures on this page were deleted when I lost an ISP account so all are new as of 9/2017.
The right side of the mount showing the 8"x10" first surface mirror and 11x80 binoculars. The mounting bracket came with the binoculars and has a 1/4"x20 threaded hole that connects the binoculars to the base. For reference, the mount and binoculars are 14" tall from table top to top of the eyepieces. The round lens cover that can be seen in some of the pictures below is 4" in diameter. The height of the mount and binoculars is such that it is too high to use with a "normal" table/chair combination. The mount is best used when standing or when seated placed on a second chair or milk crate.
The altitude is controlled by moving the mirror up/down. It can be locked in place by tightening the wing nuts on the sides. The action is smooth due to "milk bottle" washers. Moving the mirror is in effect a "double angle."
The azimuth is is controlled by rotating the base on a piece of plywood that doubles as a mirror cover for storage and transportation.
The construction is hard wood strips, plywood, glue, and pocket hole joints.
The mirror and holder can be removed from the base for storage.
The left side of the mount is pretty much the same as the right.
The binoculars could move upward a bit to be centered better on the mirror and the mirror could be a bit higher for ease of use. The altitude is easily adjustable from zenith to horizon.
The mirror does reverse the sky N/S so a bit of translation is needed to read star charts.
With the approximate 4 degree field of view, finding objects is still an adventure. However, once the object is centered it is easily followed and a good view.
The front of the mount.
The binoculars can be moved closer to the mirror if necessary if light fall off at the edges is a problem.
Strange...everything was straight and perpendicular when I made it eight years ago!
The rear of the mount shows the only real "modification"... three additional washers underneath the head of the bolt that holds the binoculars on to the mount. I needed the washers to take up some extra space on the 4" bolt.
I've moved the washers to the top of the black wood block to raise the binoculars about 1/4"
The mirror block/cell has a t-nut on the bottom. There is a 1/4"x20 knob and thread below the mirror that holds the mirror block to the arm that holds and supports the binoculars.
The mount with 7x50 binoculars and showing the 11"x 14"x 1/4" plywood mirror cover (and base when placed under the mount).
Yes, dust gets in! I should probably put felt around the edges and tie the cover down.
There is a 1/4" hole at one of the long ends of the mirror cover. Placing a 1/4"x20x1" bolt with the head underneath gives me a pivot point for azimuth when screwed into the t-nut on the bottom of the mirror cell. A strip of milk bottle directly under the binoculars provides a smooth surface to rotate the azimuth.
Most larger binoculars come with a threaded "hole" where you can attach some kind of support. Many smaller binoculars like my 7x50s don't have this luxury.
To get the 7x50 on the mount I took a piece of scrap 2x6, angled the top, attached some velcro to hold the binoculars, and buried a 1/4"x20 T-nut inside to pick up the bolt from the mount.
Look down sure makes looking up a whole lot easier!
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