Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
- WilliamPaolini
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Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
by WilliamPaolini
Back Row ( 2" ) Baader Zeiss Prism, Takahashi Aluminum Mirror, Astro-Tech Dielectric, Baader Dielectric, Astro-Physics MaxBright Dielectric Center Row ( 1.25" ) Baader T2 Zeiss Prism, VERNONscope Enhanced Silver Mirror, Takahashi Prism, Tele Vue Everbrite Dielectric Front Row ( 1.25" ) Vixen Prism,...
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U.S.A.F. Veteran - Visual Amateur Astronomer since 1966 - Fully Retired since 2019
8" f/5 Newt - Lunt 152 f/7.9 - TSA 102 f/8 - Vixen 81S f/7.7 - P.S.T. - Pentax 65ED II - Nikon 12x50 AE
Pentax XWs - Baader Morpheus - Takahashi LEs - Edmund RKEs - BST Starguiders - 6ZAO-II/5XO/4Abbe
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
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, Delos, 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.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3122 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2196, S110: 77). Doubles: 2461, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 261
- notFritzArgelander
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
Fully agreed!
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
I don't have a lot of extra coin for my favourite hobby, but I do the best with what I have. That being said, I have a total of two 1.25 diagonals. One came with the orange tube C80 I bought years ago, and the other, an iOptron, was bought for me as a gift.
I have to say in this case, the stock star diagonal is the hands-down winner. I'm assuming it's a prism, as when I took it apart and cleaned it with distilled water and the black felt, that's the shape the glass was...
The iOptron is good, but the Celestron diagonal has a blacker background, the stars and especially the Moon/Sun are more sharply defined, and it's sharp in the
I've never looked through anything else, so that's just what I know. I'm quite happy with the views through my C80 with it's star diagonal and some Fujiyama KK's
All the best,
"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4, AZ-EQ5 and SolarQuest mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.
Solar:
H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D.
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- DeanD
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
It would be interesting to see how the newer Chinese-made dielectric 2" diagonals stack up (like the
I must admit, like you I was very surprised to see the plastic Tak when I got it (I picked up both of these on the Used market). Also, like you, I doubt that I will ever part with my TSA102!
All the best, and keep up the great work!
Dean
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
I was always interested in how well it actually performed.
See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both
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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101)
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- mikemarotta
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
Michael E. Marotta
Astro-Tech 115 mm APO Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/9.8 Refractor Bresser 8-inch Newtonian Reflector Plössls from 40 to 6 mm Nagler Series-1 7mm. nonMeade 14 mm. Mounts: Celestron AVX, Explore Twilight I Alt-Az, Explore EXOS German Equatorial
- Richard
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
Refractors None
SCT C5 on a SLT mount
Mak 150 Bosma on a EQ5
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
In the past I referred to it several times while advising people about what diagonal to buy. And I will continue to do so.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
Amateur astronomer since 1970.
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both
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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101)
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
Yes, the brand new prisms are still available from many brands (Baader, Celestron, Orion, WO, just to name a few).
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, Delos, 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.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3122 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2196, S110: 77). Doubles: 2461, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 261
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both
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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101)
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
I just bought one also image-correcting from StellarVue and wrote it up here:
https://www.theskysearchers.com/viewtop ... 34&t=18441
Michael E. Marotta
Astro-Tech 115 mm APO Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/9.8 Refractor Bresser 8-inch Newtonian Reflector Plössls from 40 to 6 mm Nagler Series-1 7mm. nonMeade 14 mm. Mounts: Celestron AVX, Explore Twilight I Alt-Az, Explore EXOS German Equatorial
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
I quite liked the WO one where the actual prism was much larger but was no better than my normal celestron/Skywatcher ones , only advantage was correct image orientation which probably reduced its effectiveness for astro use ?
Refractors None
SCT C5 on a SLT mount
Mak 150 Bosma on a EQ5
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
Orion XX16G
Stellina
AT102EDL
- Bigzmey
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
Actually, the typical 2" dielectrics offered by many companies are pretty good, in particular forMike Q wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 11:42 pm I am almost ashamed to say that I have a 2 inch astro tech dielectric on my AT102. They now come with twist lock and thumbscrew. I am probably not picky enough but i dont notice anything terrible in it. The frac is just a travel scope and now that i have it sorted it wont really see a lot of use and i guess i didnt feel like spending the money on a really good diagonal.
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, Delos, 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.
Solar: HA: Lunt 50mm single stack, W/L: Meade Herschel wedge.
Observing: DSOs: 3122 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2196, S110: 77). Doubles: 2461, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 261
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
I am content with this one. Like i say the frac doesn't get a lot of use. I guess if i had a better one i would have sprung for a better diagonal, but what i have gets the job done well enough for us.Bigzmey wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2024 12:25 amActually, the typical 2" dielectrics offered by many companies are pretty good, in particular forMike Q wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 11:42 pm I am almost ashamed to say that I have a 2 inch astro tech dielectric on my AT102. They now come with twist lock and thumbscrew. I am probably not picky enough but i dont notice anything terrible in it. The frac is just a travel scope and now that i have it sorted it wont really see a lot of use and i guess i didnt feel like spending the money on a really good diagonal.DSOs . I was happily observing with them for many years. But, premium diagonals are better. Like in any other hobby this is a game of performance vs price and everyone should look for their optimal ratio.
Orion XX16G
Stellina
AT102EDL
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
I do not understand why you would be ashamed of this?
I have used 2" diagonals (aluminized and dielectric) with all my refractors 80 mm and larger.
Unless you are using your refractor at the limits of its optical capability you do not really require a top tier diagonal.
If you are just doing casual observing your AT diagonal will serve you just as well as a Vernonscope $1000 USD 2" diagonal.
The small percentage difference in the view is not really worth the cost.
See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both
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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101)
The only culture I have is from yogurt
- Mike Q Online
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Re: Mirror vs. Dielectric vs. Prism Diagonal Comparison
Orion XX16G
Stellina
AT102EDL
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