TeleVue Bandmate™ Planetary Filter?

[Mak the Night]

Does anyone have any experience with the TeleVue Bandmate™ Planetary Filter? As I’m pretty certain TeleVue have discontinued their specialised Bandmate Mars A and B Filters and replaced them with the Bandmate™ Planetary Filter as a general planetary filter.

http://www.televue.com/engine/TV3b_page.asp?id=56&Tab=_back

Has anyone compared it to similar filters or to a filter such as the Baader Neodymium Filter? Mars will be quite close to us next year and I was wondering about good quality planetary filters, particularly for viewing Mars. I know the Baader Neodymium Filter is often used as a lunar/planetary filter but I was wondering how it compared, particularly to the TeleVue Bandmate.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/light-pollution-reduction/baader-neodymium-filter.html

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I have had very mixed results with most "planetary" filters I have seen. I haven't used the Tele-Vues, I should add, but my preference to date is to spend on better EPs rather than a filter.

[Mak the Night]

I have had very mixed results with most "planetary" filters I have seen. I haven't used the Tele-Vues, I should add, but my preference to date is to spend on better EPs rather than a filter.

OK, thanks. This TV filter is at least £125 in the UK, it does seem a lot of money for a filter. 

[John]

I owned one for a short while. I tried it a couple of times on Saturn and Jupiter. Personally I was not too impressed by the filter. It did enhance the stronger contrast features but I felt this was at the expense of the more subtle features which became harder to see. I was not taken by the pink colour tint that the filter gives target objects. I sent it back and got a refund. One of the very few Tele Vue products that I've not really taken to.

In the interests of balance the filter has also had some very positive reports including one from the respected observer Neil English, so maybe my feelings about it are a personal thing ?

[Mak the Night]

I owned one for a short while. I tried it a couple of times on Saturn and Jupiter. Personally I was not too impressed by the filter. It did enhance the stronger contrast features but I felt this was at the expense of the more subtle features which became harder to see. I was not taken by the pink colour tint that the filter gives target objects. I sent it back and got a refund. One of the very few Tele Vue products that I've not really taken to.

In the interests of balance the filter has also had some very positive reports including one from the respected observer Neil English, so maybe my feelings about it are a personal thing ?

OK, thanks, that's interesting. I think others have mentioned pink tinting. 

[DRT]

I have one of these but have been unable to use it to any great extent due to a distinct absence of planets and too much cloud!

On the few occasions I have used it I have been left with much the same impression as John. Unfortunately, I have had it too long to return it and get my £125 back so it is now available at the knock-down price of £124.99 for anyone who wants it?

[Mak the Night]

I have one of these but have been unable to use it to any great extent due to a distinct absence of planets and too much cloud!

On the few occasions I have used it I have been left with much the same impression as John. Unfortunately, I have had it too long to return it and get my £125 back so it is now available at the knock-down price of £124.99 for anyone who wants it?

It might come in useful for Mars later next year! lol

[DRT]

It might come in useful for Mars later next year! lol

I am resigned to keeping it so that is a good plan. I will hopefully get some good opportunities with Jupiter during the winter and I am sure Saturn will work its way into an observable position sometime in the next decade so will be sure to report back

[John]

It might come in useful for Mars later next year! lol

Tele Vue used to have a choice of 2 filters just for Mars viewing, the type A and type B Mars filters. These seem to have been replaced by the single TV Planetary filter now.

[Mak the Night]

I am resigned to keeping it so that is a good plan. I will hopefully get some good opportunities with Jupiter during the winter and I am sure Saturn will work its way into an observable position sometime in the next decade so will be sure to report back

Saturn will be back! You may have to wail until June though lol.

[Mak the Night]

Tele Vue used to have a choice of 2 filters just for Mars viewing, the type A and type B Mars filters. These seem to have been replaced by the single TV Planetary filter now.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they've been discontinued. They couldn't have been that successful. 

[alan potts]

I seem to remember reading a report on the Mars filters by Joves down in Australia and if I have the right man , he liked them and claimed they helped. I was for a very long time wanting a Planetary filter but after John report but it on a back burner which has now been switched off.

Alan

[Stu]

Saturn will be back! You may have to wail until June though lol.

I think the point is, it will be around 2026 before Saturn gets back to a decent elevation at opposition [emoji20]. Currently below 20 degrees, won't get above 40 degrees until then....

[Dave In Vermont]

The venerable 80A-Blue colour-filter has long been used to enhance views of Jupiter and, sometimes, Saturn. Orion-USA came out with a "specialized" Jupiter Filter about a year back. I looked closely at the picture in their ad and saw, partly hidden, Blue 80A on the side of it. I wrote a "Review" for it - noting it was a jacked-up in price Blue 80A. Orion didn't run my review. But they did withdraw the 'Jupiter-Filter' from sale.

I think I scared 'em!

During the close approach of Mars in 2003, I found an ad from Sirius (the company, not the star) for a special MARS 2003 filter. I ordered it. It arrived about the same time as a massive dust-storm occluded most of the Martian surface. But from the brief time I had to use it pre-dust, it did enhance the Martian surface-details quite nicely. For an easy-to-find filter somewhat close to my Mars 2003, I'd suggest a light-yellow coloured one.

Regards the TeleVue offering, most reviews I've read have been mixed. So I'd go along with John's opinion. Though I do wish David Knisely would find one to play with.

Have fun -

Dave

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Teleskop Service still stock the Mars B filter. Discounted too.

[Stu]

I seem to remember reading a report on the Mars filters by Joves down in Australia and if I have the right man , he liked them and claimed they helped. I was for a very long time wanting a Planetary filter but after John report but it on a back burner which has now been switched off.

Alan

I have one of these but don't ever think I've used it under decent conditions. I think it probably accentuates poor seeing but under good conditions with the planets at higher altitude I think they probably work better.

Whatever happened to Joves?

[Drop Of Sun]

I have a couple of the TV planetary filters. Not used them much of late due to weather etc. From using them and reading positive and negative reports on them, my own conlusion is that your mileage may vary! Which perhaps is no great surprise, as we have different sensitivity to colours. I generally don't get on so well with bright unfiltered views, my other half fares much better there. We both like the planetary filters and are keeping them. I guess buying second hand at a fair price is worth a shot, then you can pass on if no joy with hopefully little loss.

[John]

Whatever happened to Joves?

The weight of his kit imploded to create a black hole !

[Mak the Night]

I have a couple of the TV planetary filters. Not used them much of late due to weather etc. From using them and reading positive and negative reports on them, my own conlusion is that your mileage may vary! Which perhaps is no great surprise, as we have different sensitivity to colours. I generally don't get on so well with bright unfiltered views, my other half fares much better there. We both like the planetary filters and are keeping them. I guess buying second hand at a fair price is worth a shot, then you can pass on if no joy with hopefully little loss.

When you say 'a couple' which exactly do you have? I'm just curious. I wonder why TV discontinued the Mars A & B filters.

[Mak the Night]

Teleskop Service still stock the Mars B filter. Discounted too.

Thanks, I think I've seen the Mars filters at TS.

[Mak the Night]

The venerable 80A-Blue colour-filter has long been used to enhance views of Jupiter and, sometimes, Saturn. Orion-USA came out with a "specialized" Jupiter Filter about a year back. I looked closely at the picture in their ad and saw, partly hidden, Blue 80A on the side of it. I wrote a "Review" for it - noting it was a jacked-up in price Blue 80A. Orion didn't run my review. But they did withdraw the 'Jupiter-Filter' from sale.

I think I scared 'em!

During the close approach of Mars in 2003, I found an ad from Sirius (the company, not the star) for a special MARS 2003 filter. I ordered it. It arrived about the same time as a massive dust-storm occluded most of the Martian surface. But from the brief time I had to use it pre-dust, it did enhance the Martian surface-details quite nicely. For an easy-to-find filter somewhat close to my Mars 2003, I'd suggest a light-yellow coloured one.

Regards the TeleVue offering, most reviews I've read have been mixed. So I'd go along with John's opinion. Though I do wish David Knisely would find one to play with.

Have fun -

Dave

Thanks Dave, that's interesting. I think I have a Celestron 80A-Blue and a 12 Deep Yellow with a few others. 

They'll probably be more useful when I getter a bigger aperture SCT next year. I also have a Baader Neodymium Filter, although I haven't had chance to test it yet. I was just curious about planetary filters in general. I've used an orange filter on the Moon but that's about it. The reviews of the TV do seem mixed and seem to vary between 'nothing special' to 'the best thing since sliced bread'. I'm guessing my mileage may vary lol.

[Mak the Night]

I think the point is, it will be around 2026 before Saturn gets back to a decent elevation at opposition [emoji20]. Currently below 20 degrees, won't get above 40 degrees until then....

Yeah, Saturn doesn't do anything fast does it? lol

[Dave In Vermont]

Thanks Dave, that's interesting. I think I have a Celestron 80A-Blue and a 12 Deep Yellow with a few others. 

They'll probably be more useful when I getter a bigger aperture SCT next year. I also have a Baader Neodymium Filter, although I haven't had chance to test it yet. I was just curious about planetary filters in general. I've used an orange filter on the Moon but that's about it. The reviews of the TV do seem mixed and seem to vary between 'nothing special' to 'the best thing since sliced bread'. I'm guessing my mileage may vary lol.

No one thinking about planets and filters should be without this paper:

http://sas-sky.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SAS-The-Use-of-Astronomical-Filters1.pdf

Just when you thought those silly filters you first bought with your first telescope might make a nice paper-weight or cat-toy, along comes this!

Oh dear.....

Dave

[Mak the Night]

I seem to remember reading a report on the Mars filters by Joves down in Australia and if I have the right man , he liked them and claimed they helped. I was for a very long time wanting a Planetary filter but after John report but it on a back burner which has now been switched off.

Alan

Well, you have saved £125 or the equivalent. That's almost half a Nagler! 

[Mak the Night]

No one thinking about planets and filters should be without this paper:

http://sas-sky.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SAS-The-Use-of-Astronomical-Filters1.pdf

Just when you thought those silly filters you first bought with your first telescope might make a nice paper-weight or cat-toy, along comes this!

Oh dear.....

Dave

I have that very PDF! I'll have to look more into filters, literally ... I need to spend more time using them I think. I read someone claiming that the TV Bandmate was like the Baader Neodymium on steroids. I'll have to give the Baader a decent workout before deciding about acquiring a Bandmate I suppose.