New Equipment May 07 - Denk’s Power x Switch Diagonal

From top left counter-clockwise: 2″ to 1.25″ adapter, dovetail connector, SCT to 2″ adapter and the Denkmeier Power x Switch S2 diagonal

I bought the S2 (refer to the whole assembly) from OPT at USD389 before a 5% discount. I replaced my stock diagonal with this. I haven’t had the chance to try it under the starfield yet. The curse of clouds just come after I received the parcel.

The whole assembly (with the SCT adapter and 2″ to 1.25″ adapter) is really heavy. It’s so nicely crafted that you would take it as a decoration of your scope. What made me buy S2 instead of the Astro-Tech 1.25″ dielectric diagonal which is very hot these days? It’s its Power x Switch mechanism. It allows you to easily change the effective magnification. It will certainly come in handy when you are doing visual observing, especially binoviewing.

S2 with the eyepiece holder removed

Let’s study about its specification. The 2″ diagonal is made by WO and enhanced with silver coating with 97% transmission. The mirrors are 10 mm thick and have a Lamda/10 wave flatness. The S2 with 2″ to 1.25″ adapter weight at 0.73 kg. Used with single eyepiece with the Reducer arm in, the focal reduction is 0.83X to 0.66X. When the Multiplier arm is in, you can archieve a 1.5X-2X. Used with binoviewer with the Reducer arm in, the focal reduction is 0.59X. With the Multiplier arm in, the magnification is multiplied by a factor of 1.7X. The factors are greater if the eyepiece(s) is farther the S2.

Due to its weight, I am going to get a balancing system just in case my DEC threads will be worn out earlier. Maybe a Scopestuff Balancing Kit. Ouch, I just spent too much in this hobby…

Meade Stock Diagonal VS Denkmeier Power x Switch S2 Diagonal

Finally, a comparison photo with the stock diagonal is uploaded. Personal review will be done when the weather permits. Do you know that above is just a preview?