8 replies to this topic

[Trevor Durity]

Hi all. So I dug out my PST which was in storage for ages. I've got the bug again. I'm primarily into imaging but do some visual also.

 

This was my second PST. It was a replacement by Coronado of a nice sample I had that got rusted. This replacement has awful sweet spot and contrast issues so I'm looking for something new. I've ended up in "analysis paralysis" with all the choice ;-)

 

My imagers are an ASI1600mm and ASI120MM.

 

So my short list was

 

Quark on my WO 90 - but these seem to be hit and miss. They run at €1800 over here.

Lunt 50 or 60 - Great quality but they are crazy expensive in Europe. The 60 with B1200 is over €4300.

Heliostar 76 - in pole position €2800

Acuter Phoenix €1200

Any Coronado - avoiding these now given the state of Meade 

 

The Heliostar jumps out at me but I see there is alot of copy variation, which gives me pause. The Acuter is tempting but not sure how well it would handle closeups + it has a small ITF.

 

I suspect most of my imaging would be fairly high mag, focusing on active areas and proms, but it would be nice to have the ability to do full disc as well. 

 

Also wondering in relation to the Lunt if B1200 is really necessary - wonder if I could get away with a B600 with my cameras or not.

 

Any help appreciated :-)

 

T

Edited by Trevor Durity, 16 April 2025 - 05:24 AM.

[ch-viladrich]

Hi,

 

Depending on your personnal interest (visual only, imagery only (large field/narrow field), visual and imaging), you might extend your shorlist to :

 

- Sunscan : to cover all possible wavelengths, but only for imaging :

https://www.sunscan.net/

 

- MLAstro SHG 700 : to cover all possible wavelengths, but only for imaging  and you need an additional small refractor :

https://www.cloudyni.../#entry14084610

 

Christian

[Trevor Durity]

Thanks Christian. My interest is mainly imaging but I do like visual observations as well so I haven't really looked at SHGs. I also want to be able to do some outreach at the local club so visual would be a bonus there. 

[rigel123]

I can imagine the conundrum you are in.  I’m so pleased that I bought my tilt tuned 60mm Lunt back in 2012!  The Heliostar would be the one that jumps out at me as well since it is the right size to best fit your needs for closeup work, full disks and visual when you want, but the variability in the few images I have seen concerns me.  The variability is mostly seen in full disks with areas that are nicely on band and others definitely off, but that could be mitigated by doing mosaics.  Not ideal but doable.  Most of the closeups I have seen look good.  If I could not afford the Lunt, I think that would be the scope I might take a chance on.

[AstroApe]

I own 2 LS50THa, one as my personal solar scope and another that I use as a club loaner. They're fantastic for visual use and can be used for imaging, but IMO if you're looking for something that'll primarily be used for AP I'd advise not going with the 50.

[Trevor Durity]

hmm, food for thought. I've asked my dealer for advice as well.

 

This is what gives me pause for the Heliostar. I checked with the vendors here and they don't vet the scopes like the do for Quarks.

 

https://www.cloudyni...-disappointing/

 

So I'm still having some thoughts. 

 

Go low and just get the Acuter

Go for the Heliostar and hope to get a good one

Wait a year and go for a Lunt 60/B1200

 

Actually I'm not even sure a B1200 is required. Maybe I could get away with a B600 for my ASI1600? Thinking the chip is a bit large for that though.

T

[rigel123]

hmm, food for thought. I've asked my dealer for advice as well.

 

This is what gives me pause for the Heliostar. I checked with the vendors here and they don't vet the scopes like the do for Quarks.

 

https://www.cloudyni...-disappointing/

 

So I'm still having some thoughts. 

 

Go low and just get the Acuter

Go for the Heliostar and hope to get a good one

Wait a year and go for a Lunt 60/B1200

 

Actually I'm not even sure a B1200 is required. Maybe I could get away with a B600 for my ASI1600? Thinking the chip is a bit large for that though.

T

I would check with Lunt, but I think the disk would fit within the sweet spot of the B600, for closeups it wouldn't matter.  If you can wait, I would say the Lunt would be well worth it.

[timmywampus]

hmm, food for thought. I've asked my dealer for advice as well.

 

This is what gives me pause for the Heliostar. I checked with the vendors here and they don't vet the scopes like the do for Quarks.

 

https://www.cloudyni...-disappointing/

 

So I'm still having some thoughts. 

 

Go low and just get the Acuter

Go for the Heliostar and hope to get a good one

Wait a year and go for a Lunt 60/B1200

 

Actually I'm not even sure a B1200 is required. Maybe I could get away with a B600 for my ASI1600? Thinking the chip is a bit large for that though.

T

b1200 is not required.  i had the L60 and a b1200, a b600 would be fine.  in the 1200, the disk took up significantly less than 50% of the visible field through the BF.

[Trevor Durity]

Yeah I talked to a few dealers and was told by some that the Heliostar should be OK, but a couple mentioned that it's so new that they recommended that I save up for the Lunt.

 

I might just get an Acuter Phoenix to use in the meantime.