Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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I wanted to get back into Solar viewing so I preordered the $899 dollar version of the Lunt Solar Ha scope. I had to think hard since the PST is on sale for $499 now. But with the NEAF video of the Lunt scopes, I felt that they were the better choice. One of the reasons I chose this is that when I owned a PST, I found that I had all kinds of issues using a webcam with it and I had to disassemble it to even get it to work. I didnt really like using a barlow and even when I did, I still do not think the webcam worked well with it. So, I figured with the crayford focuser and overall build of the Lunt scope I figured that I would be happier in the end.
I would like to know though...Will the 60mm Lunt scope be equal or superior to the PST? Or should I have just stuck with the PST and engineered it for webcaming?
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Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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dozer613
member
Reged: 08/01/04
Posts: 60
Loc: Chicago,IL
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The PST that I had, you had to view in a certain spot otherwise forget it,wanted to try to turn my kids onto solar viewing but the very limited FOV was a big turn off to them.
Anything is better than that
I also ordered the double 60
Marty
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Stellarvue SV85L
15x70mm Barska bino's
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3711
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
I would like to know though...Will the 60mm Lunt scope be equal or superior to the PST?
We will be among the first to find out! 
Certainly, among those of us who have pre-ordered, the expectation is for superior performance. But with no product "on the street", there's no knowing for sure. That's the nature of "pre-orders".
Let's enjoy the ride....
Cheers,
Jim
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Sol
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/20/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: Powys, Wales, UK
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You guys are a lot braver than me. I'm looking at the Lunt DS 60mm Ha too as an upgrade from the PST, but I want to see images from it and hear what customers have to say first before I part with the cash. I guess it will be your reviews and images that make or break the deal for me.
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Visit the Sunnymeade Astro Solar Blog
http://sunnymeadeastro.blogspot.com/
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darkstar528
Postmaster
Reged: 03/06/07
Posts: 6783
Loc: Hodgenville, Kentucky, USA
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>>>>you had to view in a certain spot otherwise forget it,
I think that spot may vary, and/or not be significant in the overall...My sweet spot is bigger than the area I generally look at(unless at minimum magnification just to check out overall view) so any more wouldn't mean I would see more, per se...And after seeing Emiel or Pete Lawrence's images, it would take a lot for me to upgrade, just my humble opinion...I wish you the best and look forward to your reports!!!!
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Blue skies,
Stephen "Darkstar" Ames
PST(#96038), VIXEN 8-24mm,CEMAX 2x Barlow, Thousand Oaks White Light Filter and a Meade Elec EP
CFI, CFII, MEI, working on EIEIO!
BAA Member
My solar site:
http://seemysunspot.com
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Ralph Marantino
Postmaster
Reged: 05/01/05
Posts: 6330
Loc: Old Bridge, New Jersey
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While no one will really know untill we get to look thru them,based on what I saw and handeled ay NEAF a 60mm Lunt has to be better than a 40mm anything else. 
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Lunt H-alpha LS100THa/B3400
Rockland Astronomy Club
Member BAA Solar Section
Central Appalachian Astronomy Club
Astronomical League
DSPST,PST & 70mm Coronado Cal K telescope.2.2A
Zeiss 2 inch prism diagonal&Zeiss Zoom EP
2inch APM Herschel Wedge in a 94mm F7 Brandon
14.5 inch f4.2 Starmaster Dob(Zambuto mirror)
TeleView Genisis SDF with 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Zeiss 63mm f13.5 refractor 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Itty Bitty Solar Radio Telescope.
LHRIES Lite Solar Spectrometer
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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If the etalons are well made, and I can't think of many people better qualified to make them, then 60mm should make a big difference in resolution. I am in the catagory of hopeful. 
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Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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pjstoker
sage
Reged: 04/21/06
Posts: 439
Loc: So. Calif, USA
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Yes Stephen, I think you hit the nail on the head. That has been my experience also. Sweet spot very noticeable with a 18mm eyepiece, less so with a 12mm eyepiece and almost non existent with a barlow and 18mm or 12mm eyepiece.
Pat
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Patrick Stoker
http://home.earthlink.net/~pjstok/wp10_intro.htm
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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My PST was the same. It had a sweetspot that you had to do most of your viewing in. I never could have much luck webcamming with it though unless I tear most of it apart. Using a barlow must have prevented me from getting the best views as I was never happy with the views that way. I wanted something I could just use and not have to re-engineer it, so the Lunt was it. I guess we will see...
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Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 5063
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Trever
Why not get the $1049 version with the 12mm blocking filter?
The 6mm on the $899 seems PST like.
12mm vs 6mm = larger tuning area. 
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Jim
Genesis SDF-f/5.4 FS-102-f/8
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Fish
sage
Reged: 10/13/07
Posts: 470
Loc: Norridgewock, ME
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Good evening,
I did (sort of) the same thing last month, pre-ordering a Lunt 60mm to improve on the performance of a PST.
The only difference? I'm doing it for CaK reasons! I wonder how long it will be for that version?
Deep violet skies,
Marc
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Goseck Observatory
Kunming 152 f/5.9 & Baader Wedge
Orion ED80 & LS75FHa2/B1200
Meade 102ED & LS18CaKMDd2
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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Quote:
12mm vs 6mm = larger tuning area.
The sweet spot is an etalon effect and not related to the blocking filter size. Normally the blocking filter is sized by the focal length of the telescope and the size of the sun.
Markus' recomendation to increase the size to 12mm for imaging is interesting. I took his advice but I still wonder what advantage a 12mm blocking filter has? 
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Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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Tom and Beth
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/08/07
Posts: 929
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Wellll, I have a 60MM Coronado with the BF15. I DON'T know if we're talking apples to apples, but I chose the larger blocking filter to allow the use of the scope on an undriven mount AND for the better FOV for large Proms. The 60 is a killer combo with my TV76, but it doesn't get as much use since I picked up a 90 for another scope.
I can just imagine what a jump to the 200 would be! 
At least, that was my rational and I'm sticking to it.
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 5063
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Quote:
Quote:
12mm vs 6mm = larger tuning area.
The sweet spot is an etalon effect and not related to the blocking filter size. Normally the blocking filter is sized by the focal length of the telescope and the size of the sun.
Markus' recomendation to increase the size to 12mm for imaging is interesting. I took his advice but I still wonder what advantage a 12mm blocking filter has?
That's right for visual, I guess a 6mm bf will be fine. But I also found out from the Yahoo LuntSolar Group that for binoviewing, the 1200 BF is recommended.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/luntsolar/message/219
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Jim
Genesis SDF-f/5.4 FS-102-f/8
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Danno2006
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/25/06
Posts: 661
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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I changed my 60mm DP filter to the B1200 after reading that Lunt Yahoo post by Markus.
I use a binoviewer and DSLR.
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Doug D.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/23/05
Posts: 1857
Loc: Virginia
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Not to rain on anyone's parade here but I personally don't see the convincing reasons to pre-order any of these scopes without "eyes-on" reports thus far. Sure, they sound like they could be great and I certainly hope that they will be but its not like you are at risk of missing the next solar maximum if you don't preorder now. And it doesn't seem like Lunt is at risk of becoming the next A-P with multi-year notification lists.
If Lunt delivers on the promise of all the configurations they've listed then there will be a lot of choice and that choice will depend on all sorts of performance and application factors that at present are largely based on speculation and conjecture. So even if one is anxious to preorder I'd think there is a lot of uncertainty about what is best to preorder - I see the potential for a lot of future Amart listings/trades as a result.
I don't own any Coronado H-alpha gear at present (and no plans to buy Coronado) but at the current prices for the 90 I would be sorely tempted regardless of what Lunt does. The 90 is a proven scope. So is the PST for that matter - even with the well known limitations and warts it is a heck of a way to get started in H-alpha IMHO.
Please don't get me wrong here - I do share the excitement of the pending release (from Lunt) of a whole new bunch of innovative solar scopes. It is almost certain to be very good for a hobby that we are all passionate about.
That 200 is tempting though - gee, maybe I should pre-order one..........!! 
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Hooville
AP 105EDF f/6 Traveler; AP 140 EDF StarFire f/7.5; TV 76 f/6.3 with Solarscope SF70 filter; Solarscope Solarview 50; Coronado CaK 70; Orion XT-10; Baader Mk V & ZAO II's; Half-Hitch Mk II; Astrotrac TT320X, pier & wedge; AP Mach1GTO; PGR Flea 2
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DavidW
member
Reged: 09/18/07
Posts: 92
Loc: Alberta, Canada
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Is there any disadvantage to using the 12mm filter with the 60 DP?
Thanks,
Dave
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sctchun
sage
Reged: 03/26/06
Posts: 208
Loc: HI
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I originally had a 60mm DP on pre-order, but I was thinking of doing White and H-alpha view simultaneously (Partially for public viewings), so I decided to go with the 50mm DP filter to go in front of my 80mm scope. This is so that I can easily align both socpes.
Also note, the Lunt 60mm scope is probabily more compariable in specs to the SolarMax 40mm or 60mm than the PST (.75 A vs 1 A).
Here's to the hype and hope it lives up to expectations.
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AT 8" IN
Meade 8" LX200-R (ACF)
Meade Series 5000 80mm
Vixen Sphinx SXW
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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Quote:
Is there any disadvantage to using the 12mm filter with the 60 DP?
Thanks,
Dave
I can think of two. The first is easiest. Cost.
The second is a little more difficult. Inside the scope any flat optics need to be tilted to take the very small reflection and place it off the image. "Ghosting". If you look around the image at wide angles in your h-alpha scope you can likely find a few ghosts from various optical elements. There is one in my PST that could be mistaken for the main image, likely from the blocking filter it self. The small window makes it easier to hide the ghost images. Now, it does not seem like Lunt is worried about it but it is more difficult to have a larger blocking filter. (I should add that I ordered the larger filter, for no reason than Markus stated it might help out in imaging and the cost did not seem to much more.)
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Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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Quote:
Not to rain on anyone's parade here but I personally don't see the convincing reasons to pre-order any of these scopes without "eyes-on" reports thus far. Sure, they sound like they could be great and I certainly hope that they will be but its not like you are at risk of missing the next solar maximum if you don't preorder now. And it doesn't seem like Lunt is at risk of becoming the next A-P with multi-year notification lists.
Sage words of advice. My concern was that the prices would climb to Coronado levels once the company was running.
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Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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DavidW
member
Reged: 09/18/07
Posts: 92
Loc: Alberta, Canada
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Thanks, I actually thought the double pass as opposed to stacked was supposed to take care of that. So a 6mm is adequate for visual (helps eliminate ghosts) and for binoviewing or a DSLR (APS size)you want a 12mm to allow for extra backfocus and to create a larger image circle.
If I could ask a few more silly questions,
1) Would a Skynyx 2-2 cover solar maximum? I haven't purchased a larger camera yet, currently a have a Starshoot II-M and a Lodestar guider? Do you bother with guiders for solar imaging?
2) Would it follow that the 18mm and 32mm blocking filters be required for larger format camera's like a 35mm or the newer Kodak 9000 chips?
Thanks again,
Dave
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MikeTaormina
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/15/05
Posts: 1217
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Quote:
Not to rain on anyone's parade here but I personally don't see the convincing reasons to pre-order any of these scopes without "eyes-on" reports thus far.
What convinces you may not convince me and vice versa. As you mentioned yourself, Lunt may end up like another AP with long wait lists and exorbitant prices, and that alone would make pre-ordering one now (or sooner) the wise thing to do. I personally don't believe that will be the case, but who knows? No one really does at this point, and that is why I can appreciate the point you are making.
However, what I do know is that Andy Lunt and the people that make up Lunt Solar Systems are not unknowns themselves, and what I do know about them makes me believe that what they will deliver will be worth it, and then some. Maybe I will end up being wrong, but that's the risk that I am willing to take. It is the reason why Lunt has offered "introductory" prices to folks that are willing to take the risk and pre-order sight-unseen product.
For those who are skeptical, (and in some cases downright cynical) about Lunt and their ability to deliver product, then just wait. But don't belly-ache if an when Lunt's products receive rave reviews and their prices and lead times increase. That's the nature of the business and life in general.
By the same token, I don't expect any sympathy for those who pre-order Lunt products and are disappointed in what they get. That's just the risk you take, and have to be ready to accept the consequences. Although, Lunt does have a refund policy, so even that "risk" is mitigated to a level that is acceptable to me.
Mike
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http://www.pbase.com/miket883/solar
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cocobolo
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/27/07
Posts: 1550
Loc: british columbia, canada
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Did we not hear one of the Lunt employees state in the video that prices were to increase in July?
Next question. I have the $899 version of the Ha ordered. Strictly visually speaking, would there be a noticeable difference between that and the $1049 with the 12mm b.f. When I ordered mine, the other one wasn't even on the list. If so, I could easily be convinced to drop another $150 to upgrade. What do you think?
Thanks.
Keith
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3711
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Good post, Mike.
There's no real point to debating the wisdom of pre-order vs. wait-and-see. We all make the choices we're comfortable with.
Agreed: Whining or gloating will be considered bad form, regardless of one's choice!
At least I'm enjoying the ride...
Cheers,
Jim
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Doug D.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/23/05
Posts: 1857
Loc: Virginia
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I agree Mike, you make some good points. I for one certainly won't be belly aching if Lunt makes a "must have" product and I'm shut out of a purchase for a few months because I didn't pre-order (let alone failed to get introductory pricing - whatever that ends up meaning, if anything). I'm interested in performance and quality and if Lunt ends up making something that truly ups the ante in that department, it will be hats off and open the wallet time. I guess in this instance, I'm resisting the "early adopter" temptation. But I'm all for you guys taking that route and reporting back to us both the good and bad. It also helps that I've already got gear that I am very happy with (sort of my reference standards at this point). Perhaps if that wasn't the case I'd be singing a different tune.
For the newbie wishing to get into H-alpha, however, I'm still hesitant to recommend jumping in with Lunt at this particular point in time. Testing the waters when you are an experienced swimmer and know the pool has water in it is one thing but dashed expectations can be quite another. Over the past several months I have encouraged newbies considering a PST to wait and see what materializes with Lunt instead of buying a PST (i.e., patience is usually a virtue). At some point though, a PST is still a decent deal and QC issues aside, almost everyone who has gotten one over the years (virtually all of us who can be identified as "enthusiasts") has been impressed with what the little guy can do. And it has certainly been enough to suck a lot of folks into "bigger and better" H-alpha filters/scopes.
I guess for the newbie/novice (and in the spirit of the OP's question - and others like it) I'm sticking with the recommendation of patience. Gee, I sound like my Mother!
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Hooville
AP 105EDF f/6 Traveler; AP 140 EDF StarFire f/7.5; TV 76 f/6.3 with Solarscope SF70 filter; Solarscope Solarview 50; Coronado CaK 70; Orion XT-10; Baader Mk V & ZAO II's; Half-Hitch Mk II; Astrotrac TT320X, pier & wedge; AP Mach1GTO; PGR Flea 2
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Ralph Marantino
Postmaster
Reged: 05/01/05
Posts: 6330
Loc: Old Bridge, New Jersey
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You would do well to upgrade while you can there is a huge diff between .7A and .5A. 
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Lunt H-alpha LS100THa/B3400
Rockland Astronomy Club
Member BAA Solar Section
Central Appalachian Astronomy Club
Astronomical League
DSPST,PST & 70mm Coronado Cal K telescope.2.2A
Zeiss 2 inch prism diagonal&Zeiss Zoom EP
2inch APM Herschel Wedge in a 94mm F7 Brandon
14.5 inch f4.2 Starmaster Dob(Zambuto mirror)
TeleView Genisis SDF with 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Zeiss 63mm f13.5 refractor 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Itty Bitty Solar Radio Telescope.
LHRIES Lite Solar Spectrometer
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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Even if it has the same perfomance as the PST, I also ordered it due to the quality in build and ease of use for imaging. The demo from NEAF sold me after seeing the quality. The $899.00 model was at the limit of what I can afford and from what I hear, it will be perfect for webcam or visual use. I am guessing that it will have better perfomance and quality but it will be a wait and see thing. What do I know about scopes anyways?
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Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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Quote:
For the newbie wishing to get into H-alpha, however, I'm still hesitant to recommend jumping in with Lunt at this particular point in time. Testing the waters when you are an experienced swimmer and know the pool has water in it is one thing but dashed expectations can be quite another. Over the past several months I have encouraged newbies considering a PST to wait and see what materializes with Lunt instead of buying a PST (i.e., patience is usually a virtue). At some point though, a PST is still a decent deal and QC issues aside, almost everyone who has gotten one over the years (virtually all of us who can be identified as "enthusiasts") has been impressed with what the little guy can do. And it has certainly been enough to suck a lot of folks into "bigger and better" H-alpha filters/scopes.
I would not have pre-ordered if I did not have a scope and could wait. Even now with the scopes nearing completion I would not go a week without a scope and would pick up a PST if I needed a scope while I wait. At least the LS60 looks to be the first ones shipping so we should know in a month or so how many are comming out and what the final results are. I think there is still much work to do on the double pass.
Another great reason for waiting is Andy has plans to introduce many more ideas next year. This could obsolete the current offerings rather quickly.
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Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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Doug D.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/23/05
Posts: 1857
Loc: Virginia
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Quote:
I would not have pre-ordered if I did not have a scope and could wait. Even now with the scopes nearing completion I would not go a week without a scope and would pick up a PST if I needed a scope while I wait.
Yeah, exactly. That is really pretty much all I was trying to bring up. Nothing really wrong with a PST if you "can't wait" to start viewing in H-alpha. As the addicted among us will probably agree - a day without an H-alpha scope is like a day without sunshine.
Trever - I hope you get your scope soon and that it exceeds expectations!! And I can't wait to hear from Ralph about the "monster". That is the one likely to tempt me at some point.
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Hooville
AP 105EDF f/6 Traveler; AP 140 EDF StarFire f/7.5; TV 76 f/6.3 with Solarscope SF70 filter; Solarscope Solarview 50; Coronado CaK 70; Orion XT-10; Baader Mk V & ZAO II's; Half-Hitch Mk II; Astrotrac TT320X, pier & wedge; AP Mach1GTO; PGR Flea 2
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cocobolo
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/27/07
Posts: 1550
Loc: british columbia, canada
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Ralph:
Let me make sure I get this straight. You are saying that the 12mm blocking filter will reduce the bandpass to around .5A, is that correct?
Thanks.
Keith
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3711
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
Ralph:
Let me make sure I get this straight. You are saying that the 12mm blocking filter will reduce the bandpass to around .5A, is that correct?
Thanks.
Keith
Errrr, I'm sure he didn't mean THAT!
Double-stacking (i.e. using two etalons) will reduce the bandpass. Doubling the aperture of the blocking filter, however, will NOT change the bandpass performance of the scope, just the size of the images you can obtain.
Cheers,
Jim
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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If I understand it correctly, the Solar image that is obtained in the standard 60mm single pass is around 4.5mm. The filter in the 6mm version covers an area of 6mm making it just large enough to cover the entire solar disk with a little room to spare. The 12mm version doubles the area of filtration allowing even more filtered area, but that is not the same as double stacking. The detail should be the same, just a larger area for DSLR's and bino viewers.
If that is correct, and I may not be, the 6mm and 12mm have identical 0.8 Angstrom filtering. It is the double stacked version at 1395.00 that has the better views and 12mm size.
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Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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Just out of curiosity, what is the size of the solar image obtained on the PST as compared to the 4.5mm size on the 60mm single pass Lunt scope?
I used to have a PST and I am just trying to visualze the size of the disk.
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Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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A good rule of thumb for solar images is fl/100 so a pst is 40mm f/10 or 4mm image. It is actually a little less.
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Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25190
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
Just out of curiosity, what is the size of the solar image obtained on the PST as compared to the 4.5mm size on the 60mm single pass Lunt scope?
It'll be the angular diameter of the Sun times the magnification. That's true for any object viewed with any telescope.
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John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
CI-700, NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
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Ralph Marantino
Postmaster
Reged: 05/01/05
Posts: 6330
Loc: Old Bridge, New Jersey
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Thanks for clearing that up Jim...Ralph  
--------------------
Lunt H-alpha LS100THa/B3400
Rockland Astronomy Club
Member BAA Solar Section
Central Appalachian Astronomy Club
Astronomical League
DSPST,PST & 70mm Coronado Cal K telescope.2.2A
Zeiss 2 inch prism diagonal&Zeiss Zoom EP
2inch APM Herschel Wedge in a 94mm F7 Brandon
14.5 inch f4.2 Starmaster Dob(Zambuto mirror)
TeleView Genisis SDF with 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Zeiss 63mm f13.5 refractor 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Itty Bitty Solar Radio Telescope.
LHRIES Lite Solar Spectrometer
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cocobolo
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/27/07
Posts: 1550
Loc: british columbia, canada
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Thanks all: I didn't think that without double stacking that the bandpass could be reduced.
Guess I'm going to have to go on the Lunt site to see everything that is now available.
Trever, more guessing games. The 12mm double stacked then will allow for a bigger image, or should I say you should be able to see a bigger image at the same magnification. Not larger, just more of it.
And I would still like to find out if you all think that the d.p. is better for visual. It sounds as though it is.
Heading to Lunt now before I make an even bigger mess out of the question.
Keith
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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Keith,
Check out the lunt Europe site as well. It is more up to date. The product pages are not available on the english portion.
--------------------
Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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cocobolo
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/27/07
Posts: 1550
Loc: british columbia, canada
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Colin: Just coming back after looking at the US site. The 60mm double pass only seems to come with the BF600. I'll check the other site to see if that is current. Thanks
Keith
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cocobolo
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/27/07
Posts: 1550
Loc: british columbia, canada
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Didn't do a lot better on the European site. So Colin, you are getting a 60mm double pass with a 12mm blocking filter, would that be right?
I presume that would be $1400 for the d.p. scope plus the extra $150 for the 12mm B.F.
It sounds as though they will have all the info up on the sites in the next two or three weeks.
What I found was the most impressive thing on their websites, is the fact that there are actual email addresses for contact!! 100% A-1 great idea!!
Thanks again.
Keith
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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I plan on mounting this with a vixen dovetail from Orion. Will this work?
Link
--------------------
Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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Yeah that sounds right. Calling Rikki worked too. The tag saying the site would be updated in two weeks was there in Jan. 
I was able to get much more current information for my article by talking to Markus and Andy. I hope they update the website soon. If you take the LS60 graphic from the Europe website and enlarge it you can read it all. It is very informative.
--------------------
Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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bsim
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 1053
Loc: New York City
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Quote:
I plan on mounting this with a vixen dovetail from Orion. Will this work?
Link
You should join the Yahoo Luntsolar Group. The Orion adapter will work:
"The Clamshell has 3 threads on a flat area 1/4-20" photo , the 2 outer with 35 mm spacing."
I was originally planning on getting a used PST but the problems scared me away. It was a toss-up between the dedicated scope and the front-mounted filter, but after speaking with Andy Lunt at NEAF I've made my decision.
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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I joined it when I preordered my scope. I just havent had the chance to sift through the site yet. Still sifting here... 
--------------------
Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3711
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
I hope they update the website soon.
I suspect they've been too busy making h-alpha scopes to update the web site...
...and I think they should keep at it! 
Cheers,
Jim
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Solar B
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/28/07
Posts: 911
Loc: By Edinburgh , Scotland
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I understand the need for a 12mm bf for binos but will it not also have less vignetting while using various different EPs...compared to the 6mm bf
Brian
--------------------
" Gentlemen only ever use Refractors "
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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The only way to vignette the image is to move the blocking filter closer to the objective into a larger part of the cone. There are some reasons one might do this like to get more back focus for a camera but at least the EPs I have are all pretty close to coming to focus at the same place.
--------------------
Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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davidpitre
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/10/05
Posts: 1824
Loc: Central Texas
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Quote:
I was originally planning on getting a used PST but the problems scared me away. It was a toss-up between the dedicated scope and the front-mounted filter, but after speaking with Andy Lunt at NEAF I've made my decision.
What is your decision? What did Mr Lundt say?
I'm trying to decide between the two as well. I like to go with a filter for my 102mm refractor.
--------------------
David
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Solar B
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/28/07
Posts: 911
Loc: By Edinburgh , Scotland
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One issue i have with the 60mm Lunt scope is that its either single or Double stacked....i would prefer to have the option whilst viewing....i always start with a SS and then try DS....this would have me leaning towards the SS unit as there may be a 60MM DS filter made in the future. Brian
--------------------
" Gentlemen only ever use Refractors "
Edited by Solar B (05/11/08 06:13 AM)
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Sol
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/20/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: Powys, Wales, UK
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Quote:
One issue i have with the 60mm Lunt scope is that its either single or Double stacked....i would prefer to have the option whilst viewing....i always start with a SS and then try DS....this would have me leaning towards the SS unit as there may be a 60MM DS filter made in the future. Brian
Those were my thoughts exactly. Presumably if 60mm aperture filters do eventually arrive you would have to return the SS unit to Lunt to have the addon filter tuned for accurate double stacking ?
I think I may go for the 75mm aperture filter unit instead as it offers 0.75A views over the 0.8 of the 60mm and this is a happy medium between prom and surface detail. This could also be double stacked at a later date.
The problem with the aperture units is that presumably you have to send your scope to Lunt to get the correct aperture adaptor, or will Lunt be selling a diameter range of filter adaptors ??
Mark
--------------------
Visit the Sunnymeade Astro Solar Blog
http://sunnymeadeastro.blogspot.com/
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Solar B
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/28/07
Posts: 911
Loc: By Edinburgh , Scotland
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Mark i would bet on them making a 60mm filter in the future as i reckon there would be a good market for it....the 75mm filter will be better (more expensive naturally)...i like the sound of the 60mm as a grad and go....i understand that Markus will be supplying adaptors for the filters....oh and it seems that "carefully matched" etalons may not be as critical as i had first thought. Brian
--------------------
" Gentlemen only ever use Refractors "
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22347
Loc: Ohio, USA
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I thought Lunt were offering a double pass instead of a double stack. With a double pass, only one Etalon is used and the light is passed through it twice so that you don't have to add an additional etalon and no need to match them.
--------------------
Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi. 
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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MikeTaormina
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/15/05
Posts: 1217
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They will offer both doublestacked and doublepass...
The doublepass of course has to be built into the the telescope itself from the get go since it is internal (and integrated assembly), but all external etalons can be doublestacked.
The Lunt website also states that the LS100T, which is an h-alpha telescope with internal etalon, can be externally doublestacked using a Lunt external 100mm etalon, too. I believe the LS60T can be externally doublestacked as well, but Lunt only makes a 50mm & 75mm external etalon (at this time), which would mean you either have to stop it down with the 50mm or oversize it with the 75mm.
--------------------
http://www.pbase.com/miket883/solar
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APM M.Ludes
Vendor (APM Telescopes)
Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 392
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Hello
I see many questions here, so I try to give some answeres.
1, sorry for my delay to jump in, but I have had a little bycicle accident :-)
- 6 mm against 12 mm blocking filter : Please draw your light cone from 60 mm objective with 500 mm focal lenght and place a 6 mm blocking filter 30 mm before the focuse point and you see that it barely covers the soolar disc , for visual ok, but if you get to see at the maximum time a large prominence it will be out of the FOV, so you have to move the scope abit sidewards. Also with the 6 mm BF the sun must be perfectly centered in the scope or it gets covered quickly by the BF edge. With a BF 12 mm you have plenty of room for larger prominences and if your mount is not perfect polaraligned and the sun drifts a bit out of the center it does not get lost.
- Lunt offers Vixen like styled dovetails for the scopes
- double pass or double stacked is the question ?????? Our original Idea was to start with double pass , but during my visit in Tucson the week before NEAF we discovered some issues which convience us to go the face lift step 2 from beginning on , which is the double stacked. Andy and me discussing hese days the final design, but I am very optimistic that this will give you the chance to use the Double version as a 2 mode scope 0.7 A and O.5 A , jusst as some customers wishes :-).
In addition you can use a standart LS 60 ha and add on front a 50 mm or 75 mm etalon for double stack.
Before end of this month you will be able to read some first light impressions. A LS 60 doule stacked arrived already our very first Dealer Galileo in Switzerland where customers juming in soon to his store to have a look through it.
If I am ok with my little accident I will show the next weekend at the German Solarparty the first scopes and filters and in USA now also some first samples going out soonest to Dealers hands, so we are very very close to the first shipping dates.
Anyway , now I am back at the computer to answere all your questions.
thanks
Markus Ludes
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3711
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
- double pass or double stacked is the question ?????? Our original Idea was to start with double pass , but during my visit in Tucson the week before NEAF we discovered some issues which convience us to go the face lift step 2 from beginning on , which is the double stacked. Andy and me discussing hese days the final design, but I am very optimistic that this will give you the chance to use the Double version as a 2 mode scope 0.7 A and O.5 A , jusst as some customers wishes :-).
Hi, Markus,
 Please clarify: Are you saying that Lunt is replacing the 60mm double-pass design with a double- stack (i.e. two etalons) design??
Or did you mean that Lunt is "still working" on the 60mm double-pass design, which will be released later?
Thanks,
Jim
p.s. I do hope your bike accident was truly "little". Be careful!
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davidpitre
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/10/05
Posts: 1824
Loc: Central Texas
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As I understand it, the scopes will be coming out first. The filters will not be out until next year at the earliest.
Is this right?
--------------------
David
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Sol
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/20/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: Powys, Wales, UK
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Hi Markus - hope your injuries are healing up OK after the bicycle accident ?
With the external filters will there be a range of adaptors to fit the various diameters of dew shield aperture on refractors ? I have an Equinox 80mm and Vixen 115mm and it would be useful to have an adaptor for each aperture as the 80mm is more portable than the 115 scope. Any idea on pricing of adaptors ?
Regards
Mark
--------------------
Visit the Sunnymeade Astro Solar Blog
http://sunnymeadeastro.blogspot.com/
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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Markus please get well.
An internal double stack version of the 60mm scope you had at NEAF would be a great idea!
--------------------
Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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Solar B
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/28/07
Posts: 911
Loc: By Edinburgh , Scotland
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I think Markus may be suggesting that the "DP Version" could be used as single or DP internally....thus both options would be provided which does sound good if im right. Brian
--------------------
" Gentlemen only ever use Refractors "
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Danno2006
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/25/06
Posts: 661
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Having the choice of using 0.5 or 0.7 for the 60mm DP is a fantastic development.
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25190
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
I think Markus may be suggesting that the "DP Version" could be used as single or DP internally....
What he said was that the doublestacked version (single pass internal etalon plus an external etalon) could possibly be used without the external filter, providing the wider bandwidth option the other poster requested. From his statements, the doublepass system will be doublepass only - and will apparently be released later than the doublestack system.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
CI-700, NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 5063
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Quote:
- 6 mm against 12 mm blocking filter : Please draw your light cone from 60 mm objective with 500 mm focal lenght and place a 6 mm blocking filter 30 mm before the focuse point and you see that it barely covers the soolar disc , for visual ok, but if you get to see at the maximum time a large prominence it will be out of the FOV, so you have to move the scope abit sidewards. Also with the 6 mm BF the sun must be perfectly centered in the scope or it gets covered quickly by the BF edge. With a BF 12 mm you have plenty of room for larger prominences and if your mount is not perfect polaraligned and the sun drifts a bit out of the center it does not get lost.
Sounds like a worthwhile option. 
Any potential issues with "ghosting" with the larger blocking filter?
Hope you recover quickly from your bicycle accident!
--------------------
Jim
Genesis SDF-f/5.4 FS-102-f/8
Edited by Jim7728 (05/11/08 12:07 PM)
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Solar B
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/28/07
Posts: 911
Loc: By Edinburgh , Scotland
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Im afraid its not clear to me at all what is happening with the 60mm scopes Markus stated that there is a 60mm DS version in Switzerland....does this mean a 60 with a 50 or 75 ext filter or another 60mm filter???i would prefer the option to S or DS at will. Brian
--------------------
" Gentlemen only ever use Refractors "
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APM M.Ludes
Vendor (APM Telescopes)
Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 392
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Hello All,
feel very well :-)
I do not want to give much info away today , please hold on till the weekend, till Andy finished the complete testing on the double 60.
Tomorrow I expect the arrival of the final LS 60 T , I will test it here myself and then ship it to some good imagers, that they can show you also the photographic performance next days. Last 12 days we have had pur sun and about 80 to 85° Farenheit in Germany, but coming next 2,3 days we get the left rain from Alan in New York area, but Alan told ,me they have already sun again, so we getting always his sunny weather.
Delivery of LS 60Douple stay for early July
First big shipments in some weeks are :
- all backordered LS 60 Cak
- many LS 50 Filter
- many LS 60 Ha telescope
followed quickly by lS 75 Filter in middle to late June
Again, Andy informed me about what he is doing this hours and its very exciting, but I want to wait his phone call, all worked out perfectly, then we post detailed infos
bye
Markus
Edited by APM M.Ludes (05/14/08 01:36 PM)
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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Thank you for the update Markus. It is great that you keep us updated like this. I think it makes us feel like part of the team.
--------------------
Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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Excellent Update. Thank you Markus!
I havent even received the scope and I am getting great service!
--------------------
Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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Solar B
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/28/07
Posts: 911
Loc: By Edinburgh , Scotland
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Good to hear your back on track Markus
Brian
--------------------
" Gentlemen only ever use Refractors "
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Al Canarelli
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/07
Posts: 2611
Loc: Central New Jersey
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As the new kid on the block, will someone tell me how Markus is linked to Lunt?
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25190
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
As the new kid on the block, will someone tell me how Markus is linked to Lunt?
He's a Lunt investor, and a Lunt dealer.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
CI-700, NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
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sctchun
sage
Reged: 03/26/06
Posts: 208
Loc: HI
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Actually, he's one of the principals...
http://www.luntsolarsystems-europe.com/content.php?catchoice1=99148&catchoice2=99150&choice=99150
[Edit] You'll need to click on the Union Jack (UK Flag) towards the top of the page in order to get the English version.
--------------------
AT 8" IN
Meade 8" LX200-R (ACF)
Meade Series 5000 80mm
Vixen Sphinx SXW
Edited by sctchun (05/16/08 03:25 PM)
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Danno2006
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/25/06
Posts: 661
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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What happened to Markus's post saying he was shipping a scope to a German imager for 1st light pictures next week?
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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He mentions shipping the scope to some imagers for this weekend if all goes well, in the post above.
--------------------
Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22347
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Quote:
What happened to Markus's post saying he was shipping a scope to a German imager for 1st light pictures next week?
It's been moved to the Vendor's forum. Vendors are permitted to discuss their products in the regular fora only when they are in direct response to questions asked. All other information must be posted in the Vendor's forum as per our Terms of Service.
Please feel free to review or comment to his post here.
--------------------
Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
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Danno2006
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/25/06
Posts: 661
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Erix - Thanks for the reply.
Danny
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22347
Loc: Ohio, USA
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You're welcome, Danny. I should have tried to show a pointer to where I moved it to after I moved it.
--------------------
Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
|
Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3711
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
Quote:
What happened to Markus's post saying he was shipping a scope to a German imager for 1st light pictures next week?
It's been moved to the Vendor's forum. Vendors are permitted to discuss their products in the regular fora only when they are in direct response to questions asked. All other information must be posted in the Vendor's forum as per our Terms of Service.
Please feel free to review or comment to his post here.
Well, I--and many other Solar forum contributors, I'm certain--would very much like Markus to continue to post any further results, images, impressions on any Lunt scopes that are actually out in use, on this Solar forum. Markus is indeed a vendor, but the promised Lunt products are gererating more interest and buzz on this forum than any other topic lately. Markus, would you please contimnue to post any such reports right here? We're watching every day!
OK, is that a direct enough question/request? I hope so. If not, Erix, please help me ask the question properly! Markus's contribution to this Solar forum has been substantial, and I request that it continue!
Thanks,
Jim
--------------------
QUESTION AUTHORITY!
"errr....sez who??"
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3711
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
|
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Quote:
Please feel free to review or comment to his post here.
Errr....that's a link to a locked thread. How does one "respond"???
Sheeeesh!
Jim
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22347
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Quote:
Quote:
Please feel free to review or comment to his post here.
Errr....that's a link to a locked thread. How does one "respond"???
Sheeeesh!
Jim
Strange, it shows not locked on my computer as well as not locked on my husband's computer. He's not a moderator and has the option to reply on it. So I'm not sure what the problem is.
As for the bit about being a vendor, this would apply for any vendor, not just Markus. It's nothing personal and CN can't play favorites when it comes to allowing some members/vendors special privileges. 
If you would like to discuss it more, please pm me so we can keep this thread on topic. If you have a complaint, please contact another moderator or administrator, or post in feedback.
--------------------
Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
|
Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3711
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
|
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Quote:
Strange, it shows not locked on my computer as well as not locked on my husband's computer. He's not a moderator and has the option to reply on it. So I'm not sure what the problem is.
Well, it WAS locked when I viewed it from MY computer yesterday afternoon...it has since been unlocked. Dunno.
As for the rest, I'll continue to look for Markus's posts wherever they are welcome.
Cheers,
Jim
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22347
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Due to our terms of service (and some past history), Markus is limited to what he can discuss in the general fora. We really don't want to see Markus suspended again and his input is very helpful for this gear. I'd like to see Markus discuss Lunt products more, and he can have the leeway to do just that in the vendor's forum. It would also help us classify things that way.
--------------------
Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
Edited by Erix (05/17/08 08:53 AM)
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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Is there really all that much of a downside by having the 6mm version compared to the 12mm version of the 60mm single pass? I know I am the low man on the totem here by ordering the el cheapo model, the 899 dollar ota, but I never hear any compaints about the PST which I believe happens to be either the same size or slightly smaller?
I am sure 12mm is much better that 6mm, but visually or using a webcam, is it really that big of a deal?
--------------------
Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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MikeTaormina
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/15/05
Posts: 1217
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The 6mm BF will be sufficient for most visual and prime focus photgraphic work (with a small CCD webcam) if you place the solar disk dead center in the FOV. There isn't much (if any) wiggle room to move the disk around in the FOV before you will see vignetting. The larger BF will give you a larger illuminated FOV to work with and not make centering the solar disk in the FOV so critical.
Mike
--------------------
http://www.pbase.com/miket883/solar
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3711
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
...I know I am the low man on the totem here by ordering the el cheapo model, the 899 dollar ota...
No, you're not. You're a pioneer!
It's a big step to work up the nerve to invest $900--NOT "el cheapo" in my book--on a product that's good for viewing exactly one object. To do that for a product as yet untested shows even more nerve.
I think--and I hope--that you (and the rest of us!) will be rewarded.
Sunny skies,
Jim
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bsim
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 1053
Loc: New York City
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Any word on wait times for the 60mm H-Alpha B600 scope or the 50mm front-mounted filter? I've got $900 burning a hole in my pocket. It seems every time I'm ready to buy an Ethos, I end up with something else. Last time I ended up with a Round Table Platform.
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FoxK
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/07/07
Posts: 2660
Loc: Cape Cod, MA
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As far as I know...a 60mm HA went out to a tester yesterday with a CaK 60mm scheduled for tommorrow (Monday) but bad weather in Germany is dampening (sorry bout the pun) the success.
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Orion 80mm ED Apo Refractor
8" Classic Dob (used as Newtonian on CG5 mount)
Meade 70-AZ-A 70mm Guider using PHD
LS60TCaK/B600/C
CG-5 Advanced GT Mount
Nikon D40x with T-Adaptors
Philips SPC900NC(1/4"ccd)& Quickcam 9000(1/3"CMOS)
Imaging Source DMK 21AU04.AS
- click for cloud prediction for Plymouth, MA. area
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APM M.Ludes
Vendor (APM Telescopes)
Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 392
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MikeTaormina explained with perfect words the diffrent in use between B600 and B1200 filter.
With the design of our diagonal we did all possible steps to help imagers using the B600 with good sucess.
We designed the diagonal that way, that you can screw off the 1.25" eyepiece holder and you have diretly above the BF glas an M42x0.75 photo thrsad, closer distance to the BF 600 is not possible.
Therefore I say the B600 is fine for visuel and Webcam , for all other purposes go with larger BF
regards
Markus
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3711
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
Any word on wait times for the 60mm H-Alpha B600 scope or the 50mm front-mounted filter? I've got $900 burning a hole in my pocket. It seems every time I'm ready to buy an Ethos, I end up with something else. Last time I ended up with a Round Table Platform.
Check with Rikki at Lunt:
Rikki Hocking: r.hocking@luntsolarsystems.com
Telephone: (520) 344-7348
She's very helpful.
Initial production is supposed to start shipping very soon. There are quite a few "pre-orders" already, so there may be a longer wait for something ordered now. Some dealers may have pre-ordered products that are not yet spoken for, though....you'll have to call around...
Cheers,
Jim
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Ralph Marantino
Postmaster
Reged: 05/01/05
Posts: 6330
Loc: Old Bridge, New Jersey
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Well I have both and Ethaos and a Roundtable platform all good stuff you better oder soon the list is getting longer and longer 
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Lunt H-alpha LS100THa/B3400
Rockland Astronomy Club
Member BAA Solar Section
Central Appalachian Astronomy Club
Astronomical League
DSPST,PST & 70mm Coronado Cal K telescope.2.2A
Zeiss 2 inch prism diagonal&Zeiss Zoom EP
2inch APM Herschel Wedge in a 94mm F7 Brandon
14.5 inch f4.2 Starmaster Dob(Zambuto mirror)
TeleView Genisis SDF with 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Zeiss 63mm f13.5 refractor 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Itty Bitty Solar Radio Telescope.
LHRIES Lite Solar Spectrometer
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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I used to own a PST, and while at the time I was amazed at the views being it was my first Ha solar scope, it was limited in its capability with webcam imaging. After seeing the problems that many were having and the rust issue, I was glad to have gotten rid of it before that happened.
I am happy to have preordered the Lunt 60mm Ha single pass scope. I would love to own the higher end models, but my funds just wont allow it. I am sure it was a good decision as I believe the scope to be superior than the PST in many ways and those of us who preordered one will be pleased.
I hope I am on the initial shipment from OPT an the end of the month!
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bsim
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 1053
Loc: New York City
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Thanks, Jim.
I met Rikki at NEAF. I'll be giving her a call. At Neaf, she told me that the dedicated solar scopes are the most popular. I don't mind waiting... hopefully not too long
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Al Canarelli
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/07
Posts: 2611
Loc: Central New Jersey
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bsim wrote...
I don't mind waiting
============================================================
I do!! I hate waiting. As of today, it's been a whole week since I preordered and nothing yet. Just kidding. I'll be happy if I get my 60 by August.
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bsim
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 1053
Loc: New York City
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I spoke with Rikki. If you order a LS60 scope or LS50 filter through Lunt, they'll be shipping in Oct-Nov. She mentioned the best thing to do is to find a dealer. I called up OPT and ordered a LS60 B600 single-pass scope. I'm number 8 in the queue. Evidently the LS60 B1200 is more popular. Hopefully, I'll be getting my scope at the end of July when OPT expects their first shipment.
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Al Canarelli
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/07
Posts: 2611
Loc: Central New Jersey
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Well, by accident I did something right! How about that? On top of this, someone from this forum suggested that I place my order with Rikki at Lunt, but I forgot the name when it came time to order, so I ordered with a dealer. Btw, I ordered the 60mm DP with B1200 blocking filter and I'm number 2 on the list. Most have ordered the B600 and the single pass scope was very popular with this dealer.
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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bsim, if you are number 8 in queue at OPT for the LS60mm single pass, then I should be between 1-7. The OPT website says that they expect to begin shipping scopes by the end of May, so did they tell you differently? Link
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Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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It seems it has changed as they have gotten more preorders since their last update. So it may actually be July... Oh well.
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Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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bsim
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 1053
Loc: New York City
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I'm a little confused on the shipping date too. I've heard July from OPT.
The official word on the Yahoo Luntsolar forum was that the LS60THa, LS60TCaK, and LS50FHa will ship at the end of May. The LS60THaDP, LS75FHa, LS100FHa, LS100THa, and maybe the LS200THaDP will ship in July.
I posted on the Luntsolar forum asking for a shipping update. Delays are fine as long as the end product is good.
Edited by bsim (05/19/08 08:27 PM)
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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It is weird. If bsim ordered on the 19th from OPT, and was 8th in line for the 60mm single pass, then it seems like the preorder initial shipment isnt very large. But, nothing you can do but wait either way.
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Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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bsim
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 1053
Loc: New York City
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The official word is that there is another two week delay. So, probably middle to end of June for the first shipment. Having worked in a number of startups and the complexity of Lunt's technology, I give them the benefit of the doubt. I know some people are frustrated and wondering whether the scopes are vaporware. I've touched the scopes and spoke with Andy Lunt at NEAF. Everything seems legitimate. I've already voted with my money by pre-ordering the 60mm scope. I think the wait will be worth it.
First solar pictures should be coming soon.
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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I have no problem with waiting and like you I believe it will be well worth it in the end. I know that new product releases don't always work out the way that they are planned. Quality isnt fast or cheap so the wait will be worth it.
If I was in a hurry, I would have already bought a PST...
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Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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APM M.Ludes
Vendor (APM Telescopes)
Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 392
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Production Modell LS50F , LS60THa, LS60TCak and LS60TDS is out in hands of imagers right now. Public will see , if weather permits , this week saturday those scopes at a Solarstarparty in Germany, city Rüsselsheim , near Frankfurt. The week after european customers will see them in and out at ATT , largest telescope show in Europe, then after ATT I ship them around europe to some dealers solarpartys.
2 weeks later , middle of June is the forecast that we starting first shipments, slow, but with increasing numbers.
Andy Lunt will put today online some news at the Lunt Website, watch it.
Guys, we do the best, but no rush, rush many times means mistakes and coompromisses, we do not like that and do not want it.
Not everybody geet his order from first shipment, to many dealers and customers preordered at same times, but June is the month where many products leaving Tucson towards you
clear sunny day
thanks
Markus
btw. very nice flare was her ein germany today .-)
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EmielVeldhuis
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/29/07
Posts: 2479
Loc: Zwolle, the Netherlands
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I love to see some german sun through a LuntScope at the ATT over about a week!!! Hopefully some sun that day!
greetz emiel
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8" LX10 SCT,Skywatcher NEQ6pro,Vixen SP,Skywatcher 150/1200mm refractor, Coronado PST's: Gold and Blue,Lunt LS60T-HA and CaK b/600, b/wToUcamSC3RAWmod.and a DMK 31AU03as.
http://astrosurf.com/obsolar/colabora/colaboradores/veldhuis.html
www.solarlive.nu
Experience our nearest GV2 star, live at SolarLive!
www.solarlive.nu
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bsim
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 1053
Loc: New York City
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Markus, thanks for the news.
I think we would all agree that it would be better to do it right the first time.
I'm looking forward to the upcoming reports and pictures!
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Oldfield
Postmaster
Reged: 03/20/02
Posts: 5816
Loc: Hong Kong
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LS60TDS, is it double pass or double stacked with external etalon?
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The Home Astronomer from a city where most people are proud of the light pollution
Toys: Orion 100ED, Ranger with NGF-CM, SM40/BF10, TG-SP II, LXD55, DMK 31AF03, Canon 10x30 IS...
My observation log and ideas My General Blog
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leongdw
sage
Reged: 02/05/07
Posts: 220
Loc: Hong Kong
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http://luntsolarsystems.com/news5_20_2008.html
Although the initial indications were that the 60DP would provide excellent images for the price, I cannot manufacture the 60 in this manner if I feel there is a better solution for the money. (simply put).
Although the etalon system was functioning at <0.55 Angstroms, the residual errors in other filters washed out a lot of the detail.
The LS60T/DP (now DS) will be double stacked from the factory.
The LS60T/DP will utilize unobstructed etalons.
It will have the added functionality that it can used both single and double stacked.
In single stack mode the bandpass will be ~0.7 (guaranteed <0.8A) for prominence viewing.
In double stack mode the bandpass will be ~0.5 (guaranteed <0.55A) for surface detail.
Pricing will remain the same thru July 31st.
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David
Celestron 8 inch SCT, TMB 80/480 APO, Sky Watcher 120mm Equinox, Mewlon 250, Obsession 18"UC
Lunt Solar LS60T/CaK, LS75F, LS100T, LS100F
DMK31AF03, DMK21AF04, DBK21AF04
Denk II Binoviewer, 13mm Ethos, TMB mono (5mm, 9mm), 19mm Panoptic, 9mm Nagler
EM200 & TGSP II
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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Well, I have to admit i love the idea of double pass. But, how can you balk at the price for a 60mm unobstructed double stack? What was not clear in that discussion was whether the other etalon was internal. I assume it is external or I think it would be difficult to remove for single pass mode. Hmmm...
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Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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snowdragonusa
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/04/07
Posts: 1128
Loc: Denver, CO
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Quote:
Well, I have to admit i love the idea of double pass. But, how can you balk at the price for a 60mm unobstructed double stack? What was not clear in that discussion was whether the other etalon was internal. I assume it is external or I think it would be difficult to remove for single pass mode. Hmmm...
At the end of his memo he did mention that the second etalon would be removable for the <0.7 A viewing. So I am guessing it will be external.
While the double pass was a novel idea. I am glad to see the ability and versitility of the double stack.
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Adam
12" LX200R, AT80LE
Lunt 60mm Ha & CaK solar scopes
DMK41.AS, DSI Pro, DSI-C, LPI
Denver Astronomical Society
Brighton Astronomical Group
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25190
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
While the double pass was a novel idea. I am glad to see the ability and versitility of the double stack.
Agreed. It does raise one question: what size will the external filter be? There doesn't appear to be a 60mm external filter available.
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John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
CI-700, NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
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Oldfield
Postmaster
Reged: 03/20/02
Posts: 5816
Loc: Hong Kong
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I heard that both are internal.
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The Home Astronomer from a city where most people are proud of the light pollution
Toys: Orion 100ED, Ranger with NGF-CM, SM40/BF10, TG-SP II, LXD55, DMK 31AF03, Canon 10x30 IS...
My observation log and ideas My General Blog
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Jim7728
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 5063
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
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Quote:
Quote:
While the double pass was a novel idea. I am glad to see the ability and versitility of the double stack.
Agreed. It does raise one question: what size will the external filter be? There doesn't appear to be a 60mm external filter available.
AFAIK, the LS 50mm Ha external filter can be doublestacked on the 60mm by simply threading it onto the dewshield part.
Furthermore, I was told by Marcus Ludes that factory matching will not be necessary for those who want to double stack thier 60mm single pass Ha scope, with that filter, at a later time.
Correction Update: Apparently there will be a 60mm externally doublestacked at the factory.
http://luntsolarsystems.com/news5_20_2008.html
Edited by Jim7728 (05/21/08 08:00 AM)
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Trever
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 2978
Loc: North Alabama
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That will be nice if and when I would like to have the DP 60mm scope. I could always order the 50 or 60mm filter, whichever is available, in the future and attach it to the SP 60mm scope.
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Trever
Explore Scientific 152mm F/6.5 Achromat
Celestron CGEM 11 XLT SCT
Lunt LS60THaDS50 B1200 w/pressure tuner
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
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cocobolo
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/27/07
Posts: 1550
Loc: british columbia, canada
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back to a question earlier in the thread regarding the 6 vs 12mm blocking filter. I put the question directly to Markus, I think it may be in the vendor forum. For visual and webcam use, the 6mm is OK. If you want to use a DSLR for imaging, he suggested the 12mm b.f. Hope that helps.
Keith
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bsim
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 1053
Loc: New York City
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I changed my order to the 12mm blocking filter for three reasons: I'm going to use bino viewers in the future. Second, I'm primarily going to use an alt/az mount and constantly centering the solar disc with the 6mm will be an issue. And third, it will be hard to see large prominences since there isn't much room in the 6mm.
I'll probably get tracking. Any recommendations? I've seen some people use the Orion TeleTrack and others use a NexStar SLT mount.
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
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I have the Coronado DS mount and the Meade LXD75 mount. The alt-az is more convenient for EP positions at the ecliptic but the DS mount is too shaky for me. If I was looking for a new mount it would be a tracking alt-az that was designed for a 20 or 30# scope.
But, I hope I take the time to make a heliostat. Keeping the EP stationary and the observer facing north is the way to go.
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Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
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