Amazing! Congratulations..., it's monumental!, the work you've had to do and work on this wonder, I'm a lover of Bino-owls, I'm 14..., of variable and fixed powers, and I share a lot with this world in "3D psycho -visual". Greetings from the Canary Islands.
@@astronomydrawings OK, very beautiful and interesting... Mr. Arie Otto's page, about Binodobson and good mirror houses... It would be very interesting in the future... a purchase... and in the Mountain... Fascinating! work, many greetings. Angel
@@bobsnabby2298 That's true of course, though, for some strange reason, you do get a sort of 3D feel when using both eyes, especially on globular clusters. Chromostereopsis perhaps?
@@astronomydrawings Two eyes and optics are never identical so the two images are not identical. Maybe because of this slight difference the image has more depth or information..
Only 5 months ago I was in Maranello on a vacation trip to Ferrari's headquarters, had I known you were so close I would have stopped in! Excellent scope!
Amazing, you are very lucky to have this bino, its my wish to own a bino like this, I like this video and hope to see such kind of videos from your channel,
Thank you very much, Sanan! But before you order one, be aware that such a scope's very large, very heavy and impossible to assemble/disassemble on your own. At the beginning I used to carry it around in a very big trailer but soon gave up because it was too much of a hassle and the scope suffered too much during transport. If you have a decent sky where you live, or if you have a big enough storage place at your dark sky site then go for it! 😆😆😆
That's beyond me I'm afraid. 😆😆😆 Anyway, the 3D-effect one experiences when observing with both eyes is actually an illusion because astronomical objects are so far away that it's impossible to see any "real" 3D in them. 😉
If your ambitious enough to build something like this and don't mind the expense, than go for it. I've used several binoviewers over the years. Yes, you lose a minimal amount of light transfer, but other than that, the effect is really good. As you mentioned, 3D. Try it first, before laying down big bucks for a dedicated binoscope!
Well... I've tried. 😆 I've owned just about every type of binoviewer on the market, even the big 2" Siebert. My experience is that the light loss is significant, most of all because the OCA goes too deep into the focuser (plus it adds at least 20% magnification). If you decide to cut your trusses and install a bigger secondary to be able to observe without OCA, you're limited to low-mid power because the more the eyepieces magnify, the more they also magnify the collimation errors of the binoviewer, especially if you have a very long light path such as with the Siebert 2". Most important of all, apart from the Siebert you can't use 2" eyepieces which is really a pity at low power. Some say that having a FOV of more than 70° is useless in bino, but I strongly disagree. I wouldn't be able to live without my 22mm Naglers. One last thing... an 18" binoscope outperforms a 24" monoscope, yet... I paid a lot less for my bino than I would have paid for e.g. a 25" Obsession if I also count taxes and shipping. And, a binoscope gives you the same light gathering power for a much more comfortable exit pupil. 😉
@@craigaverell8346 Of course, if you have no experience with binocular observation then it's always best to try binoculars or a binoviewer first, or to go to a star party where you can try a binoscope. After all, not everyone's able to observe with both eyes. But I can assure you... the difference between a binoviewer and a binoscope is significant and, as I said, a binoscope may even cost you less than a comparable monocular telescope.
@Astronomy Drawings Thanks for all your input. This is a big decision regarding cost versus performance. I've had the luxury of viewing through scopes well over a meter in size. There is level of diminishing reture. Also, as mentioned I've personally used a wide range of binos over many years. With that said. Anyone contemplating such a project should carefully way out the pros and cons, and of course seek out a good star party, under Excellent sky's, best results will you find there..
Majestic! That's the Galactic Beast😘 Having involved in 3D Stereoscopic photography, and an Astronomy with 12" dobsonian, this Binoscope is a wishful dream for me. I watched the pictures that you have included near the end of the video using crossed-eye method, and they are amazing, but do you have any online album of SBS or anaglyph pictures that you can share for 3d viewing? Thanks for sharing this master piece with us 😊. Subscribed 👍
Thank you very much for your kind words, Pinak! Unfortunately I don't have any 3D sketches, which would actually be fooling people anyway because the 3D effect when using both eyes is merely an illusion. I still have my old www.astronomydrawings.com website where you can find most of my sketches, though that site urgently needs an update. 😆 Well, whenever you're in Italy you'd be more than welcome to drop by, but be careful what you wish for. An 18" binoscope's impossible to assemble on your own and you'd need a very big van too. 😉
@@astronomydrawings Hello Peter, I went through your website, and all the drawings you have posted. I have no words what to say! They are simply AMAZING 😍. Your collection of DSO, Messiers, NGCs, Solar system, etc... are breathtaking😲. I have followed many astrophotographers involved in capturing the rich and colorful pictures of DSO, but I must admit that your drawings look so NATURAL! Well, thanks for your invitation to have a look through your Binoscope. I truly appreciate that ☺. BTW, I have no plan to make such a huge scope 😁. But yes, it's like a dream. I have made one dobsonian during the Covid 19 lockdown, here in Toronto. You can have a look at it here: czcams.com/video/AKxKnOryxt8/video.html (sorry for the sound quality). And here is the Jupiter and Saturn shot using it: czcams.com/video/mJz9ExsoVhI/video.html
I'm curious if there's any benefit to two 18" mirrors (which must be extremely precisely collimated) over a single 25 inch mirror with a binoviewer. Given that celestial objects are far too far away for there to any real perception of depth due to "interpupilary parallax", it would seem a much simpler mechanical process to simply split the light of a larger mirror into two paths. Is it that both mirrors have different aberrations, which cancel each other out?
Hello Brad! I've made a video about binoviewers vs binoscopes, which I hope you'll find interesting: czcams.com/video/AQiUyo6Vrug/video.html Spoiler alert: binoviewers have some serious disadvantages and can never compare to the binoscope experience. 😊
WOW is that a GLORIOUS BEAST! Only minor thing that worries me is how those "flimsy" looking wooden handles BOW so much at 0:41 !!! I'd replace them with a metal electrical conduit beam mounting system called an "electrical strut channel", also called by various brand names like All-strut or Unistrut ETC. A 10 foot length is about $28 USD right now, so $56 for 2 beams? Then you would have some SOLID handles that won't possibly SNAP on you that should bolt right up without having to drill more than maybe one pair of holes in them if the existing holes don't line up?!
So far the wooden bars have served me well, but you are right... perhaps I should consider changing them before they snap. Actually, I had already been brainstorming about a system with wheels so that I wouldn't have to use any bars at all anymore. This beast is seriously heavy. 😆 Thanks for the tip! 😊
Is there a maximum practical elevation at which the scope is usable? If an object is anywhere near zenith, how do you get your head perpendicular to the eyepiece? Im imagining looking at Jupiter right now, which is at an alt of 45+ degrees, is that functionally observable without killing your neck?
Yes, it's one of the biggest disadvantages of this design. I manage to observe comfortably up to 70-75°, any higher requires acrobatics. 😅 For the rest observing is very comfortable, just like any other scope.
@@olivierdamiron7279 I was about to answer you. 😆 Yes, with a binoscope it's better not to make the scope too fast because it makes the alignment even more critical. 😉
Would the view be the same as a 26 inch scope with bino-viewers? Would buying something like a 26 + bino-viewers be impractical in comparison to your binoscope?
Not really, because binoviewers always lose a lot of light. Before buying this binoscope I've tried or owned just about every binoviewer on the market, even the big Siebert 2". Their Achilles heel is the OCA which not only loses a lot of light as it goes very deep into the focuser, but also increases the focal distance by at least 1.2x. If you cut the trusses and use a larger secondary, your magnifying range becomes limited as the binoviewer's collimation error increases with increased magnification. With my former home-built 18" I wasn't able to go beyond 200x anymore after I had cut my trusses and the image wasn't much brighter than with OCA. More importantly, the "feel" of looking through a binoscope's much different as well. Enhanced 3D effect, bigger immersion. Don't ask me why but it's probably because you use 2 different light signals iso one split in two. That being said, it's perfectly possible to assemble a 26" mono on your own, whereas you need to be in 2 to assemble mine, and you need a bigger van too.
Oops, I forgot the most important difference... A 26" has a minimum magnification of 94x (for a 7mm exit pupil), whereas with an 18" you can go as low as 65x. If you want to use widefield eyepieces, the 22mm Naglers are about the biggest widefield eyepieces you can use in bino mode since others are too large to use with both eyes. This means 104x with the 18" binoscope but 150x with the 26", supposing that you have a binoviewer that accepts 2" eyepieces. On the other hand, an 18" binoscope has the theoretical resolution limit of... an 18".
ok, dont tell my wife why were going to Italy next year, I'm gonna say its for the weather and beaches, although Im really gonna bother you to let me have a view trough those insane binos
🤣🤣🤣 Perhaps once she's taken a peek she'll convince you to buy a big bino yourself? 😆 Seriously, you'd always be welcome! Cheers and clear skies to you!
Prachtig! Just make sure that you never point it at the sun or you'll have a fire 😉. How long does it take for this enormous construction to stop vibrating after moving to a new target?
Dankuwel! 😆 It hardly vibrates at all. When moving the image around with the ServoCat e.g. to centre an object it does wobble for a half a second or so when you suddenly stop, but nothing significant.
Must have taken you ages to build, an excellent job, but why may I ask do you have four adjustment screws on each of your flat mirrors instead of the usual three?
Well, all of the credit goes to Mr. Arie Otte arieotte-binoscopes.nl/ and you should ask him. Though honestly I'm pleased with the 4 screws because it makes adjusting just a little bit easier. 😊
Hello AstroDragon! I've bought a cheap bluetooth adapter which you can plug into the Argo Navis. Then you have to connect to your scope on Sky Safari (select Meade LX200) and on the AN you select "catalogue" and then "from planetarium". This way the coordinates of whatever I select on Sky Safari are transferred automatically to the AN, but I still have to push the "go to" button of the ServoCat to start slewing. There's a way to fully automate this process connecting the bluetooth adapter to the ServoCat instead, but I never got that to work.
@@avt_astro206 Then go for it, because no monocular telescope compares to the experience you get with a binoscope, not even when using a 150° eyepiece. And, as I said in my other video, I paid less for my bino than I would have spent on a (comparable) quality 25" mono. Unfortunately Mr. Otte's retired now, but there are several other bino builders out there. 😊
This is every amateur astronomers dream scope. What a thing of beauty. Just one question...I assumed because you are viewing through 2 x 18inch scopes that it then becomes a 36inch scope ? You are gatheriong the same amount of photons as a 36inch scope I assumed ?? So it follows that you will have same resolution as a 36 inch scope ? Is that not what the pros do with their array of smaller scopes working together to make their smaller scopes combined aperture / light gathering ability of one huge scope of the same aperture of all the smaller scopes combined ?? What am I missing my friend ??
Hello Wesley! First of all, many thanks for the compliments! 😆 The numbers are a bit different because you have to compare mirror surface and not diameter. 😊 So an 18" bino is comparable to a 25.4" mono. I've made a video about how a bino compares to a mono here: czcams.com/video/-zeKqdjMVtQ/video.html It's a very difficult subject because we're also talking about completely different exit pupils. Therefore, IMHO, a binoscope may even perform beyond 2x the aperture on large objects with a low surface brightness. Resolution's a completely different animal though because the 2 telescopes of a bino aren't "interferometrically" identical and therefore the resolution remains that of an ordinary 18", being 0.25 arcsec iso 0.18 for a 25". Though most of the time our atmosphere imposes a much higher resolution limit so this difference is merely academic.
If the laser devices are firmly seated in the eyepiece holders then their beams would be parallel indeed, but, don't imagine that they'd be beamed into space. These laser beams would be reflected by the secondary mirrors right into the centre of the primary mirrors, bounce back... into the secondary mirrors and so back to the eyepieces. In fact, this procedure is used to perfectly align the mirrors of the optical system.
@@visualland2073 Well... this small detail of the Moon already took me 2h at the eyepieces to sketch, plus many more hours behind the PC. Sketching the entire moon would be a nightmare! 😊 I did make a full Moon sketch with my 100mm binoculars once. Not too much detail, but to render an impression of a lunar eclipse: twitter.com/Astrodrawings/status/1478811002028371976?t=mgxrCSMGEtmNciPn_Dkt-A&s=19
There are very few people who make binoscopes and, for as far as I know, there's only one professional manufacturer. The thing is that they're awfully difficult to make and therefore they're almost commercially unfeasible. Mine was made by the Dutch expert Arie Otte: arieotte-binoscopes.nl/ But he's also given up because it was too much trouble for very little gain. He asked me not to disclose the price of my binoscope but I can tell you that it cost me less than a (comparable) 25" Obsession if you also count shipping and taxes... 😊
@@onesunghero Building a Dobsonian isn't all that difficult if you're bit handy (apart from the optics of course), even building a very large one. A binoscope is a completely different animal and the difficulties involved are plenty. First of all, the tubes have to be perfectly aligned and you need a system to correct alignment because even the most robust scope will bend a little. With my scope I have to adjust alignment many times, especially when moving to a different part of the sky. All in all, the most difficult part is building a sufficiently stable binoscope. I've built two Dobsons myself but in the end I'm very happy that I left the construction of this bino to an expert.
disclaimer: i am not trying to be smartass, this is a honest question: does this actually provide something more than single scope? the paralax seems to be so small that it looks quite insignificant.. great job to achive this kind of equipment but is binoscope really better comparing to monoscope with the same power? thank you for the answer
Of course, the "3D effect" that you get with binoviewers and binoscopes is merely an optical illusion because the stars are too far away to see any real 3D. That being said, observing with both eyes is a completely different experience. Not even a 150° eyepiece can match the immersion that binocular viewing offers and there's no eye fatigue so it's much more relaxing. A real advantage of a binoscope over mono is that a binoscope effectively compares to a scope with twice the aperture, but retains the exit pupil of the smaller scope, so with a bino you can see objects with a lower surface brightness. Here's a video in which I discuss mono vs bino and I hope that it answers your question. 😊 czcams.com/video/-zeKqdjMVtQ/video.html
@@astronomydrawings I guess you can just divide a beam from single mirror into 2 eyes and have the same effect. Instead of 2 smaller mirrors, use bigger one to get the same brightness, angular resolution will be better.
@@TechMasterRus Well, the resolution difference between a 25" mono and 18" bino is mostly academic because 99.9% of the time our atmosphere imposes a much higher resolution limit. That being said, binoviewers present some problems of their own and I can tell you that I spent less for my 18" bino than I would have spent for a quality 25" plus quality binoviewer. You may find this video interesting on the subject... 😉 czcams.com/video/AQiUyo6Vrug/video.html
I understand the idea, but would it not be better to have the images from both converge into one viewing lense? Essentially doubling up th two images into one,
No, because that would ruin the whole concept of binocular vision which offers an unequalled experience of immersion. Besides, it's much more relaxing. 😉
@@astronomydrawings Ok, thank you, I was thinking it is do increase the amount of light so as to get a better view. I have never liked binocular view becaue one eye is always out of focus no matter how much i adjust the lenses. It would be interesting to see if combining the two scopes into one point, then seperating it into to eyepieces would crate a better image yet preserve the ability to look at it with both eyes.
@@Bendigo1 You're not alone and there are actually quite a few people who're having difficulties observing with both eyes. Though merging and then separating the images doesn't seem very practical to me and will result in some significant light loss. And in the end, it would remain a binoscope. 😊
Well, not more than with an ordinary 18" scope as the light of each 18" tube goes to one eye. But the 3D effect on the Moon's staggering, I can assure you! 😊
Hello Jody! Of course it's impossible to see any real 3D on astronomical objects and I never said there is. Still, lot of people get a "sort of 3D feeling" when using both eyes. Of course this is an illusion, though there are theories about a sort of chromostereopsis when observing stars with both eyes. Perhaps this is merely caused by optical abberations, but to me the "feeling" is real and enhances the observation experience significantly. 😊
Anyway you could do a closeup video on the 4 focuser setup/tertiary adjustment? This little picture is all I can find, arieotte-binoscopes.nl/Image56b.JPG
![Eminem - Houdini [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/22tVWwmTie8/mqdefault.jpg)
Wow! I have no words to describe my feelings after see the binoscope running. Unbelievable! Absolutely amazing work, congratulations.
Thank you very much, but all of the credit goes to Mr. Arie Otte. 😊
Congratulation on making such a huge telescope.Picture clarity perfect.
Thank you, but all the credit goes to Mr. Otte! 😊
Amazing! Congratulations..., it's monumental!, the work you've had to do and work on this wonder, I'm a lover of Bino-owls, I'm 14..., of variable and fixed powers, and I share a lot with this world in "3D psycho -visual". Greetings from the Canary Islands.
Thank you very much, Angel, but the credit for making this binoscope goes entirely to Mr. Arie Otte. 😉
@@astronomydrawings OK, very beautiful and interesting... Mr. Arie Otto's page, about Binodobson and good mirror houses... It would be very interesting in the future... a purchase... and in the Mountain... Fascinating! work, many greetings. Angel
This is a piece of Art for me, imagine how wonderfull 3D view it gives
Well, if you're ever coming to Italy, you're always more than welcome to have a look. And... the credit goes entirely to Mr. Arie Otte. 😊
"3D view....." You see the same image with both eyes, that's the only benefit, still its not "stereo" image or has depth in it.
@@bobsnabby2298 That's true of course, though, for some strange reason, you do get a sort of 3D feel when using both eyes, especially on globular clusters. Chromostereopsis perhaps?
@@astronomydrawings Two eyes and optics are never identical so the two images are not identical. Maybe because of this slight difference the image has more depth or information..
@@bobsnabby2298 I do experience a more enhanced 3D "feeling" with a binoscope compared to a binoviewer so you may be right.
Grandissimo Peter!!! È uno strumento fantastico, e i tuoi disegni sono talmente belli che sono indistinguibili dalle fotografie! Complimenti!
Grazie mille, Marco! È un bellissimo complimento! 😊
Simply beautiful!
Thank you! 😊
Only 5 months ago I was in Maranello on a vacation trip to Ferrari's headquarters, had I known you were so close I would have stopped in! Excellent scope!
I'm not running away. 😊 Hopefully there'll be a next time!
Outstanding!! It’s a beautiful thing!!
Thank you very much, but the credit goes to Mr. Arie Otte! 😊
Goodness me that is a beautiful instrument - and amazing sketches to boot! Thank you for posting and I look forward to more videos.
Thank you very much! 😊
It's worth the flight from New Orleans just to see that rig.
You'd be more than welcome! 😊
That's mad!
Well done sir!
Thank you very much! But the credit goes to Mr. Arie Otte... 😊
an amazing instrument!
Thank you! 😊
Man that's incredible
Thank you very much! 😊
Gee, this is awesome. This is beyond DIY capability.
Yes, I relied on the expertise of Mr. Arie Otte. 😊
It looks like a gigantic cannon 🤩
🤣🤣🤣
Amazing, you are very lucky to have this bino, its my wish to own a bino like this, I like this video and hope to see such kind of videos from your channel,
Thank you very much, Sanan! But before you order one, be aware that such a scope's very large, very heavy and impossible to assemble/disassemble on your own. At the beginning I used to carry it around in a very big trailer but soon gave up because it was too much of a hassle and the scope suffered too much during transport. If you have a decent sky where you live, or if you have a big enough storage place at your dark sky site then go for it! 😆😆😆
Monstrello binocularo prima parte!
Impressive to say the least!
Thank you very much! 😊
Wow, thank you so much for the video, so jealous, but also so nice to see what the difference would be if I got an 18 inch.
Whenever you happen to be in Italy, you're always welcome at our observatory. Clear skies to you!
That's That's
GREAT! GREAT!
🦉
Thank you! 😊
Amazing
Thank you! 😊
Wow, an amazing instrument. Have you got any stereo photos taken with this beautiful bino scope, that we could view with red and blue stereo glasses?
That's beyond me I'm afraid. 😆😆😆 Anyway, the 3D-effect one experiences when observing with both eyes is actually an illusion because astronomical objects are so far away that it's impossible to see any "real" 3D in them. 😉
Outstanding. Well done. Do you take this to any dark sky parks?
Thank you very much! 😊 I used to, but transporting this monster's too difficult, so now I only observe from home...
If your ambitious enough to build something like this and don't mind the expense, than go for it. I've used several binoviewers over the years. Yes, you lose a minimal amount of light transfer, but other than that, the effect is really good. As you mentioned, 3D. Try it first, before laying down big bucks for a dedicated binoscope!
Well... I've tried. 😆 I've owned just about every type of binoviewer on the market, even the big 2" Siebert. My experience is that the light loss is significant, most of all because the OCA goes too deep into the focuser (plus it adds at least 20% magnification). If you decide to cut your trusses and install a bigger secondary to be able to observe without OCA, you're limited to low-mid power because the more the eyepieces magnify, the more they also magnify the collimation errors of the binoviewer, especially if you have a very long light path such as with the Siebert 2". Most important of all, apart from the Siebert you can't use 2" eyepieces which is really a pity at low power. Some say that having a FOV of more than 70° is useless in bino, but I strongly disagree. I wouldn't be able to live without my 22mm Naglers.
One last thing... an 18" binoscope outperforms a 24" monoscope, yet... I paid a lot less for my bino than I would have paid for e.g. a 25" Obsession if I also count taxes and shipping. And, a binoscope gives you the same light gathering power for a much more comfortable exit pupil. 😉
Anyone who has less money than brains, would try this first. The difference is who's pocket 🤣 does it feel better in!..ok, just saying.
@@craigaverell8346 Of course, if you have no experience with binocular observation then it's always best to try binoculars or a binoviewer first, or to go to a star party where you can try a binoscope. After all, not everyone's able to observe with both eyes. But I can assure you... the difference between a binoviewer and a binoscope is significant and, as I said, a binoscope may even cost you less than a comparable monocular telescope.
@Astronomy Drawings Thanks for all your input. This is a big decision regarding cost versus performance. I've had the luxury of viewing through scopes well over a meter in size. There is level of diminishing reture. Also, as mentioned I've personally used a wide range of binos over many years. With that said. Anyone contemplating such a project should carefully way out the pros and cons, and of course seek out a good star party, under Excellent sky's, best results will you find there..
@@craigaverell8346 I couldn't concur with you more. 😊
Majestic! That's the Galactic Beast😘
Having involved in 3D Stereoscopic photography, and an Astronomy with 12" dobsonian, this Binoscope is a wishful dream for me. I watched the pictures that you have included near the end of the video using crossed-eye method, and they are amazing, but do you have any online album of SBS or anaglyph pictures that you can share for 3d viewing?
Thanks for sharing this master piece with us 😊. Subscribed 👍
Thank you very much for your kind words, Pinak! Unfortunately I don't have any 3D sketches, which would actually be fooling people anyway because the 3D effect when using both eyes is merely an illusion. I still have my old www.astronomydrawings.com website where you can find most of my sketches, though that site urgently needs an update. 😆 Well, whenever you're in Italy you'd be more than welcome to drop by, but be careful what you wish for. An 18" binoscope's impossible to assemble on your own and you'd need a very big van too. 😉
@@astronomydrawings Hello Peter, I went through your website, and all the drawings you have posted. I have no words what to say! They are simply AMAZING 😍. Your collection of DSO, Messiers, NGCs, Solar system, etc... are breathtaking😲. I have followed many astrophotographers involved in capturing the rich and colorful pictures of DSO, but I must admit that your drawings look so NATURAL!
Well, thanks for your invitation to have a look through your Binoscope. I truly appreciate that ☺.
BTW, I have no plan to make such a huge scope 😁. But yes, it's like a dream. I have made one dobsonian during the Covid 19 lockdown, here in Toronto. You can have a look at it here:
czcams.com/video/AKxKnOryxt8/video.html (sorry for the sound quality).
And here is the Jupiter and Saturn shot using it: czcams.com/video/mJz9ExsoVhI/video.html
Вот это инструмент! Восхитительно!
Промышленного изготовления или самодельный?
Спасибо! 😆 This binoscope was built by the Dutch expert Arie Otte: arieotte-binoscopes.nl/ Unfortunately he has recently retired, though.
A very good thing
Thank you! 😊
Dude just went... It does not Exist?!... OK Ill do it Myself!! Awesome Rig!! Thumbs Up!
I'm curious if there's any benefit to two 18" mirrors (which must be extremely precisely collimated) over a single 25 inch mirror with a binoviewer. Given that celestial objects are far too far away for there to any real perception of depth due to "interpupilary parallax", it would seem a much simpler mechanical process to simply split the light of a larger mirror into two paths. Is it that both mirrors have different aberrations, which cancel each other out?
Hello Brad! I've made a video about binoviewers vs binoscopes, which I hope you'll find interesting: czcams.com/video/AQiUyo6Vrug/video.html Spoiler alert: binoviewers have some serious disadvantages and can never compare to the binoscope experience. 😊
WOW is that a GLORIOUS BEAST! Only minor thing that worries me is how those "flimsy" looking wooden handles BOW so much at 0:41 !!! I'd replace them with a metal electrical conduit beam mounting system called an "electrical strut channel", also called by various brand names like All-strut or Unistrut ETC. A 10 foot length is about $28 USD right now, so $56 for 2 beams? Then you would have some SOLID handles that won't possibly SNAP on you that should bolt right up without having to drill more than maybe one pair of holes in them if the existing holes don't line up?!
So far the wooden bars have served me well, but you are right... perhaps I should consider changing them before they snap. Actually, I had already been brainstorming about a system with wheels so that I wouldn't have to use any bars at all anymore. This beast is seriously heavy. 😆 Thanks for the tip! 😊
Is there a maximum practical elevation at which the scope is usable? If an object is anywhere near zenith, how do you get your head perpendicular to the eyepiece? Im imagining looking at Jupiter right now, which is at an alt of 45+ degrees, is that functionally observable without killing your neck?
Yes, it's one of the biggest disadvantages of this design. I manage to observe comfortably up to 70-75°, any higher requires acrobatics. 😅 For the rest observing is very comfortable, just like any other scope.
Incredible! What is m42 like through this I wonder!!?
It appears in this video:
czcams.com/video/IaQgP_md1Dg/video.html
I hope that you like it. 😊
That is spectacular, a beautiful machine! What is the speed of the scope?
Oops! Just saw it, f/5 , that is amazing!
@@olivierdamiron7279 I was about to answer you. 😆 Yes, with a binoscope it's better not to make the scope too fast because it makes the alignment even more critical. 😉
Would the view be the same as a 26 inch scope with bino-viewers? Would buying something like a 26 + bino-viewers be impractical in comparison to your binoscope?
Not really, because binoviewers always lose a lot of light. Before buying this binoscope I've tried or owned just about every binoviewer on the market, even the big Siebert 2". Their Achilles heel is the OCA which not only loses a lot of light as it goes very deep into the focuser, but also increases the focal distance by at least 1.2x. If you cut the trusses and use a larger secondary, your magnifying range becomes limited as the binoviewer's collimation error increases with increased magnification. With my former home-built 18" I wasn't able to go beyond 200x anymore after I had cut my trusses and the image wasn't much brighter than with OCA. More importantly, the "feel" of looking through a binoscope's much different as well. Enhanced 3D effect, bigger immersion. Don't ask me why but it's probably because you use 2 different light signals iso one split in two. That being said, it's perfectly possible to assemble a 26" mono on your own, whereas you need to be in 2 to assemble mine, and you need a bigger van too.
Oops, I forgot the most important difference... A 26" has a minimum magnification of 94x (for a 7mm exit pupil), whereas with an 18" you can go as low as 65x. If you want to use widefield eyepieces, the 22mm Naglers are about the biggest widefield eyepieces you can use in bino mode since others are too large to use with both eyes. This means 104x with the 18" binoscope but 150x with the 26", supposing that you have a binoviewer that accepts 2" eyepieces. On the other hand, an 18" binoscope has the theoretical resolution limit of... an 18".
ok, dont tell my wife why were going to Italy next year, I'm gonna say its for the weather and beaches, although Im really gonna bother you to let me have a view trough those insane binos
🤣🤣🤣 Perhaps once she's taken a peek she'll convince you to buy a big bino yourself? 😆 Seriously, you'd always be welcome! Cheers and clear skies to you!
Prachtig! Just make sure that you never point it at the sun or you'll have a fire 😉. How long does it take for this enormous construction to stop vibrating after moving to a new target?
Dankuwel! 😆 It hardly vibrates at all. When moving the image around with the ServoCat e.g. to centre an object it does wobble for a half a second or so when you suddenly stop, but nothing significant.
@@astronomydrawings Graag gedaan 🙂. That's impressive if the vibrations dampen out that quickly. 👍
@@nkronert Mr. Otte's a great man. Unfortunately he's stopped making binoscopes...
Must have taken you ages to build, an excellent job, but why may I ask do you have four adjustment screws on each of your flat mirrors instead of the usual three?
Well, all of the credit goes to Mr. Arie Otte arieotte-binoscopes.nl/ and you should ask him. Though honestly I'm pleased with the 4 screws because it makes adjusting just a little bit easier. 😊
Thanks, I will do.
I use the same Argo navis and servo cat. How do I connect to sky safari? With skyfi? Bluetooth? What?!
Hello AstroDragon! I've bought a cheap bluetooth adapter which you can plug into the Argo Navis. Then you have to connect to your scope on Sky Safari (select Meade LX200) and on the AN you select "catalogue" and then "from planetarium". This way the coordinates of whatever I select on Sky Safari are transferred automatically to the AN, but I still have to push the "go to" button of the ServoCat to start slewing. There's a way to fully automate this process connecting the bluetooth adapter to the ServoCat instead, but I never got that to work.
WOW, Just wow. An 18inch scope like That must show A Lot, especially for Galaxies. Its Ny Dream To have a Scope Like That day!!😮
Be careful what you wish for! If you want to carry around this monster, you need a lorry or a very big trailer! 😁
@@astronomydrawings Yeah, I know That. But Im Ready For Doing It. Cause I love This Hobby, And Im Dedicated too it :)
@@avt_astro206 Then go for it, because no monocular telescope compares to the experience you get with a binoscope, not even when using a 150° eyepiece. And, as I said in my other video, I paid less for my bino than I would have spent on a (comparable) quality 25" mono. Unfortunately Mr. Otte's retired now, but there are several other bino builders out there. 😊
Great design! how can I contact you? I have some questions about the design.
Thank you, but the credit goes to Arie Otte. 😆 You can contact me here: info@astronomydrawings.com
This is every amateur astronomers dream scope. What a thing of beauty. Just one question...I assumed because you are viewing through 2 x 18inch scopes that it then becomes a 36inch scope ? You are gatheriong the same amount of photons as a 36inch scope I assumed ?? So it follows that you will have same resolution as a 36 inch scope ? Is that not what the pros do with their array of smaller scopes working together to make their smaller scopes combined aperture / light gathering ability of one huge scope of the same aperture of all the smaller scopes combined ?? What am I missing my friend ??
Hello Wesley! First of all, many thanks for the compliments! 😆 The numbers are a bit different because you have to compare mirror surface and not diameter. 😊 So an 18" bino is comparable to a 25.4" mono. I've made a video about how a bino compares to a mono here: czcams.com/video/-zeKqdjMVtQ/video.html It's a very difficult subject because we're also talking about completely different exit pupils. Therefore, IMHO, a binoscope may even perform beyond 2x the aperture on large objects with a low surface brightness. Resolution's a completely different animal though because the 2 telescopes of a bino aren't "interferometrically" identical and therefore the resolution remains that of an ordinary 18", being 0.25 arcsec iso 0.18 for a 25". Though most of the time our atmosphere imposes a much higher resolution limit so this difference is merely academic.
Wow!
Thank you! 😊
I just wonder: what will happen if you fire a laser beam from the ocular (eyepiece)? Will the parallel beams amplify or spread apart?
If the laser devices are firmly seated in the eyepiece holders then their beams would be parallel indeed, but, don't imagine that they'd be beamed into space. These laser beams would be reflected by the secondary mirrors right into the centre of the primary mirrors, bounce back... into the secondary mirrors and so back to the eyepieces. In fact, this procedure is used to perfectly align the mirrors of the optical system.
@@astronomydrawings didn't know that! Thanks for answering.
@@catalinalb1722 You're quite welcome. 😊
10:29 those Icons look a bit "familiar"... Linage OS?
It's just a cheap, Chinese Android tablet, but it's more than adequate to run SkySafari. 😊
Looks more comfortable because we can use our two eyes...
It definitely is. No eye fatigue at all and perhaps that's another reason why you tend to see more with both eyes. 😊
Really nice !
Can you look up to the Moon and make a Video ?
Already done! 😊czcams.com/video/MR54ZuvqWOA/video.html
Nice 2 thx but this is only a piece on a quater of the moon look like Gif.maybe less . I mean a real crossover video of the moon some minutes
@@visualland2073 Well... this small detail of the Moon already took me 2h at the eyepieces to sketch, plus many more hours behind the PC. Sketching the entire moon would be a nightmare! 😊 I did make a full Moon sketch with my 100mm binoculars once. Not too much detail, but to render an impression of a lunar eclipse: twitter.com/Astrodrawings/status/1478811002028371976?t=mgxrCSMGEtmNciPn_Dkt-A&s=19
I have one half of this scope. 😀
How much did that thing cost? I can't find any information about this model online.
There are very few people who make binoscopes and, for as far as I know, there's only one professional manufacturer. The thing is that they're awfully difficult to make and therefore they're almost commercially unfeasible. Mine was made by the Dutch expert Arie Otte: arieotte-binoscopes.nl/ But he's also given up because it was too much trouble for very little gain. He asked me not to disclose the price of my binoscope but I can tell you that it cost me less than a (comparable) 25" Obsession if you also count shipping and taxes... 😊
@@astronomydrawings I want to build a very large one. I wonder what aspects of the build were complicated.
@@onesunghero Building a Dobsonian isn't all that difficult if you're bit handy (apart from the optics of course), even building a very large one. A binoscope is a completely different animal and the difficulties involved are plenty. First of all, the tubes have to be perfectly aligned and you need a system to correct alignment because even the most robust scope will bend a little. With my scope I have to adjust alignment many times, especially when moving to a different part of the sky. All in all, the most difficult part is building a sufficiently stable binoscope. I've built two Dobsons myself but in the end I'm very happy that I left the construction of this bino to an expert.
disclaimer: i am not trying to be smartass, this is a honest question: does this actually provide something more than single scope? the paralax seems to be so small that it looks quite insignificant.. great job to achive this kind of equipment but is binoscope really better comparing to monoscope with the same power? thank you for the answer
Of course, the "3D effect" that you get with binoviewers and binoscopes is merely an optical illusion because the stars are too far away to see any real 3D. That being said, observing with both eyes is a completely different experience. Not even a 150° eyepiece can match the immersion that binocular viewing offers and there's no eye fatigue so it's much more relaxing. A real advantage of a binoscope over mono is that a binoscope effectively compares to a scope with twice the aperture, but retains the exit pupil of the smaller scope, so with a bino you can see objects with a lower surface brightness. Here's a video in which I discuss mono vs bino and I hope that it answers your question. 😊 czcams.com/video/-zeKqdjMVtQ/video.html
@@astronomydrawings I guess you can just divide a beam from single mirror into 2 eyes and have the same effect. Instead of 2 smaller mirrors, use bigger one to get the same brightness, angular resolution will be better.
@@TechMasterRus Well, the resolution difference between a 25" mono and 18" bino is mostly academic because 99.9% of the time our atmosphere imposes a much higher resolution limit. That being said, binoviewers present some problems of their own and I can tell you that I spent less for my 18" bino than I would have spent for a quality 25" plus quality binoviewer. You may find this video interesting on the subject... 😉 czcams.com/video/AQiUyo6Vrug/video.html
What Bortle is your location?
Not exceptional, unfortunately. 4, with an average SQM of 21...
Let me ask, how much is the price for a mirror?
I paid €3,300 per mirror from Nichol Optics UK, but that was in 2016...
Super 👁️👁️🔭🔭😄👌😄👍👍.
Thank you very much! 😊
I understand the idea, but would it not be better to have the images from both converge into one viewing lense? Essentially doubling up th two images into one,
No, because that would ruin the whole concept of binocular vision which offers an unequalled experience of immersion. Besides, it's much more relaxing. 😉
@@astronomydrawings Ok, thank you, I was thinking it is do increase the amount of light so as to get a better view. I have never liked binocular view becaue one eye is always out of focus no matter how much i adjust the lenses. It would be interesting to see if combining the two scopes into one point, then seperating it into to eyepieces would crate a better image yet preserve the ability to look at it with both eyes.
@@Bendigo1 You're not alone and there are actually quite a few people who're having difficulties observing with both eyes. Though merging and then separating the images doesn't seem very practical to me and will result in some significant light loss. And in the end, it would remain a binoscope. 😊
@@astronomydrawings That makes sense, It would just be interesting to see what the results would be.
The sun will rise before it gets collimated
In reality, collimation only takes 5min, as you can see in the video. 😊
That's right
Four of these and youll have the hubble😉
First I'd need to convince the town to turn off more useless street lights... 🤣
Looking at the moon with this binos would probably blind you 🤔
Well, not more than with an ordinary 18" scope as the light of each 18" tube goes to one eye. But the 3D effect on the Moon's staggering, I can assure you! 😊
Seen any aliens with that thing yet ? :O
🤣🤣🤣 No, but I'll keep looking! 😊
They are green ??? 🤣🤣🤣... Amazing !!!
Thank you! 😆
НЕ знаю кто этот мужик, но у него аппаратов на телескопе больше, чем у марсоходов
🤣 Not really, but thank you very much for the compliment.
😶😶speechless
Thank you very much!'😊
There are NO 3D effects at what is practically infinity. Both images will be identical. Use two cameras and prove me wrong.
Hello Jody! Of course it's impossible to see any real 3D on astronomical objects and I never said there is. Still, lot of people get a "sort of 3D feeling" when using both eyes. Of course this is an illusion, though there are theories about a sort of chromostereopsis when observing stars with both eyes. Perhaps this is merely caused by optical abberations, but to me the "feeling" is real and enhances the observation experience significantly. 😊
Anyway you could do a closeup video on the 4 focuser setup/tertiary adjustment? This little picture is all I can find, arieotte-binoscopes.nl/Image56b.JPG
Will do this evening. 😉
I was going to, but then a thunderstorm broke loose here, so it'll be for within the next couple of days, hopefully.
Here it is. Hopefully this clarifies everything for you... czcams.com/video/aweaNO2S9zk/video.html