Universal Astronomics UniMount™ Light Deluxe Parallelogram Stand

This stand looks awkward, has more possible adjustments than politicians have excuses, and is not all that pretty to look at - even the welds are nothing like what you'd see on a NASA spacecraft. However, UniMount™ remains a most versatile platform incorporating features of particular value to those involved in astronomy. It will allow a binocular to be kept steady and in an orientation that will be comfortable for the user. It is a modular system to which one can add or change a variety of hardware to tailor it for varying payloads or uses. This is the best Parallelogram stand system offered by Company Seven, and one is routinely displayed in our showroom on the lightweight aluminum tripod.

Right: Universal Astronomics UniMount™ Parallelogram Stand with optional 80mm Binocular and Tripod (98,506 Bytes).
Click on image to see enlarged view (243,941 bytes)

This stand solves several problems commonly experienced by those who spend time observing with binoculars either hand held or on conventional tripods in a manner that usually becomes unwieldy over time. The UniMount™ with a suitable tripod can:

1. Make the experience more comfortable for the observer whether standing, seated or reclining. UniMount™ does this by allowing the user to position a counter balanced binocular high enough to provide more comfortable head positioning; one could even be reclined in a lawn chair while observing objects overhead. With a conventional Tripod and Head, particularly when looking high overhead or to zenith, and observer is likely to encounter restrictions when the observers face can not reach the binocular eyepieces.
   

2. Put the bincoular in an high enough orientation over the observer so that it is more comfortable to look through the binocular over extended sessions.
   

3. Support the binocular steadily without vibrations commonly encountered when hand holding or when using a heavy binocular in a conventional camera alt-azimuth head.
   

4. Permit movements panning the binocular smoothly and without static friction commonly encountered with conventional alt-azimuth camera and heads. And when one stops moving the binocular, then there is no sag as may be experienced with fluid heads.
   

5. permit very smooth movement of a binocular up or down, left and right.
   

Putting It Together Company Seven has these stands provided with the features that most of the more demanding customers will seek. The UniMount™ we provide is a rather deluxe arrangement.

The UniMount™ Light is available with or without the Swivel Assembly; this is the articulated joint at the end near the binocular (shown in the images on this page). Company Seven recommends this component be provided and so we will stock the systems with it. There may be some customers who prefer to do without it, and for them we can special order the assembly.

Counterweights are selected based on variables including user payload, and space saving preferences if any. For example, one can order the UniMount™ with one 5 lb. counterweight and this will accommodate most consumer oriented lighter weight binoculars up to about 80 mm aperture however, to balance the payload with one counterweight it requires extending the counterweight shaft out to about sixteen inches (41 cm) from the mount. On the other hand, if you intend to employ the stand in a location where you wish to keep the extension from the center of the stand to a minimum of six inches (15 cm) or so, then you can order a total of two 5 lb. counterweights and use these closer in to the stand than that which would be necessary with one weight.

The tripod choices we offer are quite satisfactory for this stand. All tripods we suggest for this will have provisions for adjustment of height, adjustable span leg spreader bars to keep the legs from swinging out too far. And each tripod is routinely equipped with rubber pads on the bottom of each leg so that this will not mar wood or other vulnerable flooring. We provide the choice of tripod legs with metal tips instead of the pads for use outdoors, these tips feature a rubber pad that can be threaded down to protect flooring.

The Tripod Mounting Post (TMP) is a 1 inch (50mm) diameter post which is threaded onto the Field Tripod. The UniMount™ slides onto this post and is secured in place by means of a hand knob. The TMP is available with a variety of thread to permits its installation onto a variety of tripods; if you do not order a Field Tripod with your UniMount™ then please specify your thread preference.

The choices of tripod may vary from year to year but generally include a light weight aluminum surveyor tripod, and another tripod appearing nearly identical but with the legs made of wood. Either stand will manage the system well and the aluminum model is so light weight that virtually anyone can move it about quite readily. However if you plan to use the UniMount™ in wind prone sites, or on platforms that may be subject to vibrations, then we recommend use of the wood tripod which inherently dampens resonances better than aluminum. And with either choice of tripod you might notice complete elimination of vibrations if you buy an optional set of three Vibration Suppression Pads that are set under each tripod foot to dampen resonating vibrations that may come up or down through the system.

UA offers an optional L shaped adapter that is made to install most binoculars with bridge mounted 1/4 inch - 20 tpi threaded attachment sockets onto the UniMount™. Company Seven offers this L-Bracket and a variety of hardware made by the binocular makers for this purpose, we will be happy to help you put a system together.

Construction This mechanism is fully machined of aluminum and stainless steel, bolted and in places welded together in the United States. The components are either powder coated in matte black, or left in natural metal finish. The provided counterweights are made of steel, then clad in black rubber.

It is possible to leave the UniMount™ outdoors with a suitable weatherproof binocular and metal tripod or pier. However, Company Seven recommends users avoid leaving the set outdoors for extended periods in environments where salt air may cause corrosion or promote the development of fungus.

Above: UniMount™ packed for storage, note how we turn the Binocular Support Bracket (57,650 Bytes).
Click on image to see enlarged view (104,537 bytes)

• care must be taken when assembling or moving the mount, particularly near windows. You should set the UniMount™ far enough back from a window so that it can not accidentally swing into the glass.
  
• do not put your hand or fingers in the gap between the two long parallel beam sections.
  
  keep aware of the position of the stand and its payload in the dark. It is possible to run into the UniMount™ or its tripod in the dark.

To insure that the above precautions are followed, the UniMount™ should not be used by unsupervised young children.

Options for the UniMount™:

Aluminum (AL) Adjustable Height Field Tripod

AL Tripod dimensions stored: 38-¼ x 6-¼ inches
AL Tripod Weight 8. 7 lbs / 4 kg.

Wood Adjustable Height Field Tripod
Tripod Feet: Rubber Pad or Metal Post with Thread Down Rubber Pad
Tripod Mounting Post (TMP):
PN 1530 for use with common surveyor tripods
PN 3820 for use on tripod with 3-8 inch - 20 tpi stud

Head Positioning Handle
Padded Carrying Bag for the UniMount™
Padded Carrying Bag for the Field Tripod
Extra 5 lb. / 2.3 kg Counterweight
Tripod to Binocular L-Bracket
Vibration Suppression Pad (set of three)

Above Right: UniMount™ Parallelogram Stand with optional 80mm Binocular. Note the Hinge Assembly, and head positioning Handle (98,506 Bytes).
Click on image to see enlarged view (243,941 bytes)

UniMount™ Light Deluxe Specifications*:

Maximum Length (Weight Shaft Retracted): Maximum Height: Maximum Width: Pivot range (up down): Weight of UniMount™:

36 inches / 91.4 cm cm 11 inches / 27.9 cm 2 inches / 50 mm + 60 to -63 degrees 8.1 lbs. / 3.7 kg

UniMount™ Shipping Dimensions*:

Weight of UniMount™ Carton: Dimensions of UniMount™ Carton:

36 x 14-½ x 5 inches / 91 x 37 x 13 cm 22 lb. / 10 kg. (with one 5 lb. weight)

* Tripod and extra counterweights optional. Specifications are subject to change without notice.