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14.5" Reverse Binocular Telescope

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14.5" RB Telescope

Related Products

Optional Upgrades

Optional Accessories

RB-16 Telescope

RB-10 Telescope

RB-66 Telescope
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What is a Reverse Binocular Telescope?

What is an Alt-Az Mount?

Customer Comments

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RB-14.5
14.5" Reverse Binocular Newtonian



RB14.5
$11,500.00

Buy Now*
RB-14.5 Product Information

Features

  • Ease of Use (no bulky, complicated or expensive mount, just look down into the binocular to see the sky behind you)
  • Six motors for adjusting inter-ocular (eye) spacing, focusing and optical tube alignment with the touch of a button
  • Modified Reverse Crayford focusers
  • Fold-away motorcycle type handle bars for pointing the instrument
  • Handlebar and wheels for easy movement of the instrument
  • Compatible with MAX computers
  • Battery operation
  • JMI's celebrated quality construction

Specifications

Type:  Dual Newtonian reflectors
Mount: 
Alt-Az moun attached to a pier mount
Mirrors: 
14.5" f/4.0 primary mirrors, 3.5" diagonal secondary mirrors
Diagonals: 
Erect Image or Regular (specify)
Clearance Between Light Paths:  8"
Eyepiece Spacing: 
Variable from 2" to 3.25"
Alignment: 
Motorized x and y axis for optical tube alignment
Power: 
6vDC operation with 4.5 amp-hour rechargeable battery with 110vAC/60Hz or 220vAC/50Hz charger (specify).  (Anticipated battery life will be measured in months.)
Binocular Weight: 
Approximately 155 lb.
Pier Weight: 
Approximately 27 lb.
Binocular Height: 
61" at Zenith (measured from top of binocular to bottom of tripod with binocular in vertical position)
Binocular Length: 
52"
Binocular Width: 
45"
Binocular Depth: 
22"

Standard Equipment

Two 2" RCF-1 Focusers with Motors for motorized focusing
Two 30mm Wide Angle Eyepieces
Star Pointer Finder Scope
Battery:  6vDC battery (includes AC charger)
Built-In Handle Bars permit easy movement of the scope

* Telescope prices are for the standard telescope configuration.  Upgrades and Options are at additional cost.  The listed price also does not include the crating charge ($250) and any shipping and handling charges.  Please call for a shipping quote.

The Binocular ships in a crate approximately 50" x 50" x 52".


14.5" RB Optional Upgrades

Related Products

RB-14.5 Telescope

Optional Accessories

More Information

See Above
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RB14...
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** RFQ = Request for Quote (Ask us for a price quote.)  Upgrade prices are based on upgrading from standard equipment.  << HIDDEN TEXT >>

 


14.5" RB Optional Accessories

Related Products

RB-14.5 Telescope

Optional Upgrades

More Information

See Above
    View Shopping Cart

 
Next Generation Computer
NGC-superMAX Complete Installation



SUPRB14
$711.00

Buy Now
Next Generation Computer
NGC-MAX Complete Installation



NGCRB14
$641.00

Buy Now
Next Generation Computer
NGC-microMAX Complete Installation



MICRB14
$411.00

Buy Now
Software Guided Telescope
SGT-MAX Complete Installation
(PC Operation Only)



SGTRB14
$472.00

Buy Now
Software Guided Telescope Upgrade for NGC-MAX
Serial Cable
(Allows either PC or Standalone Operation when used with an NGC-MAX)



CBLBBOX
$43.00

Buy Now
Encoders and Hardware Only
For use with any Compatible Guiding Computer



ENCRB14
$311.00

Buy Now

Next Generation Computer and Software Guided Telescope systems

Choose the Next Generation Computer (NGC) or Software Guided Telescope (SGT) system that is right for you.  The NGC and SGT ("MAX") guiding computers (more than just digital setting circles) each have a database of objects and various specialized functions.

The Next Generation Computers are stand-alone computers that can guide you in finding objects in the night sky.

The Software Guided Telescope system interfaces with a personal computer (PC) which guides you in finding objects in the night sky. 
It creates a real-time link with a PC using planetarium software.  The interface can be accomplished with either the NGC-MAX and Serial Cable or an SGT-MAX Complete Installation (including B-Box) and compatible software such as TheSky.

NGC-superMAX with encoders and hardware (Complete Installation), Part Number SUPRB66
NGC-MAX with encoders and hardware (Complete Installation), Part Number NGCRB66
NGC-microMAX with encoders and hardware (Complete Installation), Part Number MICRB66
SGT-MAX with encoders and hardware (using a B-Box), Part Number SGTRB66
     Allows PC Operation Only, using the B-Box (included)
SGT-MAX Upgrade for NGC-MAX (Serial Cable), Part Number CBLBBOX
     Allows PC or Stand-alone Operation, using the NGC-MAX (not included)
Encoders and hardware ONLY for use with any compatible guiding computer, Part Number ENCRB66

NOTE The B-BOX Serial Interface links the telescope with a PC running planetarium software.  It does not act as a stand-alone guiding computer.

The Serial Cable (CBLBBOX) will allow the NGC-MAX computer to be used as a Serial Interface by mimicking the B-BOX Interface.  Of course, the NGC-MAX can also be used alone as a stand-along guiding computer.
The SGT-MAX system requires PC software such as TheSky from Software Bisque.  This is a sample screen image of TheSky.

 

 
Handlebar and Wheels
Wheelbarrow-style Transportation



RBWHL14
$159.00

Buy Now

Handlebar and Wheels

For easily moving the fully assembled binocular telescope over smooth surfaces.  Uses 5" solid rubber ball-bearing wheels.

 
Truss-Rod Light Shrouds
(Set of Two)



RBSHRD14
$190.00

Buy Now

Truss-Rod Light Shrouds

Blocks stray light and air currents and helps keep dust off of the mirrors.  Made of light-weight black fabric with elastic at both ends.  One for each optical tube.

NOTE The picture at left shows an RB-16 with shrouds (left).

 


The RB-14.5
The RB-14.5
The RB-14.5
The RB-14.5 requires an adjustable-height chair for best viewing.
The RB-14.5 requires an adjustable-height chair for best viewing.
The RB-14.5 tubes must be aligned properly for comfortable viewing.  If the two images you see are not aligned, the first step is to align the images vertically using the horizontal adjustment.  Next, bring the two images together with the vertical adjustment.  If you try to do the two steps backwards, the eye will tend to merge the images automatically which will give you crossed eyes and cause eyestrain.  Using high-power eyepieces will readily reveal any misalignment.


What is the Reverse Binocular Telescope?

The Reverse Binocular telescope allows you to look down into the eyepieces, either sitting or standing, to see what is in the sky behind you, instead of straining to look up as is the case with normal binoculars.  They are built with two aligned Newtonian optical tubes on an alt-az mount creating a very compact and comfortable viewing experience.  The available sizes are 6" (RB-66), 10" (RB-10), 14.5" (RB-14.5) and 16" (RB-16).  (U.S. Patent No. Des. 499,436)

Read Bruce Sayre's article "Why Binoculars?" and see why viewing with both eyes is so much better than just one.


What is an Alt-Az Mount?

The Reverse Binocular telescope includes an altitude-azimuth mount.  Altitude-azimuth is sometimes abbreviated as alt-azimuth or just alt-az.  An alt-az mount moves in altitude (up and down) on a horizontal axis and in azimuth (left and right) on a vertical axis like a gun turret on a tank.  By comparison, an equatorial mount is essentially an alt-az mount that is tilted to match your latitude, allowing a telescope to track the stars with the addition of a simple clock drive.  Both types of mounts have their advantages.  Which one is best for a particular situation depends mostly on how one intends to use the telescope.


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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


Q. I've seen this basic design before.  What makes JMI's binoculars different?
A. Other designs of this type usually involve manual adjustments of some kind for focus, eye spacing and image convergence.  This results in a large amount of time needed to get the system set the way you want it.  Sometimes it takes two people.  We have motorized all of those adjustments and the total "tweak" time is lowered from one or two hours to one or two minutes.  These adjustments are now made by pushing buttons (while you are comfortably seated) and visually watching the results in real time.  This is a huge advantage, especially if more than one person is going to be using the instrument.
Q. Can you give me some Pros and Cons regarding the Reverse Binocular design?
A. Pros
1)  Using both eyes increases contrast by about 40% and gives a 3-D effect.
2)  Using both eyes is far more relaxing.  Also, this design allows one to comfortably look down into the binocular instead of craning your neck backwards to look up as with regular binoculars.
3)  Alignment with this type of binocular used to take hours but with our motorized design it only takes minutes.
4)  The Altitude and Azimuth axis operate as smooth as silk.  Optical encoders can be installed for use with a guiding computer to easily find objects.
5)  The RB-10, RB-14.5 and RB-16 have an optional Handle Bar and Wheels for easy transport.

Cons
1)  You must have two matching eyepieces to use the instrument.
2)  It takes a little "getting used to," since it is so different from what people are used to.
3)  The instruments are a little bulky.  The RB-66 is light enough that most people can pick it up by the handle and move it, even with the tripod attached.  The RB-10 has a Handle Bar and Wheels accessory available as an option.

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