I have the Nexstar Evolution 9.25 and am currently using the stock diagonal. My eyepieces are the Baader 8-24 mm zoom and the stock 40 mm Plössl. I would also like to upgrade EPs and there I'm looking at something better in 24 mm range, as well some nice low power for more
I'm thinking 2 alternatives (including a budget alternative for one of them). I'm looking at Baader mainly for ClickLock (and expect good optics):
- Baader T2 Zeiss prism with a 1.25" ClickLock
EP (T2 part #08) -OR- the 2" prism with 2" ClickLock (splurging that is). - The budget alternative would be to get the non-Zeiss T2 prism instead for the 1.25".
- Worth noting that I would like to get the Celestron
f/ 6.3 Reducer/Corrector. This would be for future purposes of delving intoEAA but of course I would use it visually as well (especially if choosing the T2 route).
- Go for the 2" Zeiss prism to theoretically get the best of the best in visual terms. I would make better use of the 46 mm baffle tube opening. Theoretically possible to combine with the R/C thanks to relative short light path (although not necessarily needed with 2" EPs). Downside of going to 2" accessories would be the cost, EPs, filters etc., on top of diagonal. Would not be able to spend all these costs at once.
- Cheaper route with T2 prism (especially the non-Zeiss), not only diagonal but also the other accessories. Cost of the R/C would be comparable to e.g. the 36 mm aspheric and give similar power and
FOV with the 24 mmES , i.e. the 24 mm would act as both. Extra plus is the ClickLock clamp for 1.25" with built in fine focusing not involving the mirror. Downside of knowing that not all light coming out of baffle tube is used. To get the wideFOV (24 mm + R/C) I'm adding glass to the optical train (theoretically not a good thing).
- The old reducer vs 2" diagonal question. With R/C and the 24 mm I can get roughly the same mag and
FOV as e.g. the 36 mm Hyperion (technically 38 mm vs 36 mm and 68° vs 72°). Also reading good things about theES 68° and with R/C theEP should behave the same. Am I missing something here? The logics say that the I would lose some contrast with the R/C (not using full opening + adding elements), correct? Possibly flatter fields though (not important now, hopefully theEP threads might tell soon enough). - The Zeiss vs non-Zeiss T2? Big differences? I have read a few posts on this so most to get some updated views here (have read that Baader has changed some things over the years).
- Using the R/C (
f/ 6.3) with these prisms. I knowf/ 7 is mentioned as "the limit" but also remember BillP's test where he was happy down tof/ 6 with the prisms (in 2014 at least). - Perhaps most important: have I missed some other obvious alternative here?
Thanks,
Viktor