NavList:

I don't know if we are using the same terms here Greg.  When you say a stigmatizer to me, I think of an optical device that transforms pinpoint light sources (stars) to horizontal lines so that they are easier to place on the visible horizon.  I have never used one of these, or even seen a sextant so equipped so cannot comment.  I don't know how this device can help determine the sextant is vertical unless I am missing something about it.

 

The device on the C&P Horizon Ultra that allows the user to determine if the sextant is vertical they call a "double prism lens" in the Celestaire catalog.  I have used this and have never gotten good results with it unless I swung it out of the way.   I find the traditional rocking of the sextant to find the nadir or apex of the arc to be easier than the double prism.  The other draw back of the dbl prism is the need for a whole horizon glass which many navigators do not favor.

 

Are you talking about one or the other in particular here?  What has been your experience with the dbl prism on your C&P?

 

Jeremy

 

Any opinions on the benefits of a stigmatizer when observing stars or planets? It seems that it would primarily help keep the sextant vertical to the horizon during the twilight period. Stigmatizers are not common to most sextants so there must be some draw backs.

Greg Rudzinski
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