niallk

33 minutes ago, Second Time Around said:

Yes, almost certainly.  My astigmatism prescription in my observing eye is 0.75 dioptres.  I compared both 0.75 and 1.0.  The latter was better.

Very interesting!!  Thanks.  OK- I don't wish to derail this thread off topic any further 🙂

Not wishing to stray too far off this interesting topic, but would folk recommend 'overcooking' the spec for a TV Dioptrx by 0.25 or so, similarly to astro glasses?  (I've been thinking one could be my next purchase! 🙄)

Yup weather!  😭

Oh... but when you get a dark night with good seeing and excellent transparency ... omg 😉

Defo my LS50DS gets the most use... small, light, observing in less than 5 mins, and no electronics involved

Great for a quick peep to see what's going on 😎.  I'll often leave it out if it's a sunny day and have a few looks over the course of a day working from home for a few mins break here and there!  Cool to see active regions and proms evolve - so dynamic.

Hi, I can't comment about anything re suitability for imaging - I'm strictly visual, but I watched out for a 'customer return' of a LS50 on FLO's site, and pounced when I saw one come up.  Couple of hundred off, full warranty, and assurance that it was tested and all was well with the scope before purchasing: and indeed it is 😉

Yeah, Ha is damn expensive!!

Superb

Superb! 👍👍

Sounds class!! - and a big congratulations to you both on your engagement 🍾🥂

A 12" dob would provide some shade in the daytime too 😉 

PS I'd love to be able to binoview with the LS50, but focus travel issues...

I once observed through a TV Binovue in a LS60 double stacked with a 50mm front etalon, and it was just stunning 😎

It's what made me get my own kit!

On 09/04/2022 at 12:43, GavStar said:

I’ve just been observing the sun with my lunt 60 double stack for the first time this year. Some great views. 
For comparison purposes, I downloaded the current solar pic on ha gong - how close do your live visual views get to the images shown (both surface detail/contrast and prom detail)? example from today attached.

My double stacked Lunt 50mm beats Gong images on surface detail.  In particular, I can focus to a sharper degree revealing subtle fine detail, imho.  Similar to gong on proms, except sharper.  The pressure tuning then allows different features to be accentuated.  I use a TS zoom EP, but it degrades views below about 8.5mm.  I can get better results with a 2.5X PM and fixed focal length EPs.

Mine was a SW 250px: great scope & phenomenal value for money 😉

I had such an enjoyable learning process with it, and it showed me so many wonders of this universe we live in.

13 hours ago, Pete Presland said:

It certainly has really got going over the last couple of weeks.  Interesting to see a lot of the activity nearer the Poles than i remember when i first started imaging.

As shown on the "butterfly" diagram on this page. NASA's Cosmos (tufts.edu)

Great link - thanks for posting it! 👍👍

@Captain Scarlet, @Simon128D,

In previous years I've both pitched a tent on the dunes behind the beautiful beach there in Ballinskelligs, and another year I had the family with me and pitched in the grounds of the Skellig Lodge itself - along with several other campers!  I requested permission beforehand, and it was no prob - in return for a donation to the chosen charity, which I was glad to do.

This year I might wild camp on the dunes again if needs be 😉  Not strictly permitted, but...

I can drive the scope up and just leave it in the car at the end of the night. probably have a few beers and collect the car during the day!

@Simon128D great report - fantastic sounding session!!

Glad to hear the scope is delivering superb views.  It looks class too 😎

Sounds like a great location... you've made me itch to get a road trip with my dob in soon 😉

It will look awe-inspiring, especially in August!

Beautiful!

Replacement blue glass received - prompt service from Baader 👍

Replacement was - as others had said - very straightforward:

* picked off some black 'silicone' on the retainer ring

* used two woodscrew, one in each hand, to unscrew the retainer ring - no problems 😊 

* old glass freely fell out, dropped new one in

* re-tightened retainer ring, and backed off 1/2 turn per Lunt advice for avoiding heat induced expansion stresses

Then got to check and.... lovely 😉 no scatter around the limb, so improved contrast for proms.  No feeling like I'm observing through patchy cloud on the disc.

My 'lil Lunt is restored 😍

Congrats Stu, looks like a very nice scope, very Obsession UC-esque!

Looking fwd to hearing more

What's the seeing like at your typical observing location(s)?

Superb report - and great pics too: brrrrrr!! 🥶

Will be stealing from your list of targets there 😉

20ES100 ... displaced by N31T5 & 17E.  It has only been used a few times, and is just sitting in its box.  I've never sold anything on the Internet before though... 🙈  Might see if anyone wants to buy it at the Skellig Star Party in August.

I gave away a few TS plossls and a nice enough 15mm 70° 'super wide' EP & barlow.

I wish they'd post some pictures inside and outside of focus so we could examine secondary breakout...😂

Fine job 👍👍

Fingers crossed the views will be as good as that scope looks 😎🤞

If it performs well, it does look like a beautiful scope with a great design for portability.