Any way to observe with both eyes?

[Arcane]

I notice after a short time my eyes get realy tired of one being closed and the other open squinting the whole time. Is there a product out there that works like a pair of binoculars on the lense coming out of the telescope so you can look with both eyes? That would make life much better.

Thanks!

[RickJ]

Several companies make bino viewers. They aren't cheap. Then you need two identically matched eyepieces. Either two barlows or one with a very long throw that goes before the binoviewer. Some have barlow's made for their system. With a newtonian you'll likely have to move the mirror closer to the secondary to accomodate the needed back focus. They work best on SCT and refractors with long back focus.

A much cheaper solution is an eye patch. I use one over the observing eye when I am looking at star charts and then flip it to the chart eye when at the telescope. This preserves the dark adaption of one eye leaving the other to look at the glare of the chart light set so low you can barely read the charts.

Rick

[Dave Mitsky]

There are reviews of a number of binoviewers posted here (http://www.cloudynights.com/category.php?category_id=41&pr=2x9).

I own a Denkmeier binoviewer (http://www.deepskybinoviewer.com/index.cfm). The Denkmeiers are probably the best binoviewers on the market and allow the use of binoviewing at lower magnifications, something that cheaper units unfortunately do not.

The Denkmeiers have an OCS (optical corrector system) lens system for use with Newtonians. Most binoviewers are going to cause balance problems with small Dobsonians, however.

Dave Mitsky

[Arcane]

Wow, those things really are expensive. I might have to wait until next Christmas to get some of those :lol:

I am glad to know they exist though.

I might have to settle for the pirate look for now heh.

Thanks guys.

[Veeger]

A much cheaper solution is an eye patch. I use one over the observing eye when I am looking at star charts and then flip it to the chart eye when at the telescope. This preserves the dark adaption of one eye leaving the other to look at the glare of the chart light set so low you can barely read the charts.

Rick
That's a good idea Rick. Thanks. When I was a kid, I used to be able keep both eyes open and simply "tune out" the other eye, but would close it when looking intently for detail. I can't seem to do it anymore. The eye patch is cool as I don't use charts anymore, but rather a computer in night vision mode and the brightness is too much at times.

[Arcane]

I tried the eye patch deal out tonight and it worked great. Realy takes the stress off the other eye having to be closed all the time.

Thanks Rick!