Barry-W-Fenner Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 (edited) Hi all, I am looking to upgrade my Bresser AR102s. I currently have the stock diagonal and was thinking of the William Optics dura bright when back in stock. The reviews seem very positive on this model but I am open to similar priced diagonals. Is it a worth while upgrade over the stock unit? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/william-optics-125-dura-bright-dielectric-diagonal.html Cheers Baz 👍 Edited March 22, 2021 by Barry-W-Fenner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry-W-Fenner Posted March 23, 2021 Author Share Posted March 23, 2021 I think with all the good sky conditions last night all thw pros were out observing and not on here! A little bump with my question is needed 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jambouk Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 I suspect the stock diagonal is basic so in terms of replacement I also suspect the proposed diagonal would reflect more light, but whether that results in a noticeable increase in brightness for you is an unknown - I suspect the view won’t look significantly brighter / clearer. I suspect getting non-stock eyepieces would be more likely to improve brightness and clarity of views. I also think that maybe you should think long term. Investing in a nice diagonal will be helpful if you subsequently get another refractor or a catadioptric. As such, if your existing scope will take 2” eyepieces, I’d think about getting a 2” diagonal. And if you are happy to wait a few weeks, I’m sure a nice one will come up on astrobuysellUK for about the same price or cheaper than the proposed 1.25” new version. Else put a wanted advert on ABS-UK. James P.s. keep the stock diagonal and eyepieces with the scope in case you ever want to sell it all - it would make it a more appealing purchase for someone. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiggy 67 Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 I have had the WO durabright for a couple of months on my SW 100ED. It’s a lovely diagonal and a step up from the stock diagonal supplied but whether it’s a significant step up is debatable, it’s certainly lighter and makes balancing a lot easier. However, I have since upgraded (?) again to the Baader Click Lock diagonal, just because I wanted to make all connections click lock....this is a really good diagonal, though 2 inch with a 1.25 click lock adapter. This has been a more significant improvement, it’s heavier but click lock is the way forward in my view.....far safer, as I found with diagonals, they are prone to slipping 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wibblefish Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 I replaced my diagonal a little while back from the stock primarily to gain a compression ring to hold my eye pieces. I am pretty sure there is a slight improvement over stock but its not a massive step up (still every little helps?). I bought this one from Altair which was slightly cheaper but still feels quite premium https://www.altairastro.com/125in-lightwave-premium-dielectric-diagonal-red-765-p.asp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry-W-Fenner Posted March 23, 2021 Author Share Posted March 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Jiggy 67 said: I have had the WO durabright for a couple of months on my SW 100ED. It’s a lovely diagonal and a step up from the stock diagonal supplied but whether it’s a significant step up is debatable, it’s certainly lighter and makes balancing a lot easier. However, I have since upgraded (?) again to the Baader Click Lock diagonal, just because I wanted to make all connections click lock....this is a really good diagonal, though 2 inch with a 1.25 click lock adapter. This has been a more significant improvement, it’s heavier but click lock is the way forward in my view.....far safer, as I found with diagonals, they are prone to slipping Hi Jiggy Thank you for the advise. I know what you mean about the Baader click lock system, they certainly reassure you that them morpheus eps are safely in place. I have the 1.25 click lock which I use in my dob. I wonder if I could utilise this in a 1.25 WO durabright - Are you keeping yours or are you considering selling? If so drop me a pm as I would be interedsted. Thank you Baz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollypenrice Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 (edited) I've tried a variety of diagonals from very basic to very good and found the difference remarkably unremarkable. I'd be tempted by the clicklock because compression ring systems are a nightmare. There is no industry standard and so one EP can snag in another's diagonal or drawtube just as you are taking out. Please don't ask how I know this or whether I was a the top of the stepladdzer using a 20 inch Dob at the time... Olly Edited March 23, 2021 by ollypenrice Typo 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiggy 67 Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 (edited) 18 hours ago, Barry-W-Fenner said: Hi Jiggy Thank you for the advise. I know what you mean about the Baader click lock system, they certainly reassure you that them morpheus eps are safely in place. I have the 1.25 click lock which I use in my dob. I wonder if I could utilise this in a 1.25 WO durabright - Are you keeping yours or are you considering selling? If so drop me a pm as I would be interedsted. Thank you Baz I have found the click lock system to be game changing. I swapped out the OTA housing (can’t remember the proper name) for a click lock, then the Baader 2” click lock diagonal and the a 1.25” click lock adapter. As is typical of Baader (I’m a big fan as you probably know from our previous chats 😃) everything works perfectly. I’m undecided about the WO at the moment, I’m tempted to keep it as a back up. I would recommend a 2” diagonal though, you never know when you might want to use a 2” ep....even the Morpheus as a 2”. You can always step down to 1.25 but you can’t step up. Or does your scope only accept 1.25? Edited March 24, 2021 by Jiggy 67 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScouseSpaceCadet Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 (edited) Personally I would make the most of the 102's strength i.e. its widefield capability and choose a 2" diagonal. Iirc Barry you have a dob with 2" eyepieces? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/stellamira-2-90-di-electric-diagonal.html Or keep an eye out for a used 2" and not get too hung up on the brand. I was perfectly happy with a Sky-Watcher 2" dielectric in my ST120. There's a few 1.25" and 2" used dielectric diagonals on Ebay at the mo'. I do only use a 1.25" Sky-Watcher dielectric with the f7 however that telescope's a different beast and due to the AZGTI mount, prefer to keep weight down to a minimum. Edited March 23, 2021 by ScouseSpaceCadet 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis D Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 The WO 1.25" diagonals have a constriction in the eyepiece receiver that causes vignetting for widest field 1.25" eyepieces. I have one I use with my binoviewer (22mm clear aperture, so doesn't impact me), so I can confirm this constriction. I use GSO/Revelation 2" diagonals with my refractors and even my 127 Mak with a 2" visual back. They allow me to use my extensive collection of 2" eyepieces in them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllanK Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 (edited) As a complete newbie I must admit I’m not sure I can add much to the conversation. I did however replace the stock 45 diagonal on my C5 with this.https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QZ873PC/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_G4MEBZE8TC4Q1NMY18Q1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 To my untrained and inexperienced eye I have to admit I can see a definite improvement but how much better is hard for me to say. Edited March 24, 2021 by AllanK 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry-W-Fenner Posted March 24, 2021 Author Share Posted March 24, 2021 (edited) Thanks for all your advice and input folks. I am definitely going to look for a 2" diagonal now instead. The Baader models look very nice but are big bucks. Any other suggestions Edited March 24, 2021 by Barry-W-Fenner 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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