TheSkySearchers

What kind of mounts have you used that won't cause severe neck damage if you try to look to somewhere near zenith?

I use a tripod with one leg retracted so it functions as a bipod. I have a tilt / pan head on top of that. I recline back in a chair to look close to zenith.

An option I explored was a lookdown bino mount. The binos face down toward a front surface mirror. The view is flipped though and mirrors are pricey, so I shelved the idea.

I was thinking of using my old Manfrotto tripod, but I wonder...

SkyHiker wrote: ↑Tue Oct 20, 2020 9:23 pm https://www.bing.com/images/search?view ... ajaxhist=0

A bit extreme... :-D

A parallelogram mount and zero gravity chair are a great combination for binocular viewing.

I have the Farpoint Universal Mount and Smith-Victor Propod Tripod. I use a Boss 4" thick cushion medical chair. I do not observe at zenith. I wait until objects move to the 10/2 o'clock position. However, with a zero gravity chair you will be good to go at zenith.

https://farpointastro.com/shop/farpoint ... r-package/

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... gIuHvD_BwE

turboscrew wrote: ↑Wed Oct 21, 2020 7:35 pm

SkyHiker wrote: ↑Tue Oct 20, 2020 9:23 pm https://www.bing.com/images/search?view ... ajaxhist=0

A bit extreme... :-D

I have played with this mount: I repaired 3 of them that were at the observatory in Arkaroola in South Oz. Hands down the most comfortable mount ever: when you adjust the binos perfectly it feels like you are flying in space. Not exactly portable though... Sadly they aren't being made anymore: they were a project by a guy who lived just north of Adelaide.

- Dean

pakarinen wrote: ↑Wed Oct 21, 2020 1:56 pm I use a tripod with one leg retracted so it functions as a bipod. I have a tilt / pan head on top of that. I recline back in a chair to look close to zenith.

An option I explored was a lookdown bino mount. The binos face down toward a front surface mirror. The view is flipped though and mirrors are pricey, so I shelved the idea.

I have played with this too. Realistically you need a 1/2 to 1/4 wave mirror for higher power binos (like my 22x60's), and they are very expensive. However, you might be able to find surplus mirrors, especially in the US. At one stage there were some commercial ones made with surplus periscope mirrors. They worked quite well.

- Dean

I have one of those surplus mirrors that is supposed to be flat to 1/4 wave. Does this mount really work? I have yet to build it. It's on the projects todo list, I just haven't gotten to it yet. Life keeps getting in the way

Cheers,
JT

JayTee wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 2:40 am I have one of those surplus mirrors that is supposed to be flat to 1/4 wave. Does this mount really work? I have yet to build it. It's on the projects todo list, I just haven't gotten to it yet. Life keeps getting in the way

Cheers,
JT

It works fine: even with the 22x binos the stars are nice and sharp, but the problem is aiming the binos because they are looking at right angles to the target. I solved this by placing a green laser to point "up" to the target. No sore neck that way.

I mount the whole thing onto a standard photographic tripod, and it does the job OK.

pakarinen wrote: ↑Wed Oct 21, 2020 1:56 pm I use a tripod with one leg retracted so it functions as a bipod. I have a tilt / pan head on top of that. I recline back in a chair to look close to zenith.

An option I explored was a lookdown bino mount. The binos face down toward a front surface mirror. The view is flipped though and mirrors are pricey, so I shelved the idea.

ingenious idea ,but i still had a chuckle haha. why are you looking at the dirt in the dark for ??

DeanD wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 12:18 am I have played with this too. Realistically you need a 1/2 to 1/4 wave mirror for higher power binos (like my 22x60's), and they are very expensive. However, you might be able to find surplus mirrors, especially in the US. At one stage there were some commercial ones made with surplus periscope mirrors. They worked quite well.

- Dean

Somebody wrote about using two elliptical mirrors - supposed to be much cheaper - but then you have potential issues with finding a flat substrate, collimation, and do on.

pakarinen wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 10:27 am

DeanD wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 12:18 am I have played with this too. Realistically you need a 1/2 to 1/4 wave mirror for higher power binos (like my 22x60's), and they are very expensive. However, you might be able to find surplus mirrors, especially in the US. At one stage there were some commercial ones made with surplus periscope mirrors. They worked quite well.

- Dean

Somebody wrote about using two elliptical mirrors - supposed to be much cheaper - but then you have potential issues with finding a flat substrate, collimation, and do on.

Tried that too: I wanted to use my 25x100's in the way as most flats, including periscope mirrors, are too small for the 100's!

You nailed the problems in one...

I wonder how two secondary mirrors with holders would work, if put close to the binoculars' objectives...?

Took the easy and cheap way, but at last I'm expecting to see something else but shaky whoknowswhat.
(Probably grey clouds?)
My old Manfrotto and 10x50 binoculars, now with Omegon binoculars/tripod adapter.
I also have strongish painkillers for my neck.

turboscrew wrote: ↑Sat Feb 06, 2021 4:10 pm Took the easy and cheap way, but at last I'm expecting to see something else but shaky whoknowswhat.
(Probably grey clouds?)
My old Manfrotto and 10x50 binoculars, now with Omegon binoculars/tripod adapter.
I also have strongish painkillers for my neck.

If you are lying back in a "zero gravity" chair or similar you can try using 2 legs of the tripod: set them either side of your chair; and just let the binos "fall" back to your eyes. It wont be perfect, but it will be pretty stable and your neck will thank you.

- set the lot on a large "lazy susan" and you will never want to get up!

DeanD wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 10:31 am

turboscrew wrote: ↑Sat Feb 06, 2021 4:10 pm Took the easy and cheap way, but at last I'm expecting to see something else but shaky whoknowswhat.
(Probably grey clouds?)
My old Manfrotto and 10x50 binoculars, now with Omegon binoculars/tripod adapter.
I also have strongish painkillers for my neck.

If you are lying back in a "zero gravity" chair or similar you can try using 2 legs of the tripod: set them either side of your chair; and just let the binos "fall" back to your eyes. It wont be perfect, but it will be pretty stable and your neck will thank you.

- set the lot on a large "lazy susan" and you will never want to get up!

I guess, when the evening comes - and -17°C (1.4°F), something might eventually make me wanting to get up...

turboscrew wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 6:37 pm

DeanD wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 10:31 am

turboscrew wrote: ↑Sat Feb 06, 2021 4:10 pm Took the easy and cheap way, but at last I'm expecting to see something else but shaky whoknowswhat.
(Probably grey clouds?)
My old Manfrotto and 10x50 binoculars, now with Omegon binoculars/tripod adapter.
I also have strongish painkillers for my neck.

If you are lying back in a "zero gravity" chair or similar you can try using 2 legs of the tripod: set them either side of your chair; and just let the binos "fall" back to your eyes. It wont be perfect, but it will be pretty stable and your neck will thank you.

- set the lot on a large "lazy susan" and you will never want to get up!

I guess, when the evening comes - and -17°C (1.4°F), something might eventually make me wanting to get up...

Sorry, forgot about the temperature differences! The coldest I have ever experienced in winter viewing is about -2°C... (and the warmest in the summer was 38°C at midnight!)

Happy (warm) viewing,

Dean

DeanD wrote: ↑Tue Feb 09, 2021 12:12 am

turboscrew wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 6:37 pm

DeanD wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 10:31 am

If you are lying back in a "zero gravity" chair or similar you can try using 2 legs of the tripod: set them either side of your chair; and just let the binos "fall" back to your eyes. It wont be perfect, but it will be pretty stable and your neck will thank you.

- set the lot on a large "lazy susan" and you will never want to get up!

I guess, when the evening comes - and -17°C (1.4°F), something might eventually make me wanting to get up...

Sorry, forgot about the temperature differences! The coldest I have ever experienced in winter viewing is about -2°C... (and the warmest in the summer was 38°C at midnight!)

Happy (warm) viewing,

Dean

I'm not sure if I've ever experienced temperature over 35°C outside. In sauna, 120°C, though...