Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Use this section to discuss "standard" Baader/Coronado/ Lunt SolarView/ Daystar, etc… filters, cameras and scopes. No mods, just questions/ answers and reviews.
User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18823
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17572 times
Been thanked: 16694 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Highbury Mark,
I certainly wish I had the Solarscope option here. But like Lunt there it has disadvantages here. Right now I am considering most seriously the Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS. They are quite reasonably priced for their size. I have found a couple of dealers selling them for well under 4000 dollars. Cheaper than a double stacked LS80 but larger. I also have some familiarity with Coronado since I have a SolarMax II 60 DS. BUT I still have my doubts with Coronado and especially Meade Instruments. I am also considering converting my Celestron 102 refractor to Ha solar by adding a rear etalon like a Solar Spectrum or Quark but preferably the first since their quality is higher and add an ERF to the front of the scope. I need to learn what exactly I will need to do this. I think a barlow also must be added before the etalon. And I may also have to replace the focuser on the refractor to hold the extra weight. Buying a purpose-built commercial solar instrument is easier but if I can learn what is needed and how to do it building my own custom solar refractor may be both cost effective and better. Now to find someone who sells Solar Spectrum in the US who lists their prices. I have found the ERFs at DayStar.

You did well with the magnification with your LS50 and LS60. Only very rarely can I exceed 50x on my Coronado 60. I usually run between 16x and 33x for the best views. That's one of the main reasons I want a bigger longer focal length scope. Usable higher power views. Getting closer views of ARs and prominences would be really nice. It's hard to really see them well on the SM 60s small image scale.

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
Solar B
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 185
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:29 am
Location: Dunfermline , Scotland
Has thanked: 22 times
Been thanked: 11 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by Solar B »

I think ultimately it does come down to what you can afford and logically handle ect.

I have been seriously considering a SM90II as well but I can't afford to DS it (could with an

SM60II) and it would also be at my mounts capacity.

Ease of use is probably the biggest thing for me as I cannot be bothered screwing everything

together , I've had some experience with a couple of quarks and they're performance was good

but they were a faff and EP positioning was always an issue , this is not the case with my 60mm

Day star SS which offers the same ease as my DSSM60 ... so I'm thinking again about the 80mm

SS as I'm sure it will not be similar to a separate quark and an 80mm scope and could offer a

DS experience.

'Re Solarscope I remember once or twice with my SV50 thinking that the view was a bit

boring 😅 as the whole disk was always perfectly on band and you never once had to work

with it to see any detail 👍

Brian


" Gentlemen only ever use Refractors "
User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42274
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20442 times
Been thanked: 10246 times
Contact:

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by marktownley »

Highbury Mark wrote: Sat May 02, 2020 7:33 pm I had never considered Solarscope as an option - presumed they were out of my league. Clearly they have an outstanding reputation, so when I saw the 70DS package was not much more than the LS80
Interesting, I did wonder how much they were.


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
Highbury Mark
Im an EXPERT!
Im an EXPERT!
Posts: 279
Joined: Tue Apr 28, 2020 4:53 pm
Has thanked: 103 times
Been thanked: 207 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by Highbury Mark »

Interesting, I did wonder how much they were.
[/quote]

That’s in comparison to an LS80, B1800, Feathertouch here in the UK Mark. Not inexpensive! But I was surprised that the Solarscope package was even in the same ballpark.

Brian - I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the Solar Scout. Still not a great deal of reviews out there from experienced solar observers/imagers.

James - you have a big decision to make. Frankly all your options sound pretty tempting. The SMII90 DS is great value - if you get a good example it would be a huge step up from your 60. But a Solar Spectrum/Daystar Quantum filter would be amazing too with your 4” scope. Precision, high magnification views at your chosen bandwidth. Would love to experience that one day.


Solarscope SF70DS + TV85
TSA-120, Baader wedge
User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18823
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17572 times
Been thanked: 16694 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by DeepSolar64 »

I just learned this morning upon looking it up that Meade has discontinued the Coronado SolarMax II series!! I had noticed lately that fewer dealers were carrying them. This worries me because I have a SolarMax II 60 and I worry that support will end for it. I noticed Meade had discontinued sales of all parts for it too. Even the blocking filters and DS etalons. The SM II was a great alternative to the SM III because of the lower cost with the III being sold as a premium model. The PST is still available, in fact they have dropped the price on both the standard and DS models and of course the SMIII is still available.

I might end up going Lunt after all.

https://www.meade.com/solarmax-ii-solar-telescopes.html

https://www.meade.com/pst-telescopes.html

James :(


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
User avatar
Astrograph
Im an EXPERT!
Im an EXPERT!
Posts: 241
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: London
Been thanked: 46 times
Contact:

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by Astrograph »

Meade filed for Chapter 11 in December (again) and is probably just trying to generate cash by selling through all product. They are currently selling off lots of products.


Solar B
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 185
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:29 am
Location: Dunfermline , Scotland
Has thanked: 22 times
Been thanked: 11 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by Solar B »

James I wouldnt necessarily worry about the SMII series being discontinued ... it probably

already was months ago in favour of the III series , I'm still using some "series I" kit and have

been using an SM60IIDS for years without issue ... Truth be told its a very rare chance to obtain

some new SM90II kit at very competitive prices.

Mark I do like to Day star 60mm SS but find the image a tad dark .... I think it might work better

with a good 32mm Ep as opposed to the recommended 25mm ( will try soon )

I think the 80mm could be amazing and offers a carbon ota , the stuff of dreams 😎

Brian


" Gentlemen only ever use Refractors "
User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42274
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20442 times
Been thanked: 10246 times
Contact:

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by marktownley »

DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 4:43 pm I just learned this morning upon looking it up that Meade has discontinued the Coronado SolarMax II series!! I had noticed lately that fewer dealers were carrying them. This worries me because I have a SolarMax II 60 and I worry that support will end for it. I noticed Meade had discontinued sales of all parts for it too. Even the blocking filters and DS etalons. The SM II was a great alternative to the SM III because of the lower cost with the III being sold as a premium model. The PST is still available, in fact they have dropped the price on both the standard and DS models and of course the SMIII is still available.

I might end up going Lunt after all.

https://www.meade.com/solarmax-ii-solar-telescopes.html

https://www.meade.com/pst-telescopes.html

James :(
That works in your favour young Jedi ;)

There will be lots of people that will sell off perfectly good SMii series kit just to go to the SMiii series, you have the benefit that if anyone has imaged with it you get to see what is capable of (or not!) before you buy. Kinda indirect try before you buy.


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18823
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17572 times
Been thanked: 16694 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by DeepSolar64 »

I had heard about Meade filing bankruptcy after Orion sued them. Though I have had no trouble out of my SM 60 I have read of people having rusting issues with the blocking filters and dielectric coating issues as well. And the SM III blocking filter won't fit the II. I hope mine does last for many years!!

I wish I knew someone locally who had a Lunt 80 I could try.

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18823
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17572 times
Been thanked: 16694 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by DeepSolar64 »

True Mark. Maybe sales too! but probably little or no Meade support.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
Solar B
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 185
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:29 am
Location: Dunfermline , Scotland
Has thanked: 22 times
Been thanked: 11 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by Solar B »

Oh dear oh dear ... it sounds worse than the current pandemic 😷

Brian


" Gentlemen only ever use Refractors "
User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18823
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17572 times
Been thanked: 16694 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Solar B wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 6:06 pm Oh dear oh dear ... it sounds worse than the current pandemic 😷

Brian
Oh yeah! I gotta laugh on that comment! :D


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42274
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20442 times
Been thanked: 10246 times
Contact:

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by marktownley »

DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 5:34 pm True Mark. Maybe sales too! but probably little or no Meade support.
There's nothing on a coronado we cant fix if something does go wrong ;)


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
User avatar
rsfoto
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 6166
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:30 pm
Location: San Luis Potosi, México
Has thanked: 9413 times
Been thanked: 5578 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by rsfoto »

marktownley wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 6:57 pm
DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 5:34 pm True Mark. Maybe sales too! but probably little or no Meade support.
There's nothing on a coronado we cant fix if something does go wrong ;)
Hi,

Yes the rust in the Coronado Blocking filters is a nuisance. I have three BF30 and already got all three exchanged free of charge but the 4th time I was just fed up.

Based on information here I just replaced the rusted ITF by a Deep Sky Object 12nm H-alpha filter from Astronomik and that is what produces my Sun disk mosaics everytime there is sunshine. So far nothing is broken ... and it looks like it works great ¿?


regards Rainer

Observatorio Real de 14
San Luis Potosi Mexico

North 22° West 101°
User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18823
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17572 times
Been thanked: 16694 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by DeepSolar64 »

I wonder why Meade has never properly addressed that problem with the blocking filters? It seems relatively common. I don't hear of Lunt BFs having this issue.

That's ingenious Rainer! A deep-sky Ha filter used as an ITF in a blocking filter. What size deep-sky Ha filter? 1.25?


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
User avatar
rsfoto
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 6166
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:30 pm
Location: San Luis Potosi, México
Has thanked: 9413 times
Been thanked: 5578 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by rsfoto »

DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 7:34 pm I wonder why Meade has never properly addressed that problem with the blocking filters? It seems relatively common. I don't hear of Lunt BFs having this issue.

That's ingenious Rainer! A deep-sky Ha filter used as an ITF in a blocking filter. What size deep-sky Ha filter? 1.25?
Hi James,

Well I learned it here and it is a 2" filter glued onto the front of the BF30.


regards Rainer

Observatorio Real de 14
San Luis Potosi Mexico

North 22° West 101°
User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18823
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17572 times
Been thanked: 16694 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by DeepSolar64 »

rsfoto wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 7:51 pm
DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 7:34 pm I wonder why Meade has never properly addressed that problem with the blocking filters? It seems relatively common. I don't hear of Lunt BFs having this issue.

That's ingenious Rainer! A deep-sky Ha filter used as an ITF in a blocking filter. What size deep-sky Ha filter? 1.25?
Hi James,

Well I learned it here and it is a 2" filter glued onto the front of the BF30.

I bet a 1.25" could be used also if you have only a 1.25" focuser.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18823
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17572 times
Been thanked: 16694 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by DeepSolar64 »

I thought it would go on the eyepiece side of the BF. Mine has a red filter there. The other side that inserts into the focuser is a more silvery color.

But my Baader Continuum filter is a very reflective color but when you look through it the color is green.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42274
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20442 times
Been thanked: 10246 times
Contact:

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by marktownley »

DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 8:12 pm
rsfoto wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 7:51 pm
DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 7:34 pm I wonder why Meade has never properly addressed that problem with the blocking filters? It seems relatively common. I don't hear of Lunt BFs having this issue.

That's ingenious Rainer! A deep-sky Ha filter used as an ITF in a blocking filter. What size deep-sky Ha filter? 1.25?
Hi James,

Well I learned it here and it is a 2" filter glued onto the front of the BF30.

I bet a 1.25" could be used also if you have only a 1.25" focuser.
Yes ;) For visual you would want to use some KG3 glass in addition, but it is not expensive.


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18823
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17572 times
Been thanked: 16694 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by DeepSolar64 »

KG3 glass? What's it's purpose?


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42274
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20442 times
Been thanked: 10246 times
Contact:

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by marktownley »

DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 10:20 pm KG3 glass? What's it's purpose?
Gets rid of the infra red >1200nm. We can't see it but its not good for your eyes.


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
Highbury Mark
Im an EXPERT!
Im an EXPERT!
Posts: 279
Joined: Tue Apr 28, 2020 4:53 pm
Has thanked: 103 times
Been thanked: 207 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by Highbury Mark »

Actually Lunt blocking filters are susceptible to clouding over - just a case of a simple lens replacement free from Lunt but it’s something that seems to happen regularly - though not with the Lunts I’ve owned


Solarscope SF70DS + TV85
TSA-120, Baader wedge
User avatar
Astrograph
Im an EXPERT!
Im an EXPERT!
Posts: 241
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: London
Been thanked: 46 times
Contact:

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by Astrograph »

It is only replaced free if within warranty and then subject to the scope having been stored properly. Solar kit should be kept in somewhere of even temperature and low humidity, i.e. not a garden shed! Out of warranty the blocking filter is one of the most expensive parts as it is a very narrow bandpass filter


Solar B
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 185
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:29 am
Location: Dunfermline , Scotland
Has thanked: 22 times
Been thanked: 11 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by Solar B »

True but I'm sure you already know Rupert

That rusty Coronado ITFs are only a $75 fix from Maier Photonics for a new one.

Actually last one I obtained a couple of years ago was $89 shipped 😎

Brian


" Gentlemen only ever use Refractors "
User avatar
Astrograph
Im an EXPERT!
Im an EXPERT!
Posts: 241
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: London
Been thanked: 46 times
Contact:

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by Astrograph »

For the Coronado this is true, its a cheap fix and the replacements are better than the originals which I don't think have IR blocking. I better one still made in europe is about £150. Lunt ones are not so cheap.


User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18823
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17572 times
Been thanked: 16694 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by DeepSolar64 »

It's nice to know that they are inexpensive solutions to blocking filter repair. Coronado or Lunt.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
User avatar
rsfoto
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 6166
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:30 pm
Location: San Luis Potosi, México
Has thanked: 9413 times
Been thanked: 5578 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by rsfoto »

Astrograph wrote: Mon May 04, 2020 9:42 am It is only replaced free if within warranty and then subject to the scope having been stored properly. Solar kit should be kept in somewhere of even temperature and low humidity, i.e. not a garden shed! Out of warranty the blocking filter is one of the most expensive parts as it is a very narrow bandpass filter
Hi Astrograph,

Well all my Coronado BF30 have been working in an area were 250 per year days the humidity does not go over 40% and all rusted.

:?:


regards Rainer

Observatorio Real de 14
San Luis Potosi Mexico

North 22° West 101°
User avatar
rsfoto
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 6166
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:30 pm
Location: San Luis Potosi, México
Has thanked: 9413 times
Been thanked: 5578 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by rsfoto »

Solar B wrote: Mon May 04, 2020 11:36 am True but I'm sure you already know Rupert

That rusty Coronado ITFs are only a $75 fix from Maier Photonics for a new one.

Actually last one I obtained a couple of years ago was $89 shipped 😎

Brian
Hi Brian,

Thanks for the info. Will ask what shipping costs to Mexico.

It is a good price compared to the quotes I got from Europe.


regards Rainer

Observatorio Real de 14
San Luis Potosi Mexico

North 22° West 101°
User avatar
Astrograph
Im an EXPERT!
Im an EXPERT!
Posts: 241
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:00 pm
Location: London
Been thanked: 46 times
Contact:

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by Astrograph »

Just to try and clarify here. Not all blocking filters are the same and you get what you pay for. The Coronado standard filters don't have IR blocking and seem to deteriorate just through normal use. Lunt blocking filters on the whole seem better quality but if left in an unfriendly environment will also deteriorate, likewise rear mounted Etalon filters.


User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18823
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17572 times
Been thanked: 16694 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by DeepSolar64 »

That really sucks considering how expensive they are!


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18823
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17572 times
Been thanked: 16694 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Is the rust easy to see? I know it will visually degrade the image over time but how easy is it to see while looking at the filter?


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
Rojas522
The Sun?
The Sun?
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2020 4:14 am
Has thanked: 9 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by Rojas522 »

James,
Check this out (rusted filters)
viewtopic.php?t=12052


User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18823
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17572 times
Been thanked: 16694 times

Re: Solarscope 70mm double stacked with Lunt 60fha

Post by DeepSolar64 »

It looks like at least in some cases it can be cleaned off.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
Post Reply