LDW1

Well said, exactly !

Especially if you didn't understand what he was saying, lol !

Don't ever think that Ed doesn't know what he is saying, what he is doing, ever ! But by human nature many like to interpret how they like to ......, right or wrong !

The latest update allows you to activate the SS, to extend or retract it by way of a couple arrow keys beside the SS image, top right, on the home page, its easy and its fast ! And they did get rid of the sync key, it auto syncs.

LOL !

I bought 2 because when sky conditions improve, hopefully, I can compete them against each other, I have several thoughts about that, things I want to try. The price was right and selling my D2 paid for a good part of the second one.

An eq / az capability could very easily escalate the $'s which I personally may not want to finance without other worthwhile selling features, in my opinion, from my pocketbook, lol !

It still remains to be seen how long before a new, larger model pops up but if the price is reasonable my wallet is ready to fly open, lol ! But it will really have to be worth while ie wider fov but not an EQ mode I am not an eq astronomer since the first year in the hobby, 30+ yrs. ago !

Price aside or not are you going to get almost 10x the performance or even 5x vs the ease of use, I think not ! It all remains to be seen, for sure ! Many have their faith in ZWO, Celestron have to prove themselves in this field and they are starting out big, lol ! I mean big $'s ! PS: I bought 2 s50's I'm keepin' the faith, lol !

Price wise not very well ie $6000 C vs $700 C, lol !

And I hate to say this but daytime solar ha astronomy is another great branch to get into, with the way night skize have been for the last several years it extends your astro activity considerably ! If you haven't already, your 80mm refractor together with a wedge or Baader film filter will put you into some great WL viewing also while your S50 is working away doing its thing. As they say ' the sky is the limit ' !

You're right and astronomy, one of its branches, is a great world to be in ! Thats why we have credit cards, lol ! With the SS you see the sunspot layer ( WL ) !

You won't regret it but just remember, make note that solar work is not Ha like with dedicated solar scopes ie you don't see flares, plages etc. the SS does not get into the chromosphere layer !

If it is only arriving today you may change your mind about how and how much you will use it once you do !

Range Finder Last nite at -2° C, with a fairly strong breeze I could not pick up my SS at about a 50' range, so I wirelessly hooked up my range booster / extender to a powerpack and boy did I connect to it then, never lost it all night. If you are going to be using yours at an extended range under less than ideal conditons have a range booster in your tool kit for well less than $100 C !

Field rotation is not a big problem but many make it one, you would be surprised a the nice takes you get only enhancing for 30 min. or well less !

Take a look at some of the extensive number of photos that have been posted on here, that should help answer your question, in living color.

I will say one thing, Lunt sure doesn't identify a 2 speed for the 50 in too great detail, the 60 and greater yes because they are now duel use scopes ie nite or daytime viewing.

Notice the ad mentions the adapter that it says is requied, so really how much do you gain for all that extra cost, if it fits !

I am not so sure they even make a 2 speed for the Lunt 40/50 scopes ?

Here is what I have been waiting almost a year for ! The Lunt LS50Ha will be happy, lol !

With tax and ship it came to almost $500 C !

Sorry but I couldn't find one appropriate forum to put this in so here it is here. Talking to my dealer here in Canada he told me that Feather Touch are starting to ship / supply their 1.25" single speed focusers for the Lunt LS50 ha scopes once again. I have been waiting for mine for almost a year, I will get it next week. I can hardly wait, the stock helical focuser has been resricting the use of my LS50 since I received it last Aug. PS: If there is a better place to insert this post could the powers that be please do it, as long as it can be seen by those that are waiting.

When the internal battery gets down to 20-21% you get a warning that the battery is low, when it gets to 15-18% you get a message that the battery does not have enough power to operate the SS and it quits working / enhancing but it does not shut down, you decide to either charge it up at that point or shut it down completely or ......... ! The other nite in -17° C temps mine did that at 18%.

I use my ipad 8th gen but I also really like my Samsung Tab A8 tablet with my SS, it works perfectly especially in Landscape mode ! I would recommend the Tab A8 anytime for the price.