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RBX Reverse Binocular Telescopes
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What is an RBX Reverse Binocular Telescope?

What is an Alt-Az Mount?

Customer Comments

Questions (FAQs)
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RBX Telescopes
 
RBX-12
 12" Reverse Binocular Newtonian

RBX12
$9,495
 See Pricing and
Shipping Notes
 



RBX
Reverse Binoculars



All Reverse Binoculars
RBX Reverse Binocular Telescopes

Specifications that are highlighted in yellow are incomplete and/or uncertain.

 
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 control center handlebars for pointing the instrument
  Handlebar and wheels for easy movement of the instrument (optional)
  Compatible with MAX computers (optional)
  Truss-rod light shrouds
  Battery operation
  JMI's celebrated quality construction
 
Specifications
  Type:  Dual Newtonian reflectors
  Mount:  Alt-Az mount on a pier
  Mirrors:
    12" f/5 primary mirror, 2.75" diagonal secondary mirror
  Diagonals:  Erect Image or Regular (specify)
  Clearance Between Optical Tubes: 
    9"
  Eyepiece Spacing: 
    Variable from 2.25" to 3.5"
  Alignment:  Motorized x and y axis for optical tube alignment
  Power:  6vDC operation with a 4.5 amp-hour rechargeable battery and 110vAC/60Hz or 220vAC/50Hz charger (specify).  (Anticipated battery life will be measured in months.)
  Binocular Weight: 
    Approximately 135 lbs
  Mount Weight:
    Approximately <TBD> lbs
  Binocular Height:
    62" (vertical on pier) and <TBD>" (horizontal on pier)
  Binocular Width:
    39"
  Binocular Depth:
    19"
  Binocular Tube Length:
    54"
  Shipping Crate or Box Size:
    Approximately <TBD>" x <TBD>" x <TBD>" crate
 
Standard Equipment
 

Focusers
    Two Modified 1.25" RCF-1 Focusers with Motors for motorized focusing
  Eyepieces
    Two 25mm to 30mm 1.25"  (subject to availability)
  Star Pointer Finder Scope
  Battery:  6vDC battery (includes AC charger)
  Built-In Control Center Handlebars permit easy movement of the scope
 
Product Manual
  See our Document Library.
    Document Number ##
 
Pricing and Shipping Notes
  Telescope Prices are for the standard telescope configuration.  Upgrades, Accessories, Crating and Shipping are at additional cost.
  A Deposit in the amount of 10% of the Telescope Price is required with all telescope orders (5% is Non-Refundable).  The remaining amount due (90%) must be paid before the telescope is shipped.
  Crating and Shipping Charges are not included in the listed price.  If the telescope will be shipped to your location, there will be an additional charge for crating and an additional shipping charge.  Please call for a shipping quote.  Due to fluctuations in the market, the shipping quote is only valid for 30 days.
    $250 crating charge 
  Telescopes are not usually kept in stock and therefore require time to build.


RBX Optional Upgrades
 
No Upgrades
at This Time


RBX...
 $RFQ**
No Upgrades at this time

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

 


RBX Optional Accessories
 
Next Generation Computer
 NGC-superMAX Complete Installation


SUPRBX12
$979
 
Next Generation Computer
 NGC-MAX Complete Installation


NGCRBX12
$809
 
Next Generation Computer
 NGC-microMAX Complete Installation


MICRBX12
$549
 
Software Guided Telescope
SGT-MAX Complete Installation
 (PC Operation Only)
SGTRBX12
$619
 
Software Guided Telescope Upgrade for NGC-MAX
Serial Cable
(Allows either PC or Standalone Operation when used with an NGC-MAX)



CBLBBOX
$59
 
Encoders and Hardware Only
For use with any Compatible Guiding Computer

ENCRBX12
$459
 
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 SUPRBX...
NGC-MAX with encoders and hardware (Complete Installation), Part Number NGCRBX...
NGC-microMAX with encoders and hardware (Complete Installation), Part Number MICRBX...
SGT-MAX with encoders and hardware (using a B-Box), Part Number SGTRBX...
     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 ENCRBX...

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 an old version of TheSky.

 
 
Handlebar and Wheels
 Wheelbarrow-style Transportation



RBXWHL12
$159
 
Handlebar and Wheels for RBX-12

Specifications that are highlighted in yellow are incomplete and/or uncertain.

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


Proper Alignment Procedure

 The Reverse Binocular Telescope tubes must be aligned properly for comfortable viewing.  Click on the image shown at left to see a graphic illustration of the two-step alignment process.  If the two images you see are not aligned, as represented by the first illustration (step 1), align the images with the horizontal adjustment as indicated by the arrow in step 1.  At this point the two images should be lined up vertically (one image over the other) as shown in the illustration of step 2.  Next, bring the two images together with the vertical adjustment as shown by the arrow in step 2.  If you try to do the two steps backwards (vertical adjustment before horizontal), the eyes will tend to automatically merge the images horizontally which will give you crossed eyes and cause eyestrain.  Proper alignment (3), or any misalignment, will be readily revealed using high-power eyepieces and quickly alternating between the use of the left and right eye.
RBX-8 and RBX-12 Reverse Binoculars
RBX-12
The handle, included with the handlebar and wheels option, inserts into one of the tripod legs.
RBX-8
(more pictures coming...)


What is the RBX Reverse Binocular Telescope?

The RBX 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 8" (RBX-8) and 12" (RBX-12).  (U.S. Patent No. Des. 499,436)

Binocular telescopes show their superiority in two major areas;
     1) enhanced visual clarity due to improved contrast and resolution and
     2) complete elimination of eye fatigue.

"According to research, there can be as much as a 40% improvement in resolution of lower contrast visual material when viewing is binocular as compared to monocular."  (Observing Experiments in Vision by Tom Mote in Observatory Techniques, Issue #10, Summer 1994)

Read Bruce Sayre's article "Binocular vision science and why two eyes are better than one."


What is an Alt-Az Mount?

The Reverse Binocular telescope includes an altitude-azimuth mount.  Altitude-azimuth is sometimes Read Bruce Sayre's article "Binocular vision science and why two eyes are better than one."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.


Customer Comments

"Comments coming soon..."  (A. B.)


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 involver 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 (not true 3-dimensional).
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 RBX-8 and RBX-12 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 familiar with.
3)  The instruments are a little bulky.  The RBX-8 and RBX-12 have a Handle Bar and Wheels accessory available as an option.
   
Q. How does a bino viewer compare to a binocular telescope?
A. A binocular telescope does not lose image quality through:
1)  Splitting the light between two eyes.
2)  Extra corrector lenses, as in a Barlow.
3)  Vignetting.

Based on the experience of many observers, there is a certain "realism" in the view through a true binocular telescope that cannot be duplicated otherwise.