icemanfredtm
member
Reged: 12/17/08
Posts: 34
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With all the talk about Meades rusting problems. I have started looking into Lunt scopes.
anyone know anything about them?
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stephenramsden
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/17/07
Posts: 1640
Loc: Atlanta, GA--USA
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Iceman,
Could I suggest to you my site www.solarastrophotography.com
It has reviews and info on several LUNT and Coronado scopes.
--------------------
Stephen W. Ramsden
Atlanta, GA--USA
NASA SOLAR SYSTEM AMBASSADOR
www.solarastrophotography.com
www.SolarScopeReviews.com
www.stephenramsden.com
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 4207
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
With all the talk about Meades rusting problems. I have started looking into Lunt scopes.
anyone know anything about them?
Yes. They make a quality product. I LOVE my doublestacked Lunt 60mm H-alpha scope (with 50mm external stacked filter).
The only downside is that you'll have to get in line. Such is the nature of great new products....they are in demand.
Mine was worth the wait, without any doubt.
Jim
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2170
Loc: CA
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Quote:
Yes. They make a quality product. I LOVE my doublestacked Lunt 60mm H-alpha scope (with 50mm external stacked filter).
Me Too! 
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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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icemanfredtm
member
Reged: 12/17/08
Posts: 34
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So, what else is needed to get started with the Lunt?
EP
sol finder
???
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 4207
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
So, what else is needed to get started with the Lunt?
EP
sol finder
???
Well, you'll need to mount it on something. I just use a sturdy tripod and a Bogen 501 (videocam) head, but there are many possibilities. Perhaps you already have a suitable mount from your night-observing arsenal...
You'll want to rig up some way of shading your head while at the eyepiece....you don't want the Sun in your eyes when you"re looking at the Sun  Seriously, anything you can do to enhance contrast will help in Solar viewing. Some folks don a black photographer's hood; others mount a foam-board shade on the telescope tube.
For eyepieces, most any decent type will be fine. My rule of thumb--if the Moon looks good in it, so will the Sun.
I use a 12mm and 9mm ortho the most in my Lunt 60, fwiw.
Oh, and go ahead and check out your local 12-step groups now. H-alpha observing is quite addictive! 
Jim
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smc89
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/27/05
Posts: 4713
Loc: Northern Berks Co. PA
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If your going for just the Lunt 60, you may be able to get it quick. Some others just ordered and got it in no time. Now the 60 Double stack is another story, probably be waiting on that one unless they're crankin them out. I'm still waiting since earlier this year. My dealer said MAYBE the end of the year, ok. Time is almost up 
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Scott M.
Canon 40D, 50D & G9
Coronado PST
Stellarvue 80ED
Orion XT8I Dob.
Orion XT12I Dob.
Celestron 15x70
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Tom and Beth
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/08/07
Posts: 946
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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The most important part is the mount, IMO. It's frustrates the heck out of me to focus the scope and the Sun is jiggling around.
Next, a Sol finder is nice, especially if you do lunch time observing on a photo tripod. You can make your own or break the bank on the TV $25 one.
I see a few posts already on EPs...
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Solar Ken
sage
Reged: 02/07/06
Posts: 381
Loc: Oregon
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Jim Rosenstock said:
Quote:
others mount a foam-board shade on the telescope tube
Have you fabricated such a shade? If so, any photos or tips for making one? I made a sun shade for my PST, however the Lunt LS60THa provides additional challenges for a shade once a Sol Searcher is added.
Thanks...
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DAYTIME (Solar):
Lunt LS60THa/B600C
NIGHTTIME:
Meade LX90 SCT 8"
Orion XX12i Intelliscope Dob 12"
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 4207
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
Jim Rosenstock said:
Quote:
others mount a foam-board shade on the telescope tube
Have you fabricated such a shade? If so, any photos or tips for making one? I made a sun shade for my PST, however the Lunt LS60THa provides additional challenges for a shade once a Sol Searcher is added.
Thanks...
Well, since you asked....
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 4207
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Ingredients list:
--recycled roadside sign
--short section of 4" cardboard mailing tube, cut in half longways
--couple of small wood corner blocks
--rubber bands (2)
--epoxied together, duct tape trim for professional look
The "half-pipe" section of cardboard tube rides on the scope's tube; the recycled foamboard is epoxied perpendicular to the half-pipe with a couple of corner blocks, then reinforced/dressed up with duct tape. A couple of rubber bands secure the whole shebang to the scope.
I put a small hole in the foamboard shade to let in just enough Sunlight for the SolSearcher finder.
Attaches to my Lunt in about 5 seconds.
Cheers,
Jim
edit: here's a front view:
Edited by Jim Rosenstock (12/31/08 01:49 PM)
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Al Canarelli
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/07
Posts: 2622
Loc: Central New Jersey
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With all the talk about Meades rusting problems. I have started looking into Lunt scopes.
anyone know anything about them?
============================================================
I owned a Cornado 60mm filter set years ago and I just received my lunt this month. I have less than an hour on my new Lunt but I'm able to already make an early comparison. The Lunt fit and finish is second to none. The double stack lunt (I hope that's what you get) is much like comparing Mac Beth to a high school play. The double stack is fantastic! The waiting time for you will probably be less than it was for me, so I would say go for it!
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 4207
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
With all the talk about Meades rusting problems. I have started looking into Lunt scopes.
anyone know anything about them?
============================================================
I owned a Cornado 60mm filter set years ago and I just received my lunt this month. I have less than an hour on my new Lunt but I'm able to already make an early comparison. The Lunt fit and finish is second to none. The double stack lunt (I hope that's what you get) is much like comparing Mac Beth to a high school play. The double stack is fantastic! The waiting time for you will probably be less than it was for me, so I would say go for it!
Hmmmmm....so it took one whole hour for you to become a happy camper, huh, Al?? 
I know the feeling. I have a doublestacked Coronado 40mm myself, which I was pretty darn happy with. After my Lunt 60/50 doublestack arrived, I took them both out for a side-by-side comparison.....twice! Since then, the Coronado has literally not been out of the case. No point to it. The Lunt blows it away, is built far more solidly, and sets up just as quickly.
I probably should sell the Coronado....but it cost me more, at a GOOD used price, than my Lunt did, brand new.
Jim
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icemanfredtm
member
Reged: 12/17/08
Posts: 34
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the double stack may be out of my budget.
this is the scope I was looking at:
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=10772&kw=lunt%2060mm&st=2
I was originally looking at a pst. But I am not really impressed with all I have been reading about their problems with rust.
so are there any safety concerns with the Lunt?
Edited by icemanfredtm (12/31/08 06:05 PM)
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 4207
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
the double stack may be out of my budget.
this is the scope I was looking at:
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=10772&kw=lunt%2060mm&st=2
I was originally looking at a pst. But I am not really impressed with all I have been reading about their problems with rust.
The single-stack Lunt 60 you're looking at is much more scope than a PST, in every way.
Quote:
so are there any safety concerns with the Lunt?
OK, about safety: there are basic safety rules regarding ANY Solar observing; it's more common sense than rocket science, though.
As for the "rusted" PSTs: Meade/Coronado claims that "rust" can affect the performance of their scopes, but it will NOT affect user safety. Some folks are skeptical of this.
Here's what Lunt has to say on the subject of safety: (errr, click on "Safety" on this link: http://luntsolarsystems.com/)
Cheers,
Jim
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Bullwinkle
sage
Reged: 02/16/08
Posts: 306
Loc: Easton, Maryland
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I wonder what the wait time is on just getting the 50 to double stack my single 60? I'm probably going to pull the trigger and do it sometime in the next several months. having owned the Thousand Oaks Ha the Lunt far and away blows it out of the water. Never looked through a PST but considered buying them until I read all the rust stories here. Doubling up the Lunt should put me in solar heaven.
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Clear Skies- Lenny
NexStar11 GPS on APT Wedge
Takahashi FS-78 piggybacked
Orion Mak 127 on AS-GT GEM
Lunt LS60THa/B1200
8" f/8 Homemade DOB
SBIG ST-8XE DMK21AU04 NexImage cameras
Dogpatch II Observatory
Celestron Beta Tester
Moderator- NexStar GPS Group
http://www.lenny-shaffer.com/
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Al Canarelli
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/06/07
Posts: 2622
Loc: Central New Jersey
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the double stack may be out of my budget.
this is the scope I was looking at:
============================================================
You're looking at $999. and the double stack cost $1,699. That's bad news at first look, but there's a little more to the story. You may have to wait several months before your scope is shipped. In the meantime, you are obligated to put up 30% of the scope cost and the remainder when the scope is delivered. If you ordered your telescope today, I really don't see you getting it until May at the earliest...maybe it would take a little longer than that. This wait period may give you the time you need to accumulate or save up the extra money. Just a thought.
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2170
Loc: CA
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I ordered my scope from Lunt directly. About every 3 months I would call and pay more money. This helped me to finance the purchase and gave me an excuse to call to see when the scope would be ready.
The calls went like this:
"Hi, I need to pay some more money towards my scope."
"Great, how much do you want to pay?"
"Ok, let's say $500. Do you know when it will be ready?"
"Well, I don't want to let you down so I can't say for sure but we are thinking September."
"Great, I don't care when it ships, take your time."
"Wow, everyone is so anxious for their scope it is nice to see you are relaxed."
"No worries, ship it when it works for you."
It all worked out great for both of us. The wait was a win-win situation for me. Order as much scope as you can afford. A double stacked 100mm would be my first choice but that was not in my budget.
--------------------
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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FoxK
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/07/07
Posts: 2765
Loc: Cape Cod, MA
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Hi
I have the Lunt CaK scope and its the cheapest of the bunch and I think many vendors have them in stock. I'm very happy with it but hope to have an HA soon as well but mabey after the crowd dies down lol.
Click my name and search my posts in the solar catagory as I have made many posts of the results using an imager with it.
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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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Solar Ken
sage
Reged: 02/07/06
Posts: 381
Loc: Oregon
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Wow, after reading about the wait times I really lucked out! Recently found a post from a dealer on a local astro club's forum. A customer pre-ordered a Lunt 60THa/B600 months ago. The dealer received the scope but the customer backed out of the order. The website forum post was dated 11/27/08. I read it on 12/18. So I figured the scope was sold. I called the dealer, yes they still had the scope. Thought about it for a few days (I know, risky...). Called back on 12/23 to order it, and had the scope on 12/24.
I haven't had a chance to view yet because of clouds here in Oregon. The construction of the Lunt is superb! What a nice instrument. I've owned a PST for about two years, so am looking forward to experiencing the advantages of the Lunt.
--------------------
DAYTIME (Solar):
Lunt LS60THa/B600C
NIGHTTIME:
Meade LX90 SCT 8"
Orion XX12i Intelliscope Dob 12"
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