Hi guys,

 I have read a few things on 1st mirrors for your binocs. I would like to make a simple thing for my 20x80s. Does it really matter? I looked at all the mirrors in my house with a credit card and all are 2nd's. Is there some place locally(philly) you can purchase a 1st mirror? I am not looking to spend much to do this if possible. Happy 4th to everyone!

Steve

went to the local auto parts store and got a 6"x10" first surface mirror for 10 bucks. Just the mirror. I also bought for 15 dollars a big mirror mount for a truck I think and mounted the other mirror on it. 25 bucks total and thats all I will need to spend! Just have to put it together. I'll post a few images as soon as its done. I think its gonna come out great!

Steve

I would never have thought you could find a 1st surface mirror at an auto parts. And even if it is, I wonder if the surface would be good enough optically to handle any magnification.

I was told that if you use a credit card and you cannot see a gap, its a first surface mirror. Is that correct? If it is I got the mirror for the side view of a big truck. I am in the process of putting it all together now. Hope to try it out as soon as the paint dries. I'll let you know what I find. As far as looking at terrestrial views its great.

Steve

Never heard of the thing with a card, maybe if there's no gap showing it's really really thin glass LOL.

Be cool if it gives good views at night. How many X binocs were you going to use? I can't find the catalog I had bookmarked for those mirror setups, I remember they were spendy. 

I just spent about 15 minutes between clouds. Its really cloudy here tonight. Only because I bought my new binocs. I got a pair of nikon 10x50's for something to mess around with. The view was really good. I am very surprised as to how good it was. Only thing I need to do is adjust the mount for the binocs. A bit high. Have to cut off an inch or so and should be perfect for me. I also have a pair of the zhumell 25x100's...they are getting relpaced... I never really got into binocs, the scope end is where I have most of my fun, but this is getting me the itch for more. Guess I am going to look into a better pair sooner or later. I was looking at the garretts and they look really nice. What do you have?

I was using the 10x50's in my hand and its a bit tough to hold steady in the sky. Easy for terrestrial viewing. Anyway I'm happy.

Steve

 I've been thinking about ordering some Orion Resolux 10.5X70s to replace all my old clunkers.

The mirror rig I was looking at is the Sky Window made by Trico Machine. If you Google them and look at how they're made, you might get some ideas. 

Hi John,

This is what I came up with. As for material the mirror was 10 bucks and the bracket that is holding the mirror is 15 bucks. Everything else I had laying around. The big bracket holding the mirror is another mirror called a replacement mirror head(7x16"). Not sure what its used for. Looks like something for a truck. I took out the mirror and flipped it over and painted it black. I then glued the mirror I am using to the edges of the other bracket. Got a few pieces of wood and volia! Its done. Hope you like it.

 Yeah, ought to work. That replacement head is just a standard truck mirror. I can't figure out what the one you're going to use is though.Next time I'm in town I'll have to look at the mirrors at NAPA and see what they have.

I tried the truck mirror set up before. It works very good to reduce neck stain. On dim star fields the secondary reflection from the front surface of the glass is not noticeable. On bright objects like the moon there will be a noticeable reflection though. Magnitude 3.5 and brighter stars will also cause a secondary reflection. The lower the power of the binocular will also reduce the double image problem with second surface mirrors. I do not think you got a front surface mirror for $25 with any descent optical quality. Still enjoy the views though!

JJ 

You get what you pay for. That's why Trico Machine's  setup costs what it does. So what if his mirror isn't top end optical quality first surface, the rig looks cool and he ought to have a blast with it and learn quite a bit.

Hi guys,

 Thanks for the replies. When it gets clear out and I have an hour or 2 to mess around I will let you know how it was. For the few minutes I was out it was pretty good and terrestrial viewing was superb. I have NO intention of spending anything more on my binocular hobby. At this point i spent more than I wanted. I much prefer the telescope end and imaging.I only use the binos when its mostly cloudy and I can get between some clouds and see what I can see. It also provides my kids a chance to see some stuff up there. If the mirror mount I made does not work out and the images end up being lousy...I dont care. I'll dismantle it and use the binos in my hand. For 25 bucks I had nothing to loose except 25 bucks and ccouple hours of my life!

Steve

I still think your project is an ingenious solution for making a mirror reflector for binoculars. Mirror imperfections shouldn't be much of a bother unless you go with high power ones or tiny aberrations bug you no end.

My binoc use has been mainly birding and I never have used them much on the sky. One of the reasons I've long held off buying any dedicated for astronomical use. For the cost I could get items that would see more use with my scopes.