Thanks for the review. Totally agree with your assessment of the Baader Click- lock, I have one on my C8 sct and it was the single most significant upgrade I performed on the telescope, all of the sudden everything is secured like using a vise grip. On a scale of 1-10 I'd give it a 12. Clear Skies.
How does the click lock and 2” diagonal affect the back focus. The back focus on the c8 edge is 133mm. Does the click lock and 2” diagonal push the back focus beyond 133mm?
Simon, when hanging a heavy optical train to the left (say full left, 9 O'clock position) do you ever have a problem with the clicklock coming loose at the rear cell thread since all that weight pulls it in the counterclockwise/loosening direction?
HI I'm glad you explain the products real well, I'm looking into buying a set click lock for SCT and star diagonal, do you mind re-posting the links the one in the description just leads to the site but not the product page
Hi Astro...I just bought the clicklock...and nothing I have fits. I have a Celestron 9.25 SCT. I have my t ring for my Canon and the Diagonal for the SCT and it doesnt fit either. The clicklock is too big for what I have. and everything is the 2 inch measurement that Ive always used. Are you using a special adaptor for your camera and diaginal ? Because you didnt mention that in the video. If I do need an adaptor which one do I need?
At 1:16, what was the Celestron piece you attached the camera? It looks like a barlow? Can the t-ring on the camera slide into the barlow without damage?
Hi is this item as described in Amazon as " Bader Planetarium 2" Clicklock Eyepiece Adapter for Large SCT 3.25" Thread " , the same that you have on this video and would it fit a Celestron NextStar 5SE ? I want replace my current 2" visual back for this one. Any links to where I would be able to buy it?Please help out and Thanks in advance!
Thanks again for a good presentation. I have a Celestron Nexstar 8" SE (like yours), in your video you mentioned it was a 2" x 24TPI, but I can not find that on Adorama website ( has it been discontinued or another one taken its place? Thank you
I really like this as I've had issues with the standard visual back and even 1.25 diagonal and 1.25 eyepieces moving and nearly falling out on my Evo 8. That said as I was getting ready to pull the trigger and move to the Baader ClickLock Visual Back for SCTs and then the Baader ClickLock 2" Mirror Diagonal I saw a ton of talk online that with an 8 inch SCT this setup causes some issues including 1) 8 inch and smaller SCTs can't take real advantage of wide fields of view due to the design of the scope and even with the widest of 2" eyepieces you barely equal the widest fields of view you could achieve with a 1.25" eyepiece and a f/6.3 focal reducer (which has the added benefit of correcting some distortion in the image) 2) the length of the ClickLock and 2" system adds focal length beyond what the scope was designed for creating between a f/10.5 to f/10.95 scope (depending on what you buy from various companies for your 2" system) out of what was once a f/10 scope. This supposedly dims, further narrows, and slightly distorts the image. THAT SAID... for every detractor there are still fans of 2" setups on 8 inch SCTs arguing you can share the eyepieces with other scopes you might have, general quality of material improvements, ease of use improvements (ClickLock) and finally saying the focal length, dimming, distortion issues are so minor as to be generally unnoticeable. What do you think? I know I've see you upgrading your scopes over the years with first the 6.3 reducer then seeing that disappear in favor of a 2" setup including now the Baader ClickLock system. Any harm to your viewing? Thanks so much, your videos are the very best on the internet for explaining many of these concepts to beginners like me! (I said it elsewhere... setup links to Amazon or something so when I buy products from your videos you get a cut and can have a dinner once in a while on your fans!)
It is true, Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes do have long focal lengths and narrow fields of view. What I really love about using 2" eyepieces though is the eye-relief is much better over many 1.25" eyepieces. If you go wide enough, you eventually can see the baffles of the SCT on the edges of the field, but I don't use an SCT really at all for major wide-field viewing, that is primarily what I use a refractor for. So, for my purposes, 2" eyepieces work great. They widen the field a pretty decent amount, and also help with eye-relief. As far as the length of the click lock increasing the focal length of the set-up, I must not be enough of an accomplished observer to notice a difference. I can't tell any difference really. For the record I do still use my f/6.3 focal reducer/corrector. It is still one of my favorite SCT accessories. Lastly, thanks for the kind words!
Slymin thanks! I got spendy and picked up a ClickLock visual back and the ClickLock diagonal. As of now I don’t have any true 2” eyepieces just a Baader 8-24 zoom that is a 1.25 with a 2 barrel. And suggests for a wider field on the SCT, it’s my only scope for now and I’m in a high Bortle area in the suburbs of Chicago sadly. Planets always work best but I’d love to try for more.
I have a 1999 Celestron C8 , using the Celestron 6.3 focal reducer, Celestron 2” dielectric diagonal (the best one they have with orange twist locks) focus can’t be achieved using 1.25” eyepieces. Not enough back focus. I use Williams optics sct to 2” diagonal short adapter to shorten the light path to be able to use 1.25” eye pieces. I see that it would be nice to have this click lock instead, but I bet it is too long.
For all general purposes the ClickLock's are awesome, but for visual when you are constantly changing eyepieces in and out they are especially awesome! :)
I'm a complete newbie and I'm trying to learn about your SCT 8" telescope. Looking at the specs for the Celestron 8" telescope and seeing that it has a 1.25" hole (in lack of a better term, remember I'm a complete newbie) how do you attach the 2" ClickLock onto the back? Is there a adapter that goes from 1.25 to 2"? If so, what is it called and who makes it? I looked around B&H and High Point websites but could find any adapter that isn't have a long barrel. Thanks Skip.
Hi Slymin. I'm looking for my second scope. My first was just an inexpensive Meade 4.5 reflector. But I've enjoyed it so much I'm now looking to upgrade. I'm looking for a Schmidt Cassegrain. I like that Celestron NexStar 8SE you have. With my next scope I want to learn astrophotography as well as doing visual astronomy. The review I saw you do on a previous video shows your scope with an altitude azimuth base so I was sort of discounting that scope for photography. But now I see in this video you now have it on an equatorial mount. Now it's in the running again. Where did you get that mount? What's the cost? Do you have a video on the upgrade? For my next scope, I'd like it to be: Catadioptric. 8". A "go to". Equatorial. What do you suggest?
Hey mate! I am thinking of buying this for my C11, besides the UX improvement given by the clicklock, it will open up the possibility to use 2" accessories and eyepieces with my SCT. On that regard, do you think 2" accessories (eyepiece/star diagonal) provide better visual experience than 1.25" ones? Not necessarily talking about image quality, also eye relief and visual experience. Specifically related to planetary observing as this is what my scope does best I think
Slymin: I have a C6 with a 1.25 visual back. How would you compare the SCT threaded 2" diagonals with Twist Lock for EPs to the Baader SCT threaded adaptor with the Click-Lock for EPs. I'm looking for a direct connect to the SCT back (without using the visual back) and a click lock or twist lock for EPs.
The direct connection works really well if you aren't using an EQ mount. On an EQ mount the threads start to slip if you have too much weight on the diagonal and the OTA changes positions. As far as the Click-Lock system, I really love it, but to each their own.
Hi! I don't specifically have a recommendation, sorry. I have very limited use with the adjustable "zoom" eyepieces. I have used a Celestron 8-24mm zoom eyepiece at a star party once and it seemed to be fine, but I don't have lots of experience with them.
Hello Slymin, I am going to ask the same question as Rafael. What is that Celestron branded accessory you have attached to your DSLR that you are fitting into the Baader click lock? I have done some extensive searching and cannot find anything that looks like that, or even remotely like it. I love the looks of it, and it looks like maybe more than one component. Please explain the parts and where they could be obtained. I am a big Celestron fan, but cannot find this anywhere. Great vids, I watch them and seem like I learn something every time you make a new one. MD
Id say that’s the Celestron Luminos Barlow (ua-cam.com/video/pF7UdN5qbkw/v-deo.html ) and hes using the universal t Adaptor 2” (www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/t-adaptor-2.html#SID=26 ) to connect to his T Ring on the DSLR
@@astrobuddsy6230 I can't find a "universal 2" t adaptor" I have a canon eos 7D. The set up in the video is great, I'd like to emulate it. I have need to know how the barlow attaches to the camera via the t-ring.
Thanks for the review. Totally agree with your assessment of the Baader Click- lock, I have one on my C8 sct and it was the single most significant upgrade I performed on the telescope, all of the sudden everything is secured like using a vise grip. On a scale of 1-10 I'd give it a 12. Clear Skies.
I love mine
Got mine today excellent piece of kit,thanks for the video
Where can I get the extenders that fit between the reducer using the
clicklock and the camera?
How does the click lock and 2” diagonal affect the back focus. The back focus on the c8 edge is 133mm. Does the click lock and 2” diagonal push the back focus beyond 133mm?
Great video thanks for sharing 👍
Simon, when hanging a heavy optical train to the left (say full left, 9 O'clock position) do you ever have a problem with the clicklock coming loose at the rear cell thread since all that weight pulls it in the counterclockwise/loosening direction?
HI I'm glad you explain the products real well, I'm looking into buying a set click lock for SCT and star diagonal, do you mind re-posting the links the one in the description just leads to the site but not the product page
Hi Astro...I just bought the clicklock...and nothing I have fits. I have a Celestron 9.25 SCT. I have my t ring for my Canon and the Diagonal for the SCT and it doesnt fit either. The clicklock is too big for what I have. and everything is the 2 inch measurement that Ive always used. Are you using a special adaptor for your camera and diaginal ? Because you didnt mention that in the video. If I do need an adaptor which one do I need?
So it's the cheapest rotator for imaging?? Nice! You could use it with a cooled cam right?
Could you tell me what us the device attached to your camera, at the 1:21 minute of your video?
Hi Slymin. What accessories are you using to attach the DSLR (1:17) other than the T-Ring? Thanks for the video
Celestron Luminos 2" 2.5x Barlow Lens
just to confirm: does the Baader 2" clicklock adaptar-3.25 SCT thread fit into a Celestron 9.25" nexStar Evolution (12092) telescope?
At 1:16, what was the Celestron piece you attached the camera? It looks like a barlow? Can the t-ring on the camera slide into the barlow without damage?
That's the Celestron Luminos 2" 2.5X Barlow Lens (Celestron #93436).
Hi is this item as described in Amazon as " Bader Planetarium 2" Clicklock Eyepiece Adapter for Large SCT 3.25" Thread " , the same that you have on this video and would it fit a Celestron NextStar 5SE ? I want replace my current 2" visual back for this one. Any links to where I would be able to buy it?Please help out and Thanks in advance!
Thanks again for a good presentation. I have a Celestron Nexstar 8" SE (like yours), in your video you mentioned it was a 2" x 24TPI, but I can not find that on Adorama website ( has it been discontinued or another one taken its place? Thank you
Will this work on a Evolution 8" while on it's stock mount? Would it work with the same scope on a wedge?
I really like this as I've had issues with the standard visual back and even 1.25 diagonal and 1.25 eyepieces moving and nearly falling out on my Evo 8. That said as I was getting ready to pull the trigger and move to the Baader ClickLock Visual Back for SCTs and then the Baader ClickLock 2" Mirror Diagonal I saw a ton of talk online that with an 8 inch SCT this setup causes some issues including 1) 8 inch and smaller SCTs can't take real advantage of wide fields of view due to the design of the scope and even with the widest of 2" eyepieces you barely equal the widest fields of view you could achieve with a 1.25" eyepiece and a f/6.3 focal reducer (which has the added benefit of correcting some distortion in the image) 2) the length of the ClickLock and 2" system adds focal length beyond what the scope was designed for creating between a f/10.5 to f/10.95 scope (depending on what you buy from various companies for your 2" system) out of what was once a f/10 scope. This supposedly dims, further narrows, and slightly distorts the image. THAT SAID... for every detractor there are still fans of 2" setups on 8 inch SCTs arguing you can share the eyepieces with other scopes you might have, general quality of material improvements, ease of use improvements (ClickLock) and finally saying the focal length, dimming, distortion issues are so minor as to be generally unnoticeable. What do you think? I know I've see you upgrading your scopes over the years with first the 6.3 reducer then seeing that disappear in favor of a 2" setup including now the Baader ClickLock system. Any harm to your viewing? Thanks so much, your videos are the very best on the internet for explaining many of these concepts to beginners like me! (I said it elsewhere... setup links to Amazon or something so when I buy products from your videos you get a cut and can have a dinner once in a while on your fans!)
It is true, Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes do have long focal lengths and narrow fields of view. What I really love about using 2" eyepieces though is the eye-relief is much better over many 1.25" eyepieces. If you go wide enough, you eventually can see the baffles of the SCT on the edges of the field, but I don't use an SCT really at all for major wide-field viewing, that is primarily what I use a refractor for. So, for my purposes, 2" eyepieces work great. They widen the field a pretty decent amount, and also help with eye-relief.
As far as the length of the click lock increasing the focal length of the set-up, I must not be enough of an accomplished observer to notice a difference. I can't tell any difference really. For the record I do still use my f/6.3 focal reducer/corrector. It is still one of my favorite SCT accessories. Lastly, thanks for the kind words!
Slymin thanks! I got spendy and picked up a ClickLock visual back and the ClickLock diagonal. As of now I don’t have any true 2” eyepieces just a Baader 8-24 zoom that is a 1.25 with a 2 barrel. And suggests for a wider field on the SCT, it’s my only scope for now and I’m in a high Bortle area in the suburbs of Chicago sadly. Planets always work best but I’d love to try for more.
I have a 1999 Celestron C8 , using the Celestron 6.3 focal reducer, Celestron 2” dielectric diagonal (the best one they have with orange twist locks) focus can’t be achieved using 1.25” eyepieces. Not enough back focus. I use Williams optics sct to 2” diagonal short adapter to shorten the light path to be able to use 1.25” eye pieces. I see that it would be nice to have this click lock instead, but I bet it is too long.
how are you attaching your dslr to the barlow? thanks!
Hey Slymin! do you use the Baader diagonal + clickock with the motorized focus? Would that fit in a celestron 6?
How are you connecting the Canon to the Luminos 2.5x Barlow? Do you have a 2"T-adapter?
First view 👍🏻. Likewise I am considering clicklock for my SCT, which I usually use for visual. Good to see your thoughts on it!
For all general purposes the ClickLock's are awesome, but for visual when you are constantly changing eyepieces in and out they are especially awesome! :)
Hey slymin, great video! Do you have a recommendation for an adjustable eyepiece? Would make star party viewing easier/quicker.
I'm a complete newbie and I'm trying to learn about your SCT 8" telescope. Looking at the specs for the Celestron 8" telescope and seeing that it has a 1.25" hole (in lack of a better term, remember I'm a complete newbie) how do you attach the 2" ClickLock onto the back? Is there a adapter that goes from 1.25 to 2"? If so, what is it called and who makes it? I looked around B&H and High Point websites but could find any adapter that isn't have a long barrel. Thanks Skip.
A Celestron 8 sct" should have a 2" hole at the back, thats standard as far as im aware on all of them
Hi, I have an Antares 2" diagonal and the insert is 1.5" long. Will that fit into the clicklock properly?
I know this video is a year old but... is it possible to get part numbers or links? Plz?
Hi Slymin. I'm looking for my second scope. My first was just an inexpensive Meade 4.5 reflector. But I've enjoyed it so much I'm now looking to upgrade.
I'm looking for a Schmidt Cassegrain. I like that Celestron NexStar 8SE you have. With my next scope I want to learn astrophotography as well as doing visual astronomy.
The review I saw you do on a previous video shows your scope with an altitude azimuth base so I was sort of discounting that scope for photography.
But now I see in this video you now have it on an equatorial mount.
Now it's in the running again.
Where did you get that mount? What's the cost? Do you have a video on the upgrade?
For my next scope, I'd like it to be:
Catadioptric.
8".
A "go to".
Equatorial.
What do you suggest?
Hey mate! I am thinking of buying this for my C11, besides the UX improvement given by the clicklock, it will open up the possibility to use 2" accessories and eyepieces with my SCT. On that regard, do you think 2" accessories (eyepiece/star diagonal) provide better visual experience than 1.25" ones? Not necessarily talking about image quality, also eye relief and visual experience. Specifically related to planetary observing as this is what my scope does best I think
ill answer this late.... 2" > 1.25
best thing to buy for your C11, a 2inch diagonal. I'd probably get the 3.25" version of the Baader clicklock and get "refractor" style 2" Diagonal.
I want that thing, but isn't sold in my country.
Hi Slymin, great narrative on Click Lock! Does it work with C11, C14 etc?
Thanks Ray! Yes, they do make a version for the C11/14. You would need the 3.25" SCT ClickLock.
@@AstroBlender Thanks!
You bet!
@@AstroBlenderplease can i use mirror 2 inch in the celestron 6 inch
Slymin: I have a C6 with a 1.25 visual back. How would you compare the SCT threaded 2" diagonals with Twist Lock for EPs to the Baader SCT threaded adaptor with the Click-Lock for EPs. I'm looking for a direct connect to the SCT back (without using the visual back) and a click lock or twist lock for EPs.
The direct connection works really well if you aren't using an EQ mount. On an EQ mount the threads start to slip if you have too much weight on the diagonal and the OTA changes positions. As far as the Click-Lock system, I really love it, but to each their own.
Hey slymin, great video! Do you have a recommendation for an adjustable eyepiece? Would make star party viewing easier/quicker.
Hi! I don't specifically have a recommendation, sorry. I have very limited use with the adjustable "zoom" eyepieces. I have used a Celestron 8-24mm zoom eyepiece at a star party once and it seemed to be fine, but I don't have lots of experience with them.
Is this 6" or 8" SCT ?
This is an 8" SCT.
@@AstroBlender Any idea if the ClickLock you have is compatible with a skywatcher mak 180 , or does it need a adapter ?
Hello Slymin, I am going to ask the same question as Rafael. What is that Celestron branded accessory you have attached to your DSLR that you are fitting into the Baader click lock?
I have done some extensive searching and cannot find anything that looks like that, or even remotely like it. I love the looks of it, and it looks like maybe more than one component.
Please explain the parts and where they could be obtained. I am a big Celestron fan, but cannot find this anywhere. Great vids, I watch them and seem like I learn something every time you make a new one.
MD
Id say that’s the Celestron Luminos Barlow (ua-cam.com/video/pF7UdN5qbkw/v-deo.html ) and hes using the universal t Adaptor 2” (www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/t-adaptor-2.html#SID=26 ) to connect to his T Ring on the DSLR
@@astrobuddsy6230 I can't find a "universal 2" t adaptor" I have a canon eos 7D. The set up in the video is great, I'd like to emulate it. I have need to know how the barlow attaches to the camera via the t-ring.