LS50 or LS60 - Pressure v Tilt Tuning. Which to buy ?

[Racey]

To those more experienced than me, may I pick your brains please ?

I've done a lot of reading on the merits of pressure running on a Lunt Solar Scope vs it's Tilt Tuned siblings. 

I've also read about Helical vs Crayford / Feather Touch Focusing. 

And, of course, I have understood the advantages of Aperture size and Focal length. 

So, in a perfect world I'd head out to purchase the widest aperture, pressure tuned, Feather Touch Solar scope I could afford. Except this isn't a perfect world by any means !!

So, I'm faced with the choice of a LS50 Pressure Tuned with perhaps an after market focuser to swap out the Helical focuser supplied as standard. 

Or a LS60 Tilt tuned with the Crayford focuser fitted as standard. 

Which way might the experienced go if I was purchasing for visual observing only please ?

Thanks

Simon

Edited March 27, 2017 by Racey

[Davey-T]

If money isn't tight I'd get the LS60DS pressure tuned with B1200 in case you get the urge to start imaging, the standard focuser isn't anything to write home about but it works, you can always upgrade the focuser at a later date, I've fitted Moonlight on mine but only because it came in matching red 

LS60 is more versatile as regards focuser mods

Dave

Edited March 27, 2017 by Davey-T

[Peter Drew]

I would still be tossing a coin. The best 60mm Lunt view I've had was with a tilt tuned version, double stacked but with still the standard focuser. There seem to be a number of reported issues with the pressure tuning. On balance, I would certainly prefer a no frills LS60 to a LS50. A PST mod is better than either though. 

[Racey]

34 minutes ago, Davey-T said:

If money isn't tight I'd get the LS60DS pressure tuned with B1200 in case you get the urge to start imaging, the standard focuser isn't anything to write home about but it works, you can always upgrade the focuser at a later date, I've fitted Moonlight on mine but only because it came in matching red 

LS60 is more versatile as regards focuser mods

Dave

Dave

Thanks. I'm not in the money no object category. So it's really a question of which will be the best foundation upon which to build. 

Maybe I wasn't clear enough, for which I apologise. My choice at the moment comes down to LS50 pressure tune or LS60 Tilt ?

Edited March 27, 2017 by Racey

[Racey]

@Peter Drew Peter, Thank you. Just the sort of advice I was after. Appreciated 

[Davey-T]

1 hour ago, Racey said:

Dave

Thanks. I'm not in the money no object category. So it's really a question of which will be the best foundation upon which to build. 

Maybe I wasn't clear enough, for which I apologise. My choice at the moment comes down to LS50 pressure tune or LS60 Tilt ?

LS60 tilt is just as good as pressure tuned view, I'd definitely get a 60 tilt over a 50 pressure tuned.

Dave

[Racey]

27 minutes ago, Davey-T said:

LS60 tilt is just as good as pressure tuned view, I'd definitely get a 60 tilt over a 50 pressure tuned.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I appreciate the guidance. Hopefully in time I can double stack it... But for now it sounds like a good base to build on in time

[GavStar]

Good to hear these comments since I've got a ls60 tilt arriving tomorrow (taking advantage of the current sale)

[spaceboy]

 If your budget allows it go for the larger aperture. 60mm isn't very big but it's 10mm bigger than the LS50tha, so pressure tuned or not, a LS60 is going to have that slight edge in good seeing.

[Highburymark]

I have a double stacked LS50 with pressure tuner. It's a wonderful telescope which benefits greatly from double stacking. But everyone has a different story to tell with ha solar.

Do your research. But if possible try and get some viewing experience before you buy. I think if I had the opportunity to upgrade I'd be happy to swap the pressure tuner for tilt, but I would insist on double stacking - it transforms the view.

The added complication with the LS60 is you have a choice of DS filters - the £1300 50mm option, or the £2,000 60mm filter. I presume the cheaper 50mm option just reduces your beautiful LS60 to a 50mm scope (others may correct me on this), in which case you may as well get the much cheaper LS50 double stacked telescope. But 2k is a lot of money for the 60mm DS filter. It's not a cheap area of the hobby?

[Racey]

Thank you for the insights. Good for thought... Much appreciated...

[Rhushikesh-Canisminor]

I have a Lunt50mm single stack pressure tuner telescope and I am in love with it. I use it purely for visual. It's the only H-alpha scope that I have looked through so can't give any advice on pressure tuner vs tilt.

ButI if money wasn't an issue then I would have definitely got a 60mm and double stack it later on. 10mm larger aperture will give some advantage and as mentioned in early comments, it's more versatile.

[Racey]

18 minutes ago, Rhushikesh-Canisminor said:

I have a Lunt50mm single stack pressure tuner telescope and I am in love with it. I use it purely for visual. It's the only H-alpha scope that I have looked through so can't give any advice on pressure tuner vs tilt.

ButI if money wasn't an issue then I would have definitely got a 60mm and double stack it later on. 10mm larger aperture will give some advantage and as mentioned in early comments, it's more versatile.

Thank you. I'm pleased to hear your LS50 is doing a good job for you. It sounds like you are getting some great observations given the sketches you have posted...