Hey Brains Trust.
Has anybody seen anything like this in Australia? I would like to us them to mount solar panels onto the bimini frames. With the AUD at the moment there will be no change out of $500 for 12 of these of the the USA.
Cheers
Never seen them before. Look good except for the part where you need to drill the bimini frame to fit it.
Would anything like these do the same job with slight mods to solar panel brackets ? The second one doesn't require drilling the bimini tube.
Absolutely they would Harp. I would just have to orientate the mounts or the panels differently to what I had in my head. It just that I don't deal with change very well 
Toph
I've been chasing these for ages with no luck in Aus; last time I spoke to a guy at Gemini in the States he advised they don't have a retailer here. As you pointed out, the cost to buy from them directly is not worth it.
Would also love to find a local supplier.
Have used this guy in the past ,
US based , shipping used to be reasonable
www.marinepartdepot.com/newststdehi.html
I used the Railblaza system. Clever NZ design. Not cheap, but works well. www.whitworths.com.au/railblaza-railmount-19-25mm
Check out Whitworths Toph, they stock stainless steel heavy duty canopy fittings. There's a coupling very similar to Harps pic that'll fit a one inch tube for $11.95. Certainly worth a look.
I went laterally and used these, that way it's alloy on alloy. Motorcycle handlebar risers $30ish/pair or cheaper on ebay, You can also get them with 22mm inserts. That's what I used. 
I looked high and low in Australia and nothing similar is available. Yes they are expensive but still cheaper than getting some local fabricator to modify standard ones at $100 and hour. I ordered from Gemini in the U.S. via their online shopping. Very easy and can pay with credit card or Paypal. Shipping via DHL express through their web site was USD$50 and part arrived within 7 days.
