Observing With Binoculars In Comfort
by Kevin Brown : last updated: February 21, 2009I have written about the attractions of using binoculars for astronomy here in this article, Astronomy With Binoculars. And binoculars are really good, particularly for beginners to the hobby, as it is so easy to enjoy splendid views of the Night Sky.
However there is a problem…
As soon as you try observing the heavens with a handheld pair of binoculars, after just a few minutes, you will find out that it is not very comfortable.
Standing upright, trying to hold a pair of binoculars steady up to your eyes while gazing straight upwards, soon gets tiring and becomes a literal “pain in the neck”.
I have tried quite a few different ways for observing with binoculars in comfort, over the years.
Here are some ways you can try…
1. Use a deckchair or a reclining garden chair. This works pretty well. You can adjust the angle, depending on whether you want to observe up near the zenith, or at lower altitude in the sky. It is fairly comfortable, particularly if the garden chair has arms that you can position so you can rest your elbows and cut down the hand wobble.
2. Lay back, flat on the ground, preferably on a rug or groundsheet and maybe with a cushion under your head. Observing the stars through binoculars while in this position, can be amazing. If you let your imagination go, you can get a feeling of being “at one with the Universe”. But it does not give your arms or hands any support.
3. Get a tripod for your binoculars. This is perhaps the more dignified, grown-up approach. However not all binoculars and tripods will attach to each other. It tends to be only the large and specialist binoculars that come with a fixing point for a tripod. Also, and importantly, with a tripod you lose the easy mobility of a handheld pair of binoculars.
4. Make a special support frame to help your observing with binoculars in comfort. I have seen a simple wood frame made from 2″ square timber to provide support for the arms and binoculars. It has two legs, each with a “foot” and a crossbar. You lie on your back on the ground, with the frame over your chest. The crossbar should then be in the perfect position for resting your forearms and therefore, for supporting the weight of the binoculars. It might sound a bit weird, but with a couple of hours handy carpentry work, you could give it a try!
If you can come up with a comfortable arrangement for binocular observing, I am sure you will enjoy your astronomy much more.
