I used this to replace the stock diagonal that came with my Celestron NexStar 6 SE. What an improvement! Sharper, clearer, brighter, flatter views. I looked at many diagonals before deciding on this one, and it is well worth the price and beats the competition. The brass compression ring is a nice mechanical upgrade and easier to use at the scope in the dark. Overall, I'm very happy with this diagonal. I will be purchasing the 2" version to go with my AT80ED. (Posted on 12/19/2023)
This a great dielectric diagonal for a great price!!
I got minebefore all the covid crap, so now they might be harder to get?
They are built like a tank and are on the heavy side, so it might way down the cheaper refractors out there. Other then that it's a great dielectric. (Posted on 12/5/2021)
I purchased this to replace the cheap plastic diagonal that came with my Celestron Astromaster 70EQ. I also upgraded to the Celestron 8-24 Zoom eyepiece, and the Astro-tech 32mm Plossl. This diagonal allows the wide 32mm to function properly, where the stock plastic prism diagonal kidney beaned badly. The combo with the zoom is about as heavy as the CG-2 equatorial mount and long scope can handle, Celestron needs to consider a longer mounting rail on their Astromaster long tube refractors. The other drawback to this combo is the shorter focus throw needed with this diagonal. Both the zoom and 32mm focus right at the minimum of the Astromaster's focuser. I actually had to whittle away a little plastic to allow a slightly shorter throw to achieve sharp focus.
Now the important part, the views. Truly awesome! Looking at the Trapezium in the Orion Nebulae. With the stock diagonal, only three of four stars are visible. The fourth is extremely faint, but not obvious. Swap in this diagonal and all four pop out beautifully!! Great upgrade!! I know for my starter scope this is likely overkill, but it is a solidly built piece that will move up to any upgraded scope my future holds. Awesome. (Posted on 1/4/2020)
I use this with my AT60ED when I'm want to take a break from photo and just enjoy some visual astronomy. The quality of the build and the performance are both excellent, and the price is as stunning as the views this piece offers! (Posted on 10/23/2019)
Really nicely made diagonal; replaced OEM prism diagonal on Celestron SCT. Far better, both in terms of brightness/clarity and more reliable mechanical hold on your expensive eyepieces. Not to mention a relative bargain. (Posted on 10/6/2019)
this is a solidly built 1.25" mirror diagonal. has a good quality feel and gives good views for a very reasonable price. (Posted on 10/4/2019)
Bought this diagonal to replace the cheap stock one on my short tube refractor. A dramatic difference in image, with better contrast and more detail. Also feels solid. Highly recommended. (Posted on 9/1/2019)
I have purchased two of these diagonals over the years: one to use with my Tele Vue TV60 and one for a 90mm Maksutov. The quality of the build is very solid, and it delivers bright clear views through both scopes. At the price, these Astro Tech diagonals are one of the best bargains around in amateur astronomy. Definitely recommended. (Posted on 7/22/2019)
This diagonal has been fantastic since I've been using it with the AT65EDQ. It gives great views from center to edge and matches well with all of my Plossls as well as my Mead UWA eyepieces. (Posted on 1/7/2019)
I use the 1.25" diagonal exclusively on my 80 mm refractor. At this price, it's easy to have a dedicated diagonal for each of my main refractors. (Posted on 1/3/2019)
This diagonal would be a great deal at 99.00. At 69.00 it is a steal. I use it with my 72 and it is terrific. Did I mention its only 69.00 for dielectric reflectivity? (Posted on 11/25/2018)
Bought this for my original AT72. Works great and provides a very clear image. Consider it my workhorse of diagonals. Not to mention the price is a great incentive on its own... (Posted on 11/24/2018)
Must have to allow for good viewing angles without standing on your head. I have used this over the last year and it works great. Solid connection to eyepiece so when slewing you do not hear that "ding" once things rotate in the wrong direction in the dark as your expensive eyepiece falls to the concrete........ (Posted on 11/3/2018)
I purchased this nearly two years ago as an upgrade from the diagonal included with my Meade Infinity 102. It works great with my Astro-Tech Paradigms. It's good to have a diagonal that matches the quality of the eyepieces. The machining, fit, and finish are first rate. Highly recommended. (Posted on 10/24/2018)
I use this diagonal and the 2" diagonal. Both perform wonderfully! (Posted on 10/7/2018)
I use this diagonal with my 70 mm refractor when I am using 1.25 inch eyepieces. It is a very high quality diagonal that is priced very fairly. Another excellent product from Astro-Tech! (Posted on 10/6/2018)
I have collected accessories I can rely on, and this diagonal is one of them. If I see an image aberration through this diagonal, I will check the eyepiece or the scope first. (Posted on 10/6/2018)
Dielectric mirror for $69 bucks? That's a good deal. Astro Tech has produced a great product in this 1.25" star diagonal. Build quality is excellent throughout. Compression ring fits and holds eyepieces securely without marking. Nosepiece fits properly into scope without slop. Viewing is first rate across the field, as one would expect. Nicely boxed with quality end caps. Exactly what I was looking for! (Posted on 8/4/2017)
Several years ago I purchased a 6" Celestron refractor. With the length of the tube a diagonal is somewhat of a necessity unless you want to lay on the ground and look through the eyepiece! One of the issues with a diagonal is their spotty quality. You can tell a big difference between a straight through view and one through a diagonal. Usually the non-diagonal view is much better and brighter. In fact both of my 1.25" diagonals from major manufacturers had distorted and dim views. Not so with the Astrotech 1.25" diagonal! Other than the right side up and backwards orientation with the dielectric diagonal in place there was no discernible drop in quality. I have been using this diagonal for around 4 years and have found it to be well made, well fitted and durable. I purchased the 1.25" unit due to the fact that I have no 2" eyepieces and at the time of purchase was going to spend most of the observing time imaging so buying a 2" seemed superfluousness.
I have no qualms about recommending this diagonal for general 1.25" use. It is definitely worth the money and will perform at a high level for many years. (Posted on 8/4/2017)
I have had this diagonal for several years now, and have been very happy with it. Fit and finish are impressive for such a reasonably priced piece of equipment, and although subtle I can really see a difference in the views when compared with my old diagonal. I have had friends test it out and they, too, were impressed. Would definitely recommend. (Posted on 8/4/2017)
Review by: jeff clinedinst
I've been very happy with this diagonal. It's very well made and gives clear, bright views. I use it on an ST-80. The purchasing and shipping process was fast and I would definitely recommend the diagonal and Astronomics, in general. (Posted on 8/4/2017)
This 1.25" Astro-Tech first-surface mirror star diagonal was named a Sky & Telescope Hot Product for 2007! Sky & Tel recognized that the Astro-Tech diagonal would be an outstanding value at even twice its low price. As it is, this Astro-Tech diagonal is unique among 1.25" star diagonals for its exceptional price/performance ratio. This is one premium-quality diagonal that doesn't happen to be priced like one - and it's still a hot product for many observers.
