Antares 2" 99% Reflectivity Diagonal with Twist Lock

[Commanderfish]

Hi all,

 

I was looking for a 99% reflectivity 2" diagonal with a locking mechanism instead of thumbscrews.  Thumbscrews eat through my gloves and are hard to use when fingers get cold.

I saw the (very expensive) Baader Click Lock diagonal and the Williams Optics bright orange locking ring diagonal, which is cheaper but still pricey - and you either dig the orange or you don't.  Finally I found the Antares 2" twist lock diagonal.

I got two Antares twist lock diaginals delivered to the UK from Ontario Telescopes for about £160, so the same price as a single Explore Scientific Carbon Fibre diagonal and a lot less than a single Baader Click Lock diagonal.

The Antares are solid, well machined diagonals and the mirrors look bright, smooth and clean.  Light transmission seems just as good as my Explore Scientific 99% Carbon Fibre diagonals.  Naturally the Antares are heavier diagonals.

So what about the twist lock?  It looks thin and insubstantial in the photos so this was a bit of a punt.  In actuality, the twist lock is very solid and smooth. It turns very quickly and smoothly, so is much quicker and easier to operate than thumbscrews.  It also holds very nicely indeed.  I have some pricey 1Kg (2.2 lb) eyepieces, some 100 degree with Green lettering on, some Explore Sceintific, and I'm pleased to report all were held very well by the twist lock and I had no fear of them being dropped, even when viewing at the zenith.  I suspect I could pick up my c9.25 by the eyepiece using one of these, though I haven't yet tried. 

Result:  an excellent choice, money well spent.  Might even get a third as I'm running three scopes simultaneously on my Ercole (though I never bother changing my little ED80 from a 21mm Ethos.

 

 

Edited April 15, 2016 by Commanderfish

[Relpet]

On 15/04/2016 at 13:50, Commanderfish said:

Hi all,

 

I was looking for a 99% reflectivity 2" diagonal with a locking mechanism instead of thumbscrews.  Thumbscrews eat through my gloves and are hard to use when fingers get cold.

I saw the (very expensive) Baader Click Lock diagonal and the Williams Optics bright orange locking ring diagonal, which is cheaper but still pricey - and you either dig the orange or you don't.  Finally I found the Antares 2" twist lock diagonal.

I got two Antares twist lock diaginals delivered to the UK from Ontario Telescopes for about £160, so the same price as a single Explore Scientific Carbon Fibre diagonal and a lot less than a single Baader Click Lock diagonal.

The Antares are solid, well machined diagonals and the mirrors look bright, smooth and clean.  Light transmission seems just as good as my Explore Scientific 99% Carbon Fibre diagonals.  Naturally the Antares are heavier diagonals.

So what about the twist lock?  It looks thin and insubstantial in the photos so this was a bit of a punt.  In actuality, the twist lock is very solid and smooth. It turns very quickly and smoothly, so is much quicker and easier to operate than thumbscrews.  It also holds very nicely indeed.  I have some pricey 1Kg (2.2 lb) eyepieces, some 100 degree with Green lettering on, some Explore Sceintific, and I'm pleased to report all were held very well by the twist lock and I had no fear of them being dropped, even when viewing at the zenith.  I suspect I could pick up my c9.25 by the eyepiece using one of these, though I haven't yet tried. 

Result:  an excellent choice, money well spent.  Might even get a third as I'm running three scopes simultaneously on my Ercole (though I never bother changing my little ED80 from a 21mm Ethos.

 

 

You may be surprised to get a response so late in the day but while I was still scouring the world for inspiration I came across your posting.  I've just ordered from the same company the 2" diagonal and the 2" to 1.25" twistlock holder.  Once again belonging to SGL has paid off.  Thanks for the tip.

Peter

[stave84]

On 16/10/2016 at 18:58, Relpet said:

You may be surprised to get a response so late in the day but while I was still scouring the world for inspiration I came across your posting.  I've just ordered from the same company the 2" diagonal and the 2" to 1.25" twistlock holder.  Once again belonging to SGL has paid off.  Thanks for the tip.

Peter

How did you find the optics of the Antares diagonal?

[Relpet]

I'm using it with a TS 3" APO refractor which in itself has superb optics, (in my relatively limited experience), and the Antares diagonal complements it beautifully.  I can't give you any technical information but it has the look and feel of a carefully manufactured accessory.

Hope this helps.