Coronado Double Stack PST Review

[Planetary Observer]

I received my Coronado PST Double Stack today (25 June 2024), from FLO, and despite clouds moving in managed 'first light' with it. After reading the instructions and following advice in there, I found focus and tweaked the view with the fine tuning and tilt rings. Using the supplied Coronado Cemax 18mm lens, I was absolutely amazed at the view the scope gave - what will some of my other lenses show me? Prominences were clearly visible, as were sunspots, filaments and other details. I genuinely stood at the scope, eye glued to the lens with my mouth open in amazement at what I could see. With more practise, what more will I be able to see? I well remember, many years ago now, my first views of Jupiter and Saturn, and how spectacular they were, and how planetary and lunar viewing became, and still is my main astronomy interest. I can now add solar observing to that now, thanks to this amazing piece of kit.

The day after the Coronado Double Stack PST arrived, it was (unusually) bright and clear, with no clouds around. Starting visually, initially using the supplied Cemax 18mm lens, the scope didn't disappoint. Seeing and atmospherics were very good, enabling the scope to really show clear detail on the Suns surface. Filaments, plages, sunspots and prominences were on display, and with very minor tweaks to the Etalon tuning rings, different objects could be made more prominent. As my eye became more accustomed to the Ha view, more detail could be discerned - in fact I really hadn't anticipated the clarity and amount of detail that the scope gives. After quite some time soaking up the view in the Cemax 18mm lens, I swapped out for one of my other lenses, a 12.5mm. There was no reduction in the level of clarity or in the definition of the different areas on show, the Coronado performing flawlessly.
I then decided to try imaging through the scope. It is stated that the Coronado PST and the Double Stack PST are not really designed for imaging, and that getting some cameras, especially DSLRs to focus is very tricky, if not impossible without extension rings/tubes or using a barlow lens. Well, yes, it is tricky, but with a bit of experimentation I found that I could get focus with my Altair GPCAM3 178c camera without resorting to barlows or extension tubes. To do this, I could only insert the lens nosepiece about 5mm into the eyepiece holder, but the retaining screw was just able to lock and secure the camera at that. Focusing was easy at that point. The images produced through the Coronado were excellent, with really good, clear detail captured, as can be seen in the attached image.
It is very rare that I write reviews of products, yet after some 30 years of visual astronomy using several different telescopes, lenses etc, and latterly also imaging the Moon and the planets, I can honestly say that this solar scope has totally delighted me with its performance, and has far exceeded my expectations, so much so that I have written this review. Can I recommend the Coronado Double Stack PST? Oh yes, most definitely!! 

Final note, a thank you to all FLO for the usual efficient service. Ordered over the weekend, while FLO was closed, but dispatched on Monday, arriving today, Tuesday.

[GordonD]

Great report - thanks for posting it. Wow - that image is amazing - well done!

[Highburymark]

Wonderful image and report. Congratulations on what looks like a superb PST.

[Planetary Observer]

Thanks @GordonD and @Highburymark, appreciated.

[niallk]

Great report - congrats + enjoy that scope 😎😎

[Planetary Observer]

Thanks @niallk, and believe me, I am 😎