39 replies to this topic

[JNeptune]

With the recent demise of Orion/Meade/Coronado, is Lunt the only remaining solar scope maker in the consumer market?

I'm looking at my options for a future solar scope purchase and want to find out if there are any other makers out there.

 

Thanks

[archiebald]

Daystar Quark is a possibility, especially if you already have existing refractors.

 

Another interesting direction I have read up on recently (for imaging only) is a spectroheliograph.  Some information on one possible version here as a kit.  http://www.astrosurf...ntation-en.html

[EJN]

Solar Spectrum

 

https://solarspectru...calfilters.com/

 

However, they do not make complete solar scopes, just filter assemblies.

[Supernova74]

Sadly you have never been spoiled for choice regarding Solar telescopes and could be why they are so expensive no competition.”Acuter” who are commonly known to manufacture spotting scopes have released there first H-alpha telescope i believe.then there is “Solarscope” which is situated in the Isle of Man UK.

[StellarOne]

Baader SunDancer ii  (uses a SolarSpectrum etalon):

 

https://www.teleskop...rspectrum-13742

 

https://www.baader-p...c-system-tz-4s/

 

https://www.baader-p...pha-filter.html

[StellarOne]

In the too good to be true category - the SOLEYE 300:

 

    https://soleye.eu/

 

Check out the animations and high resolution photos:

 

   https://soleye.eu/ga...ade-with-soleye

 

 

The Red Dualband package is certainly appealing.

[Eddgie]

In the too good to be true category - the SOLEYE 300:

 

    https://soleye.eu/

 

Check out the animations and high resolution photos:

 

   https://soleye.eu/ga...ade-with-soleye

 

 

The Red Dualband package is certainly appealing.

On the top link, if you watch the pictures at the bottom scroll by, it says the H-a filter was a Daystar Quark, so it is not an native H-a telescope. 

[ABQJeff]

+1 Daystar Quarks!

[Jared]

Moved to Solar Observing forum.

[Jon Isaacs]

Sadly you have never been spoiled for choice regarding Solar telescopes and could be why they are so expensive no competition.”Acuter” who are commonly known to manufacture spotting scopes have released there first H-alpha telescope i believe.then there is “Solarscope” which is situated in the Isle of Man UK.

 

Do you have a link for Acuter?

 

Jon

[spicerack0]

In the too good to be true category - the SOLEYE 300:

 

    https://soleye.eu/

 

Check out the animations and high resolution photos:

 

   https://soleye.eu/ga...ade-with-soleye

 

 

The Red Dualband package is certainly appealing.

These are professional grade telescopes,  not at all made for the typical inexperienced amateur.  You really need a permanent observatory for these, and must be incredibly careful with an open mirror setup- You could catch a reflective glance of the mirror right to the face and it wont be very good for your eyeballs- there is zero shielding on these.  Yes they are designed for solar use, but the hazard aspect of professional equipment like this needs to be seriously considered.  Also the price kind of keeps 90% of users in the inexperienced category permanently off the list of buyers so thats a good layer of protection

 

$10,000+ euros and you dont get a hydrogen etalon or calcium filter.

[BYoesle]

It appears the Acuter is a rebranded telescope or etalon of SkyWatcher origin. They likely will be coming out with a USA distributed dedicated 76 mm telescope with an internal etalon and a front mounted 40 mm etalon in 2025.

[scopewizard]

I have a Sol'ex and a Lunt LS60MT SS.

The Sol'ex is not visual and requires scanning the Sun, I use SharpCap.

Advantages, imaging anywhere in the entire spectrum.

Need to really know  what you are getting.

You need to practice in focusing and image requirements.

 

 

Lunt,

Advantages, visual and imaging, portable, no power req'd, scope can be solar or night (70mm F6).

The LS60MT, full solar disk with ASI678M.

 

Here is an image with LS60MT from a few days ago, processed in PI SolarToolBox (3 mins).

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by scopewizard, 30 October 2024 - 11:23 AM.

[steveward53]

Soon to be released ...

 

 

[davidpitre]

On the top link, if you watch the pictures at the bottom scroll by, it says the H-a filter was a Daystar Quark, so it is not an native H-a telescope.

I’m not sure what “Native H-a telescope” exactly means, but these scopes can be bought either with an uncoated mirror, or a coated mirror designed for either Ha or Ca.
Clearly, a lot of further filtering is required for the later 2.

Edited by davidpitre, 30 October 2024 - 12:10 PM.

[spicerack0]

I’m not sure what “Native H-a telescope” exactly means, but these scopes can be bought either with an uncoated mirror, or a coated mirror designed for either Ha or Ca.
Clearly, a lot of further filtering is required for the later 2.

it means it is not designed for hydrogen alpha without the very specific red coated mirror which is not the 1st option of the system..   The standard shipped system is designed for white light- it is a basic unsilvered mirror.  There are 3 versions of these mirror available- you would need to select 1 for h-alpha, and 1 for calcium.  This would cost you ~$15,000 in just mirror upgrade options still not including the actual hydrogen alpha etalon / calcium filters (which is required and supplied from a 3rd party like daystar or solarspectrum).      Then if you want the white light ability you would need the 3rd mirror bringing your investment up to $20,000.   You would then need to swap out the mirrors on your frame to image at each wavelength.

 

Think of this as an "R - G - B" type imaging system.  One mirror is designed for green.  One mirror is designed for red.  One mirror is designed for blue.

[StellarOne]

Yes, lots of options.  For me I would just purchase the Red Dualband package.  The H-Alpha images and videos are stunning and unequaled as best as I can tell - that would suit my aspirations. That's an understatement, I never expected such capabilities to be available to an amateur.  I would also be interested to know if there is a way to use the Baader Sundancer ii in place of the quark.

Edited by StellarOne, 30 October 2024 - 08:29 PM.

[C0rs4ir_]

These are professional grade telescopes,  not at all made for the typical inexperienced amateur.  You really need a permanent observatory for these, and must be incredibly careful with an open mirror setup- You could catch a reflective glance of the mirror right to the face and it wont be very good for your eyeballs- there is zero shielding on these.  Yes they are designed for solar use, but the hazard aspect of professional equipment like this needs to be seriously considered.  Also the price kind of keeps 90% of users in the inexperienced category permanently off the list of buyers so thats a good layer of protection

 

$10,000+ euros and you dont get a hydrogen etalon or calcium filter.

..and once you have the experience to use it safely and successful you can instead build your own stuff / find a cheaper solution. Would be a seller with smaller apertures / prices for sure though (100 - 200mm).

Edited by C0rs4ir_, 30 October 2024 - 03:04 PM.

[C0rs4ir_]

Soon to be released ...

 

 

gallery_79822_25765_407806 small.jpg

Unless etalon quality will not be a problem, those and the Acuter versions will be serious competition for Lunt.

[spicerack0]

Yes, lots of options.  For me I would just purchase the Red Dualband package.  The H-Alpha images and videos are stunning and unequaled as best as I can tell - that would suit my aspirations. That's an understatement, I never expected such capabilities to be available to an amateur.  I would also be interested if there was a way to use the Baader Sundancer ii in place of the quark.

if the images from the gallery is what you are basing your decision on-  do not make this very unfortunate potentially costly mistake.   All the images you see posted from these systems are captured by people that in some instances travel to very specific parts of the world with the best atmospheric seeing conditions-  notable are their travels to st. verans. (a mountain far away from everyday average telescope user life)  https://www.groupe-h...-in-saint-veran

 

Your images , and experience will RARELY look anything like the videos / pictures you see advertised with such large apertures- these are professional imagers under very strict imaging conditions that very few amateurs have in their local surroundings. Solar images are also greatly enhanced via processing using advanced  acquisition techniques which dramatically alter the actual performance of the telescope via video technology and photoshop editing. The vast majority of these images consist of hundreds and sometimes thousands of frames stacked from a video file, and artificially sharpened.. When you use such a large telescope aperture in typical residential areas- you will more or less experience a very "turbulent" image without an exceptional atmosphere above your town. In some locations, it would be totally unusable.

 

There are only a handful of people that can support an aperture greater than 8 inches- you are wise to stick to nothing greater than 200mm; as 130mm to 150mm seems to be the max aperture supported by typical city dwellers . This is more than enough for just ebout everyone in the hobby-https://luntsolarsys...rsal-telescope/ https://luntsolarsys...olar-telescope/  However if you do go with the soleye- everyone on here will appreciate all your successful imaging sessions that are shared with us and we will greatly appreciate your dedication to this hobby by getting the best solar telescope option ever offered to amateurs

Edited by spicerack0, 30 October 2024 - 04:39 PM.

[archiebald]

I have a Sol'ex and a Lunt LS60MT SS.

The Sol'ex is not visual and requires scanning the Sun, I use SharpCap.

Advantages, imaging anywhere in the entire spectrum.

Need to really know  what you are getting.

You need to practice in focusing and image requirements.

 

 

Lunt,

Advantages, visual and imaging, portable, no power req'd, scope can be solar or night (70mm F6).

The LS60MT, full solar disk with ASI678M.

 

Here is an image with LS60MT from a few days ago, processed in PI SolarToolBox (3 mins).

I'm just looking into solar imaging and the Sol'ex caught my eye as a really cool nerdy device that I'd enjoy.

 

I'd love to hear of any experiences you have with it or any images.

[Supernova74]

It appears the Acuter is a rebranded telescope or etalon of SkyWatcher origin. They likely will be coming out with a USA distributed dedicated 76 mm telescope with an internal etalon and a front mounted 40 mm etalon in 2025.

First impressions of the Acuter Solar scope comes across toy grade in appearance!.

[steveward53]

First impressions of the Acuter Solar scope comes across toy grade in appearance!.

But that beautifully even illumination proves otherwise , looks to me like SW is about to give a big awakening kick up the backside to the ever increasingly complacent manufacturers of old .

[Supernova74]

But that beautifully even illumination proves otherwise , looks to me like SW is about to give a big awakening kick up the backside to the ever increasingly complacent manufacturers of old .

About time some other reputable manufacturers have joined the party in releasing some solar telescopes.

Sadly a decent solar scope is out of reach of most pockets due to the ridiculous price points.

so very much doubt you would have to pay 10k+ for a skywatcher solar telescope.

[steveward53]

About time some other reputable manufacturers have joined the party in releasing some solar telescopes.

Sadly a decent solar scope is out of reach of most pockets due to the ridiculous price points.

so very much doubt you would have to pay 10k+ for a skywatcher solar telescope.

I've stuck with 'whitelight' for all these years due to the combination of poor QC and performance issues as well as the inflated prices we suffer here in the UK from the US manufacturers.

 

I am now extremely close to pulling the trigger on the new SW unit ...