garryblueboy

13 hours ago, Solar B said:

Talking about LS152s I see that ones back up for grabs on Astro Buy & Sell ?

My apologies Garry , I’m sure you eluded somewhere some time ago about how bright your SM 60DS image was 

and I’m always striving toward the ideal set up , looking out for something new and affordable to try but I do have 

nearing the ideal mount situation as having a pier outside does save a lot on set up times.

Hows about SGL have a Solar event , that would be great for trying various weather permitting ?

 

Brian 

 

I fear Brian that owning the LS152  may be like most large scopes on the ideal day it will blow your socks off but I read our skies will not do it justice I did ponder when it came up for sale first time I'm quite impressed so far with the LS 80 binoviews are the best I've seen since starting solar 5 years ago , know what you mean with the mount I've tried many over the years along with all types of OTA I think I'm almost there with present scopes and mounts also .

A SGL Solar day would be great also give members a chance to see different set ups ☀️

1 minute ago, Solar B said:

It’s all very subjective Garry and perhaps I’ve clarified the reason why your DS SMll 60 views were so bright , 

the Lunt 60s offer the same set up with one internal and one external etalon  , however the SMIIIs offer the superior configuration of 2 externally stacked etalons.

For the ultimate “Air Spaced” HA  views one can look no further than the Isle of Man Solarscope etalons !

I do respect Stephens reviews but I’ve actually been using HA scopes a little longer than he , and as always 

there is no substitute for trying the real thing.

 

Brian

Agreed Brian on the solarscope from Isle of Man we are fortunate to have what we both see as an ideal setup I don't think I mentioned my solarmax views being bright though in fact my Lunt are far brighter but that also is due to the 75mm external etalon fitted to the Lunt 80 and when it was fitted to the Lunt 60mm and it was far better than the 50 double I had and so on hopefully one day I will have the pleasure of a 100mm solarscope filter from Isle of Man  Or Coranado or Lunt 

1 hour ago, Solar B said:

Mark you can replicate a similar view for less than 2k (new) using a Quark , 2” 35nm and an ST152 , I know that I do ?

well the odd time that the seeings up to it ?

 

In my experience you can’t really get to the bottom of what your really after until you try a set up for yourself , you can read 

all you wish but they’re usually filled with reviews by Lunt newbs , I’ve owned and tried numerous Lunts since 

their inception in 2007 / 8 and I’m afraid that I still do not rate them , so in summary it’s best if you can try before you buy.

 

Brian 

 

 

 

Perhaps Stephen Ramsden reviews may help over on the solar Chat forum I don't think he's a Newbie reviewer 

And I'm the opposite to you Brian I've owned several Solarmax II including two double stacked versions and the views were good but in my opinion not as good as the Lunt scopes I've owned but I would say the solarmax II double stack version is great value for money also the solarmax II has two etalon one internal one external so best advice is as always try and see what's best for you but it can be costly 

AYO Master has both Losmandy and vixen 

I have the Lunt 75 external filter which I double stack and as Alan rightly points out you do see more double stacked but my Lunt 75 mounted on my Tak 100 or my Lunt 80 in-single binoviewed is also breath taking when there is much HA going on double stack is great hard  to justify 2k pluss extra though if I'm honest I'd say a Lunt 60mm front etalon on a nice Ed scope is better than a Lunt 60 and two is well very expensive but even better I would try to see double stack for yourself first somebody local may help if you can before spending over 2k then you will know what your getting for your extra outlay 

I agree also with Peter.  I would buy the biggest single stack I prefer the single 80 over the double 60 and cost is the same pretty much same 

It's the encoder system 10,000 tics through Argo Navis can be connected to software via pc etc push too as a posed to GOTO 

It's awesome I've had a few AZ in past Skytee 2 Altair Sabre but this is in a different league 

New TS 130 photo line APO can't wait to try it out 

Hi Chris yes it is indeed a ED optical system I believe they use it to cut down on SA in the optical train as optics get larger this is more apparent hence the 80 and above use Higher  quality glass where as the the 60 and lower etc do not  problem with solar is so much filtering removing bands etc any slight gain is a bonus I also have a F5.9 152 Scope that's not ED and it is excellent not tried on Solar yet but it's pretty much what Lunt use on the big one I did notice a slight difference when I used my now Sold 120 Equinox for white light in comparison to a 102 f5.9 Bresser the detail stemmed enhanced 

Great scope good choice 

Hi Mark I hope so I'm sure it will get many hours enjoyment cant wait

27 minutes ago, Highburymark said:

Fabulous telescope Garry. And you may just have the best 80mm double stacked set up possible - with mixed reports for the 80mm etalon and the shadows it creates. Your 75mm filter should be spectacular with this scope. Very envious - but hearty congrats.

Thanks Mark yes I had read about the problems with the double 80m stack and over on solar chat there a guy with the same set up using the 75m with great success 

So I'm hoping for good things 

Just now, Stu said:

Lovely  I thought you had your eyes on that one  

Yes Stu I couldn't resist they don't often come up so it's now or proberly never 

At last been after one of these for a while now and thanks to Iain I have one bring on the sun ☀️ And great thing is I can use my LS75 front filter to double stack 

Thanks Iain 

As MikeV said , they had GPS problems I had one of the early carbon fibre ones great optics but GOTO was hit & miss but if you got it cheap a bargain as the CPC is much better set up and I've seen them go as little as £1450 

I have a Lunt 60mm plus I have a 75mm Lunt front etalon  the views are stunning 

Found them a bit to much faffing about really waiting for them to come on band and eyepiece selection bit critical prefer the set up I have now 

I'm hoping so Chris ?

Yeah the quarks are great fun I've had a couple 

Usually around 5-10mins depending on outside temperature 

Always use them or Artsky just got one for my CPC11HD it's massive but well padded 

New Cannon to replace my Binoculars V3 looking forward to a first light soon 

On 05/12/2017 at 20:31, Moonshane said:

Sold two scopes to buy this

 

Nice I've owned 2 of the equinox 120s fine scopes 

Better build quality on the Lunt although Focusor on both are a bit poor still prefer the Lunt buy a good used Lunt for around same as a PST