SolarQuest review
- Ronnie_Clayton
- Ohhhhhh My!
- Posts: 174
- Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2017 11:00 pm
- Location: Maringá - Brazil
- Has thanked: 10 times
- Been thanked: 130 times
Re: SolarQuest review
Great Review Pedro!
One question, is it possible use this mount in equatorial mod? (like the SkyWatcher AZ GTi)?
Um grande abraço!
Ronnie
One question, is it possible use this mount in equatorial mod? (like the SkyWatcher AZ GTi)?
Um grande abraço!
Ronnie
- pedro
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 12320
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
- Location: Portugal
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 6691 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
HI Ronnie
No, you can use it only in azimuthal mode. It works only for solar observation
abraço amigo
No, you can use it only in azimuthal mode. It works only for solar observation
abraço amigo
Pedro Re'
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
- Ronnie_Clayton
- Ohhhhhh My!
- Posts: 174
- Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2017 11:00 pm
- Location: Maringá - Brazil
- Has thanked: 10 times
- Been thanked: 130 times
Re: SolarQuest review
Great review, ordered
Just for info, if I ever come over as "blunt" or upset it is not intentional, I am AUTISTIC, I have Aspergers, and ADHD, Autism, so my apologies if I ever sound, unintentionally confrontational. Thank you
Esprit 120mm triplet refractor
Celestron Evolution Edge HD 8"
72mm Ed Skywatcher for Solar
SkyTee 2
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
Gitzo Systematic Series 5
ASI 178MM
Daystar Quark Ha
WO Binoviewers
Many eyepieces 2"
Esprit 120mm triplet refractor
Celestron Evolution Edge HD 8"
72mm Ed Skywatcher for Solar
SkyTee 2
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
Gitzo Systematic Series 5
ASI 178MM
Daystar Quark Ha
WO Binoviewers
Many eyepieces 2"
- pedro
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 12320
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
- Location: Portugal
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 6691 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
Just bought, HATE the terrible flimsy tripod not safe for an expensive kit so changed for EQ5 legs from Ebay
Thanks for the SUPERB review it was that, that sold me
The video is of the flimsy mount only don't download if slow internet
Thanks for the SUPERB review it was that, that sold me
The video is of the flimsy mount only don't download if slow internet
Just for info, if I ever come over as "blunt" or upset it is not intentional, I am AUTISTIC, I have Aspergers, and ADHD, Autism, so my apologies if I ever sound, unintentionally confrontational. Thank you
Esprit 120mm triplet refractor
Celestron Evolution Edge HD 8"
72mm Ed Skywatcher for Solar
SkyTee 2
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
Gitzo Systematic Series 5
ASI 178MM
Daystar Quark Ha
WO Binoviewers
Many eyepieces 2"
Esprit 120mm triplet refractor
Celestron Evolution Edge HD 8"
72mm Ed Skywatcher for Solar
SkyTee 2
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
Gitzo Systematic Series 5
ASI 178MM
Daystar Quark Ha
WO Binoviewers
Many eyepieces 2"
Re: SolarQuest review
No ? it is a Solar mount ?Ronnie_Clayton wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 11:03 am Great Review Pedro!
One question, is it possible use this mount in equatorial mod? (like the SkyWatcher AZ GTi)?
Um grande abraço!
Ronnie
Just for info, if I ever come over as "blunt" or upset it is not intentional, I am AUTISTIC, I have Aspergers, and ADHD, Autism, so my apologies if I ever sound, unintentionally confrontational. Thank you
Esprit 120mm triplet refractor
Celestron Evolution Edge HD 8"
72mm Ed Skywatcher for Solar
SkyTee 2
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
Gitzo Systematic Series 5
ASI 178MM
Daystar Quark Ha
WO Binoviewers
Many eyepieces 2"
Esprit 120mm triplet refractor
Celestron Evolution Edge HD 8"
72mm Ed Skywatcher for Solar
SkyTee 2
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
Gitzo Systematic Series 5
ASI 178MM
Daystar Quark Ha
WO Binoviewers
Many eyepieces 2"
Re: SolarQuest review
Any idea whet it means when the RED and GREEN LED's flash alternately, is it looking for GPS ?
Just for info, if I ever come over as "blunt" or upset it is not intentional, I am AUTISTIC, I have Aspergers, and ADHD, Autism, so my apologies if I ever sound, unintentionally confrontational. Thank you
Esprit 120mm triplet refractor
Celestron Evolution Edge HD 8"
72mm Ed Skywatcher for Solar
SkyTee 2
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
Gitzo Systematic Series 5
ASI 178MM
Daystar Quark Ha
WO Binoviewers
Many eyepieces 2"
Esprit 120mm triplet refractor
Celestron Evolution Edge HD 8"
72mm Ed Skywatcher for Solar
SkyTee 2
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
Gitzo Systematic Series 5
ASI 178MM
Daystar Quark Ha
WO Binoviewers
Many eyepieces 2"
- pedro
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 12320
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
- Location: Portugal
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 6691 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
nice mod of the SolarQuest Mount
The led flashes when it is acquiring the GPS
The led flashes when it is acquiring the GPS
Pedro Re'
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
Re: SolarQuest review
Thanks,GPS then, appreciated
Just for info, if I ever come over as "blunt" or upset it is not intentional, I am AUTISTIC, I have Aspergers, and ADHD, Autism, so my apologies if I ever sound, unintentionally confrontational. Thank you
Esprit 120mm triplet refractor
Celestron Evolution Edge HD 8"
72mm Ed Skywatcher for Solar
SkyTee 2
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
Gitzo Systematic Series 5
ASI 178MM
Daystar Quark Ha
WO Binoviewers
Many eyepieces 2"
Esprit 120mm triplet refractor
Celestron Evolution Edge HD 8"
72mm Ed Skywatcher for Solar
SkyTee 2
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
Gitzo Systematic Series 5
ASI 178MM
Daystar Quark Ha
WO Binoviewers
Many eyepieces 2"
Re: SolarQuest review
I fitter remote focus to my ED72 on the GREAT Skywatcher Solar tracking mount
https://youtu.be/o7VXcG6hmFA
AND what about the 12v adapter that comes with it, perfect
https://youtu.be/o7VXcG6hmFA
AND what about the 12v adapter that comes with it, perfect
Just for info, if I ever come over as "blunt" or upset it is not intentional, I am AUTISTIC, I have Aspergers, and ADHD, Autism, so my apologies if I ever sound, unintentionally confrontational. Thank you
Esprit 120mm triplet refractor
Celestron Evolution Edge HD 8"
72mm Ed Skywatcher for Solar
SkyTee 2
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
Gitzo Systematic Series 5
ASI 178MM
Daystar Quark Ha
WO Binoviewers
Many eyepieces 2"
Esprit 120mm triplet refractor
Celestron Evolution Edge HD 8"
72mm Ed Skywatcher for Solar
SkyTee 2
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
Gitzo Systematic Series 5
ASI 178MM
Daystar Quark Ha
WO Binoviewers
Many eyepieces 2"
- pedro
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 12320
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
- Location: Portugal
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 6691 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
I also use the same 12V adapter
Pedro Re'
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
- pedro
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 12320
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
- Location: Portugal
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 6691 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
Daystar Quark Chromosphere SWSolarQuest mount + FS60C/SM60/BF10
- Attachments
-
- daystar_quark_chromosphere_20190510-043.jpg (1.82 MiB) Viewed 22046 times
-
- daystar_quark_chromosphere_20190510-027.jpg (1.61 MiB) Viewed 22046 times
-
- daystar_quark_chromosphere_20190510-022.jpg (1.74 MiB) Viewed 22046 times
-
- daystar_quark_chromosphere_20190510-006.jpg (2.24 MiB) Viewed 22046 times
-
- daystar_chrosmophere_20190607-020.jpg (821.07 KiB) Viewed 22046 times
Pedro Re'
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
- DeepSolar64
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 19065
- Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
- Location: Lowndesville S.C.
- Has thanked: 17849 times
- Been thanked: 16992 times
Re: SolarQuest review
What brand of scope is this Pedro? It looks like a small fine apochromatic refractor.
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
Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
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
Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
- pedro
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 12320
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
- Location: Portugal
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 6691 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
It's a Takahashi FS-60C
http://www.takahashi-europe.com/en/FS-60C.php
http://www.takahashi-europe.com/en/FS-60C.php
Pedro Re'
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
-
- The Sun?
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:46 pm
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 4 times
- pedro
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 12320
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2016 8:26 pm
- Location: Portugal
- Has thanked: 14 times
- Been thanked: 6691 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
Not really, you better change it. I did it recently. The maximum payload is 4kg
SW102_SM60_SolarQuest_20200422-011 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr
SW102_SM60_SolarQuest_20200422-010 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr
SW102_SM60_SolarQuest_20200422-011 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr
SW102_SM60_SolarQuest_20200422-010 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr
Pedro Re'
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
https://pedroreastrophotography.com/
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42545
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20813 times
- Been thanked: 10485 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
Hi There and welcome to the forum. I have the AZ GTi, essentially the non solar version but with the same tripod. I changed mine so it sits on top of my EQ6 tripod.shetowl2020 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 22, 2020 10:03 pm What about the tripod, is it solid? live in a windy area in Shetland, UK
Or, alternatively on my pier
P1100963 by Mark Townley, on Flickr
I got one of these adapters from FLO https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-wa ... ripod.html
IMHO, either the solarquest or the AZ GTi package (including tripod) is built to a price point and the savings are made with the tripod. Any good tripod with a 3/8" thread on the top will be a better alternative than the stock tripod.
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!
-
- The Sun?
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:46 pm
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 4 times
-
- The Sun?
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:46 pm
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 4 times
Re: SolarQuest review
Do you still need the extension pole on the EQ6marktownley wrote: ↑Thu Apr 23, 2020 2:02 pmHi There and welcome to the forum. I have the AZ GTi, essentially the non solar version but with the same tripod. I changed mine so it sits on top of my EQ6 tripod.shetowl2020 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 22, 2020 10:03 pm What about the tripod, is it solid? live in a windy area in Shetland, UK
Do you still need the extension pole on the EQ6
P1100957.jpg
Or, alternatively on my pier
P1100963 by Mark Townley, on Flickr
I got one of these adapters from FLO https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-wa ... ripod.html
IMHO, either the solarquest or the AZ GTi package (including tripod) is built to a price point and the savings are made with the tripod. Any good tripod with a 3/8" thread on the top will be a better alternative than the stock tripod.
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42545
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20813 times
- Been thanked: 10485 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
No, I thought I might, but, took it off in the end. Depends how tall you are I guess
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!
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42545
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20813 times
- Been thanked: 10485 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
I've just bought the solarquest head this weekend, so look forward to it arriving and comparing with the AZ GTi. I think it may end up living in the back yard on the tall pier for quick full disks. Next step is a nice tripod for the 'travelling' setup, I find the legs on the EQ6 tripod jam so I struggle to extend them, and in the 'wrestle' that ensues I invariably end up pinching my fingers. A nice Barlebach springs to mind...
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!
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42545
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20813 times
- Been thanked: 10485 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
So, my solarquest head arrived today... It was supposed to be clear skies so i'd arranged to work at home, instead it rained, so I went into work
First step was a quick mod; change the vixen saddle on it for the ADM dual dovetail designed for the AZ GTi.
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-re ... z-gti.html
I was greeted by thread locker galore on the screws that hold the stock vixen saddle, not a problem for a determined solar modder
Then realised the hole pattern on the solarquest saddle compared to the Az GTi saddle is offset by 45 degrees, so, in its present guise does not fit. I could fix it on, but the OTA would sit at 45 degress to the sensor, and that would mean when the scope was on the sun the sensor would be off the sun by 45 degrees, and i'm not sure it will work with that much offset...
It's an easy mod, the plate is going into work tomorrow and I will tap out the appropriate threads in the new hole pattern on the black fixing plate that comes with the ADM kit. Should all fit in nicely...
Keep you updated!
First step was a quick mod; change the vixen saddle on it for the ADM dual dovetail designed for the AZ GTi.
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-re ... z-gti.html
I was greeted by thread locker galore on the screws that hold the stock vixen saddle, not a problem for a determined solar modder
Then realised the hole pattern on the solarquest saddle compared to the Az GTi saddle is offset by 45 degrees, so, in its present guise does not fit. I could fix it on, but the OTA would sit at 45 degress to the sensor, and that would mean when the scope was on the sun the sensor would be off the sun by 45 degrees, and i'm not sure it will work with that much offset...
It's an easy mod, the plate is going into work tomorrow and I will tap out the appropriate threads in the new hole pattern on the black fixing plate that comes with the ADM kit. Should all fit in nicely...
Keep you updated!
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!
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42545
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20813 times
- Been thanked: 10485 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
So an update folks. Successfully modded the Solarquest head to accept the ADM dual dovetail adapter.
P1000678 by Mark Townley, on Flickr
P1000677 by Mark Townley, on Flickr
az-gti-plate by Mark Townley, on Flickr
Really quite an easy thing to do. All needed to do was drill out and tap one of the 4 counter sunk fixing holes. One thing to note; the ADM uses an Imperial fitting 1/4" UNC, i'd tapped using metric m6, so a brief head scratching moment before I worked out why the ADM allen stud was not going in. However an easy fix just replacing with a m6 stud from my box of fixings. Attaches just fine as you can see in the pictures above.
The only thing I don't like the pier extension, the head is fixed to the top by 3 finger tight knobs, felt play in this a couple of times. Not sure I want to rely on this for expensive solar gear. Tecnosky do a pier extension that seems a little more substantial, however before splashing cash i'm going to explore how essential the pier extension is. Unlike night sky, for me, with solar the sun never gets close to the zenith so i'm not convinced the ota fouling the mount will be an issue. I have a devil sat on my shoulder now whispering Barlebach down my ear as I don't like the metal EQ6 tripod, but that's a way down the line yet if it happens.
Just need the sun to come out from the grey, damp and cold winter skies!
P1000678 by Mark Townley, on Flickr
P1000677 by Mark Townley, on Flickr
az-gti-plate by Mark Townley, on Flickr
Really quite an easy thing to do. All needed to do was drill out and tap one of the 4 counter sunk fixing holes. One thing to note; the ADM uses an Imperial fitting 1/4" UNC, i'd tapped using metric m6, so a brief head scratching moment before I worked out why the ADM allen stud was not going in. However an easy fix just replacing with a m6 stud from my box of fixings. Attaches just fine as you can see in the pictures above.
The only thing I don't like the pier extension, the head is fixed to the top by 3 finger tight knobs, felt play in this a couple of times. Not sure I want to rely on this for expensive solar gear. Tecnosky do a pier extension that seems a little more substantial, however before splashing cash i'm going to explore how essential the pier extension is. Unlike night sky, for me, with solar the sun never gets close to the zenith so i'm not convinced the ota fouling the mount will be an issue. I have a devil sat on my shoulder now whispering Barlebach down my ear as I don't like the metal EQ6 tripod, but that's a way down the line yet if it happens.
Just need the sun to come out from the grey, damp and cold winter skies!
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!
-
- Im an EXPERT!
- Posts: 279
- Joined: Tue Apr 28, 2020 4:53 pm
- Has thanked: 103 times
- Been thanked: 207 times
Re: SolarQuest review
Very nice Mark - I too have struggled with the ADM clamp upgrade, but good to see there’s a solution. I’m interested to see if you can use the mount for imaging - short bursts of video?
Solarscope SF70DS + TV85
TSA-120, Baader wedge
TSA-120, Baader wedge
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42545
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20813 times
- Been thanked: 10485 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
I got to try the solarquest out for the first time today. Have to say, i'm incredibly impressed and pleased with it!
It is so easy to use. I set up with the 50mm lunt etalon on the 60mmf6 scope and within 30 seconds it had the sun within the field of view, centering was easy with the toggle switch. My biggest question was how it would handle passing cloud, and today was the perfect test day with the sun going in and out of said clouds. The sun also sat in the top branches of a leafless tree, both it and the cloud had no effect on the tracking. There was no problems with the weight of this setup either.
Upping the ante a bit, I switched out the BF15 from this setup and inserted my 2" diagonal, Quark, Baader Solar telecompressor and the Cemax 25mm eyepiece. I needed to recenter, but that's not unexpected given the extra mass at the back of the scope. Again it tracked wonderfully and I enjoyed views through the eyepiece even if the sun was quiet.
Next step I swapped the eyepiece for my Grasshopper camera for a full disk shot of the sun. The fov is about 0.7 degrees vertically, so not much wiggle room on the chip. Despite the sun disappearing in and out of the clouds there were no issues with the tracking and the sun remained centered in the fov. There was a bit of movement but only a few arc minutes, more than acceptable!
Given this mount just sits on the top of the EQ6 tripod 'ready for action' I can see it is going to get frequent use, and may well be the one that's used regularly for full disk shots with the smaller scopes. It will certainly make the perfect travelling mount. It definitely needs a decent tripod, and i'm going to look at a more secure interface than just the 3/8" thread at the bottom as this has a tendency to allow to rotation despite how tight is done up. All very minor concerns. If skywatcher did a similar one that could hold bigger scopes it would be a winner!
Mark
It is so easy to use. I set up with the 50mm lunt etalon on the 60mmf6 scope and within 30 seconds it had the sun within the field of view, centering was easy with the toggle switch. My biggest question was how it would handle passing cloud, and today was the perfect test day with the sun going in and out of said clouds. The sun also sat in the top branches of a leafless tree, both it and the cloud had no effect on the tracking. There was no problems with the weight of this setup either.
Upping the ante a bit, I switched out the BF15 from this setup and inserted my 2" diagonal, Quark, Baader Solar telecompressor and the Cemax 25mm eyepiece. I needed to recenter, but that's not unexpected given the extra mass at the back of the scope. Again it tracked wonderfully and I enjoyed views through the eyepiece even if the sun was quiet.
Next step I swapped the eyepiece for my Grasshopper camera for a full disk shot of the sun. The fov is about 0.7 degrees vertically, so not much wiggle room on the chip. Despite the sun disappearing in and out of the clouds there were no issues with the tracking and the sun remained centered in the fov. There was a bit of movement but only a few arc minutes, more than acceptable!
Given this mount just sits on the top of the EQ6 tripod 'ready for action' I can see it is going to get frequent use, and may well be the one that's used regularly for full disk shots with the smaller scopes. It will certainly make the perfect travelling mount. It definitely needs a decent tripod, and i'm going to look at a more secure interface than just the 3/8" thread at the bottom as this has a tendency to allow to rotation despite how tight is done up. All very minor concerns. If skywatcher did a similar one that could hold bigger scopes it would be a winner!
Mark
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!
- dhkaiser
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 1702
- Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2019 2:57 pm
- Location: Indiana, USA
- Has thanked: 1407 times
- Been thanked: 899 times
Re: SolarQuest review
Thanks for for the report Mark! Can you give an weight estimate of the heaviest configuration you used?marktownley wrote: ↑Mon Feb 15, 2021 3:23 pm I got to try the solarquest out for the first time today. Have to say, i'm incredibly impressed and pleased with it!
It is so easy to use. I set up with the 50mm lunt etalon on the 60mmf6 scope and within 30 seconds it had the sun within the field of view, centering was easy with the toggle switch. My biggest question was how it would handle passing cloud, and today was the perfect test day with the sun going in and out of said clouds. The sun also sat in the top branches of a leafless tree, both it and the cloud had no effect on the tracking. There was no problems with the weight of this setup either.
Upping the ante a bit, I switched out the BF15 from this setup and inserted my 2" diagonal, Quark, Baader Solar telecompressor and the Cemax 25mm eyepiece. I needed to recenter, but that's not unexpected given the extra mass at the back of the scope. Again it tracked wonderfully and I enjoyed views through the eyepiece even if the sun was quiet.
Next step I swapped the eyepiece for my Grasshopper camera for a full disk shot of the sun. The fov is about 0.7 degrees vertically, so not much wiggle room on the chip. Despite the sun disappearing in and out of the clouds there were no issues with the tracking and the sun remained centered in the fov. There was a bit of movement but only a few arc minutes, more than acceptable!
Given this mount just sits on the top of the EQ6 tripod 'ready for action' I can see it is going to get frequent use, and may well be the one that's used regularly for full disk shots with the smaller scopes. It will certainly make the perfect travelling mount. It definitely needs a decent tripod, and i'm going to look at a more secure interface than just the 3/8" thread at the bottom as this has a tendency to allow to rotation despite how tight is done up. All very minor concerns. If skywatcher did a similar one that could hold bigger scopes it would be a winner!
Mark
Dan
South central Indiana
USA
South central Indiana
USA
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42545
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20813 times
- Been thanked: 10485 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
Hi Dan
I just weighed the Lunt50/ED60/Quark combo and it came in at 4.2kg, a shade over Skywatchers stated capacity of 4kg.
Mark
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!
- dhkaiser
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 1702
- Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2019 2:57 pm
- Location: Indiana, USA
- Has thanked: 1407 times
- Been thanked: 899 times
Re: SolarQuest review
Thanks Mark, very close to my Lunt 60mm DS with blocking filter heater. Interesting mount. Thanks.
Dan
South central Indiana
USA
South central Indiana
USA
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42545
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20813 times
- Been thanked: 10485 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
As an aside, I replaced the 3 black thumbscrews at the top of the sky watcher extension pillar today. I just feel they can't get tight enough and there is play. I replaced using stainless steel allen bolts, that with an allen key offer a tighter fit. However, beware, the extension column aluminium and feel then tensile strength of the soft aluminium being put to the test, it would be very easy to strip the threads. Need to look at an alternative longer term...
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!
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42545
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20813 times
- Been thanked: 10485 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
Solarquest, no, it is only for the sun...
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!
- TAILSPIN45
- The Sun?
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2020 7:05 pm
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 17 times
Re: SolarQuest review
Late to the gamer, but just a note to clear up a point that has some folks here confused: the camera on the SolarQuest mount is only used for acquisition and not for tracking, according to Sky-Watcher tech support.
- TAILSPIN45
- The Sun?
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2020 7:05 pm
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 17 times
Re: SolarQuest review
After further use...it's clear that what I weas told and what I wrote is incorrect.
When clouds move it, tracking becomes erratic or stops
When clouds move it, tracking becomes erratic or stops
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42545
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20813 times
- Been thanked: 10485 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
Yup, I found this too.
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!
-
- Ohhhhhh My!
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2020 1:01 am
- Has thanked: 42 times
- Been thanked: 49 times
Re: SolarQuest review
I'm using only a "low tech" acquisition method using only the Tele-Vue Sol Searcher. Tracking is just the mount in Sun mode.TAILSPIN45 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 16, 2021 2:07 pm Camera on the SolarQuest mount is only used for acquisition and not for tracking, according to Sky-Watcher tech support.
Interesting that clouds cause it to either hiccup or start over again. I'm also using an EQ6-R Pro mount - that tracks accurately forever with/without clouds, with a "lift legs and rotate" quick polar alignment with a phone app being sufficient and then a "slew" to the Sun. Acquisition with (Rate = 5) on handset, works good.
Simon
-
- The Sun?
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2022 7:14 am
Re: SolarQuest review
I bought my 70mm Solarquest combo a few weeks ago, decided to buy the Coronado to use with the mount.....
How the hell do I get the 70mm off the mount ..??
How the hell do I get the 70mm off the mount ..??
Re: SolarQuest review
Hi. I am getting ready to use my SolarQuest for the first time and have misplaced the DC adapter cover. I think I'd prefer using batteries so I don't have to think about cable wrap. Would I possibly regret not getting a replacement DC adapter? Would some of you please let me know which you prefer and why?
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42545
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20813 times
- Been thanked: 10485 times
- Contact:
Re: SolarQuest review
I use a rechargeable 12v LiPo battery, lasts much lomnger than 'normal' batteries.SusieQ wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 2:42 am Hi. I am getting ready to use my SolarQuest for the first time and have misplaced the DC adapter cover. I think I'd prefer using batteries so I don't have to think about cable wrap. Would I possibly regret not getting a replacement DC adapter? Would some of you please let me know which you prefer and why?
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!