Excelsis - Display Vote

Black Night Binoviewer

I have owned the BNs for a few months now and I feel I can review them objectively. I have owned and subsequently returned two other binoviewers in the past, one Russian and one $1200 American unit. Both of those units showed significant color differences on one side of the unit. The Russian was deep yellow and the American was pinkish. I use apo refractors so I don't care for introducing false color to any object. The Siebert BN unit is clear and natural on both sides. The BNs provide planetary views that are breathtaking and I had the unforgetable experience of splitting Sirius on 11/15/03 in a 4" Fluorite apo. I also had the best split I have ever seen of Zeta Orionis. The only caveat I can give concerning their use in refractors is that the only way I can get them to focus in any of my three scopes, two Vixen one Synta, is two use a 2x Barlow screwed into the bottom of the unit. This arrangement limits the scope to high mags but I don't do much other than planetary and doubles with some Ha solar thrown in with the refractors so I haven't discussed a remedy with Harry. I also use the BNs with the 1.8 OCA in my 10" Newt with great success, focus is achieved easily. Once you get a look at M13 or M42 with a 10 and a pair of BNs you're spoiled for life! The Black Nights have proven to be THE BEST astro accesssory I have purchased to date and I wholeheartedly recommend them and Siebert Optics. BTW, I'm using generic 32mm and 15mm Plossls.

Clear Skies,

Steve

Overall Rating: 9
Performance:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 11/16/2003 03:21:25 am PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.202.209)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=319433

>I have owned the BNs for a few months now and I feel I can review them objectively. I have owned and subsequently returned two other binoviewers in the past, one Russian and one $1200 American unit. Both of those units showed significant color differences on one side of the unit. The Russian was deep yellow and the American was pinkish. I use apo refractors so I don't care for introducing false color to any object. The Siebert BN unit is clear and natural on both sides. The BNs provide planetary views that are breathtaking and I had the unforgetable experience of splitting Sirius on 11/15/03 in a 4" Fluorite apo. I also had the best split I have ever seen of Zeta Orionis. The only caveat I can give concerning their use in refractors is that the only way I can get them to focus in any of my three scopes, two Vixen one Synta, is two use a 2x Barlow screwed into the bottom of the unit. This arrangement limits the scope to high mags but I don't do much other than planetary and doubles with some Ha solar thrown in with the refractors so I haven't discussed a remedy with Harry. I also use the BNs with the 1.8 OCA in my 10" Newt with great success, focus is achieved easily. Once you get a look at M13 or M42 with a 10 and a pair of BNs you're spoiled for life! The Black Nights have proven to be THE BEST astro accesssory I have purchased to date and I wholeheartedly recommend them and Siebert Optics. BTW, I'm using generic 32mm and 15mm Plossls.
>
>Clear Skies,
>
>Steve

Addendum: I have spoken with Harry and we came up with the solution of placing a ring on top of the diagonal to help push the binoviewers back. This allows me to now reach focus in my refractors using 2" diagonals with the 1.8 OCA. The 1.8 OCA is a very useful device that maintains the image integrity in my apos while increasing the magnification options of my existing EP collection. Thanks Harry.

Clear Skies,

Steve Stonehill

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