Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

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Bigzmey United States of America
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Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#1

Post by Bigzmey »


With acquisition of 20x80 binos it is time for me to venture into this new to me area. Based on your personal experience what parallelogram mount model would you suggest. I may also pick 25x100 in future so looking for the mount with some room to grow.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#2

Post by Refractordude »


I have the Farpoint Universal parallelogram binoculars mount with a Smith-Victor Propod tripod for my 20x80 binoculars. I once tried the Orion Giantview 25x100 binoculars with this mount and tripod. I found that with the 25x100 binoculars it took a little while for the shakes to settle down. However, at the time I was not really familiar in how to use a parallelogram mount. I think Ozman13 stated he was using the Farpoint and Smith-Victor for his 25x100 Obies. Try to contact him. While at it ask him to rejoin the forum.

https://farpointastro.com/products/farp ... ur-package

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... gJfFfD_BwE
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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#3

Post by Lady Fraktor »


See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#4

Post by pakarinen »


The Peterson mount is quite inventive, but that 6-ft or so long arm makes me hesitate about buying one. But to each their own...
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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#5

Post by 10538 »


C2E8AC0B-4208-4182-87EF-31FA66AE6557.jpeg
Hi Bigz. I use the Fairpoint universal parallelogram for my 25x100 Binos on top of a Meade heavy duty field tripod and it works great. I also have the Peterson Engineering pipe mount and I find it a little too bouncy with its long arm. It doesn’t see much action. It also seems that it has to be regularly lubricated or it tends to seize up. I have to add that mine is about 3-4 years old so maybe that’s been corrected. Also I have the Orion monster parallelogram that I use with my 20x80’s but for the larger binos I like the Fairpoint much better.
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Scopes: Orion 14 inch f/4.6 Dobsonian w/MoonLite focuser. Meade LX200 Classic 10”w/AudioStar and MoonLite focuser, Criterion RV6, Orion ST80A w/2” GSO micro focuser.
Eyepieces: ES 5.5mm 100*, 6.7mm 82*, 11mm 82*, 14mm 100*, 18mm 82*, 20mm 100*, Meade 9mm XWA 100*, 24mm UWA 82*, 56mm 50*, TV Delos 6,8 & 10mm, Panoptic 24, 27 & 35mm, 17mm Nagler, Powermate 2X, Baader 6mm Ortho, Paracorr II.
MISC: William Optics Binoviewer, Revolution 2 Imager, Orion Skyview Pro Mount, Skymaster 15x70, 20x70, 25x100 Binos, HoTech Collimator, Kendrick Dew System,Catsperch Chair.
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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#6

Post by Refractordude »


10538 wrote: Mon Aug 02, 2021 3:30 pm ImageHi Bigz. I use the Fairpoint universal parallelogram for my 25x100 Binos on top of a Meade heavy duty field tripod and it works great. I also have the Peterson Engineering pipe mount and I find it a little too bouncy with its long arm. It doesn’t see much action. It also seems that it has to be regularly lubricated or it tends to seize up. I have to add that mine is about 3-4 years old so maybe that’s been corrected. Also I have the Orion monster parallelogram that I use with my 20x80’s but for the larger binos I like the Fairpoint much better.
Nice deck you have.
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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#7

Post by helicon »


The PM2 Parallelogram mount is recently available from Oberwerk, may want to consider it especially if you go for 25 x 100's Bigz.

https://oberwerk.com/product/oberwerk-pm1/
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#8

Post by Bigzmey »


helicon wrote: Mon Aug 02, 2021 9:07 pm The PM2 Parallelogram mount is recently available from Oberwerk, may want to consider it especially if you go for 25 x 100's Bigz.

https://oberwerk.com/product/oberwerk-pm1/
Fancy! I wonder about wood potentially warping with time.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#9

Post by John Donne »


I have run the Farpoint for several years now.
One important detail is to level the mount/tripod.
I have the Oberwerk wooden tripod. I keep it waxed.
I have learned to balance and adjust the joint tensions so that it stays where I want it to hover. I have developed a friction brake/dampener for the main rotation axis.
But I have a bit of a "Jones" for the new "PM2" that Michael has mentioned. 😊
SCOPES :ES127 f7.5, SW100 f9 Evostar, ES80 F6, LXD75 8" f10 SCT, 2120 10" f10 SCT, ES152 f6.5.
MOUNTS: SW AZ/EQ5, MEADE LXD75, CELESTRON CG4, Farpoint Parallelogram.
BINOCULARS: CL 10X30, Pentax 8X43, 25X100 Oberwerks.
EP: Many.

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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#10

Post by Refractordude »


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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#11

Post by Lady Fraktor »


John Donne wrote: Tue Aug 03, 2021 1:19 am I have the Oberwerk wooden tripod. I keep it waxed.
Lemon Oil works nicely for cleaning and protecting wooden tripods as well.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#12

Post by SkyHiker »


pakarinen wrote: Mon Aug 02, 2021 1:26 pm The Peterson mount is quite inventive, but that 6-ft or so long arm makes me hesitate about buying one. But to each their own...
I got the kit long ago. Then I realized that it does not fold up and that it is pretty big to store in my converted garage, so I decided to give it to someone who could make better use of it.
... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#13

Post by atl613 »


Make one.


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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#14

Post by Bigzmey »


I have tried Farpoint mount with my 20x80, but it was not my cap of tea. Went different direction instead. Sold the mount and the 20x80 binos and bought APM 90 deg APO 100mm binos instead. Really appreciate 90 deg diagonals, ability to switch EPs and ability to use them on any of my heavy duty telescope mounts. The views great to. :D
20220130_173452.jpg
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Suggestions for Parallelogram Binocular Mounts

#15

Post by atl613 »


Groovy.
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