Star diagonal problem. (distorted image.) looking for a new one.

[realflow100]

Any recommendations on some cheap decent 45* star diagonals (I like being able to see things oriented properly. otherwise I get a headache from the confusion)

the one that came with my super cheap telescope is so bad its unusable.

slotting an eyepiece in and using it with no diagonal i can get right up to the maximum magnification I can throw at it! and the image quality is still usable. 119x with a 70mm F5.1 refractor 36$ telescope
the CA is not even significant enough to be an issue even at 119x
I used some super thin cardboard rectanges as spacers to space out the lens elements of the telescope. the plastic ring spacer it came with was excessively thick and also broken causing a severe blurring at the edges of the image. but now its almost perfect.

its very disappointing with the diagonal. I can see the image is distorted and blurry like its not a flat mirror.

I'm thinking a decent 45 degree diagonals would be miles better since they are much thicker and shouldn't have any problems with a distorted or warped mirror. and they also make the image upright and correct orientation too.

Also opinions on H-Beta filter? im thinking of getting one as ive read it works the best for orion nebula and other nebulas.

[Lady Fraktor]

You do not use star diagonals with reflectors, you are over extending the light path that way.

[realflow100]

I'm using with a refractor not a reflector I thought I indicated that already

[Voyageur]

You did mention in your post that you are using a 70mm refractor. So I’m assuming a 1.25 diagonal is what you want.

It is possible to buy a 90* correct image diagonal, which would be better for astronomy than the 45* unless you also plan to use it for terrestrial observing. Either way, Agena astro has a selection of products in the $30 range. Mirrors and prisms. Good selection, most of it looks to be in stock. https://agenaastro.com/catalogsearch/r ... q=diagonal

You many not want to spend $30 or more to upgrade the inexpensive refractor. Amazon has cheaper diagonals, under $20, with brand names unknown to me. Possibly of similar quality to the one you already have. Maybe consider saving bit longer and looking for a nice used refractor that comes with a better diagonal.

Just my two cents.

[realflow100]

im fine with getting a 45 degree one it seems those are shorter/stubbier. should give slightly more possible clear aperture too than a 90 degree one
I found a 1.25" 45 degree good looking one for 28$ on amazon. if its no good I can just return it for a refund and get something else

[Lady Fraktor]

Oops! Overtired after working all night, good luck with the new diagonal.

[Voyageur]

Good luck, let us know how it works out.

[realflow100]

its coming tomorrow so we'll see soon!

[realflow100]

i read somewhere that prism diagonals have issues at high magnification? (light splitting?) like 60x and higher

Should I be worried? or will it probably be fine? I can still cancel and refund the order and get something else.

[Lady Fraktor]

If it is a amici prism of lower quality you will get a liight spike across the view at high magnification, they will work well at lower magnifications of DSOs.
Bright objects can show the spike as well.

My Long Perng Amici does show a bit of a spike ($200USD) but my Zeiss/ Baader does not ($750USD)
A case of higher manufacturing precision costs money.

[realflow100]

theres hardly anything "bright" enough that I would think that would even cause a problem at all.
I dont even see any spikes with my reflector telescope at the highest magnification on the brightest star I can aim it at. it should show 6 spikes but i just dont see any. Not bright enough. too much light pollution washing the sky out.

andromeda galaxy is just a tiny faint fuzzy dot whether im using binoculars or my 70mm or 100mm telescopes. it doesnt seem to gain any details or look bigger with more magnification. looks the same.

and I cant even see andromeda naked eye.
I can just barely make out the 3rd faintest star leading toward it starting at mirach with averted vision! but I dont see the galaxy itself. theres just nothing there naked eye

[realflow100]

It arrived!
Seems to be in good condition and works fine.

image is also oriented upright and not flipped which for me is a HUUUGE plus
Should of looked harder for a 90 degree prism diagonal though. 45 degrees is a little awkward but I can probably get used to it just have to sit in an adjustable chair lol

looks almost indestiguishable from having no diagonal at all. aside from the view being oriented differently. if theres any negligible affect on image quality i dont see it.
at least for terrestrial viewing 2:30 PM on a partly cloudy day

[realflow100]

my bad it was 18$ but still works fine for the price. image quality is fine.
the biggest benefit i see is the image is oriented upright and not flipped left or right at all.
should of looked for 90 degree one though. but its fine i guess.