1.25 Diagonal

[Profiler]

I am looking to get my hands on a good quality 1.25 diagonal. Any brand would be fine simply provided it features, for example, a dielectric coated mirror and isn't one of the standard 1.25 mirrors. A few examples are the 1.25 diagonals produced by William Optics (also branded by Orion) or even the 1.25 diagonal made by Televue or even the 1.25 prism diagonal made by Tak. Basically - I am simply after a good quality 1.25 diagonal.

[Steffen]

I haven't got one for sale, but if you don't mind buying new, AEC have the Takahashi ones for $125. I bought one not long ago for my f/12 Mak.

Cheers
Steffen.

[MattT]

Does a 1.25 prism diagonal by Long Pern aka WO fit the bill?
Matt

[Profiler]

Hi Matt & Steffen

To be honest I am not sure about prisms.

The conventional rule of thumb is that prisms are better for long fls (eg over say f10) while mirrors are better at lower fl's (eg f9 and below).

Tak have a reputation which can't be questioned especially around their refractors - however I have often wondered if you removed their name, screw lip tensioner around the Ep barrel - would the actual prism inside be any different to the prisms found in the mass produced prism diagonals which come with many celestron scopes etc and sell for about $40

What I do notice is that the WO (aka Orion) and Televue 1.25 diagonals seldom come up for sale - these diagonals very clearly claim to contain a dielectric mirror inside.

Alas - while there is much comment about who supplies WO their raw products (such as LP) WO do claim to also manufacturer a lot of their own stuff - so in the case of the 1.25 diagonal I simply don't know if it is the same produced by LP with instead a little swan logo in WO case. I should clarify I am talking about the WO 1.25 90 degree mirror diagonal and not the prism diagonals that Wo also have.

Anyhow - does anyone have by any chance a WO/Orion/Televue or even tak diagonal they might consider selling?

[MikeyB]

Although your posts seem to equate them, the WO and Orion 1.25" dielectric diagonals are of different design and construction (see attached pics). Notice in particular the non-adjustable, carbon fibre, side-entry panel of the WO, versus the more conventional bottom-entry design of the Orion. The weight of the WO is given as 270gr, whereas my Orion is a trim 190gr.

They may have a common third-party manufacturer, but FYI these two diagonals are quite different animals.

[Profiler]

Thanks Mike

Yes - you are quite correct. I have actually seen both in the flesh (or perhaps metal would be the more appropriate word) and you are correct that they both most likely come from a common third party supplier and then the respective manufacturers do some adjustments of their own. The side panels in the WO 1.25 originally were made from silver coloured brushed metal and then subsequently changed to the current fibre glass whereas the orion side panels appeared to be made out of black plastic. Naturally logos etc were also different. However, the shape/design and I suspect mirror inside I suspect are identical - hence why I am happy with either the Orion or WO

Having said all of this - does anyone actually have one they might sell?