Filter slide selector vs Filter wheel

[michaelmorris]

A year or so ago I bought a secondhand manual filter wheel for housing an IR pass filter, an IR cut filter and a blue filter for Mars imaging. Whilst I've found it okay I have come across a few problems. Firstly, I keep forgetting which way I need to turn the wheel for the next capture (Doh!). Secondly, I get some fearsome image shake when operating the wheel that take a few seconds to die down.

I know that motorised wheel could help with both these problems but that is WAY beyond budget. It struck me that a sliding filter selector, such as that produced by Lumicon (http://www.lumicon.com/telescope-accessories.php?iid=LF5012&cid=2&in=Multiple+Filter+Selector+1.25+Inch&hn=) might be the answer. I could see which filter was next and I presume the action will be smoother.

Has anyone any experience with these Lumicon sliding filter selectors? How good are they? What are the disadvantages compared to a filter wheel?

[MartinB]

I had exactly the same problems using a manual filter wheel Michael. With my QHY8 I use a Gerd Neuman filter drawer. I use 2" IDAS and Ha filters. Each filter is screwed into it's own draw which makes exchanging filters quick and simple (well it would be if they were par focal!) Not cheap though.

http://www.gerdneumann.net/v2/english/eng_filterdrawer.html

[roundycat]

I suspect your filters will be soaking wet within minutes.

Dennis

[MartinB]

Don't know about lumicon but certainly not a problem with the Gerd Neuman kit