Christmas present suggestions

[alan potts]

Soon as I read the top of the post I thought, nice 80mm ED.

But you will need a mount too I guess.

Alan 

[Naemeth]

For a different suggestion, how about this?

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=74326

[Pig]

Well that's not a bad list to be going on with guys, thank you

Lots to think about - I especially like the thought of going down the solar route, I just have this sneaking feeling of another slippery slope on the horizon

[BillP]

Of everything, IMO the solar hydrogen alpha route would be the most cherished.  You have binoculars and a good mainline scope now, and if you don't have a h-alpha setup then IMO you a missing a big piece of the astro-pie.  Yes it can get way expensive, but can also be quite satisfying staying small.  I love my P.S.T. as it opens up the daytime for observing astronomy as well.  And many times I will just take it out for 15 minutes and nothing more, just to give a check on what is happening on the Sun each day.  Kindof fun doing a daily sunny day Sun check!  And sometimes those prominences are spectacular and change so rapidy.  Plus its really portable so a blast to take for quick looks when on vacation at the beach or where ever.  So a P.S.T. or a Lunt would be quite much fun IMO.

[Stargazer_00]

I use a 150p on az4 and if is a great grab and go to the garden scope. This would leave you change. Maybe try squeeze in atv 3 6 zoom for it. This scope mount and eyepiece combo is the ultimate grab and go in my opinion. In thinking of putting an oo vx6 on my grab and go I like it that much!

[Pig]

Nice idea but I am thinking more and more about a PST for the occasional sunny days we get 

I do have one of them TV 3-6 zoom thingamajigs

[Pig]

Of everything, IMO the solar hydrogen alpha route would be the most cherished.  You have binoculars and a good mainline scope now, and if you don't have a h-alpha setup then IMO you a missing a big piece of the astro-pie.  Yes it can get way expensive, but can also be quite satisfying staying small.  I love my P.S.T. as it opens up the daytime for observing astronomy as well.  And many times I will just take it out for 15 minutes and nothing more, just to give a check on what is happening on the Sun each day.  Kindof fun doing a daily sunny day Sun check!  And sometimes those prominences are spectacular and change so rapidy.  Plus its really portable so a blast to take for quick looks when on vacation at the beach or where ever.  So a P.S.T. or a Lunt would be quite much fun IMO.

 I am becoming greatly tempted by this option

[Joves]

I would definitely recommend the PST. I have one and absolutely love it. As Bill says, it's so portable and opens up a whole new avenue to your observing. I wouldn't trade mine for the world. Well, maybe for a Lunt pressure tuned 60mm with double stack (this is already on the shopping list)... As you say, it's a slippery slope!!

[Pig]

I would definitely recommend the PST. I have one and absolutely love it. As Bill says, it's so portable and opens up a whole new avenue to your observing. I wouldn't trade mine for the world. Well, maybe for a Lunt pressure tuned 60mm with double stack (this is already on the shopping list)... As you say, it's a slippery slope!!

What make do you have ?

[Joves]

I have the Coronado PST... It's such an awesome little thing!

[BillP]

Me too...the Coronado P.S.T. (40mm).  Have it on a little alt-az and just keep a 20mm and 10mm eyepiece for it.  When the Venus transit happened I had it mounted next to my TSA-102 on my Minitower Pro.  Was cool having the transit in both H-Alpha and White Light Solar.  Two very different views and both views spectacular in their own way.

[Pig]

All is sounding very promising

[Joves]

Ok, so I've been thinking of your Xmas present and making decisions for you on your behalf... Get the P.S.T. (Or the equivalent Lunt 35mm)... Everyone needs to be able to see the sun in H-Alpha!!