Equipment R= eview
Celestron XLT 2” diagonal
Anacortes T= elescopes, $117.
By Bill
I needed an extra 2” diagonal, and preferably a dielectric one. I noted= Celestron recently introduced their 2” “XLT” diagonal boasting greater than 96% reflectivity. Though technically not dielectric, I felt I’d likely not detect the differen= ce between 96% and the 99% reflectivity of the dielectrics. And the price was certainly attractive ($117). On my CPC 11, I compared the Celestron diagonal with my Astro-Physics 2” dielect= ric insofar as contrast, detail, and how faint a star I could detect. I found absolutely no difference in the performance of these two units. A good sign. Mechanics: Outwardly, the Celestron diagonal ha= s a nice fit and finish look to it. However, in using it at the scope, I found three negative aspects about it that resulted in my returning it to the ven= dor. 1) The set screw, unless pressed against the compression ring to hold the eyepiece in place, tends to be loose and kind of wobble around a bit. It co= uld easily fall out if not careful. 2) My A-P and Televue<= /span> diagonals have their insides completely machined with those blackened baffl= ing grooves. The Celestron diagonal, while it does = have internal baffling, has two dark clothe-like pads on either side of the mirr= or in place of machined grooves in those areas. I didn’t care for that approach. 3) The groove for the compression ring did not seem to be set deep enough. The ring sticks out in places just enough to snag eyepieces as you = pull them out (not so much going in, for some reason). Complaints number 1&2 were minor. But I found I could not live with complaint number 3. I was hav= ing too much trouble getting various eyepieces out of the diagonal. So realizing there is no free lunch, I returned it and ordered another Televue 2” dielectric diagonal. I guess you get what you pay for.