TeleVue Bino Vue Body (Only)

You're probably aware that the color correction and resolution of all high powered binoculars is far less than ideal. Usually the size, weight, cost, inconvenience and lack of interchangeable eyepieces render them undesirable for all but the most die hard fans.

1. The 45° angle is very uncomfortable for high angle viewing.
2. Interocular adjustments require refocusing.
3. The 45° angle makes it difficult to use with reflectors.
4. An erector must be added for terrestrial viewing.

Bino Vue: 1.25-lb. 2x Amplifier: 0.40-lb.

We immediately recognized the advantages of a binocular attachment that adjusts interpupillary distance like an ordinary binocular and sets up as easily as changing an eyepiece. The in-line viewing arrangement allows inter-ocular adjustment without focus shift. And, we use the largest prism apertures possible.

To permit Bino Vue to reach focus with any telescope, we engineered an optical elimination of its 5.1" path length. Our special compensator lens system makes the Bino Vue parfocal when fully inserted to its stop and, results in only a 2x increase in magnification. The compensator lens also corrects for prism effects that can degrade high power viewing.

For short focal length scopes such as the Tele Vue-76, Tele Vue-85 and Tele Vue-NP101, the 2x amplification results in low powers down in the 30x range. Even larger instruments will find the Bino Vue extremely versatile. For example, a 13.5" f/4.5 Dobsonian, would have a low power limit of 96x with a pair of 32mm Plössls.

SCTs have enough focus travel to use Bino Vue without the compensator. For any scope that can accept Bino Vue's 5.1" of path length, we also include an empty tube to install in place of the amplifier assembly.

Finally, Tele Vue tests the collimation and image quality of each unit. This time and labor intensive operation is essential for a binocular viewer used at planetary magnifications. Collimation is critical and delicate. Tele Vue has the facility and expertise to service the Bino Vue should it be required. You always have that assurance with Tele Vue.

Bino Vue comes standard with the Flat Coupler and 2x Amplifier installed on the body. This permits the Bino Vue to be used in all telescopes with just a moderate focuser in-travel requirement. The 2x Amplifier has filter threads to accept 1¼" filters. The Flat Coupler provides enough space for the inclusion of filter without hitting the diagonal mirror when using 2" Tele Vue diagonals and the 2" - 1¼" Tele  Vue "High-Hat" adapter.

When considering binocular viewing, we strongly recommend our Bino Vue to preserve the utmost image quality in fine telescopes. Bino Vue, first bought to market in 1995 by Tele Vue has a number of unique attributes that secured its reference quality status:

1. 27mm aperture prisms to permit full use of maximum field 1¼" eyepieces such as 24mm Panoptics.
2. Multi-coatings and dielectric beamsplitter coatings for highest transmission with neutral coloration.
3. Collet-type adjustable eyepiece clamping for non-marring, rock solid security with no chance of high powered collimation loss from screw-type diopter adjustment systems.
4. 100% inspection, collimation Q.C. to assure prevention of eyestrain. Factory collimation checking and realignment service available with quick turnaround.
5. Lightest weight large prism unit (saves ½-lb).
6. 2x Amplifier Corrector fully compensates for introduction of spherical, color and astigmatism in prisms, along with path length compensation -- maintains simple drop-in installation just like any 1¼" eyepiece, while maintaining optimal optical performance in the finest, fastest instruments such as the Tele Vue-NP101.

If you use Bino Vue with any of our telescopes for terrestrial viewing, you will enter a new world of visual experience. And, whether you're viewing in daylight or at night, you will hardly realize that each eye is seeing less than 50% transmission normally seen at the same magnification. The reason is that the resolution and contrast are so high and two eye viewing seems to "recover" some of the light loss. Indeed until you go to very high powers, you may prefer these views with seemingly darker sky backgrounds.

1. Both 1x and 2x correct prism aberrations (spherical, color, and edge of field astigmatism). The faster the system the greater the need.
2. The 1x does not compensate for Bino Vue path length while the 2x does: the Bino Vue with 2x corrector can be swapped into a focuser without need to refocus.
3. The 1x corrector is:
   • essential for fast systems (f/4 - f/6)
   • helpful for moderate systems (f/8 - f/10)
   • not necessary with slow systems (f/12 - f/15)
     When SCT's are refocused for Bino Vue path length, f/10 systems operate at f/12.5, hence the corrector is not necessary.
4. Both 2x and 1x are effective correctors with any speed telescope.