From my perspective I'm amazed at the views Quarks can offer and I'm not a solid etalon fan but from what

I've seen its hard to imagine better views from a solid one (albeit the SE & PE range will be easier to use) , however my

preference is still to use a good air spaced one or two.

Brian

That CN quote from Rikki actually dates back to 2013 ... but I didn't know either !


Brian

Ah Right Thanks Ken

I hadn't realised that , that was the ITF ... I tried a UV/IR cut in the bf15 of the 60 yesterday (instead of the ITF) and did notice what I thought was a significant drop in contrast so reverted to the ITF ... but will try the PST DS with and without it.


Brian

Hi Folks I have been using a DS SM60 II recently and have been impressed with the views , but especially their ease and brightness !! this is obviously because the internal etalon is devoid of an ERF. This has me thinking that any DS system say 60mm and under would benefit from only utilising one ER...

Superb images and Update on the beasties performance .... love it.


Brian

Yeah the Quarks have their BF in front ... Totally Weird imho !! but obviously works well and reflects most of the IR.

Is this not the PST Mod Holy Grail ... the DS Mod ... Respect if ever it was due.

Brian

That's a wonderful assembly you've got going on there Antonello !! Loving the adonized red features to :cool: If I may I think etalons that exhibit good finesse do/would benefit from pressure tuning ... however a regular or average etalon perhaps not so and tilting would suffice ... this just from m...

In Awe of your fastidious work as ever Robert

Now that's one Bino view I'd like to take

Oh and triple stack ... that should cut down on leakage !!

Brian

All depends, George. Not all etalons (or their stacks) work same nicely as, for example, your setup. I never was able to get a good result with double stacking of my two Quarks (with several other etalons). In the same time Mark Townley always reported that his stacking - Quark + PST work just fine...

It's does in this poor pic but it actually blends in quite nicely as has exactly
the same finish as the equinox

Moonlite ... seems right.

Here's a pic of my now 10 yr old adaptor taped to my E66 ... will figure something out

Brian

Hi Nick Thanks for all your help "most sincerely" ... I manged to mount one of my SM40s with an adaptor I had (bit makeshift) onto my E66 today with bf10 ... now this obviously worked quite well ! ... but trying it with the Maxbrights and TV 25 Plossl's I was unable to achieve focus ... looked like ...

I contacted Mark at Moonraker last week but no joy I'm afraid .... now thinking the E66 is not suitable for binoviewing though.

Brian

Thanks Nick ... I have been in touch with Carl also but on another matter.

Brian

Hey many thanks for that

Do you know if this will fit the pre meade SM40 T Max'.

Brian

Hi Folks

I'm looking for one of the Siebert Optics PST Bino correctors if anyone has one available.

Thanks ... Brian

I think I recall reading that Lunt BFs were compatible with Coronado etalons but that Coronado BFs were not compatible with Lunt etalons ... hope I've got that the right way round :) I doubt there would be much difference between a pre Meade and a newer SM 40 apart from perhaps their actual bandwidt...

Hello David
I have this adaptor (was for
an 80mm) that fits the Tmax tuner
I plan to send it to Mark at Moonraker along with a
dew shield for him to adapt ... is there
anything I can help you with ?
I don't know the thread sizes though !
Brian

Hi Folks

Just wondering if anyone can offer any advice at all on mounting SM40s

onto a small refractor of sorts ?

Thanks .... Brian

I normally only use a daft big achro with a wedge ... have used apos in the past but
never a petzval , imho the best white light views are obtained with a wedge prism and any refractor.

Brian

Hi Folks I'm looking to mount a couple SM 40s onto a donor scope as I don't like the MS 40 OTA ... was looking at getting into Bino viewing this summer to so kinda need an OTA that can handle that weight ... the only suitable current OTA I have is an Equinox 66 but as where to obtain an adaptor who ...

I have found the Maier Photonics ITF replacement to be very good and much
brighter than the existing Coronado ITFs on a 5 & 10mm BF

Brian

I also concur with previous .... def keep the SM40 .... quarks are good but can be
hard work compared to simpler air spaced etalons.

For me in Solar visually ... Bandwidth rules and not aperture ... Like everything it's
quality over quantity ... my preference would be toward pre Meade Coronado filters or even Solar-Scope if possible ... a Lunt 60 with an SM 60 should be great though.

Brian

Fantastic news Bob and it does appear to be onband in the image even giving
the poor seeing

Brian