24 replies to this topic

[Starman1]

Here is the 2017 version.

Some brands disappeared, and many others appeared.

This is a growing category.

If you have information about any of the blank cells, let me know so I can update the spreadsheet.

Attached Files

•  2017 Nebula Filter Buyers Guide.xlsx   15.56KB   2573 downloads

[My 2 Stars]

Thanks Don! Great list.

[MitchAlsup]

Except that those of us with eXcel that does not read *.xlsx files.

 

I'm pretty sure there is nothing in that file that needs the *.xlsx stuff that *.xls does not have.

[Starman1]

Excel files became .xlsx in 2007, so you're dealing with very outdated software.

At any rate, you can read current Excel files one of two ways:

 

1) download Apache Open Office and gain full Windows Office capabilities and cross compatibility for free:

https://www.openoffice.org

Lots of big companies use this.

 

2) Download the Microsoft Excel reader:

https://www.microsof...ails.aspx?id=10

 

If your device is an Android phone or tablet, Excel is free to download from the Play Store

[David Knisely]

Excel files became .xlsx in 2007, so you're dealing with very outdated software.

At any rate, you can read current Excel files one of two ways:

 

1) download Apache Open Office and gain full Windows Office capabilities and cross compatibility for free:

https://www.openoffice.org

Lots of big companies use this.

 

2) Download the Microsoft Excel reader:

https://www.microsof...ails.aspx?id=10

 

If your device is an Android phone or tablet, Excel is free to download from the Play Store

Under Linux, I use Libre Office, and it works quite well.  Clear skies to you.

[photiost]

A+

[Ohmless]

couldn't find the attachment when I tried to download?  is there an updated list?

[Starman1]

I haven't done a 2018 version yet.

Some filters appear to be being phased out, while there are some new versions of filters from some makers.

So take the bandwidth specs with a little grain of salt.  I've recently tested a lot of filters, and only a few even came close

to the manufacturer's claim.

I wish I had one of every filter to test and could post the test results.

That isn't going to happen.

As to why you couldn't find your attachment, try downloading it to your desktop so you don't have to find it somewhere on the hard disk.

Ah, when CN changed servers recently, the files all got lost.

Here it is again:

 

Attached Files

•  2017 Nebula Filter Buyers Guide.xlsx   15.57KB   260 downloads

Edited by Starman1, 12 April 2018 - 01:31 PM.

[Simbolitus]

I'm on the waiting list for the astro-tech AT 130 from astronomic, what are some good eyepieces for this scope?

[Starman1]

Please put that question in a new thread.  This thread is about filters.

[Simbolitus]

I'm new sorry

[Starman1]

No worries.  One thing you'll quickly learn about CN is how often threads go off target and, often, the segues are just as interesting as the thread's main topic.

So don't apologize.  If there is one exception, it's to try to stay close to the thread topic on those threads that are "pinned" to the top of the forum.

they are usually informational with lots of different points of view, or have some detailed information for all members.

And with, what, 36000+ posts so far?  I've been known to stray off subject a few times myself.

 

So just repost your question as a new thread and be prepared for 500 responses.  CN has as many different opinions as there are stars in the sky, and how more appropriate

could that be?!

[dgordontx]

Thanks for another great product. What does the ~ mean in the notes?

[Starman1]

~ means "about" or "approximately"

[nidzo]

@starman1, thanks for this review..... very very useful, especially for those, like me, who are going to buy their first filter

[Starman1]

I'm working on the 2018 version as we speak.

TeleVue, for one example, has a line of nebula filters that need to be added.

[obrazell]

Still hoping for it :-)

 

Owen

[Starman1]

I have to make the time to finish it.  I've been really busy recently.

I sent my latest update to your email.

Edited by Starman1, 17 May 2018 - 01:44 PM.

[dwindstr]

I hope this is not too far off topic for "nebula filters", but one Baader filter which is not on the list is the "Contrast Boost" filter.  This filter, I believe, was specifically designed for the Mars approach in the early 2000's.  It was totally awesome for Mars, and then many found out it was equally good for Jupiter.  It cuts down on the glare and brings out the contrast of the planet, without drastically altering the colors the way a blue or green filter does, for example.  It does produce a slight "yellowish" hue, but nowhere near that of the single-color filters.  We used it  view Jupiter at the recent Golden State Star Party and everyone that looked through the telescope wanted one immediately.  If everyone knows about this already, my apologies.

[Starman1]

It was created as a "minus violet" filter for achromatic refractors, with a sharper cutoff on the violet end than most other minus violet filters.

It has minus violet coatings on a neodymium-doped glass substrate.

It's pretty much a Moon & Sky Glow filter with strong violet cutoff.

It definitely works great on Mars (it's my preferred filter, here), and is OK on Jupiter.

But it's not a nebula filter.

There are literally hundreds of other filters not on the list.

[dhferguson]

I too want to explicitly thank Don P. for his filter spreadsheet.

[Starman1]

Here is an interim copy before I finish the current version but don't trust the prices.

 

Attached Files

•  2017 Nebula Filter Buyers Guide.xlsx   16.07KB   625 downloads

[Mike G.]

+1 on the huge amount of effort you put forth for the benefit of the community Don - it's greatly appreciated!

btw, I have one of the newer Lumicon "Economy" O-III filters that seems to perform quite well on the Veil.  will it be included in the 2018 list? if you want to borrow it for measurement purposes, pm me.  i could be persuaded to let it go for a few weeks...

[rnc39560]

I can't open the file in android. 

Edited by rnc39560, 13 December 2018 - 07:25 PM.

[Starman1]

I can't open the file in android.

 

OK, download the Microsoft Excel app from the Android Play Store (free).

And there are a few other apps that also open Excel files.

 

+1 on the huge amount of effort you put forth for the benefit of the community Don - it's greatly appreciated!

btw, I have one of the newer Lumicon "Economy" O-III filters that seems to perform quite well on the Veil.  will it be included in the 2018 list? if you want to borrow it for measurement purposes, pm me.  i could be persuaded to let it go for a few weeks...

My understanding is that the economy filters are merely clearances of older filters, though I could be wrong.

The new version is called Gen.3. and the Lumicon part numbers are the same as the old ones were.

Lumicon can test it for you for free or you can contact Lunar Fox here on CN.

Edited by Starman1, 14 December 2018 - 01:15 AM.