{"id":51883,"date":"2023-11-22T13:15:06","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T13:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/779399da-a4db-4bfb-830d-f7fefe40303d"},"modified":"2023-11-22T14:33:56","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T14:33:56","slug":"how-to-make-a-binocular-mirror-mount","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/how-to-make-a-binocular-mirror-mount\/","title":{"rendered":"How to make a binocular mirror mount"},"content":{"rendered":"
Keep your binoculars steady with a mount that faces down to look up <\/p>
By Will Davis\n <\/p>
Published: Wednesday, 22 November 2023 at 13:15 PM<\/p>
\n\n
One of the well known negatives of binoculars is the challenge of holding them steady. Mounting them on a tripod is an option, but this can make viewing targets at higher altitudes uncomfortable.One solution is the binocular mirror mount.<\/p>
A binocular mirror mount is a device that securely holds your binoculars in a comfortable downward-facing position pointing towards a mirror that presents a reflected view of the sky.<\/p>
Commercially produced binocular mirror mounts can be purchased, of course, but since the devices are relatively simple \u2013 mechanically speaking \u2013 they can be quite easily constructed using basic materials and a few tools.<\/p>
This article will show you how.<\/p>
Mirror matters<\/strong><\/h2>
The mount in this article is made from two sizes of aluminium angle section, plywood sheet, some standard fixing hardware and a front reflecting, or first surface, mirror.<\/p>
Regular mirrors have their reflective coating on the rear of the glass.<\/p>
They produce a slight double image, which although is imperceptible in general use, would compromise a magnified view.<\/p>
First-surface mirrors can be sourced from many specialist suppliers and usually made to your requested size.<\/p>
The mirror must be sufficiently optically flat to ensure that the paths of light reaching the objective lenses of your binoculars remain parallel.<\/p>
It\u2019s therefore important to make the supplier aware of its intended use when ordering your mirror.<\/p>
The mount can either be rested on a flat surface or attached to a telescope tripod with a flat top and central mounting hole.<\/p>
Both options are possible as the mount uses a long coach bolt that acts as a supporting leg on a flat surface or a bolt to attach the mount to a tripod.<\/p>
Using a tripod is often a more convenient option than trying to find a suitable flat surface outdoors that\u2019s at a comfortable viewing height.<\/p>
To work with this mount your binoculars must have a threaded, central mounting point for which you\u2019ll need the correct hand screw.<\/p>
This mount was designed around a 12×60 pair of binoculars, but it is also compatible with the more commonly used 7×50 or 10×50 variants.<\/p>
Tools and materials<\/h2>
Tools<\/strong><\/h3>
Hacksaw, vice, engineering square, pencil, drill (with 4, 6 and 8mm bits), small adjustable spanner, screwdrivers, fine metal file, sandpaper.<\/p>
Materials<\/strong><\/h3>
One 1,425mm length of 25x25mm aluminium angle and one 380mm length of 25x40mm, both 3mm gauge. A 145x220mm first surface mirror, a piece of 12mm-thick 225x150mm marine plywood, a CD.<\/p>
Sundries<\/strong><\/h3>
One M8x180mm coach bolt with nut, a wing nut and two 25mm penny washers, two M6x30mm nuts and bolts with four washers, 16 M4x15mm machine screws (four need to be countersunk), M4 nuts and washers, silicone sealant.<\/p><\/div><\/div>Tools and materials. Image Credit: Will Davis<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Using the binocular mirror mount<\/strong><\/h2>
When attached to the mount, your binoculars are secured at an approximately 45\u00b0 downward angle.<\/p>
You adjust the view up and down by simply tilting the mirror.<\/p>
The open frame design allows you to position the mirror by holding its plywood mounting cell, meaning that there\u2019s no need to touch the reflective surface of the mirror.<\/p>
The azimuth is altered by rotating the entire assembly, either on your chosen surface or around the axis of the central tripod mounting bolt.<\/p>
Because the underside face of the mount\u2019s supporting angle section sits on the flat top of your tripod, a CD is inserted in-between to act as a washer \u2013 reducing friction and minimising wear on the tripod\u2019s top face.<\/p>
By simply tightening their respective fixings, the friction for the mirror pivot and tripod mount can be easily adjusted for the ideal balance between ease of movement and rigidity while viewing.<\/p>
In use, the reflected view initially makes locating celestial objects slightly more challenging than if you were holding your binoculars.<\/p>
But once you\u2019ve mastered the technique of using this mount, you may well find yourself gazing downward into space instead of upwards for many hours!<\/p>Finding a suitable viewing site is easier with the binocular mirror mount fitted to a tripod. Credit: Will Davis<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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