7 replies to this topic

[Space99]

Hi everyone,

 

Learning to use my 2nd hand Quark Chromosphere and noticed a few 'crack' or optical imperfection in the back... Blocking filter or the polarizer perhaps? What could be the reason for this?

Noticed some DIY replaced this filter at Solarchat! Forum (I've tried to join, no luck to get email back ). I know, the mod can easily can ruin the Etalon ... and it's usable as is with limited FOV. The ASI432 chip I'm using has bigger FOV and perhaps a ASI174 would be a better match (120mmf8 achro) ?

 

Any suggestion to replace or not to?

 

Mik

 

 

 

 

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[Space99]

More pic with ASI432

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[Space99]

One more 

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[C0rs4ir_]

That is a bummer and clearly visible in the images. Back to the vendor?

[BYoesle]

 

Learning to use my 2nd hand Quark Chromosphere and noticed a few 'crack' or optical imperfection in the back... Blocking filter or the polarizer perhaps? What could be the reason for this?

 

Second hand... Quarks are notorious for QC issues. Did you inspect the filter just after you got it to be sure it didn't come that way? I wouldn't attempt a DIY repair and risk damaging the etalon itself. Return it to seller for a refund or send to DayStar for a repair.

 

I advise that you forego imaging until you learn what an on-band image looks like and know how to tune your particular filter system - your images are all significantly off-band. Mica temperature-tuned filters are the most difficult to learn how to tune and use.

 

Inverted disc images are useless.

[spicerack0]

fixing it is relatively easy and definitely something just about anybody can do with a steady hand an a couple grams worth of patience... -  however paying $100 for 1ml of optical coupling gel and sourcing the $250 replacement andover 1nm filter is the painful part.  Replacing that filter is a 30 minute process, max-

 

It appears however there is more damage than those cracks, it seems like there is a bit of de-contacting because a bit of fog is visible beneath the red glass.  You are encouraged to just buy a new quark because for the charge you get from daystar (the filter is not under warranty second hand)  will just not be worth proceeding with.    

 

This unfortunately looks like a "loss" unless you bought the filter for less than $500;  there could be more damage than is immediately visible under that red filter..

[ABQJeff]

I would not use the filter for visual due to risk to eyes. Camera, well you just risk the camera. If it works and does well and you are willing to risk the camera, press on. Otherwise return to seller or send to Daystar for a fair price repair.

BTW I am going to give props to Daystar. They honor their 5 year warranty policy. These filters are not meant to last a decade of steady use. I have never had an issue with doing warranty repairs with them (yes I know a counter argument would be, “but you HAD to do warranty repairs!”…)

Edited by ABQJeff, 24 March 2025 - 09:33 PM.

[Space99]

The damage is in the back-end, the camera/eyepiece side. My understanding of the Quark F-P stack, this is a red 'only' low-pass filter and not the expensive andover 1nm block BP filter before the etalon. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I'm stuck with this, and it is not economical to send it to the US for repair. I'll risk to repair...will see if a protective glass on the red LPF can be replaced. Or the red filter itself.

 

Thanks everyone for helping 

 

Mik

 

 

fixing it is relatively easy and definitely something just about anybody can do with a steady hand an a couple grams worth of patience... -  however paying $100 for 1ml of optical coupling gel and sourcing the $250 replacement andover 1nm filter is the painful part.  Replacing that filter is a 30 minute process, max-

 

It appears however there is more damage than those cracks, it seems like there is a bit of de-contacting because a bit of fog is visible beneath the red glass.  You are encouraged to just buy a new quark because for the charge you get from daystar (the filter is not under warranty second hand)  will just not be worth proceeding with.    

 

This unfortunately looks like a "loss" unless you bought the filter for less than $500;  there could be more damage than is immediately visible under that red filter..