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Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | (show all) prestonrich professor emeritus Reged: 12/01/07 Loc: Washington DC Mayland suburbs My LS60FHa just came in...       #5720864 - 03/08/13 05:17 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   For 6 months I had been happily using a new Lunt LS60Ha/B1200/PT (visual only). Deciding to go the DS route, I ordered the LS60FHa double stacked front etalon from Lunt. It finally came in several days ago after a four month wait. My first impression of the DS was a remarkable decrease in apparent image brightness compared to the SS. I know this is certainly to be expected, but for me the brightness loss seemed very much to result in a net loss from my prior the SS version. It's a struggle just getting a decent solar disk view whether bino or single viewing. In fact taking the DS on and off I seem to prefer the SS. While this could be related to my age at 71, I'm wondering if others have noticed a similar brightness reduction to the point of a relative loss of visual enjoyment. True, there hasn't been much solar activity in the last few days. Furthermore, it also seems very difficult to focus the PT and front tilts together to get anything close to a seemingly optimal resolution. With the money I have in this gear I could probably easily trade up to a Lunt 80PT. I don't know...what do you think? Post Extras:       frolinmod Pooh-Bah Reged: 08/06/10 Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: prestonrich]       #5720922 - 03/08/13 05:53 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The LS80THa/PT is certainly bright and the LS100THa/PT is brighter still. In fact the 100 is so bright, I have to crank up the magnification a little just to dim it down! Post Extras:       PatHolland Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/11/09 Loc: Clever, Missouri Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: prestonrich]       #5722039 - 03/09/13 11:03 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hello Preston. I have the same Lunt 60mm DS scope you have. I have noticed the dimming as well when the DS is used. Currently, I use the DS for imaging mostly and SS when viewing. It takes time to get the DS and PT tuned properly. A bit of patience pays off though. Solar surface detail is greatly enhanced with the DS unit. When I tune in the sun, I do it visually and then switch to the camera and then focus for imaging. I know this won't help you much but I think my procedures are pretty similar to what others do that are imagers. I have noticed though, that I get better views and see more detail of the sun with higher quality eyepieces - especially when I am feeling adventurous and am viewing through the DS. Post Extras:       BYoesle Post Laureate Reged: 06/12/04 Loc: Washington USA Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: PatHolland]       #5722249 - 03/09/13 12:41 PM Attachment (34 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I’d remove the LS60F’s ERF. This is a red glass element (blocks UV) with dielectric coatings on the front of the filter to block IR, which is completely redundant for use when double stacking - the scope already has an ERF inside for the internal etalon. This second ERF on the LS60F is likely a significant part of the dimming you are observing. If you want to use the LS60F alone, and/or replace the ERF to protect the etalon, I’d get a Baader D-ERF: http://www.alpineastro.com/Solar_Observation/Solar_Observation.htm Be sure to tilt it about a degree or so to avoid seeing any reflections. As you can see, the D-ERF’s have a significantly better transmission due to using optical glass with dielectric coatings for both UV and IR suppression. Baader DERF on left, Coronado Red Glass ERF on the right: Post Extras:       Classic8 professor emeritus Reged: 04/12/06 Loc: Naperville, IL, USA Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: BYoesle]       #5723772 - 03/10/13 12:06 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have the same scope and also notice the dimming to the point where it's hard to get a decent image with the double stack. In my case though, depending on how I have it tuned, I get a reasonably bright swath across the middle of the sun, and the rest (above and below, more than half of the sun's disk) is dimmed too much. If the whole disk was evenly illuminated it would be bright enough I think. I haven't had any success with that though. Post Extras:       Bill Cowles MacGyver Reged: 04/16/06 Loc: Utah Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: prestonrich]       #5723942 - 03/10/13 01:44 PM Attachment (28 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'm the same age and while the image does get dimmer, I still prefer to use my scope in the DS mode, and with bino's. I have a friend with the same setup and I also see no problem viewing with his stacked scope and bino's. I find that it is really helpful to use a light shield and we have both added Solar vests. The only thing that I'm not able to do, is us higher powers. Bill Post Extras:       prestonrich professor emeritus Reged: 12/01/07 Loc: Washington DC Mayland suburbs Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: Bill Cowles]       #5724158 - 03/10/13 04:01 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'm the OP. I also do prefer to use binos w/my setup. How can i remove the 60F's ERF? Would i have to replace it with the Baader? Would it a big job requiring a professional? Will removing the redundant front ERF void the warrantee? How much brighter wkuld the image be with it removed? Post Extras:       BYoesle Post Laureate Reged: 06/12/04 Loc: Washington USA Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: prestonrich]       #5724605 - 03/10/13 07:45 PM Attachment (28 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Preston, How can i remove the 60F's ERF? I’m not sure how the Lunt filters are constructed - the Coronado’s had a very small set screw (arrow below) that needs to be discovered (may be filled/hidden with black silicone) so that the filter’s outer housing can be unscrewed. The ERF is likely secured to the inside of the cover in its own cell, which can then be removed. Again, the Lunts may be different. You might want to review this thread: http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=solar&... Would i have to replace it with the Baader? Only if you want to use the etalon as a stand-alone filter, or are concerned about exposing the bare etalon to the elements. Personally I would use a D-ERF 75 in a cell as shown below, or an AR coated optical window to replace the ERF to protect the etalon. Would it a big job requiring a professional? Don’t know - again depends on the construction - and how comfortable are you with “tinkering.” With the Coronado’s it’s straightforward and not a big job at all, and quite a few have done this on our own. Adding the Baader DERF or an optical window will require the services of a machinist to make a cell for the specific item. Lunt could probably provide this service: http://luntsolarsystems.com/blog/lunt-engineering Indeed, Lunt might be willing to do the whole shebang: http://www.edgespec.com/oem.html Will removing the redundant front ERF void the warrantee? Most certainly. And you must be quite careful not to disturb the etalon itself, as it might become “de-contacted” - separating the etalon plates from the spacers, which requires “re-contacting.” But if you’re a careful and fastidious type, it should be no problem... If you’re a klutz, forget it. How much brighter wkuld the image be with it removed? Depends on the RG filter’s density - anywhere form a little to a lot... Quite a bit with my Coronado’s. Post Extras:       prestonrich professor emeritus Reged: 12/01/07 Loc: Washington DC Mayland suburbs Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: BYoesle]       #5725922 - 03/11/13 01:59 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Bob-- Many thanks for your very thorough analysis and drawing. My first step is to put in a call to Lunt--I expect a call back soon. I'll let you and the Board know what their response was to this question, and then we'll go on from there. Post Extras:       prestonrich professor emeritus Reged: 12/01/07 Loc: Washington DC Mayland suburbs Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: prestonrich]       #5725937 - 03/11/13 02:04 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Bill-- Where did you get your solar vest? I use a large poster board w/cut-out for the OTA but need additional EP shielding. Post Extras:       GooglyEyes sage Reged: 11/29/11 Loc: Colorado Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: prestonrich]       #5726015 - 03/11/13 02:48 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: ... Where did you get your solar vest? ... I'm not Bill, but I purchased my vest from Dark Skies Apparel: http://www.darkskiesapparel.com/solar_vests.html Mar Post Extras:       prestonrich professor emeritus Reged: 12/01/07 Loc: Washington DC Mayland suburbs Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: GooglyEyes]       #5726052 - 03/11/13 03:05 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks, Mar. Another question. Reading all the searched threads here I'm still a little confused about how best to tune the front etalon. With the PT optimized before screwing on the front DS, do you adjust tilt until the reflex image is out of view, regardless of the prom definitions, or do you tilt the front etalon to optimize those proms regardless of the position of the reflex image? Post Extras:       BYoesle Post Laureate Reged: 06/12/04 Loc: Washington USA Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: prestonrich]       #5726084 - 03/11/13 03:22 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Generally the less tilt the better, and if you can tolerate the ghost image(s) in the field of view, that will give the best results. I would tune the front etalon based on surface detail and contrast uniformity. Prominences can have Doppler shifts that make them less reliable - unless of course you are trying to view Doppler shifted prominence activity. Post Extras:       Kent10 professor emeritus Reged: 05/08/12 Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: BYoesle]       #5726232 - 03/11/13 04:12 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have that vest and it is amazing. I don't have a shield yet which I will probably make (maybe the poster board like Bob). But when I have the sun focused I pull the hood around my face so no light gets in and the difference in what you can see is amazing. I do the same at night when viewing in my backyard. I live in the dark city of Flagstaff, AZ but there are sometimes house lights seen from my backyard and the vest helps a lot. Post Extras:       prestonrich professor emeritus Reged: 12/01/07 Loc: Washington DC Mayland suburbs Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: Kent10]       #5726256 - 03/11/13 04:24 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Looks like I'll really need that hood w/the DS60--very dim image. Post Extras:       Kent10 professor emeritus Reged: 05/08/12 Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: prestonrich]       #5726262 - 03/11/13 04:27 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   You can try a towel first to see the difference but the vest with hood is really nice. I got the one with the mesh so it would be cooler. Post Extras:       prestonrich professor emeritus Reged: 12/01/07 Loc: Washington DC Mayland suburbs Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: Kent10]       #5726342 - 03/11/13 04:58 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I also tried some drapery sun blocking fabric from a fabric store but it was too cumbersome to use for practical purposes. Post Extras:       prestonrich professor emeritus Reged: 12/01/07 Loc: Washington DC Mayland suburbs Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: prestonrich]       #5726353 - 03/11/13 05:06 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Just called Lunt and talked to "Rickey?" in tech support. She said you can just unscrew off the front etalon (black portion w/the tilt wheel) and screw it directly on to the front of the scope. In the case of the 60mm the ERF would be the entire red annodized portion of the 60F unit that would be removed. She said the brightness would be improved somewhat, but that much of the light transmission reduction would come from the front etalon itself. No warrantee issues in that case either. Post Extras:       Bill Cowles MacGyver Reged: 04/16/06 Loc: Utah Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: prestonrich]       #5726646 - 03/11/13 07:16 PM Attachment (22 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Great product, big enough to close off the end while viewing to block light from the ground. This picture was taken during last years Annular eclipse in Utah, was in the 80's and never got uncomfortable. Here is the site: darkskiesapparel.com Bill/tell them you saw it on CN Post Extras:       REC Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/20/10 Loc: NC Re: My LS60FHa just came in... [Re: Bill Cowles]       #5728227 - 03/12/13 01:45 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   May the force be with you.... 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