What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

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Refractordude
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What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

#1

Post by Refractordude »


My current 2" diagonal is damaged. The screw broke and the 1.25" adapter was stuck. Had to drill a hole to get it out. Now it has no threads to hold my eyepieces. It is just a matter of time before I forget this, and damage my first super great eyepiece. Suggestions please. Thanks to you all.
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Re: What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

#2

Post by Lady Fraktor »


I would remove the eyepiece holder from the diagonal body and get a bolt and thread tap 1-1.5mm larger than the old threads and re-tap the hole, or sand that hole smooth inside and outside and drill/ tap a new hole on the opposite side of the holder.

For cost your GSO is about the cheapest to purchase, if wanting to move up I would recommend a Baader diagonal.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

#3

Post by Voyageur »


Consider the William Optics Dura Bright. I have one that came with my used AT refractor. It’s a nice piece of equipment and I am happy with the quality. Around $140.
Scopes: Vixen VMC200L, D=200mm, F=1950, f/9.75; Televue 2" Everbright diagonal. Coronado PST; AstroTech EDT 80mm, F=480, f/6.
Mounts: Vixen SXW/Starbook (original); Stellarvue M2C alt-az.
Eyepieces: Televue: 55mm Plossl, 22mm Panoptic, 17.3mm Delos, 13mm Nagler, c. 1980, 11mm Plossl, 7mm Nagler, 5mm Radian; Meade 15mm Super Plossl; VERNONSCOPE 2.4X BARLOW
Binoculars: Leica 8x32 Trinovids, circa 1997; Orion Megaview 20x80, Orion Paragon Plus mount.
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Re: What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

#4

Post by helicon »


I have the explore scientific 2" diagonal mounted on moonlite. Works great.
https://www.highpointscientific.com/exp ... -dd02-00cf
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
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Re: What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

#5

Post by Refractordude »


Thanks for the advice I have gotten thus far. However, why not get another 2" GSO dielectric? Are the ES and WO diagonals better in what way?
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Re: What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

#6

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Refractordude wrote: Tue Jul 07, 2020 6:18 pm Thanks for the advice I have gotten thus far. However, why not get another 2" GSO dielectric? Are the ES and WO diagonals better in what way?
The WO has the click lock feature which is nice and would save you from taking a drill to your diagonal again :)
Other than that they are likely all the same, 1/10 to 1/12 wave (claimed) 96-99% reflective dielectric coatings and a mirror of 10-12mm thick.
2 of them if not all three are likely made by the same manufacturer as well.

Carbon fibre side panels look cool but do nothing to enhance the function of the diagonal.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

#7

Post by Refractordude »


What about quartz mirror vs non quartz?
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Re: What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

#8

Post by Bigzmey »


Refractordude wrote: Tue Jul 07, 2020 6:18 pm Thanks for the advice I have gotten thus far. However, why not get another 2" GSO dielectric? Are the ES and WO diagonals better in what way?
Quality of mirror surface would be about the same in ES, Meade, Celestron, Orion, GSO, etc. However, there are might be differences in QC and overall construction.

For instance ES and Orion 2" dielectrics I owned had metal bodies and metal EP holders. At one point I rammed Orion diagonal into something: the tumbscrew was bent but there was no damage to diagonal.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

#9

Post by Bigzmey »


Refractordude wrote: Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:02 pm What about quartz mirror vs non quartz?
Advertising gimmick.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

#10

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Refractordude wrote: Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:02 pm What about quartz mirror vs non quartz?
I have to agree with Bigzmey, in the long run it really does not matter.
The substrate is to provide smoothness of surface and low expension/ contraction.
There are a few different materials in use that do this well.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

#11

Post by Voyageur »


Bigzmey wrote: Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:10 pm
Refractordude wrote: Tue Jul 07, 2020 6:18 pm Thanks for the advice I have gotten thus far. However, why not get another 2" GSO dielectric? Are the ES and WO diagonals better in what way?
Quality of mirror surface would be about the same in ES, Meade, Celestron, Orion, GSO, etc. However, there are might be differences in QC and overall construction.

For instance ES and Orion 2" dielectrics I owned had metal bodies and metal EP holders. At one point I rammed Orion diagonal into something: the tumbscrew was bent but there was no damage to diagonal.
Mine does not have CF sides. I don't care. I can't see it in the dark anyway.

The diagonal has good fit and finish and performs well in my 80mm refractor. The mirror itself may be exactly the same as on a cheaper one. The overall product may be nicer. I have no GSO etc. to compare it to, so I can't say if or why it is better than those other products.

I can't say with certainty that I would have bought it if it hadn't come with the used package. But I am happy with the quality.
Scopes: Vixen VMC200L, D=200mm, F=1950, f/9.75; Televue 2" Everbright diagonal. Coronado PST; AstroTech EDT 80mm, F=480, f/6.
Mounts: Vixen SXW/Starbook (original); Stellarvue M2C alt-az.
Eyepieces: Televue: 55mm Plossl, 22mm Panoptic, 17.3mm Delos, 13mm Nagler, c. 1980, 11mm Plossl, 7mm Nagler, 5mm Radian; Meade 15mm Super Plossl; VERNONSCOPE 2.4X BARLOW
Binoculars: Leica 8x32 Trinovids, circa 1997; Orion Megaview 20x80, Orion Paragon Plus mount.
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Re: What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

#12

Post by Refractordude »


Trigger pulled on a GSO 2" dielectric diagonal. Thanks to you all.
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Re: What Is The Best Diagonal For A 150mm F8 Achromatic Refractor Under $150?

#13

Post by Lady Fraktor »


I would still drill and tap a new hole into the old one, may as well have a backup :)
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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