Question regarding parallel style Binocular Mounts and Tripods
I'm considering purchasing an Orion Paragon-Plus Binocular Mount & Tripod ($279). Does anyone have input regarding this? Is there a better product available and/or for a better price? I would be using the system for binoculars up to 80 mm. Thanks.
I have a parallelogram mount that I'm pretty sure is by the same manufacturer as the Orion mount. Mine has a bit more flexibility, but is essentially the same. On it, I mount the old Orion 20x80 binos (roughly the same as their current Megaview models). This particular parallelogram is just barely sufficient for the binos, which weigh about 5 pounds. While the mount does balance with the counterweight extended, there's enough flexibility that the whole thing kind of boings for a while before it settles down. In addition, the counterweight arm is extended enough that I'm always worried someone will walk into it at night. I really need a heavier-duty system, but I'm unlikely to pop for it. If you're using lighter binos, you may get away with this mount. But if you're using heavier binos like mine or plan to upgrade to Fujinon, you may not be happy with it. I have a little different take on parallelograms than some people. The strengths are sometimes described as the ability to share the binos among different viewers, all while keeping them pointed the same direction. This is overstated, since it's usually necessary to adjust interocular distance and refocus. The nice thing about a parallelogram is that you can sit back in a lawn chair, point the binos straight up and enjoy the view with your hands at your side. Good luck with your decision. Michael On Apr 15, 2004, at 12:46 PM, A. Gary Thompson wrote:
I'm considering purchasing an Orion Paragon-Plus Binocular Mount & Tripod ($279). Does anyone have input regarding this? Is there a better product available and/or for a better price? I would be using the system for binoculars up to 80 mm. Thanks.
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There isn't a commercial, reasonably-priced metal parallelogram on the market right now that will work well with large binos. (that I am aware of) Metal transmits vibrations very, very well, so unless the unit is overbuilt it will probably be unsatisfactory. This is why, even though my first parallelogram design was all-aluminum, I now use wood almost exclusively. In side-by-side tests, with the same design excecuted in wood and aluminum, the wooden version is much more satisfying to use. . --- Michael Carnes <moogiebird@earthlink.net> wrote: While the mount does balance with
the counterweight extended, there's enough flexibility that the whole thing kind of boings for a while before it settles down.
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Thanks Jim and Chuck and Michael all for your input and advice. I really enjoy listening to the chat on this party line. I seldom provide input because I'm such a novice. It's a great hobby and exciting to hear what people do with it. Thanks again. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Carnes" <moogiebird@earthlink.net> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 10:04 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Question regarding parallel style BinocularMounts and Tripods
I have a parallelogram mount that I'm pretty sure is by the same manufacturer as the Orion mount. Mine has a bit more flexibility, but is essentially the same. On it, I mount the old Orion 20x80 binos (roughly the same as their current Megaview models). This particular parallelogram is just barely sufficient for the binos, which weigh about 5 pounds. While the mount does balance with the counterweight extended, there's enough flexibility that the whole thing kind of boings for a while before it settles down. In addition, the counterweight arm is extended enough that I'm always worried someone will walk into it at night. I really need a heavier-duty system, but I'm unlikely to pop for it.
If you're using lighter binos, you may get away with this mount. But if you're using heavier binos like mine or plan to upgrade to Fujinon, you may not be happy with it.
I have a little different take on parallelograms than some people. The strengths are sometimes described as the ability to share the binos among different viewers, all while keeping them pointed the same direction. This is overstated, since it's usually necessary to adjust interocular distance and refocus. The nice thing about a parallelogram is that you can sit back in a lawn chair, point the binos straight up and enjoy the view with your hands at your side.
Good luck with your decision.
Michael
On Apr 15, 2004, at 12:46 PM, A. Gary Thompson wrote:
I'm considering purchasing an Orion Paragon-Plus Binocular Mount & Tripod ($279). Does anyone have input regarding this? Is there a better product available and/or for a better price? I would be using the system for binoculars up to 80 mm. Thanks.
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Gary If you have means to do some woodworking, you can use mine as a pattern and build one for less than half that price. JG "A. Gary Thompson" <agaryt@mstar2.net> wrote: I'm considering purchasing an Orion Paragon-Plus Binocular Mount & Tripod ($279). Does anyone have input regarding this? Is there a better product available and/or for a better price? I would be using the system for binoculars up to 80 mm. Thanks. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - File online by April 15th
participants (4)
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A. Gary Thompson -
Chuck Hards -
Jim Gibson -
Michael Carnes