niallk

Sure - here's the prompt + helpful response I received from Faye @ Lunt: Hello Niall, I hope this email finds you well! Thanks for the details you have included. For the replacement filter please contact our distributor Bresser in Germany. Wolfgang and his team will know the part you need. From you he will need your scope model and serial number as well as your address. Here is the contact information: Bresser GmbH Gutenbergstrasse 2 46414 Rhede T +49 (0) 28 72 - 80 74-140 F +49 (0) 28 72 - 80 74-540 wolfgang.quere@bresser.de www.bresser.de Here is a link to a brief video on the procedure as well. I am happy to assist you further if you have any technical questions, so please let me know! https://luntsolarsystems.com/solar-telescope-basics/ Thank you, Faye Romàn Lunt Solar Systems (520) 344-7348 f.roman@luntsolarsystems.com sales@luntsolarsystems.com www.luntsolarsystems.com

Great - thanks @Peter Drew and @Laurin Dave! I'll hang on to see if I get the replacement before attempting to clean - as I can still enjoy the views despite the appalling look of it 😂 I'll post back on my experience obtaining a replacement- in case of interest to anyone. I've been anticipating this issue would manifest itself. I wonder if the 'new' blue glass has an improved coating or whatever... or is this likely to reoccur every few years? 🤔 Despite this, I still love my LS50DS - it's so amazing to be able to see the detail it shows. Great little scope 😉

Hi, I've the dreaded corroded 'blue glass' B600 issue, and have contacted Lunt in the USA who advised me to email Wolfgang in Bresser with my details. Anyone else recently have to do this?? I'm wondering about 3 things: a) Did you have to pay? It's a relatively low cost component anyway, but just wondering. b) What sort of lead time was involved? c) Any issues removing the original one and replacing with the new one? Here's a pic of the state of mine - remarkably I still get enjoyable views - a nice bit of activity and beautifully fine details on-view today, but it is like I'm looking through thin cloud - very noticeable scatter. Any comments on my Qs would be much appreciated! Thanks, -Niall PS I keep the scope in its metal case with silica desiccant pouches right at the B600 in a bedroom - it's treated very well, not left out in a shed or anything!!

Wow! Now that's an aperture jump It's a beaut.

Fantastic!!

Geez I remember that picture - if I'm right, I think that was the artist's concept of what the sun would look like from Pluto?? As you say, memorable!!

My lil' Lunt! Small is beautiful

I found collimation confusing initially, and read several descriptions, and it wasnt until I understood how the secondary was mechanically built that I understood how to adjust it (Skywatcher 250px). One of the most helpful guides I found was AstroBaby's- have you seen it? I'd recommend reading several others too. https://www.astro-baby.com/astrobaby/help/collimation-guide-newtonian-reflector/ Of course, the registration of the collimation tool in the focuser needs sorting first as you say.

Nice!! - what's the aperture?

Smooth as butter alt-az: 😂

My EP set in my 15" f4.5 + PC2 is based around 17E-10E-6E. My first 100° EP was an ES 20mm ... and I never use it - I prefer the 17E. I did also augment the line-up with a N31T5, but tbh it gets far less use than my 17E. There are a few targets where I do look for max tfov - and it's a very nice luxury to have it, rather than a 'necessity', imho. If I'd gone for the 21-13-8 type progression, I expect that I wouldn't have added the N31T5.

Sheesh! - that's shocking. Lucky you or your partner weren't hurt.

I've got the rectangular one which I keep my Wahoo Kickr on for my bike, and I've also a circular one which I keep my assembled 15" dob on in the house. Very handy: I can wheel it to the front door... the long wheel barrow handles which came with the scope are great outside, but too long for manoeuvring around the corners internally in the house! Deh dolly's deh job!

Congrats - looks the biz 😎👍👍

Beautiful! 👍👍

If Jupiter won't take my 8mm (240x), I often deem that it's just not really a particularly good night for observing planets, tbh. On a very good night, I get to use my 6mm (15" dob). On a very, very rare excellent night, the 2× PM comes out to play! Of course low altitudes curb expectations. If the jetstream forecast isn't favourable, I won't even try! I give 2-3 hrs cooling if conditions look promising. I also like to drop the power too - using my 17E or N31T5 to get a 'wide field' view with the moons.

Looks the biz 😎 Hope the mirror gets sorted 👍

Superb!!! 👍👍

Very nice!

Beautiful looking instruments! 😎😛

This has given me my best views - though I've only looked through 2 scopes 😂 15" dob, P2 + 6E Jupiter & Saturn visible upper right as dawn breaks. If I recall correctly, Mars was a little east, out of camera shot, but I got some lovely views that morning despite low altitudes.

Very weirdly, the day my scope was delivered, I assembled it at home - and my wife walked right past it without noticing it! When I mentioned it, she took a look and said it actually looked nice, and not ugly as she was afraid it would be. I don't comprehend how she walked by it - but anyhoo I'm still allowed to store it in our room, coming on 7 years later 😅 She has zero interest and I couldn't even convince her to take a look at the majestic rings of Saturn through it... 🙄😒 Mind you, she was all on for accompanying me to Ballinskelligs for the Star Party with the kids, and is up for it again whenever this Covid business settles 😉

😂 nah, it's on the ground floor. It's stored on a furniture moving dolly with castors from Lidl - so I just push it to the door of the house, before throwing into the car to drive to a nearby 'darker' site, away from security and street lights. I'd e too worried about deterioration to put it in our wooden shed.

Fully assembled 15" dob, stored in our bedroom 🤣

Very nice @Stu! Congrats - looking fwd to hearing how it goes 🙂 -Niall