Opinion on Lunt LS50 THa solar telescope.

[pluton]

Hello,
Right now I'm looking for information about this solar telescope, I would use it for visual observation, not photography, in your opinion this is a good solar telescope that shows details on the disc and in the protuberations? It's complicated to use pressure tunner ? Years ago I used the coronado pst 40,a very very red image, and dark with few details, but the wheel to tune the image was simple to use..
You've compared it to the Lunt LS
60 ? would it be worth taking 60 instead of 50 ?

Thank you very much for your review.
Tico

[gregl]

I bought one for the eclipse.* As a hobby machinist for 30 years and with professional experience with other types of precision equipment, I'll say that this is a beautiful piece of work. The quality of design, fit and finish is outstanding. Other than that, I have not compared it with the Coronado or anything else. The tuning does have to be adjusted based on what you want to see: surface details or protuberations. I could not get both with one setting. I did wish for something larger so I could crank up the magnification more than is practical with this 50mm. I'd go for the largest aperture you can afford. I ended up selling it in part because of that (and because solar just isn't a thing for me).

_____
* Not needed, as the best views were with binos covered with some Baader film.

[Lady Fraktor]

The 50mm is a nice size though will not be vastly different in image scale over the 40mm PST.
If just for casual viewing then I would say it is a good one but if wanting to get into more use/ detail viewing I would save for more aperture and a double stack filter in the future.

[Lowjiber]

Tico, since you and I have discussed much of this in PMs, I won't cover everything here. I had an LS50 when they first became available. The etalon is the same one as on the LS60 (which I also have). Tuning via a pressure-tuner is much easier than with a tilt tuner.

The major drawback to the 50 is the helical focuser when compared to the Crayford style. It's not something that one cannot overcome, but needs to be considered.

...The tuning does have to be adjusted based on what you want to see: surface details or protuberations. I could not get both with one setting...

That's just the "nature of the beast" when viewing or imaging the sun. It's commonly called 'wing-shifting', adjusting the wavelength slightly (~0.1 angstrom) in the blue or red dopler shift direction will accommodate the wavelength differences between the surface and proms, etc.

Since the sun is a really big ball that is not too far away, some dopler shifting is necessary just to enhance the views of surface areas that are not in the center of view... not much, but it makes a difference. All of this hocus-pocus just means that for the best view (or image) the user will adjust the tuner accordingly. Not a big deal.

Clear Skies

[Altocumulus]

p.s. Tico - take your time to decide, the Sun's a bit quiet at the moment

( Though there are some positive signs )

[pluton]

Thanks for all responses!!
Like me that 10mm (50mm vs 60mm) is not very big difference, no? For visual observations, 50 vs 60 ? details on dics, protuberances and others like granulation or spicules?
Thanks again,
Tico

[Tillibobs]

My 2 cents worth from someone who's had a PST, Coranado60, Lunt 80and a Lunt60 .
I've tried them all ( even the Coronado60 double stacked ) for imaging and visual and I'll be sticking to the Lunt60 I would advise anyone to get it
unless you can afford to spend a bundle of money for a Lunt100.
Another thing to remember is that the Coronados have a central obstruction which the pressure tuned Lunts don't.
Keith.

[gregl]

My 2 cents worth from someone who's had a PST, Coranado60, Lunt 80and a Lunt60 .
I've tried them all ( even the Coronado60 double stacked ) for imaging and visual and I'll be sticking to the Lunt60 I would advise anyone to get it
unless you can afford to spend a bundle of money for a Lunt100.
Another thing to remember is that the Coronados have a central obstruction which the pressure tuned Lunts don't.
Keith.

Keith: Did the double stack make a difference that was worth the extra money? Did you double-stack the Lunt 60?

Tico: I'd advise getting in touch with Lunt directly before you buy and discussing the options with them.

Also, I'll add to my post above that although the helical focuser on the 50 is machined to perfection, I didn't care for it. It's more a matter of personal preference though; nothing against the quality of their product.

[Lady Fraktor]

A double stack filter makes a large difference in resolution.
If you really want the best views the Daystar Quantum is the best available but you need to mortgage the home to afford one.
http://www.daystarfilters.com/SR127/SR127.shtml

[gregl]

A double stack filter makes a large difference in resolution.
If you really want the best views the Daystar Quantum is the best available but you need to mortgage the home to afford one.
http://www.daystarfilters.com/SR127/SR127.shtml

OOhhh. Their He D3 filter looks terrific. But I don't think I'll be ordering one today.

[Tillibobs]

Never double stacked a Lunt mainly because I couldn't afford it. I like to image the Sun and can bring out more details by post processing if the data is there.
Keith

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Did you get a scope? I have not been too active in the hobby over the last few months, an operation and with the solar minimum doing more bird photography.
I started with the LS50 and then since I was doing sketching I double stacked it, what a difference for visual. For imaging you don't want the DS unit but for visual and sketching it makes a huge difference.
I now have a LS80, got the DS for it also for when I do outreach, and a Quark Chromosphere that I use with my Lunt 102, my Sky Watcher 100 and Celestron 120. BUT the LS50 is still in my stable because for a quick and easy scope to take to a friends house a local park or a sun party it is great. As the others said you cannot go wrong with an LS60 but I was unsure if I would like solar.
Boy was I wrong, no bugs, no dew, plenty of sleep, warm during the day, what's not to like?

[pluton]

By the way, for visual observation it is better, greater aperture or double stacking, for example: Lunt 60 SS or PST 40 DS?

Has anyone used binoviewer to observe the sun?
Thank you,
Tico

[Lady Fraktor]

More aperture gives a edge on image scale, double stacking brings out more detail.
I have used binoviewers with Coronado telescopes and I would assume they will be just fine in a Lunt.