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Yes - very good points Brian.
From my own experience I have a supposedly 'nothing exceptional' brand prisim diagonal which does in fact produce quite good views.
I agree back in a day mass production manufacturing of mirrors probably wasnt as reliable and thus optical quality differences were more perceptible. However, what is interesting now is to see where all of these diagonals (or specifically the mirrors) are now manufactured. To my understanding the bulk of brands all come out of China or Taiwan. So, you have to wonder - does the GSO, WO, TV, Meade factories genuinely have their own glass smelting facility dedicated to making mirrors or instead is there a glass smelting facility at one factory which also supplies to many other manufacturers who then in turn may cut the glass and fit them into their own cases with their own badges etc.
Thus, a big part of mirror diagonals IMHO these days boils down to little nuances in the actual design, fit and finish of the diagonal - and then thereafter the impact of the manufacturers marketing upon your own individual psyche. For example, the WO diagonals have their slightly tapered barrel with detachable side-plates (CF now I think) whereas something like a TV is all about a one-piece housing and thus the nose piece can't unscrew. However, I am a bit unsure about the optical quality or specifically quality differences in the mirrors of various diagonals these days. Maybe its poor eyesight or lack of skill in appreciating differences but I struggled to see much difference between a GSO and a WO.
Anyhow - thats my 2 cents worth
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