Lunt with Quark Versus Quark with 80mm Equinox

[Pig]

Ok just a quick update to explain how the Quark works when combined with the Lunt 60mm versus the Equinox 80mm

The seeing wasn't much better then Friday. However, there were no clouds in the sky.

Once again I used the Giro WR dual mount to keep proceedings on an as even keel as possible.

The Quark did not work at all with the B600 blocking filter, it was just to dark so I removed it from the experiment altogether.

So for reference purposes I used the Quark, 2" diagonal with the 2" UV/IR filter and the 32mm TV plossl and simply switched the diagonal between the scopes.

Once again I was mesmerised by the results of the Quark in the Equinox, most impressive, with huge bundles of surface detail and some lovely prominences on display between the 1 & 3 O'clock positions.

Now the Lunt with the Quark, to my surprise even more detail was visible than in the Equinox and a very obvious 3D effect was apparent, almost like plumes of smoke coming out of the surface of the sun (the scope wasn't on fire, I did check) However, the prominences were nowhere near as defined as they are in the Equinox and adjusting the etalon did not seem to make any difference. There were also some strange dark lanes going from top to bottom which was a bit distracting, the whole view was much darker but very pleasing all the same.

So there we have it, both scopes work with the Quark albeit quite a dark view in the Lunt..... For visual use I would still opt for the Quark in a standard refractor.

[jetstream]

Great info Shaun, thanks for the detailed acct, I wonder if any experienced "double stackers" can tell us what the lines are? This is a good report Shaun. I hope that anyone with a Coronado front mount etalon and a Quark can report their findings too.

Thanks Shaun

Jet

[jetstream]

Shaun, do you find the reduction of magnification to be an asset with the Lunt/Quark?

[Davey-T]

Interesting Shaun, haven't got round to trying the Quark in the LS60 due to lack of Sun, so saved me the effort

Dave

[Pig]

Gerry,

To achieve the same magnification in the Lunt without using the Quark I would have to use a 6mm eyepiece, I normally use a 9mm. As a result I am not sure how the Quark achieves such high mag with such clear views, I guess it changes the speed.

Dave,

 Its worth the effort, However, it is a tad dark and the lines are quite off putting. I doubt I would use it for something other than special causes.

[jetstream]

Thanks Shaun, I was wondering about the Quark/Lunt @ 500mm x 4.3/ 32mm = 67x vs Quark/80ED @ 600mm x 4.3/32 = 80x mag.  No doubt the DS works well   and I'm curious if the magnification reduction contributed something (seeing considered)?

[Pig]

I don't think so Gerry as both the scopes are 500mm in focal length, the only difference is the Lunt has a focal ratio of 35 and the Equinox of 26 when used with the Quark  

[Qualia]

Excellent report, Shaun and thank you. So it looks like the Quark is the clear winner, again. Just wondering. When working at around 1mm exit pupil with the 80ED are you experiencing any floaters? I ask because I was out today with the Sun in white light and with the 76 f6 with a 7mm BGO which if I've done my maths right would give me a similar exit pupil with the 32mm Plossl and Quark, I did notice these little irritators I appreciate it's a personal thing, and while some may suffer from floaters, others will not

[jetstream]

I don't think so Gerry as both the scopes are 500mm in focal length, the only difference is the Lunt has a focal ratio of 35 and the Equinox of 26 when used with the Quark

My mistake Shaun, I though your 80mm had a longer f ratio, thanks for clarifying this.

[Pig]

Gerry,

I had to check twice myself before I posted  

Rob,

Thank you  definitely a thumbs up for the Quark.

I haven't noticed any floaters though, maybe its the orange patterned background of Ha that hides them, as a rule I do not suffer too much from floaters but I do notice them in white light or on the Lunar surface at high magnifications

[Al.Grant]

Hi,

Good info.  At the moment I'm trying to decide on which way to go for Ha solar viewing/imaging.

I'd like the Lunt60 but think I'd probably end up with a 50 (too many other astro things I want to buy at the moment).

However as I already have an Equinox 80 it's got to be worth considering the Quark.  Any thoughts on what version of the quark would work best?

Ideally I'd like good views of surface detail and prominences.  I know the version of the Quark are optimised for either one or the other but how does it hold up when trying to view either one

Cheers

      Al

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Great review. When I finally get that Quark I will try how it works with the SolarMax-II 60mm.

[jetstream]

I am now officially hooked on Ha viewing! The Quark came at noon and brought good skies with it, whats the chance of that?!   My first few proms, the smaller left one razor sharp taking 140x with the 18BCO... the 32mm works very well, caterpillars all over the place. If my seeing continues to improve the SW120ED is coming out...

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Welcome to the H-alpha addicts Gerry, and congrats on that quick first light

[Luke]

Excellent report, Shaun and thank you. So it looks like the Quark is the clear winner, again. Just wondering. When working at around 1mm exit pupil with the 80ED are you experiencing any floaters? I ask because I was out today with the Sun in white light and with the 76 f6 with a 7mm BGO which if I've done my maths right would give me a similar exit pupil with the 32mm Plossl and Quark, I did notice these little irritators I appreciate it's a personal thing, and while some may suffer from floaters, others will not

Interesting question, Rob, it hadn't crossed my mind that floaters could be an issue. I have not noticed any at all myself in scopes from F6 to F9, with the 25, 32 and 40 Plossls. And I think I used the 20mm briefly too, no problem again. I do get floaters with planets at high mag (not viewed with the Quark, of course!).

My other half Sarah, however, has noticed slight occasional floaters with the Quark.

[Pig]

Nice one Gerry....I named the caterpillars after Luke as he was the first person I heard call them it   Very fortunate of you to not only get the Quark in record time but also to get sun from day 1

[Pig]

Al,

The chromosphere version seems to be the most popular on SGL and is what I have 

There is an SGL member called Joves who has both versions and I am sure he wouldn't mind you asking his experiences with them both. I am also sure he wrote a review about them not too long ago but I am unable to find it anywhere

[jetstream]

Nice one Gerry....I named the caterpillars after Luke as he was the first person I heard call them it   Very fortunate of you to not only get the Quark in record time but also to get sun from day 1

I lucked out, Canadian Telescopes had one in stock  This is new to me but I'm still shocked at the proms, fuzz and little spikes. Now I know why you guys use the term caterpillars! Lower mag helped them today, as with the surface detail, I never thought I would see sunspots in Ha and the surrounding bright areas are really something. Those 3 huge pillars with the fanned tops were amazing... I'm honed in on the settings pretty close, either straight up or 1 click to the right..

Yeah, sun and a new toy- that is shocking...

[Qualia]

Sounds like were in a good run of luck, Gerry. Not only finding a Quark in record time, but having sunny weather to boot. You lucky chap I look forward to hearing your own impression and insights on the eyepiece/filter.

[Pig]

Ha is great to view it never seems to get boring  

I am not to sure how much difference the tuning setting makes, maybe it will come into its own as the seasons change  I have a feeling that it will stay in a set place for weeks at a time and slight adjustments will  be required as the ambient temperature outside changes. Mine is pointing upward most of the time  

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

As the Quark has a thermostat, outside temperature should not affect the setting a lot. I have found slight gradients between early morning and late evening tuning, and some structure show clear Doppler structure within them (one prom I spotted brightened at different positions along its length as I changed tuning on the LS35).

[Al.Grant]

Al,

The chromosphere version seems to be the most popular on SGL and is what I have 

There is an SGL member called Joves who has both versions and I am sure he wouldn't mind you asking his experiences with them both. I am also sure he wrote a review about them not too long ago but I am unable to find it anywhere

Thanks.

I need to look closer at the options before parting with any £££.  I need to look at the Equinox 80 Pro + Quark Vs LS50 or LS60

Obviously the Lunts give more options to upgrade with different filters & pressure tuner etc.

The Quark is very similar in price to the LS50 and looks like a better option   ( also easier to just tell the wife "Oh that's just a new eyepiece"   ) 

Obviously the LS60 costs way more, but for visual use and some occasional imaging the Quark looks hard to beat.

I've got an Altair 60mm F3.75 finder/guider that I'm guessing I could add a diagonal and also use the Quark on that if needed.

If I'm looking at fov & magnification etc do I treat the Quark as a 4.2x barlow ?

Thanks

    Al

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

FOV wise the Quark does act as a 4.2x Barlow. The biggest drawback of the quark is the power requirement. I could not have had the quick session I had with my SolarMax 60mm H-alpha scope this morning with a quark. I simply stepped off the bike, set up the tripod, unslung the bag I carry the scope in, attached it to the mount, and was blown away by the detail in seconds. A quark would have taken up much more time. So much in fact that it would have made me late for lectures. This is the main reason I pounced on the solarmax when I spotted it on ABS-UK for a price well below a Quark. I still want a Quark, but mainly as a tool for hi-res imaging and observing when I have both power and time.

[Pig]

Michael,

I can be up and running within seconds with my Lunt and I totally agree   the number of times it has proven invaluable to be ready to go within seconds, due to a major solar event combined with a small time opportunity because of clouds, is unquestionable......without the speed I would never have seen them all...gone forever

I guess both options is the best option  

[Luke]

I think it all depends on your needs and preferences

I have a SolarMax 60 but prefer the Quark and Tele Vue 60 as my grab and go. So we are going Quark only. But that's just us!