dual QUARK!!!!!

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I have to get one of these!!!



http://www.icstars.com/Store/daystar-qu ... _PJq8f6Uss

[Gordon]

Hummmm..

I would like to see the resulting images when using a camera with it.

[smp]

Is anyone thinking of purchasing one of these?
Do you folks who do imaging think this would be a good imaging Ha filter?
Let's hear what you think!

smp

[notFritzArgelander]

I think it's a very interesting idea. Since the Quark design is based on thermally controlled Fabry-Perot etalons I expect that it's not as simple as switching etalons. One would need to wait a little for a proper thermal soaking.

I'm not a Quark owner but I did have some very pleasant afternoons back East using them on an Astro Physics refractor. This improvement might just overcome my reluctance to pick one version over another.

[Lowjiber]

Interesting concept. I'll need a lot more information before I jump on the bandwagon though.

For now, my little bandwidth changing switch works just fine.

Thanks for the info, Jeff.

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

The etalons should be able to maintain different temps, see the dual controls.

The question I have to John and the others is regarding the Prom Quarks. I have only used the Chromo Quark and have tried turning it all the way counter clockwise to the blue side which SHOULD give better proms BUT the proms I get there are not as good as the ones at the 1 or 2 oclock or even my usual 4 oclock position.

Do the Prom models (and there for the prom side of the dual) give better proms or is it mostly the spicules?

What are peoples experiences?

[Gordon]

It seems that each Quark is different. I'm not sure if it's a manufacturing thing or perhaps the location climate differences. So you kinda have to find the setting that works best for you. With that being said, I find that the 9 or 10 o'clock position works best with mine. Typically I can do both proms and surface with just one setting. However if I want to try to improve the proms I find that going counter clockwise just a step or two will get me there. However the 'magic' seems to be more on getting the settings correct on the capture software. John has been using Sharpcap but personally I have had better luck with FireCapture.

Having never used anything other than the chromosphere version I can't say if it would be worth the extra expense to purchase another unit. I'm pretty happy with mine to do both.

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Gordon
yes each Quark is different, I know Valery on CN wanted to buy mine, he had me do a bunch of tests and send him the results. On mine the 3 oclock is the best for proms and surface, although often the 4-5 is better.
I also use Sharpcap but run two versions on it, the old version that has gamma and then for DSO's the new version with just exposure and gain. The gamma version is the one to use for solar.

I probably won't get the dual version unless I can really see results that it will really make proms pop. I also just ordered a Cak module from Lunt, arrives tomorrow so naturally it is clouding over for the next 4 or 5 days

[Gordon]

I actually went through 2 quarks before I got one that was acceptable. Thanks to OPT in Oceanside (about 30 miles from my house) for listening to me. Finally they took the time to visually check out the one I ended up with.

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I agree with you that they are all different. I like the one I have (even Valery wanted to buy it from me), Valery did mention to me that within 10 years (his feelings) that the Quark will change as it ages and what I was getting at 3 oclock will become 6 oclock all the way clockwise and finally it won't give good results, but my feeling is that in 10 years I can buy another one! For the next few years this one is fine.

now if we could just get some clear weather and activity on the sun

[Altocumulus]

Interesting idea...

[Lowjiber]

Quarks can be quirky and do vary from unit-to-unit.

Here in the desert southwest, our summer humidity is in single digits most of the time. I mention that because Quark settings on the negative side of the dial really need a truly clear sky to be effective.

I shoot a lot of images with the dial in the +3 position for both proms & surfaces. However, if a prom is large and clearly very detailed, I'll shoot the surface around +3 and the prom at -2. Works well... sometimes.

Jeff mentioned spicules. I've caught some really nice ones at +3 and think it has more to do with atmosphere than Quark settings.

[Gordon]

Quarks can be quirky and do vary from unit-to-unit.

Well there's our new term!!!

"Quirky Quark." :Clap:

[Altocumulus]

No quibbling now.....

[Tillibobs]

I can't comment on the Quarks as mine has been on loan for a while and I haven't had a report back yet. I love my Lunt60 and imaging full disks which seem to have been neglected of late.

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

My LS80 has been buried in my closet since last fall, been using the Quark the few times I have gone out. There hasn't been enough going on to get me to dig it out...

But the question has anyone tried one yet?

[Lowjiber]

...But the question has anyone tried one yet?

Given the depths of the current solar minimum, I'm just going to set-tight with my current gear, vice spending money with no decent targets to test a new unit on. I'll wait.

Don't need a new Quark to shoot this...

[Gordon]

I totally agree John!

Plus it always seems on a day when there IS something to shoot, it's either cloudy or I have too much to do to find the time.

[Lady Fraktor]

For a solar observer this is definitely a horrid year.
To have the 2010-2016 cycle back would be very nice

[Tillibobs]

I totally agree, it's " can't be bothered season ". Does anyone have an idea when things are due to pick up ?