2" Diagonal

Hello fellow Astromarters. I need some seasoned advice on purchasing a 2" diagonal. I have a Celestron Nexstar 5i and currently using an enhanced mirror 1.25 diagonal from StellarVue. I have collection of TeleVue Plossls (32mm,25mm 15mm,11mm) and University Orthos (9mm, 7mm)in my arsenal. I was considering purchasing a 2" William Optics SCT Diagonal($130 for a 1/10 wave/97% reflectivity mirror). Good choice or not? Am I better off sticking to what I have? Any input will be helpful. Thanks, Luis

I have the Williams Optics version for my refractor and love it. Although you probably won't need the 2" for use in the Celestron, it would probably be a good choice anyway for reasons stated in another post here in the Forums within the past few days. In short, the center part of the 2" diagonal mirror will be flatter than the entire 1.25" mirror, so the quality will be better. Win-win as far as I'm concerned. BTW, get it at Anacortes!!

Walt

How about 2" enhanced mirror diagonal from Stellervue? It's cheaper (~$90)with 98% reflectivity. Ihave one and like it a lot

L:

No question here, go for the Williams-Optics..Top of the class. Go for it

v

Thank You for your responses. I will purchase the Williams Optics SCT Diagonal. I like the fact that the Williams Diagonal includes a compression ring with their 1.25" adapter. Hence giving it the edge over the StellarVue version which uses a nylon tipped locking screw (personal preference). Clear Skies to all, Luis!

Hi Luis,

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that a 2" diagonal, other than letting one use 2" eyepieces, have slightly limited functionality on a Nexstar 5. Something to do with light constriction such that the full potential light path is not utilized. Anyone remember where that article/discussion was? Something to do with the visual back differences on the Nexstar 5 vs the larger SCTs?