Pig

It does make you wonder @ Paul but I am sure there will be some scientific excuse to back it up ?

18 hours ago, Merlin66 said:

If you eventually use a larger refractor (>100mm) , then with the Quark you may need an ERF (energy rejection filter) - a good UV-IR filter as a basic option.

Ken this must have changed since I purchased my Quark, Daystars literature used to say greater than 115mm  before and ERF is required.  I have not had to use one with my 110mm and to make doubley sure I asked Daystar this very question before purchasing ?

18 hours ago, LukeSkywatcher said:

Ive loved W/L observing for a couple of years now but its quite static. Im sure Ha will be a bit more dynamic.

Will my variable solar polarizing filter or contnuum filter come in to play at any stage, or are they just W/L filters.

 

Paul, Ha is more dynamic and you get that kaleidoscope effect that pops into view after a short time.... the polarising filter can enhance the granulation ..... it’s similar to the effect of thin cloud passing the sun, I often use my polarising filter for this very reason. I have not tried the continuum on Ha ?

I must admit I am very tempted to buy one.... I still get a tad confused with the 1.25/2.0 “ options and the focusser options, this is compounded by the optional extras I would need to be up and running.  I would like one that I could use all my kit on without any fuss ?

5 hours ago, LukeSkywatcher said:

The Chromo i bought is an original, so fine for my refrac?.

Yes ?

55 minutes ago, LukeSkywatcher said:

Im not really looking to buy a new scope for solar or other observing. Would my 8SE be good to use with the Quark?. Its less portable, but not by much really. I think i will go for the Chromo model. Same price, so that isnt a factor. I know from images i have seen that there is lots of surface detail to be seen (snakes etc). 

Im still none the wiser how to power it. If someone could point me in the direction of a power source, that would be great. Off the shelf please. I have zero DIY skills, so soldering stuff and wiring is out of the question.

There is a version of the Quark that can be used with SCT’s but you will have to check it out.  The originals were for refractors only and care must be taken not to mix them up.

The link below is all you will need to power a Quark, or you can use the mains adapter it comes with. It simply plugs  into the USB micro port on the side of the unit.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-PowerCore-20100-Capacity-Technology-Black/dp/B00VJSGT2A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1515882945&sr=8-1&keywords=anka+power+bank

Why am I calling you Luke ??? I mean’t Paul ?

16 minutes ago, LukeSkywatcher said:

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking the prom filter is the way to go but that limits you to observing proms. Would the Chromo model be a better option as it offers up proms and surface details. With the 2nd model, is the quality of the view of proms degraded by much?. It most likely would be used with my 70mm refrac scope because i want the setup to be as portable as possible. 

Luke, I am not sure if you remember Aaron (Joves) who used to come on SGL but he had both versions and I remember him saying the chromosphere version was almost as good as the prominence version on proms but not vicerversa ......but I personally have only viewed with the chromosphere version.... Hope this helps ?

1 hour ago, Stu said:

Intriguing enough for a google search!

http://www.daystarfilters.com/Quark/CameraQuark.shtml

I guess if you have a decent 400mm lens, it's a great option for full disk Ha photography.

It might even be ok visually at the same time... Are camera screens up to to it.?

Stu, any disruption for new equipment that you have paid hard cash for is unacceptable, let alone six months. However, some poor experiences can be overcome if the customer service experienced to make it good is top notch.

Yes that does sound very intriguing ?

It looks like a posh drainpipe ?

@Sunshine, it’s the  same issues, not new ones.  Just the same people having free spins....... most retailers have had there fingers burnt and are checking them before selling them.  £1000 versus £2400 + with a crappy focusser.  But hey as the old saying goes......you pay the  money and take your choice ?

?

3 hours ago, Davey-T said:

Exactly Shaun, Daz had one of the super ones along with a couple of others on here and Solar Chat but the majority seem to be average with a scattering of real lemons, unfortunately if someone buys one not knowing what to expect and never having seen a super one they probably think it's OK and Daystars attitude is that it is so no good complaining to them 

Dave

Sorry Dave we will have to agree to disagree, a Lemon of a Quark is still far better than a pearler of dedicated solar scope below 80mm. By a lemon I take it you mean the surface detail is not consistent across the visible area (striped or patchy) or some areas of small distortion.

I have looked through quite a few Quarks and in comparison I would consider them all super compared to the competition, and yes they all vary from one another. 

Derek had a strange problem with his that didn’t fall into the above category and Daystar dealt with it very professionally and returned it in as good as new condition in a respectable time frame. 

I think it is about time the Quark bashing was put into perspective.

The End ? Shaun

I am not sure about the publicity images Dave...... they knock spots off PST’s and alike ? you only have to look at the Images Daz and others have taken as hard evidence ? you can also carry over the comparisons with imaging and this is the difference you get with visual between the two. 

47 minutes ago, AdeKing said:

I am thinking about it @Pig but there are so many contradictory things written about the reliability and variable QC of the Quarks that I'm more than a bit wary.

I don't think I've read so many contradicting opinions about any other piece of equipment that I've been interested in.

Ade I totally understand, Daystar really did not do themselves any favours..... I have not heard of any issues for quite some time now.

On 01/01/2018 at 21:44, AdeKing said:

I have the blue, though slightly faded, version of that pretty little scope, it travels with me everywhere and is a definite keeper.

I don't have a quark but use it with a Herschel Wedge for WL solar.

I can fit everything I need for WL Solar, Terrestrial and lunar observations into its small aluminium case, though it is a slightly tight fit.

I'm still deciding whether to go PST or Quark.

Ade

 

Thank you Ade, they are cute little blighters and they pack a punch no mattter what the target.? You have the scope already.....surely it has to be the Quark ?  

Hiya... You do not need and ERF until you exceed 115mm I believe, hence why I got  the 110mm, you will need only a UV/IR filter and that is placed onto the front of the diagonal .... quite cheap. I started with an Equinox 80mm and you will almost get a full solar disc. If you want a full disc I believe you need a focal length of about 450mm.

It’s probably best we switch to a PM conversation as I do not want to hijack the thread,  please contact me with any questions you have ?

4 hours ago, Floater said:

Sunshine, I think you have stumbled upon a man who will happily praise the Quark in some depth. But I’ll leave him to extol the virtues ... and sit back with some popcorn. (Or perhaps more in keeping with Shaun’s habits, that should be sit back with guitar and a sip of something nice!) ??

Thank you Gordon ?I have however turned over a new leaf and seldom drink these days, maybe three occasions in the past 14 months and 2 days !!! ? I still play the guitar whilst solar observing though, much to the neighbors dismay ?

7 hours ago, Sunshine said:

That's a pretty little scope you have there, love the colour! i myself have been so darn curious about Quarks but have been turned off by so many complaints about quality control consistency, how has yours performed and how long have you had it?

Thank you it is a little firecracker...... I have been blown away by the performance of the Quark and I must have owned it a couple of years. Quarks are fantastic in comparison to other types of solar scopes,and I used to own a Lunt 60 prior to the Quark ?Quite a lot of the voices concerning the Quark havent even owned one ... but hey there is nothing stranger than folk ? Don’t get me wrong they did have their issues initially which was compounded by Daystars extremely poor customer support.

I switch the Quark between the two scopes below.

Here is my alternative to the 110mm - both use the Quark but I also get a full solar disk with this little scope.

On 26/12/2017 at 21:54, LukeSkywatcher said:

I've read that PST can have issues with lens. Lunt, do you get a mount and tripod?. Quark I have heard only great things, but would my 70mm travels cope be suitable?. My Hershel wedge works great with the 70mm travelscope. 

Paul the Quark will work fine with your 70mm travel scope and you may even get a full solar disc ?I use mine with a 110mm & a 60mm. My Esprit 80mm gave 99% of the disc.

8 hours ago, 25585 said:

Thank you Paz. For comparison this is the original LV.

That needs a good clean ? You might even find someone's eye in there !

Nice one Mark ? They sure are lovely looking scopes .... enjoy the views ?