NickH
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/09/06
Posts: 3717
Loc: Wiltshire, UK (near StoneHenge...
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To re-iterate the point.
I agree totally that innovation and improvement is a good thing, what I think most people who bought ahead are upset over, is that the claims made for their scopes were obviously a little OTT (as they are now even better than ever...but that's marketing...ask any washing up liquid company :-)), and now, it appears that the new versions will significantly improve on those versions. This is good, for anyone thinking about buying a new one, but a minefield for anyone looking on the S/H market unless a definitive cutoff serial number set for each product is published (the permutations here are quite large against old/new etc.. but thankfully the 100/75's are not as common as the 50/60 models) or the models are renamed/tweaked to demonstrate the new filters. This I think would avoid any problems with resale, and, given the exemplary level of support Lunt have offered customers, probably be in line with that as well.
If you compare this to the PST debacle with the rusty front ends, the new models are easily differentiated and the ones I have seen second hand, all tend to state new or old model (e.g. prone to rust or not). An internal etalon is not so easy...so even something as simple as a certificate in the new boxes (though this could be easily copied), or a marking on the OTA (LS60 EC..), would probably placate that issue.
Apart from that, I have absolutely no sympathy for anyone who is complaining about getting a "defective" scope, which is (according to Markus et al) not the case. They have a scope which performs as spec, deal with it. My ASUS 900 is not as good as the 904, it's not defective (they fixed a firmware issue with the battery), but I am more than happy with the 900 performance. My PST was a pile of ....., rusty, prism misaligned, and I was furious... that is the difference between early adopter and defective.
If ...however you think your scope does NOT perform as spec, i.e deliver 0.75A bandpass, clear crisp and sharp views of the surface and proms at a range of magnifications (Pete and I, along with others have demonstrated repeatedly that F40 crisp imaging is possible at 40mm aperture on the PST), then you should ask to have it looked at under your warranty. You should be able at 0.75A to see clear surface detail and proms with no issues at all, and they should be tack sharp.
I have to admit to being quite excited by the improvements, as this can only be good for the solar community, so more power to em..
Edited by NickH (03/25/09 10:51 AM)
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Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 4172
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Quote:
My question is do the original Lunt products perform as to specifications.
No, you branded early model Lunts as "defective" because they had the nerve to find ways to improve later models.
MY Lunt certainly exceeded my expectations; and Andy Lunt has stated definitvely that the early Lunts met specifications. but that this won't stop them from continuing to improve their product:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/luntsolar/message/3140
So, if you want an "upgrade", by all means take a place in line, and be prepared to pay for it, like everybody else. If you truly think your current Lunt does not meet spec, take it up with them. But, please, stop whining.
Jim
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NickH
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/09/06
Posts: 3717
Loc: Wiltshire, UK (near StoneHenge...
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Well said Jim.
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dscarpa
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 484
Loc: San Diego Ca.
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I don't care about someone having a better product than mine just how the one I have performs. As I stated before proms are very good in my scope but surface detail is very faint and hard to see so I'd have to say it doesn't perform as you say it should. David
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Old Dinosaur
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/08/07
Posts: 1523
Loc: Out in the sagebrush
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I'd say if you think it's performing subpar you ought to discuss it with Lunt. And try and look through a few other samples for comparison.
I'm at the point right now of trying to decide just when I'll feel flush enough to order or get on a list for a LS60THa w/BF1200. When I do get one, I fully expect it will perform as it's supposed to.
I have a PST that is a very good performer and shows me fine surface detail plus excellent resolution of proms. If I ended up with a new 60mm that was much less than what the 40mm will do, then I would probably go to Lunt about what could be wrong.
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JMI NGT 12.5 ser# 21 observatory mounted
coupla truck loads of other stuff
WRS Observatory
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dscarpa
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 484
Loc: San Diego Ca.
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When looking at surface detail with my scope it's much sharper if I move the scope from side to side a little, this is not the case on proms. Is this this normal? For the record I do appreciate Lunt's bringing to market products priced so much lower than other companies and their approach to dealing with problems. David
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jacquesfrr
member
Reged: 03/02/04
Posts: 29
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David,
Have you tried to put a bino on your Lunt ? Like you I find it's rather difficult to see details on the surface, especially in the center, but with a bino I find the surface much more contrasty.
I wonder if everyone can see the same amount of details at the center as at the edge. Personally, with a 10mm Radian, I can see the granulation at the edge, but at the center it's very difficult : my eye needs to acustom and even accustomed I see less details in the center. Perhaps it's because of the luminosity of the LS60T !!!
Jacques
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Don W
Demi-God
Reged: 05/19/03
Posts: 15132
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
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Note to all. PLAY NICE!!
The moderator team.
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dscarpa
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 484
Loc: San Diego Ca.
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I don't have a bino. What's odd about my scope is that when it's motionless surface detail is not only faint but quite blurry, it's barely visable. When I move it around a little bit keeping the sun within the FOV the detail while still faint becomes much sharper. It's easier to see at the edge. Turning the etalon adjustment wheel makes no difference with surface detail and very little on proms. Are other people's LS 60s this way? I do realize that solar equipment is very complicated and getting it spot on is very hard. I have no problem if a product I buy has some issues as long as they are addressed at some point. I never expected my LS 60 to equal the performance of Coronado or Daystar 60s as those scopes have 60mm front mounted etalons and are much more expensive. I couldn't be happier with how my scope does on proms but as to surface detail it's rather disapointing. David
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NickH
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/09/06
Posts: 3717
Loc: Wiltshire, UK (near StoneHenge...
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Focus on my SV50 and modified PST are crisp across the entire FOV, just for your info. Surface detail visible across the entire FOV with the SV50 full disc, and at all magnifications tested. The Mod PST shows full disc detail with a 9mm EP but shows sweet spot differentials with above this. Full disc (as demonstrated in images) fine at F25 and above with CCD camera (Skynyx 2-0m)
If the brightness is too high, can you (just a question) use a variable polarising filter or ND filter to drop it? (not sure if this would work)
Edited by NickH (03/26/09 11:18 AM)
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davidpitre
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/10/05
Posts: 1985
Loc: Central Texas
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It appears to me that prices have been raised on the Lunt web site , but not at dealers. Am I missing something?
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David
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Trever
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/18/03
Posts: 3005
Loc: North Alabama
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I think the dealers just havent updated their websites yet. I talked with OPT and they are aware of the higher prices. I reserved mine a week before they raised them so I just made it under the wire.
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Trever
Celestron Edge HD 8 inch SCT ASGT
Stellarvue SV110ED
Lunt LS35T/DS Solar Scope
Nikon 8x42 Trailblazer Binos
Stellarvue M1 mount
Celestron ASGT mount
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skyward_eyes
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/12/06
Posts: 2377
Loc: Arizona
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I get my LS60THa today!
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5 Reflectors 3"-16"
www.skiesofarizona.webs.com
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2170
Loc: CA
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Quote:
I don't have a bino. What's odd about my scope is that when it's motionless surface detail is not only faint but quite blurry, it's barely visable. When I move it around a little bit keeping the sun within the FOV the detail while still faint becomes much sharper. It's easier to see at the edge. Turning the etalon adjustment wheel makes no difference with surface detail and very little on proms. Are other people's LS 60s this way? I do realize that solar equipment is very complicated and getting it spot on is very hard. I have no problem if a product I buy has some issues as long as they are addressed at some point. I never expected my LS 60 to equal the performance of Coronado or Daystar 60s as those scopes have 60mm front mounted etalons and are much more expensive. I couldn't be happier with how my scope does on proms but as to surface detail it's rather disapointing. David
Make sure you are adjusting the wheel all the way. I have two "feels" in my wheel. It starts off turning very easily and I get to a point where it gets a little stiffer. If you stop where it gets a little stiffer then you may not be getting on band. It sounds like you are not quite on band in the middle of the FOV. When I have my etalon spot on and the sun is centered in the field the entire disk is on band but the center of the on band region is ever so slightly shifted to the right and up. If I let the sun drift to the edge of the BF1200 FOV then it starts to drop off band and I can't see as good of detail. With a BF600 I would never find this off band ring on the outside of the FOV.
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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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Old Dinosaur
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/08/07
Posts: 1523
Loc: Out in the sagebrush
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So, you're saying the present BF600 could be better for visual?
Is going to a 1200 a matter of just getting the diagonal assembly, or is this another "tuned" setup?
I'm holding off my order again, too many confusing things going on.
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JMI NGT 12.5 ser# 21 observatory mounted
coupla truck loads of other stuff
WRS Observatory
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dscarpa
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 484
Loc: San Diego Ca.
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I'll give that a try this weekend weather permitting. Hope thats the problem, I do stop turning it when the wheel action gets stiffer. Thanks. I have the B 1200 filter and the sweet spot for proms is almost to the edge of the field of view even in Nagler 6s, so I don't think thats the problem. David
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NickH
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/09/06
Posts: 3717
Loc: Wiltshire, UK (near StoneHenge...
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Interestingly the Lunt 100mm filter set with BF3400 for 2 inch is 8185 euros which, if is £7653 at the exchange rate today (that's presumably not inc shipping etc, and does not include the adapter to fit to your scope). As no UK dealer has posted a price, that is the only info I can go by, so if a UK dealer would like to update this, please do so? (if within the TOS, otherwise I guess on the vendor forum)
SF100 single stack (100mm clear etalon) at 0.7A with no obstruction/30mm 2 inch blocking ITF is £7750 inc delivery and VAT from two UK dealers.
Coronado SM90 (0.7A) central obstruction, shipped to the UK is £7084 from the USA (+shipping + tax). Again no UK prices listed to compare against.
Seems like the prices are all now in the same ballpark for similar aperture scopes.
Edited by NickH (03/26/09 01:30 PM)
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colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2170
Loc: CA
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Quote:
So, you're saying the present BF600 could be better for visual?
Is going to a 1200 a matter of just getting the diagonal assembly, or is this another "tuned" setup?
I'm holding off my order again, too many confusing things going on.
No, the BF600 would not show the edges of the etalon bandpass in my scope but having more room makes it easier to guide the scope by hand and gives lots of in focus room. The sun is only so big so you don't need the etalon to be on band wider than the sun. Think of the B1200 as a bigger window on the scene.
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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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EddWen
sage
Reged: 04/26/08
Posts: 406
Loc: Here or There
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"Coronado SM90 (0.7A) central obstruction, shipped to the UK is £7084 from the USA (+shipping + tax)."
Ouch! The complete SolarMax 90/BF15 telescope with clamshell, SolFinder, Cemax eyepiece set with Barlow is US$5,995 here in the U.S.
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Edd Weninger
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**** Lightshield Observatory SoCal ****
Nexstar 11 GPS Questar 3.5
A-P 900 A-P Traveler
**** Blackdog Observatory Arizona ****
A-P 155EDF A-P 1200GTO Coronado SolarMax 90
Orion ED80 Baader Mk V bino-viewer
CGE STV Canon 18x50IS
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NickH
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/09/06
Posts: 3717
Loc: Wiltshire, UK (near StoneHenge...
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Trying to match like for like with the BF30
But wow...that's a good price
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