42 replies to this topic

[LuntSolar]

MODULAR MONDAY

 

Pre-Sales Start TODAY! February 17th 2020:

With Lunt Solar Systems new Modular Telescope line up,
versatility is the name of the game!

Say Hello to the NEW LS60MT, LS80MT, LS100MT & LS130MT

Truly an all in one telescope experience; each can easily be configured between Hydrogen Alpha, White Light, Calcium K, Night Time and Terrestrial Uses, in minutes!

 

 

LS60MT
The new LUNT LS60MT is the smallest and most portable of the new line of modular telescopes. You can enjoy this new versatile scope in all our available wavelengths.  A true grab and go scope that will deliver excellent views in every configuration. Starting at $1749 w/ B600 Contact us for more information and options! https://luntsolarsys...mc_eid=[UNIQID]

 

LS80MT

The new LUNT LS80MT is a powerhouse modular telescope, taking one of LUNT Solar Systems most popular sized telescopes and making it even more functional! At 80mm Aperture, with a FPL53 Doublet Lens, the LS80MT is a precision aligned ED refractor that is made to impress whether you are chasing the Sun's active regions or sifting through the stars of the milky way. Starting at $3875 with B1200! https://luntsolarsys...mc_eid=[UNIQID]

 

LS100MT

At 100mm aperture, the new LUNT LS100MT is big enough to impress in any configuration, while remaining easily transportable for use during the day or night. Enjoy, prominences, surface granulation, active regions and filaments all with a quality telescope that LUNT Solar Systems is known for. And with our doppler true tuning pressure system (standard with all of our Modular Telescopes) you can make super fine adjustments in your tuning to delve into the Sun and bring out the absolute best views! Starting at $5675 with B1200   https://luntsolarsys...mc_eid=[UNIQID]

 

The LUNT LS130MT was previously released in 2019 and our customers love the versatility of this modular scope.  This refractor-based system has a precision-aligned triplet ED lens with a 130 mm aperture.  The focal length is 910 mm, for an f/ratio of 7.  This is one of our best telescopes for either Solar or Nighttime viewing.  As with every scope in the LUNT Modular Series, you can easily change from daytime viewing (through etalons) to nighttime viewing (without etalons) in minutes! You’ll see granular details of the Sun and the best nighttime views without visual anomalies. Now you can use one telescope for all your celestial viewing! Starting at $6995 with B1200. https://luntsolarsys...mc_eid=[UNIQID]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured LS130MT/B1200 Starting at: $6995

 

 

Contact sales@luntsolarsystems.com or 877-344-7348.  We're happy to assist you!! 

 

 

 

 

 

[LuntSolar]

 

LS100MT shown here.  It has a built in Red Dot Sun Finder handle for easy carrying and even easier alignment! 

[johnpd]

I am a little confused as to what you get with the packages. For instance:

 

1. Does the "Starter" package include a H-a etalon? It is mentioned in the "Specifications" but not in the "Includes" section.

2. Does the weight mentioned include an installed etalon?

 

JohnD

[LuntSolar]

Hello John D,

 

Thanks for kicking off the questions on here!  Each starter package comes as an H-alpha telescope that can be converted for nighttime and terrestrial viewing.  The way this is done varies a bit per model but essentially you would remove the H-alpha module and replace it with a backing plate and focuser assembly with the included nighttime or terrestrial diagonal.  The LS60MT does not require the backing plate and focuser rather the focuser it comes with will attach to the OTA directly once the H-alpha module is removed. 

 

The weights mentioned under the specifications area of the website are the physical weights of these scopes.  Here they are for easy reference as well!:

LS60MT - 6.6lbs

LS80MT - 9.25lbs

LS100MT - 12.7lbs

LS130MT - 25lbs

 

Thanks for your interest, let me know if I can answer more questions for you. 

 

Wishing you all a great day!

Faye Roman

Lunt Solar Customer Service

[sunnyday]

Hello,
When will it be available?
for the 80 or the 100
thank you

[LuntSolar]

Hello! 

 

Thanks for your question.  We anticipate the first of these to ship in late-April.  There is no deposit required to place a Pre-Order.  Please let me know if I can help with any other questions you have! 

 

Sunny Skies,

Faye Roman 

Lunt Solar Systems Customer service

[starzonesteve]

Will the LS130MT remain modular (convertible to nighttime viewing) if used with a double stack as well? Thanks,

Steve

[LuntSolar]

Hi Steve!

 

The LS130MT in double stack mode is just about as easy to convert for nighttime mode as it would be in single stack mode. You would just remove both the primary H-alpha module as well as the double stack.  For nighttime conversion you would attach the cone to the OTA and replace the Lunt Blocking filter with a standard star diagonal. Here is a photo of the LS130MT in double stack mode:

 

  

To use the LS130 for CaK or White light you will need the additional backing plate and focuser assembly.  I hope this is helpful!  Thank you for your interest.  

 

Sunny Skies,

Faye Roman

Lunt Solar Customer Service 

[johnpeter2]

I understand the main advantage of this new product is in the extra flexibility.  What I want to know is if there'll be any difference in the viewing quality with H-alpha.  Would the image be any sharper?  I'm mainly interested in the 60.  I see that it does have a shorter focal length and ratio than the old version.

 

Also, will the new version be more binoviewer friendly?  That is, allow the focuser to travel in more to reach focus?

 

John

[LuntSolar]

Hello John!

 

Thank you for your question.  The LS60MT has an improved objective over the previous LS60THa PT or Tilt systems.  This time around we went with a Fully multi coated ED doublet lens.  The system is indeed shorter.  At this time, we know the LS60MT is compatible with the Tecnosky Binoviewers that we carry.  

 

https://luntsolarsys...binocular-1-25/

 

Please let me know if I can answer more questions for you!  Have a great day.

 

Faye Roman

Lunt Solar Systems customer service 

[johnpeter2]

Thank you for answering, Faye.  I will certainly consider your binoviewer in the future, but I already own a pair that is of a more common design that requires a barlow or oca to reach focus.  I just want to know which version, the 60MT or the old 60, allow for more in-focus travel with a common binoviewer, or if they are the same.

 

John

[EricCCD]

For those who already have a refractor for nighttime observing, will there be any plans to make the H-alpha modules available with proper adapters?

 

Thanks,

Eric

[LuntSolar]

Hello John,

 

I checked with production and the infocus travel is about the same.  No exact advantage with the LS60MT for binoviewing in that sense. Now binoviewing with the improved optics...that will be something! 

 

Feel free to ask more questions.  Happy to help!

Faye Roman

[LuntSolar]

Hello Eric,

 

Thanks for your question!  At this time the modular systems are to be used with our products only.  We do still offer filter sets for H-alpha conversion of a standard refractor.  These consist of a front mounted H-alpha filter, adapter plate and Lunt blocking filter.  The filter size will depend on the OTA you are using.  Feel free to reach out for more info if you like. 

 

Have a great day! 

Faye Roman

[Pawel]

Hello,

 

Does LS60MT have the same etalon size as LS60Tha? Full aperture (70mm) works for h-alpha viewing or it is cut somehow?

Thanks in advance for your answers,

Pawel

Edited by Pawel, 22 February 2020 - 01:32 PM.

[LuntSolar]

Hello Pawel,

 

Thanks for your question!  The LS60MT does have the same size etalon as the LS60THa.  The full aperture of 70mm works for terrestrial and nighttime views.  The aperture is stopped down to 60mm for h-alpha viewing as it lends to a higher F-ratio for more precise collimation through the etalon system.  

 

Please let me know if I can assist with more questions!

 

Have a great day, 

Faye Roman 

Lunt Solar Systems 

[johnpeter2]

I see that you now have a R&P focuser option for $50 more than the Crayford focuser.  I don't recall you having a Rack & Pinion option before (other than the much more expensive Feather Touch).  Can you provide more information about that?  Does your R&P focuser have any advantages over the Crayford, to justify the higher price?

 

John

[LuntSolar]

Hello John,

Thanks for your question about the Rack and Pinion Focuser we now offer for the LS60MT and the LS80MT! We choose the Crayford as the standard focuser for our scopes because it is a solid performer for most viewing applications. This R&P is a nice "middle" option that we are happy to offer between the Crayford and Starlight FeatherTouch.  For the $50 upgrade you get a more ample focuser.  It has a nice heavy construction and smooth travel. The draw tube does not slide easily making it great for imaging or binoviewing equipment.  Please let me know if you have more questions. 

 

Have a great day!

Faye Roman 

Lunt Solar Customer Service

[Highburymark]

I’m a bit late joining this thread Faye, but do you know when the modular scopes will go on sale in Europe? Not showing on retailers’ websites at the moment. And are you stopping production of existing, dedicated solar scopes immediately, and if so, how long stocks might last here in Europe?
Thanks - Mark

[nicknacknock]

Hello John!

 

Thank you for your question.  The LS60MT has an improved objective over the previous LS60THa PT or Tilt systems.  This time around we went with a Fully multi coated ED doublet lens.  The system is indeed shorter.  At this time, we know the LS60MT is compatible with the Tecnosky Binoviewers that we carry.  

 

https://luntsolarsys...binocular-1-25/

 

Please let me know if I can answer more questions for you!  Have a great day.

 

Faye Roman

Lunt Solar Systems customer service 

 

Hi Faye,

 

One clarification please: The original question was about viewing in Ha. Given the pure monochromatic views in Ha band of a single wavelength of 656nm and change, using ED doublet configuration does not seem to provide an inherent advantage / any benefit purely for the Ha bit of the new scopes. Please comment on that.

 

I have a lovely Lunt 60mm but in the future I may upgrade, so would be interested in any performance increase, but solely from Ha perspective...

[matthisk]

Hello Faye,

 

i am also interested in getting the above questions answered. I,also remember that the LS60T and PT were advertised with the feature of having a single lens, chromatic design which is superior to double lens designs when it comes to h-alpha viewing. Now you are stepping back from this and offering a more expensive doubled and am asking what the benefits are.

 

Also, the existing line had a full aperture ERF. As the new designs can be used for daytime, i guess the ERF is somewhere back in the light-path and assume its smaller?

 

Best regards

matthias

[nfotis]

Hello there,

 

researching the subject of solar astronomy, and I have to admit that I am a bit confused by the multiple models and options.

 

I live in Athens, Greece (ten km north of the city center), so temperatures often surpass 35 Celsius on the summer days.

 

I like the flexibility of the new models, but I am wondering if removing the etalon for visual use may cause alignment problems in the future.

How will someone convert it for CaK use, for example? Remove the etalon and add a backing plate?

I could supposedly upgrade to a larger optical tube in the future?

Some detailed manuals online would be appreciated.

 

How can someone use the 60mm and 80mm scopes? Is full solar disk possible, both in observation and imaging? What's the maximum sensor size for imaging in these models? How much magnification is practically possible in observing and imaging?

 

I am trying to find reviews from users or forums from the modular series, and I come up empty. Any pointers?

 

Also, your package deals/offers on your site show links to Amazon, but I get no matches - probably a bad link?

 

Regards,

N.F.

[nicknacknock]

Hi nfotis,

 

I'll answer some of the questions as I have Lunt gear myself.

 

I live in Athens, Greece (ten km north of the city center), so temperatures often surpass 35 Celsius on the summer days. - I live in Cyprus and we are already hitting 40°C. Makes no difference to the scope, but generally, seeing is so much better in the early morning, before heat plumes affect seeing and detract from both visual and imaging experience. I have found that the best window for me is 08:30 to 10:00.

 

I like the flexibility of the new models, but I am wondering if removing the etalon for visual use may cause alignment problems in the future. - This is for Lunt to respond, but since the connections are threaded, alignment should not be a problem - just like adding and removing any threaded tube for example.

 

How will someone convert it for CaK use, for example? Remove the etalon and add a backing plate? - Remove the Etalon, remove the blocking filter and add the self contained CaK module diagonal You can use the CaK module on any regular refractor. There are limitations to size of refractor in terms of energy rejection. For example, my B1800 CaK diagonal can be used with a 4" refractor as a maximum diameter.

 

I could supposedly upgrade to a larger optical tube in the future? - I am not sure Lunt offers adapters to match a larger tune to an etalon meant for a specific tube. Different f-ratio and focal length could impact the light cone and actually reduce aperture. Something for Lunt to reply to.

 

Some detailed manuals online would be appreciated. - Solar scopes are easy to use - focus as you would with any refractor and then use the tuning mechanism to "maximize" the details you observe / image. A Sol Finder is your best friend for centering the Sun and that's just about it.

 

How can someone use the 60mm and 80mm scopes? Is full solar disk possible, both in observation and imaging? What's the maximum sensor size for imaging in these models? How much magnification is practically possible in observing and imaging? - Both scopes are suitable for full solar disk with the appropriate camera, both can give you full disk for visual. The minimum sensor size for full disk with the Lunt 60mm is the one on the ZWO ASI178MM and for the Lunt 80mm I would go for the ASI174MM. When imaging, you will use ROI to increase frame rate, so with any camera, you will place an imaging grid to fit the sun with a bit of space around to capture proms. When imaging, magnification is not something used, rather, image scale is the criterion. A 2.5x Powermate would be the maximum I would go for, for imaging purposes. For visual, it's a different ball game. Switching to binoviewers increases quite a lot details you see Vs monoviewing. For monoviewing, I have found Orthos and Tak LEs to give excellent contrast. For zooms, the Pentax XF zoom is IMHO one of the best options in zooms. Practical eyepiece focal legnths for both scopes are, for me at least, between 25mm and 7mm. Again, seeing conditions are important for solar work so high magnifications are not your daily occurrence.

 

I attach an image I took with my Lunt 60mm single stack (I have the double stack and will experiment with it next time) tilt tuned Ha scope. Image was taken with ASI178 and as you can see, plenty of room to spare. Please note that the 60mm can also work with the SkyWatcher SolarQuest mount - I love this combination as the mount self aligns and tracks in under a minute.

 

Best of luck with your search and I am sure someone from Lunt will offer some more info soon!

Attached Thumbnails

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[nfotis]

Hi nfotis,

 

I'll answer some of the questions as I have Lunt gear myself.

 

I attach an image I took with my Lunt 60mm single stack (I have the double stack and will experiment with it next time) tilt tuned Ha scope. Image was taken with ASI178 and as you can see, plenty of room to spare. Please note that the 60mm can also work with the SkyWatcher SolarQuest mount - I love this combination as the mount self aligns and tracks in under a minute.

 

Best of luck with your search and I am sure someone from Lunt will offer some more info soon!

 

Thanks for your detailed response.

As I am thinking about using the ZWO ASI178 with my Skymax 127, it's good to know that I can do dual-use of this sensor (I was thinking about the colour version for planetary imaging, though - for the Sun, a monochrome version seems required, ergo a filter wheel, and it all goes downhill from here...)

 

It's my impression that Lunt is going ahead with the modular line of scopes as their exclusive future line-up, since all the monolithic versions seems to be 'out of stock' in their site. The 'sticker shock' of the difference between the 60mm and 80mm is a bit hard to swallow, though...

 

So, if I wanted to shoot details of the solar disk, I would have to use a Barlow? These sensors are practically the smallest size usable (and going at 1 megapixel resolution and smaller sensors seems pointless to me).

Never used binoviewers, I suspect that it'll take a real effort to use such a system (and weight, and cost, and... well, you know the drill)

 

Cheers,

N.F.

[nicknacknock]

The Bayer filter of a color camera has 1/2 the linear resolution and 1/4 the sensitivity of an identical monochrome version of a camera. That alone is more than sufficient justification to purchase a monochrome version for H alpha imaging, as your results will be better. You CAN use a color camera, but you need to accept that you are imposing some limitations on your results.

 

Agreed re your impression, although I am a fan of the "monolithic" version approach myself. And yes, etalons are by nature expensive...

 

Yep, a barlow or powermate would be a good choice for specific features you want to focus upon. The pixel size on the 178mm is quite small to start with, agreed. 

 

As for binoviewers, there is no effort involved, but yes, there is a weight and cost penalty to them. But the visual experience is vastly improved. In my case, I already had binoviewers and eyepiece sets to use as I use BVs for high power planetary and lunar viewing.