TheSkySearchers

OK, here's a simple (to ask) question:
There exist all sorts of binoculars, astronomy binoculars, and even binocular telescopes, priced low to high. They can even become quite large, such as the ones offered by TEC:
https://www.telescopengineering.com/tel ... elescopes/
or by APM:
https://skygazeoptics.com/products/apm- ... gJbYfD_BwE
or Fujinon:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... gK-lfD_BwE
And there are even some binocular Dobsonians!
http://www.lotsofbow.com/bino.html
But I haven't seen or heard of even one Cassegrain-type binocular telescope,whether SCT, classical, Maksutov, or other! Why not? Am I just looking in the wrong places? There certainly exist small SCTs that are as compact as the single-sides of the large binoculars noted above. And some of them don't even cost a lot (e.g., Celestron's 6" regular SCTs) and they are rather compact, lengthwise. So... why wouldn't someone, perhaps with a flare for novelty, build binoculars (and I don't mean just add binoviewers) out of these?
:shrug: :shrug:

p.s. Is it all about central obstruction issues at low powers? But high power use would still be ok, right? Hmm. Maybe alignment becomes too difficult then... But still, none ever?

Well, never say never! Since that last post, I just found this one:
https://astromart.com/classifieds/astro ... -telescope

I'd rather use one eye for just $680 versus both eyes at $6800! And those are 2013 dollars!

JT

In the smaller sizes up to 100mm, binoculars based on catadioptric design will be in disadvantage compared to refractors in terms of performance and cost.

For the larger apertures, compact size, smaller weight and lack of CA of SCT design in particular could be advantageous for binocular scope builders. Used 6-8" SCT are plenty and relatively inexpensive. If I would be in to larger binocular scopes I would give it a shot.

Sounds like it would be feasible in the medium to large aperture range.

They would be feasible, but I am not sure about how useful they would be with the large focal ratios of Maks and SCTs.

I've always found this patent for SCT binoculars on a 3-axis equatorial mount very interesting. I've been tempted to build the 3-axis mount for my own ... much smaller ... binoculars. Maybe, one of these days ...

https://www.freepatentsonline.com/5537250.pdf