CR BinoBirding (1 Viewer)

[DRodrigues]

I reached a solution for using both eyes on birding, with good image quality and possibility of going over 100x :eek!: - see it at http://www.pt-ducks.com/cr-telescopes.htm#CR-binoviewing

I had a chance to compare the combo with a Swarosvky 80 HD with the new 25-50x zoom and I prefer the views through the present bino-combo - 2 eyes and the higher magnifications are another dimension of cr-birding!!! For birding the same is true since the "bino effect" is increased on closer distances.
The user of the Swaro also liked the resulting image quality...

Enjoy!

 

[woodhornbirder]

good stuff)

 

[DRodrigues]

increasing field

Today I tested a TeleVue RFL-4087 - a field flattener and 0.8x reducer and it worked fine, producing even better image quality at lower magnifications on the bino-combo. For those searching for larger fields might be interesting. Got curious to see if the TV TRF-2008 will work even better...

 

[DRodrigues]

To BTX or not to BTX?

Today I updated my http://www.pt-ducks.com/cr-telescope...CR-binoviewing info with a BTX small test and comparing it to my STX as also to my CR-binoview combo. I found some interesting points that no one mentioned until now:
- there is absolutely no ghost images at all!!!;
- within some lowlight conditions the BTX bested my STX!
More info and photos at the page.

Was interesting to notice that I started this post on 2010 and the last time I updated the link above was on 14-08-2012 - Swarovski took long time to give me a reply...3
I must thank Swarovski for start to produce the BTX since the reply from the concurrence will be interesting - the bar was set high...:t:

 

[Cosme]

Hi David!

there is a "new" line of ed binos from apm/lunt, the guy of cloudy nights, much cheaper than the kowa docters etc :t:

I think the apm 82 is same price than the btx module.

 

[DRodrigues]

With the XW20

My first reply to the Swaro BTX http://www.pt-ducks.com/cr-telescopes.htm#To_BTX_or_not_to_BTX
Using a pair of Pentax XW20 that have 70º AFOV, I manage to get a 43-141x zoom, with a TFOV at minimum magnification that is >28% than the one of the X95 with the 1,7 extender!...:king:
I compared this weekend to the Swaro X95+1,7x extender, resighting marked duck and it works great!
However, I wish Swarovski would produce a straight version of the BTX with zooming capacity...o
Zeiss might will produce a Harpia binoviewer with zoom first http://www.pt-ducks.com/cr-telescopes.htm#Swarovski_X95_vs_Zeiss_Harpia95 but don't produce straight Harpia versions...:-C
Within some weeks I will have another solution that will have higher TFOV than the BTX!

 

[DRodrigues]

With 2" TS 30 mm Superviews

My second reply to the BTX http://www.pt-ducks.com/cr-telescopes.htm#Swarovski_X95_vs_Zeiss_Harpia95
Using a pair of 2" TS 30 mm Superviews that are supposed to have 68º AFOV, I manage to get a 34-112x zoom, with a TFOV at minimum magnification that is >10% larger than the BTX!...:king:

Within some weeks will have a version with even larger TFOV!...

 

[DRodrigues]

With a modified Omegon erector

Better than a BTX and straight view!!!...:king:

Still have to improve some details in order I can reach focus at minimum mag (c.a. 17x, with 68º AFOV) and switch to higher mags...

 

[JerryLogan]

Better than a BTX and straight view!!!...:king:

Still have to improve some details in order I can reach focus at minimum mag (c.a. 17x, with 68º AFOV) and switch to higher mags...

Hello David,

Remarkable work over the years - your effort is much appreciated.

It may just be my age compromised brain, but I can’t seem to locate an explanation and analysis of the equipment shown in this most recent photo. I see the TMB 92 and the binoviewer, but what else is in there, particularly between the binoviewer and the scope.

Thanks for any help, best to you and keep up the good work!!!

Jerry

 

[DRodrigues]

HI Jerry,

I'm glad you liked it.
It's not you, I still didn't had time to update the info at cr-telescopes - time available as been too short...
Unfortunately the bino combo doesn't reach focus with the X95 lens module. With the release of the X115, it would be the ideal solution to replace my TMB 92 in the combo.
Will inform after updating the combo info but it will take some time...

All the best,

 

[JerryLogan]

HI Jerry,

I'm glad you liked it.
It's not you, I still didn't had time to update the info at cr-telescopes - time available as been too short...
Unfortunately the bino combo doesn't reach focus with the X95 lens module. With the release of the X115, it would be the ideal solution to replace my TMB 92 in the combo.
Will inform after updating the combo info but it will take some time...

All the best,

Thanks David. No worries and no hurry for you. Just glad to know my cortex is still functional. Slower, but no mystery gaps!

Best,
Jerry

 

[DRodrigues]

Still have to improve some details in order I can reach focus at minimum mag (c.a. 17x, with 68º AFOV) and switch to higher mags...

With a 1.25x Baader GPCs used within the erector and the PMW (using T tubes), I managed to reach focus on all PMW positions, getting estimated magnifications from 24 to 71x, even with the short 65mm focus range of my TMB92!...

Will post photos and update cr-telescopes page, image erector included, next year...

 

[DRodrigues]

The last solution and the one I prefer - used the 1.25x Baader GPC before the erector - results on 27 to 80x!...

The cr-telescopes page was updated at the erectors tests

 

[DRodrigues]

Just noticed that didn't posted information that a version of the #7 combo, with the eyepieces without de 2" barrels (as shown on last post...), results on a minimum magnification with wider FOV than the X95/115 at 30x.
Meanwhile I replaced the TS eyepieces by a pair of Masuyamas 2" 32mm 85º and the resulting combo improved, both on FOV and AFOV: unlike the TS eps, using the Masuyamas with the 2" barrel result on larger FOV and AFOV! So at minimum mag (probably around 35x - still have to find a precise way of estimating it...), the FOV is 8.9% larger than the X115 (latest version), with AFOV similar to the X115 at 70x!!!...
The zoom factor is 3.4x, so should result on 120x i.e. it has larger FOV than the X115 and the maximum mag of the X115+extender!...
I wish that Swarovski would produce a new BTX version with similar specifications, but shorter and less heavy, with Swaro factory image quality...

 

[G8trwood]

If you get a 3D printer, we are all in trouble !

Nice work

 

[DRodrigues]

... result on larger FOV and AFOV! So at minimum mag (probably around 35x - still have to find a precise way of estimating it...), the FOV is 8.9% larger than the X115 (latest version), with AFOV similar to the X115 at 70x!!!...
The zoom factor is 3.4x, so should result on 120x i.e. it has larger FOV than the X115 and the maximum mag of the X115+extender!...
...

Assuming the STX115 is 30x at minimum mag, the combo should result on an equivalent 34-115x!
Remembered the way to estimate "real" magnifications when testing A Bino alternative to the Swaro X extender