EZ Binoc Supermount™ Kit

The Supermount is a refinement of the standard EZ Binoc Mount Kit - beefing it up to handle truly giant binoculars such as Garrett's 16-pound 28 X 110. The Supermount fills a gap between the lower cost ? X 100mm binoculars weighing 10 or 11 pounds and the ? X 150mm military type binoculars that weight 25 or 30 pounds. 

This is primarily a "garden mount".  It's weatherproof and virtually indestructible, so that it can be left outside for instant use.   Its solid and stable.  It is a 5 axis design that allows viewing from any position.  By unscrewing the three legs and the main counterweight arm the mount can be transported in the trunk of most cars.

Use of the EZ Binoc Supermount is quite intuitive.  One's hands are placed as shown.  The right hand keeps the binocular level.  The left hand controls the declination and the binocular height.  When standing, azimuth is controlled by stepping forward or back.  When seated or when reclining, azimuth is controlled by the small secondary lever situated just above where my left hand is in the picture to the left.  

This design avoids the complexity and very high cost of a spring loaded parallelogram mount - and I'm not even sure that a parallelogram mount exists that can handle this weight.  Experience shows that for the occasions when you are sharing with someone of a different height it's no big deal to simply raise or lower the binocular to their approximate height by squatting or standing on tip-toe while keeping the object in the field of view.

I do very little observing while standing.  And reaching up over one's head quickly becomes uncomfortable.  For observing near the zenith one needs a recliner and  a binocular mount that works "hands off".  The Supermount's 5-axis design allows viewing from any position. 

The 5 axis of rotation turn freely and smoothly and effortlessly.  They feel as though they were equipped with ball bearings.  But there is enough friction in the system that it is easily balanced for hands off operation, and once it is balanced it stays balanced.

To view the observing log of my first outing with the Garrett 28X110s on the prototype Supermount go to log  To view the observing log of my first nights under the stars with the Garretts on the refined production version of the Supermount go to log2  For my Stellafane '07 observing log see log3

Mounting the 16-pound 28x110 Garrett binocular is as quick and possibly easier than with the regular EZ Binoc Mount.  A stainless steel cable holds the mount arm in position against the force of the counterweight, so that both hands can be used to maneuver the heavy binocular.  Time to mount - 10 seconds.  Time to remove from the mount - 10 seconds.  It couldn't be much easier.

I've always used binoculars for comet viewing as my experience is that  a binocular provides a far better view of comets than even a large telescope.  While I truly enjoy being able to step out under the open sky and locate objects "on my own", for almost all other astronomical viewing I rely upon my 14" computerized telescope.  Let's face it - all but a very few astronomical objects are small and/or dim.  While its satisfying to confirm that you can locate a deep space object, binoculars generally lack sufficient aperture to provide satisfying views - if you can see the object at all.  

Low cost 100 mm binoculars have become fairly common.  I have a 100mm binoc and use it frequently. It's the best astronomical binocular that I've got, but I'm not happy with it.  When Zach Garrett introduced his unique high powered larger aperture affordable 28X110s with high quality optics I lusted after them.  But this "super binocular" was just too heavy for my EZ Binoc Mount - or for just about any other mount for that matter.  To use the super binocular I developed this EZ Binoc Supermount to fill my own needs.  

The 28X110s have exceeded my expectations.  They are big enough and sharp enough that they're absolutely wonderful for astronomical viewing.  And the EZ Binoc Supermount is so smooth that the superbinocs are rendered weightless.  This is unquestionably the best astronomical binocular setup that I've ever experienced, and as a consequence Peterson Engineering is selling not only the EZ Binoc Supermount Kit, but the humongous Garrett binocular as well.

What's in the kit?   All parts that required machining,  welding, drilling or thread tapping.  Plus parts that were carefully chosen for this mount and are not commonly available elsewhere.  Except for the modified pipe fittings all metal parts are stainless steel.  The assembly procedure is simple, and the detailed step by step instruction sheet is photo illustrated so that you can't go wrong.  If you have a question, we're as close as your telephone.

What do you buy locally?  To minimize your total mount cost we have kitted the critical parts only, leaving you to purchase the pipe & fittings locally so as to eliminate unnecessarily costly freight charges.  The threaded pipe sections and fittings are common parts available at Lowes, The Home Depot or your local plumbing supply store.   Likewise, weight plates are universally available for about 49 cents/pound.  Total cost of pipe, fittings and counterbalance weights is approximately $45.  If we were to include these with the kit, the additional shipping cost alone, neglecting the additional parts cost, would be about the same as what you pay for the parts locally.

ALERT TO POTENTIAL NON USA CUSTOMERS: This kit requires the use of ANSI schedule 40 steel pipe and fittings threaded to National Pipe Thread (NPT) standards.  This pipe is universally used in the United States, but may not be available in other countries.  Please check before ordering.  And then contact us, as we have not yet calculated the cost of international shipping of this product.

$158 + shipping    Put yourself in the driver's seat 
   

Note: although we use a PayPal hosted shopping cart you may pay with any credit card

To order the EZ Binoc Supermount Kit use the shopping cart button below.  $158 + $10 Priority Mail postage = $168 total.   (USA customers only)
 

CANADIAN CUSTOMERS should use the cart below.   Shipment to Canada costs $23, so your total = $181                                                                                 

Peterson Engineering Corporation
Sky Division
405 New Meadow Road
Barrington, RI 02806

For orders or inquiries telephone or FAX (401) 245-6679 during business hours or email
sales@petersonengineering.com

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