Build an Ultralight (5Kg) 150mm, Dual Newtonian, Binoscope
- Watch on my youtube channel "petertinkerer W" for the assembly of this binoscope. It takes less than 30 minutes which includes the mirror alignment.
All the .stl files are available on Tinkercad. Search for "Full Assembly 150mm Offset Binoscope". Its Public and freely available
Approximate cost breakdown:
1) Two 6" F5 Parabolic Mirrors from Agenaastro ~$290 (or buy two spherical 150mm F5 mirrors for $120 fom Aliexptress which work very well up to 37.5X using 20mm eyepieces)
2) Upper 35 mm secondary ~$15 from Aliexpress
3) Lower 54mm secondary ~ $25 from Aliexpress
4) Aluminum frame ~ $50
5) General hardware: Vinyl light covers, velvet sheets, glue, nuts&bolts, 3D filament, etc, ~$45
6)Two 32mm Plossl eyepieces $60
Total cost of Ultra Light (5Kg) 150mm Binoscope ~$485, ($315 if you use spherical mirrors which work very well up to 40X)
The Dobsonian Alt-Azm mount costs about $100. At a dark site this binoscope provides amazingly bright views of the night sky with 6.4mm exit pupils at 23.4X using 32mm eyepieces and 4mm exit pupils at 37.5X using 20mm eyepieces.