Re: ATM Binos

["James Lerch" <jlerch1@tampabay.rr.com>]

Frank,

The only think that might make a difference is that with a bino-scope we
have 2 separate optical systems, with separate aberrations.  My thinking is
that the brain integrates out the aberrations much like digital image
integration.  With a bino-viewer the brain is still presented with 2 images,
but they are identical.  I don't know how much magic the brain can work on 2
identical images.

I'm also curious about the possibility of atmospheric interference.  Does
anyone think that it is possible for 2 optical systems separated by a few
inches to actually see a difference in atmospheric turbulence?
Unfortunately I have not had enough time behind the eyepieces to tell much
of anything yet.

With regard to price, its not that bad.  To date I have less than $400US in
the whole thing, and that includes enough chems to silver the mirrors 4x.
What I don't want to think about is the amount of hours devoted to the
project (200+), but what else would I have been doing :)

Take Care,
James Lerch
http://Lerch.yi.org/atm


----- Original Message -----
From: "Frank Ward" <thewards@mindspring.com>
To: <ATM@shore.net>
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2001 10:22 AM
Subject: ATM Binos


>
> I've just reviewed James' binoviewer and
> was quite impressed with his work.  But it
> leads to a basic question....what is the
> difference when viewing between a bino
> with two mirrors and a bino using a larger
> mirror and a bino viewer.  The bino viewers
> are quite expensive, but not as expensive
> as constructing a two mirror scope.
>
> I have adapted a microscope bino viewer
> to my 5" f/5 and find the view really an improvement
> over the monocular at the lower powers an f/5
> demands. I'm trying to visualize the difference
> made by using two mirrors.
>
> Any help? Who's compared both?
>
> In friendship,
>
> Frank Ward
> Atlanta, GA
>
>
>