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Precision Amici Star Diagonal

(as supplied)

Amici Diagonal

Shown with 2” Nosepiece*

and 1¼” Clicklock Eyepiece Clamp*

 The Amici Prism has long been favored as the best choice for producing correctly oriented images in refractors and cassegrain type telescopes. However, the production of an amici prism is complex and requires a much higher level of quality than a standard mirror or right angle prism diagonal.  Prism faces must be polished smooth, flat, and very accurately located at the proper positions and angles.  The sharp roof edge must be made vanishingly fine.   These demands on prism quality are the prime reason why even expensive amici prism diagonals have developed a deserved reputation for poor image quality.  Even the so-called premium quality amici prisms typically  produce astigmatic or asymetrical images and display a bright prominent central diffraction spike (the roof edge diffraction spike in the Baader Amici is extremely faint).  Also, making matters worse, undersized prisms are used to save cost and large housings give the false illusion of a large clear aperture (as is the case with most so-called 2" amici star diagonals available today).

Baader Planetarium produces what we think is easily the finest amici prism star diagonal available today.  The prism has been made to the proper specifications, in order to provide image quality that suffers from none of the defects found in commonly available correct image amici diagonals.  The finest 7-Layer Multi-Coatings ensure the image is bright and contrasty, and the oversized prism provides the full clear aperture of 1.25”!  The precision machined aluminum housing provides a stress free mounting and precise location for the prism, unlike the typical weak plastic or crudely cast and machined housings found on lesser diagonals.  The end result is a correct image diagonal that is good enough for more than just high-quality terrestrial viewing.

Correct image diagonals have been used traditionally for terrestrial viewing, and limited to low (under 100X) magnifications.  The high quality of our diagonal lets you use much higher magnifications without aberrations or image breakdown for both astronomical and terrestrial uses.  The diagonal is perfect for matching astronomical charts or sketching correctly oriented planetary detail.  It also functions well with the Baader Maxbright BinoViewer and Baader/Zeiss Mark V BinoViewer, to provide correctly oriented binoviewing.  Many users have commented to us on how wonderful it is to enjoy correct-image views of all planetary and deep sky objects, and that they would not go back to traditional star diagonals.  Finally, views that match star and lunar charts!

One of our customers (a professional optical engineer) turned to us when he needed a high quality correct-image diagonal.  This same customer had first tried a competitive (so-called 2") amici star diagonal and had found it useless due to its poor image quality.  He was thrilled with the quality of the Baader Amici, and sent us his detailed comments and Interferograms from his WYKO digital interferometer.  Please click the link below for his report.

* NEW *

 AMICI OPTICAL REPORT

* PLEASE NOTE: The Baader Amici Star Diagonal incorporates standard T-2 threads at the input and output faces, and is provided as a basic component, without any input or output fittings.  This permits the diagonal to be used as a compatible component along with the other Baader Planetarium T-2 accessories, like the Baader Maxbright Binocular Viewer.  This also enables you to configure the diagonal to exactly suit your needs, and to fit 2" or 1¼” eyepieces, and focusers.  Please see Eyepiece Adapters, Rings for applicable fittings, and the T2 Diagonal Configuration page for detail on specific configurations.   The effective optical path length of the base Amici Star Diagonal is approximately 64mm.  To calculate the total path length of a particular configuration, see ASTRO T-2 System Specs for a detailed listing of  threads and path length dimensions for all of the Astro T-2 system components.

The Right Angle Correct Image view is wonderful with the 32mm Meade 5000 Plossl or the 27mm TeleVue Panoptic.  I am very pleased with the transmission and absence of any diffraction spike from the roof of the prism.   Robert Werkman, MD

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T-2 Prism Star Diagonal

(as supplied)

T-2 Prism Diagonal

Shown with 1¼” Nosepiece*

and 1¼” Deluxe Eyepiece Clamp*

The traditional right angle prism star diagonal has long held a reputation as a budget low-quality star diagonal.  Given the extremely poor quality star diagonal prisms included with budget priced import refractors and domestic SCT telescopes, it is no surprise.  Their prisms are horribly made, with incorrect face angles, non-flat rough optical surfaces, and poor coatings.  Housings are crudely made from weak plastic, with poor angular accuracy and weak attachment of fittings.   However, the prism star diagonal is capable of views which meet or exceed even the finest mirror star diagonals, and deliver them for lifetimes of use. 

The Baader Planetarium T-2 Prism Star Diagonal is easily the finest prism star diagonal available today.  The right angle prism is produced by Zeiss, and is the identical prism that Zeiss supplied for use with their exquisite APQ telescopes.   The famous Baader 7-Layer Multi-Coatings ensure the image is bright and contrasty, and the oversized prism provides an oversized full clear aperture of 1.34” (34mm)!  The precision machined aluminum housing provides a stress free mounting and precise location for the prism, unlike the typical weak plastic or crudely cast housings found on lesser diagonals. Extremely low scatter and high contrast images are the hallmark of this prism diagonal. The end result is a lifetime diagonal that matches or exceeds the brightness and image quality of the finest mirror star diagonals.  Users of fine refractors over f/7 as well as SCT users have found that the Baader T-2 Prism Star Diagonal provides the sharpest and highest contrast images they have seen from any star diagonal, mirror or prism.

* PLEASE NOTE: The Baader T-2 Prism Star Diagonal incorporates standard T-2 threads at the input and output faces, and is provided as a basic component, without any input or output fittings.  This permits the diagonal to be used as a compatible component along with the other Baader Planetarium T-2 accessories, like the VIP Modular Barlow or digital cameras.  This also enables you to configure the diagonal to exactly suit your needs, and to fit 2" or 1¼” eyepieces, and focusers.  The effective optical path length of the base T-2 Prism Star Diagonal is 47.5mm.  Please see Eyepiece Adapters, Rings for applicable fittings, and the T2 Diagonal Configuration page for detail on specific configurations.

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T-2 Maxbright Mirror Diagonal

(as supplied)

T-2 Maxbright Mirror Diagonal

Shown with 2” Nosepiece*

and 2” Deluxe Eyepiece Clamp*

 Baader Planetarium has just expanded their innovation in star diagonals.  With their ground-breaking introduction several years ago of their all-dielectric 2" Maxbright star diagonal, Baader brought mirror star diagonals into the 21st century.  The mid-size, flexibility, and cost of the T-2 Maxbright Mirror Diagonal make this the ultimate diagonal for high power planetary viewing, or in systems where back-focus or space is limited and a full aperture 2" diagonal will not work or is not flexible enough. 

The new T-2 Maxbright Mirror Diagonal uses the proprietary Baader Maxbright all-dielectric mirror coatings.  This process results in an amazingly high 99% photo-visual reflectivity.  The unique Baader coating system has also been specifically optimized to  minimize scatter, and does NOT degrade mirror flatness.  The zero expansion mirror substrate retains its true 1/10 wave (p-v) flatness over the entire oversized 35mm (1.38") mirror surface!  This allows the mirror to be used well in front of the image plane with no image degradation or astigmatism from a warped mirror surface.  In addition, the extreme coating hardness makes the Baader Maxbright highly durable (the coatings are harder than the glass itself!).  The Maxbright mirror coatings will last lifetimes without losing reflectivity, and may be cleaned with normal care, without fear of scratches.

 T-2 System Design:  Like its correct-image sibling (the Precision Amici Diagonal), the design of the T-2 Maxbright Mirror Diagonal enables it to be configured to exactly suit your needs.   The input and output T-2 threads integrate with the full range of Baader Astro T-2 System components.  It can be configured to install in 2" or 1.25" focusers, for use with all 1.25" eyepieces and even many 2" eyepieces!  It is also the perfect diagonal for use with the Baader/Zeiss Giant Binoviewer (replaces the normal prism diagonal).  Not just a visual accessory, this diagonal also integrates well into digital imaging applications.  Please see the T2 Diagonal Configuration page for some suggested configurations.

Like all the Baader Planetarium products, the mechanical quality and finish are superb.  The all-machined aluminum housing supports the mirror at the correct location and at a precise 45 degree angle, to maintain the collimation and performance of your optical system.  Even the tiniest exposed lips are sharp V-threaded for stray light control.

* PLEASE NOTE: The Baader T-2 Maxbright Mirror Diagonal incorporates standard T-2 threads at the input and output faces, and is provided as a basic component, without any input or output fittings.  This permits the diagonal to be used as a compatible component along with the other Baader Planetarium T-2 accessories, like the VIP Modular Barlow, or for digital imaging.  This also enables you to configure the diagonal to exactly suit your needs, and to fit 2" or 1¼” eyepieces, and focusers.  The effective optical path length of the base T-2 Maxbright Diagonal is 54mm.  Please see Eyepiece Adapters, Rings for applicable fittings. 

For more detail on specific configurations, please click on the link below.

MORE INFO    |   PRICING   |   ORDERING

With their ground-breaking introduction several years ago of the all-dielectric 2" Maxbright star diagonal, Baader Planetarium brought mirror star diagonals into the 21st century.  The 2" Maxbright Mirror Diagonal uses the proprietary Baader Maxbright all-dielectric mirror coatings.  This process results in an amazingly high 99% photo-visual reflectivity.  The unique Baader coating system has also been specifically optimized to  minimize scatter, and does NOT degrade mirror flatness.  The zero expansion mirror substrate retains its true 1/10 wave (p-v) flatness over the entire mirror surface!  This allows the mirror to be used well in front of the image plane with no image degradation or astigmatism from a warped mirror surface.  In addition, the extreme coating hardness makes the Baader Maxbright highly durable (the coatings are harder than the glass itself!).  The Maxbright mirror coatings will last lifetimes without losing reflectivity, and may be cleaned with normal care, without fear of scratches.

The Baader 2" Maxbright Diagonal incorporates unique features.  Both the input and output fittings can be removed, to permit integrating the diagonal into practically any configuration desired.  Utilizing Astro T-2 System components allows the diagonal to function as a component in any layout desired.

SCT Users: The diagonal body's input 2" threading is compatible with the standard Celestron/Meade 2" rear cell threads, enabling you to directly thread it onto your SCT.  NexStar 8 or 8i users will find that this diagonal couples close enough to swing through zenith without hitting the RA base!  Please note, an additional Baader SCT LockRing is required for direct attach to SCTs.

For a detailed review of the diagonal, including many nice pics and direct SCT mounting, please see Mike Swanson's NexStar Resource Site.

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