Thousand Oaks Optical

[Sqyff]

Has anyone heard of or had practical experience of the Thousand Oaks Optical H Alpha system?

http://www.thousandoaksoptical.com/halpha.html

I stumbled across it this evening an wondered if it was a viable alternative to the more discussed Ha systems and mods on this forum.

Looking at the prices it seems quite a reasonable cost to equip larger aperture scopes.

Apologies if it's been discussed before.

[Steep]

I saw the brand when I was looking at OIII filters, they seem to be a well respected name in America but I don't remember seeing any for sale over here?

[Peter Drew]

The Thousand Oaks solar products are usually bypassed by the solar enthusiasts in favour of those of Baader. I did, however have a 5" aperture T.O. ERF which although very thin, did give excellent results on a PST mod.

[Sqyff]

I thought the package looked interesting.

It seems to consist of an ERF with a separate H alpha tilting etalon filter unit which can be put either between the scope and diagonal or between the diagonal and eyepiece and all for £529.95 ($799.00) for a 4" setup (plus duty and taxes if bought from the US).

Compared this to just the Baader ERF on it's own which for the same general size retails for around £500.10 ($754.00) in the US, the Thousand Oaks Optical system looks like a bargain.

The question is whether the etalon and ERF are high quality I suppose.

[Peter Drew]

As with most things astronomical, you get what you pay for.

[Sqyff]

Very true Peter. On reflection and without any way to test the quality of this product I think I'll stick with the planned PST mod.

[Peter Drew]

Good plan, safety is also what you pay for!

[IanC11]

Rother Valley Optics used to sell them, don't know if they still do.

Ian

[Merlin66]

I sent an enquiry to RVO re these filters - and got no reply....

I've used the Lumicon Ha narrow band solar filter (1.2A) with a 50mm ERF on a Meade 8" SCT as was not overly impressed.

There was a distinct lack of contrast and it was only usefull to see brighter proms....

The Baader ERF is a 1/10 wave, 6mm thick optical window with coatings to reduce the energy and maximise the Ha transmission. The 1000 Oaks (and others) just use red or (yellow) filter elements....

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I sent an enquiry to RVO re these filters - and got no reply....

I've used the Lumicon Ha narrow band solar filter (1.2A) with a 50mm ERF on a Meade 8" SCT as was not overly impressed.

There was a distinct lack of contrast and it was only usefull to see brighter proms....

The Baader ERF is a 1/10 wave, 6mm thick optical window with coatings to reduce the energy and maximise the Ha transmission. The 1000 Oaks (and others) just use red or (yellow) filter elements....

Interesting. I think I will stick with my plan to get a Baader ERF for my upcoming H-alpha build.

[Sqyff]

I must admit the images on their website did look a little indistinct, nothing even close to a standard PST.

I think it's definitely a 'steer clear'.