UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Use this section to discuss "standard" Baader/Coronado/ Lunt SolarView/ Daystar, etc… filters, cameras and scopes. No mods, just questions/ answers and reviews.
Post Reply
User avatar
04Stefan07
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 163
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:10 am
Location: Australia
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 18 times

UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by 04Stefan07 »

Yesterday my brand new Lunt arrived in the mail. I had been watching the tracking on the Australia Post app the entire day checking it every 10 minutes I was that excited! I thought I would do a short unboxing review and share my thoughts on the packing, build and features of the scope itself. I have not taking it out yet but will write up another thread. As a bit of a comparison I will be comparing this with the Coronado PST as that was my previous solar scope (I know the PST is a cheaper scope but I can only compare with this as it is the only solar scope I have had).

The Lunt was very well packed. The scope itself was packed in it's own cardboard box which contained the pre-cut high density foam. This box was then in a larger box with more foam so it was well protected. The foam is the same as the one that comes in the carrying case of a Coronado PST. You can get a custom case built to fit this foam (which will cost a fair bit) or you can buy a cheapish case from a store that has pluckable foam.
Packing
Packing
20150410_074723.jpg (159.48 KiB) Viewed 10774 times
Lunt packaged
Lunt packaged
Contents
- Lunt LS50THa
- B600 blocking filter
- Papers
- Pre-cut foam

When opening the box I was presented with three bits of paper.
- Warranty card (allows you to register the product online or send a card with your details)
- Instructions and safety notice (how to use)
- Lunt Catalogue

Since this is my first Lunt telescope there is an extra step on how to pressure tune the scope. I had a read of the instructions and it is tricky to understand when they mention about unscrewing the black barrel. Since this is an expensive bit of equipment I am hesitant to follow the instruction if it isn't 100% clear to me. It would be great if it had pictures to go along with it.
Papers
Papers
Now onto the exciting bit! What a solar scope this is. Straight away you can see and feel the quality materials that have gone into making this scope. Not only it looks great but what adds that sense of a great quality product is the weight (much heavier than the PST). I have always liked the colour combination of the Lunt scopes and I also noticed the white on the tube has a nice metallic sparkle to it.
Scope 2
Scope 2
The whole pressure tuning concept is new to me but am looking forward to learning how it works. Parts and features:
- 1 and a 1/4" screws to attach it to a dovetail or DSLR tripod
- Screw holes to attach the TeleVue finderscope
- Pressure tune cylinder
- 50mm aperture (has a metal screw cover to protect it)
- B600 (comes with an eyepiece plug to protect it)
Front
Front
20150410_075230.jpg (146.42 KiB) Viewed 10774 times
Since I used to image with the PST I wanted to pursue imaging on my new solar scope which is why I purchased the B600 over the B400. Also it was only an additional $100 AUD for the B600 so it was well worth it.
B600
B600
20150410_075052.jpg (184.12 KiB) Viewed 10774 times
Ad you can see there are a few small marks around the 6mm opening. Not sure why though. You can also see on the right a bit of the silicon glue (probably just excess).
B600
B600
B600
B600
20150410_075153.jpg (164.65 KiB) Viewed 10774 times
I was a bit disappointed that it didn't come with extras like what the Coronado's come with (case, finderscope and eyepiece) . At least a case for this version of the scope would have been nice as well as the finderscope.

PRO'S
- Build quality is fantastic (good to see this made in the USA)
- Pressure tuned
- Well packed
- Only an extra $100 for the B600

CON'S
- Price was a little high (bad exchange rate at the moment)
- Lack of accessories (at least a case would be nice, even the finderscope)

Does anyone know of a guide with images on how to pressure tune the scope?

Hope you enjoyed my brief review on my thoughts about the Lunt. I will be posting after I first use it and images of the Sun once I have a basic understanding on how to use the scope.

Cheers,
Stefan.
Attachments
Scope 1
Scope 1
Last edited by 04Stefan07 on Wed Apr 22, 2015 12:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.


SOLAR SCOPES: Lunt LS50THa Pressure Tuned with B600 filter & Moonlite Focuser, Daystar Quark Chromosphere
MOUNTS: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro & Skywatcher Star Adventurer
CAMERA: Player One Neptune-M & Flea3 1.3 MP Mono USB3
User avatar
swisswalter
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 17948
Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2014 4:28 am
Location: Switzerland
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Stefan

great unboxing report. There is no need to worry about harming the scope as long as you don't mod it ;). Just unsrew the black PT nob, put it back and direct the scope to the sun. give it some minutes to warm up. then screw in the PT knop while watching for details on the disk or on a prom. Youl will notice that the details come and go slowly while applying more pressure. You are there at the point with the lowest transmission. Have fun in the sun


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch

from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa ;)
User avatar
marktownley
Librarian
Librarian
Posts: 42120
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
Location: Brierley Hills, UK
Has thanked: 20229 times
Been thanked: 10111 times
Contact:

Re: Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by marktownley »

A great unboxing review and what a great looking scope, you're going to have lots of fun! :)


Image
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
User avatar
04Stefan07
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 163
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:10 am
Location: Australia
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Re: Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by 04Stefan07 »

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

Not the best at writing up reports but I thought I would give it my best shot!


SOLAR SCOPES: Lunt LS50THa Pressure Tuned with B600 filter & Moonlite Focuser, Daystar Quark Chromosphere
MOUNTS: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro & Skywatcher Star Adventurer
CAMERA: Player One Neptune-M & Flea3 1.3 MP Mono USB3
User avatar
GuillermoBarrancos
Im an EXPERT!
Im an EXPERT!
Posts: 463
Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2014 11:45 am
Location: Oslo, Norway
Contact:

Re: Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by GuillermoBarrancos »

Very nice! Congrats!


User avatar
GUS
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 1298
Joined: Thu May 08, 2014 12:03 pm
Location: Katoomba,NSW,Australia
Has thanked: 102 times
Been thanked: 213 times

Re: Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by GUS »

Great unboxing report Stefan, looking forward to your first light report.


User avatar
DSobserver
Almost There...
Almost There...
Posts: 582
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2012 2:36 pm
Location: FRANCE
Been thanked: 19 times

Re: Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by DSobserver »

thanks to share this report!

And now PST Vs Lunt 50 who's the winner?


User avatar
Bill Edelen
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 122
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:12 pm
Location: NJ. US

Re: Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by Bill Edelen »

excellent.... keep us posted :mrgreen:


User avatar
saguaro
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 85
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2014 3:20 pm
Location: Southern Arizona

Re: Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by saguaro »

Congrats and thanks for the great unboxing report! I have the exact same scope and really like it. The only weak part in my opinion is the helical focuser, which has a bit of "play" back and forth at the eyepiece end as you turn the focus. Lunt told me it was considered "normal".

Let us know how you like the views!


Lunt 50mm H-Alpha telescope with B600 blocking filter and LS50c (compact double-stack module)
Skyris 132m camera

My photo gallery: http://www.astrobin.com/users/robinandcurtis/
User avatar
04Stefan07
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 163
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:10 am
Location: Australia
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Re: Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by 04Stefan07 »

Thank you all!

@DSobserver: Definitely the Lunt. It's probably an unfair comparison as the PST is Coronado's entry level model and the Lunt 50 is the second entry level model but was the only scope I could compare to. Consider the comparison as to explain the upgrades :).

@saguaro: Thanks for the heads up, I will take note of that!


SOLAR SCOPES: Lunt LS50THa Pressure Tuned with B600 filter & Moonlite Focuser, Daystar Quark Chromosphere
MOUNTS: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro & Skywatcher Star Adventurer
CAMERA: Player One Neptune-M & Flea3 1.3 MP Mono USB3
User avatar
04Stefan07
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 163
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:10 am
Location: Australia
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Re: Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by 04Stefan07 »

Just a bit of an update.

Still haven't taken the scope out because I needed to buy the right adapters. The two main adapters I needed were one for my HEQ5 Pro and for a DSLR tripod.

A friend of mine made a custom part for the DSLR adapter so I can mount the Lunt on the tripod (this is interchangeable with the DSLR as well which is very handy). I ended up buying a short dovetail that fits nicely on the Lunt. I am in the process of buying a case for it as well.

Will post photos soon!


SOLAR SCOPES: Lunt LS50THa Pressure Tuned with B600 filter & Moonlite Focuser, Daystar Quark Chromosphere
MOUNTS: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro & Skywatcher Star Adventurer
CAMERA: Player One Neptune-M & Flea3 1.3 MP Mono USB3
fjabet
Im an EXPERT!
Im an EXPERT!
Posts: 260
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 5:27 pm
Been thanked: 21 times

Re: Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by fjabet »

Now the question is : how good is this 35mm etalon for mods :)


User avatar
GreatAttractor
Almost There...
Almost There...
Posts: 964
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2013 1:04 pm
Location: Switzerland
Has thanked: 747 times
Been thanked: 753 times

Re: Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by GreatAttractor »

Now the question is : how good is this 35mm etalon for mods
It can be done. Lukasz attached it to a TS Individual 102/1100, obtained some nice images and reports a sweetspot covering about 25% of the solar disc: link (in Polish).


My software:
Stackistry — an open-source cross-platform image stacker
ImPPG — stack post-processing and animation alignment
My images

SW Mak-Cass 127, ATM Hα scopes (90 mm, 200 mm), Lunt LS50THa, ATM SSM, ATM Newt 300/1500 mm, PGR Chameleon 3 mono (ICX445)
fjabet
Im an EXPERT!
Im an EXPERT!
Posts: 260
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 5:27 pm
Been thanked: 21 times

Re: Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by fjabet »

I would do it in telecentric mode after the HaT, so without the focusing lenses...


User avatar
04Stefan07
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 163
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:10 am
Location: Australia
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Re: UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by 04Stefan07 »

Alrighty here it is! I eventually found a very nice case for my Lunt. It is a perfect size with room for accessories and is durable and also has pluck foam. It took me over an hour to decide and pluck the foam (wanted it to be perfect as you can't undo it!).

The case is out-lined with a thin layer of foam and contains two full trays of foam which is pluckable. The handles lock the case night and tight and each corner of the outside of the case has been reinforced with steel.

As you can see in the photos I have the following:
- Telescope
- Orion Adapter 1/4"-20 Dovetail
- Plastic container with a modified DSLR tripod head adapter as well as the required bolts, washers and Allen key
- Flathead screwdriver
- Adapter that came with the Lunt
- Meade Zoom Eyepiece

With my current layout I have room for:
- Double Stack filter
- Another eyepiece

If there is anything you want to ask me just add a comment :).
Attachments
Complete
Complete
Case Bottom
Case Bottom
20150422_222319.jpg (190.79 KiB) Viewed 10551 times
Foam 2
Foam 2
20150422_222254.jpg (172.7 KiB) Viewed 10551 times
Foam cutout
Foam cutout
20150422_222243.jpg (190.24 KiB) Viewed 10551 times
Case and Lunt
Case and Lunt
Case Foam
Case Foam
20150422_211423.jpg (192.73 KiB) Viewed 10551 times
Case Foam
Case Foam
20150422_211416.jpg (141.86 KiB) Viewed 10551 times
Case Lock
Case Lock
20150422_211359.jpg (63.25 KiB) Viewed 10551 times
Case
Case
1IMG_20150420_213416.jpg (144.58 KiB) Viewed 10551 times


SOLAR SCOPES: Lunt LS50THa Pressure Tuned with B600 filter & Moonlite Focuser, Daystar Quark Chromosphere
MOUNTS: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro & Skywatcher Star Adventurer
CAMERA: Player One Neptune-M & Flea3 1.3 MP Mono USB3
User avatar
saguaro
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 85
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2014 3:20 pm
Location: Southern Arizona

Re: UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by saguaro »

Nice! What are the dimensions of the case?


Lunt 50mm H-Alpha telescope with B600 blocking filter and LS50c (compact double-stack module)
Skyris 132m camera

My photo gallery: http://www.astrobin.com/users/robinandcurtis/
User avatar
04Stefan07
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 163
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:10 am
Location: Australia
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Re: UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by 04Stefan07 »

saguaro wrote:Nice! What are the dimensions of the case?
Length: 580mm
Width: 330mm
Depth: 200mm


SOLAR SCOPES: Lunt LS50THa Pressure Tuned with B600 filter & Moonlite Focuser, Daystar Quark Chromosphere
MOUNTS: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro & Skywatcher Star Adventurer
CAMERA: Player One Neptune-M & Flea3 1.3 MP Mono USB3
User avatar
swisswalter
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 17948
Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2014 4:28 am
Location: Switzerland
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Stefan

great job


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch

from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa ;)
User avatar
04Stefan07
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 163
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:10 am
Location: Australia
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Re: UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by 04Stefan07 »

swisswalter wrote:Hi Stefan

great job
Thank you.

It hasn't seen first light yet!!


SOLAR SCOPES: Lunt LS50THa Pressure Tuned with B600 filter & Moonlite Focuser, Daystar Quark Chromosphere
MOUNTS: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro & Skywatcher Star Adventurer
CAMERA: Player One Neptune-M & Flea3 1.3 MP Mono USB3
User avatar
saguaro
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 85
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2014 3:20 pm
Location: Southern Arizona

Re: UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by saguaro »

Hi Stefan,

I've been trying with no luck to find a case with the dimensions that yours has. Can you please tell me the Make/Model of your case and where you bought it? I am in the USA so I realize it may not be available here but it's worth a shot. Thanks. By the way, great proms today! Hope you had a chance to use your scope!


Lunt 50mm H-Alpha telescope with B600 blocking filter and LS50c (compact double-stack module)
Skyris 132m camera

My photo gallery: http://www.astrobin.com/users/robinandcurtis/
fjabet
Im an EXPERT!
Im an EXPERT!
Posts: 260
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 5:27 pm
Been thanked: 21 times

Re: UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by fjabet »

Would it be possible to see pictures of the etalon part on both side ? If you don't want to make them or to unscrew the white tube from the etalon, there is no problem :)


User avatar
04Stefan07
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 163
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:10 am
Location: Australia
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Re: UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by 04Stefan07 »

saguaro wrote:Hi Stefan,

I've been trying with no luck to find a case with the dimensions that yours has. Can you please tell me the Make/Model of your case and where you bought it? I am in the USA so I realize it may not be available here but it's worth a shot. Thanks. By the way, great proms today! Hope you had a chance to use your scope!
Found a little metal plaque on the side of the case. Here is the official website of the company (Chinese): http://www.speed-case.com.cn/

Their products actually look pretty good. I bought it from a place here in Melbourne, Australia (here is their website: http://www.jdsound.com.au/products/684- ... 20-cm.aspx).

I actually wished I lived in the USA, you guys have everything. Your Wallmart (which is like our Kmart) sells everything, Kmart has about 1/10 the kind of stuff you can get at Wallmart!


SOLAR SCOPES: Lunt LS50THa Pressure Tuned with B600 filter & Moonlite Focuser, Daystar Quark Chromosphere
MOUNTS: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro & Skywatcher Star Adventurer
CAMERA: Player One Neptune-M & Flea3 1.3 MP Mono USB3
User avatar
saguaro
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 85
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2014 3:20 pm
Location: Southern Arizona

Re: UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by saguaro »

Thanks, Stefan! Looks like this case is not available in the US, but I will take your advice and look in Wallmart. Have you had first light yet :-)?


Lunt 50mm H-Alpha telescope with B600 blocking filter and LS50c (compact double-stack module)
Skyris 132m camera

My photo gallery: http://www.astrobin.com/users/robinandcurtis/
User avatar
04Stefan07
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 163
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:10 am
Location: Australia
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Re: UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by 04Stefan07 »

saguaro wrote:Thanks, Stefan! Looks like this case is not available in the US, but I will take your advice and look in Wallmart. Have you had first light yet :-)?
Oh I am not sure if they will have it at Wallmart but you can try. Was just making a general comparison haha.

Nah not yet, I work full time so it's a bit hard to get out during the day and all this weekend it's cloudy and raining!


SOLAR SCOPES: Lunt LS50THa Pressure Tuned with B600 filter & Moonlite Focuser, Daystar Quark Chromosphere
MOUNTS: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro & Skywatcher Star Adventurer
CAMERA: Player One Neptune-M & Flea3 1.3 MP Mono USB3
User avatar
MapleRidge
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 10172
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:58 pm
Location: Cambray, ON Canada
Has thanked: 64 times
Been thanked: 4299 times
Contact:

Re: UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by MapleRidge »

Hi Stefan...

Congrats on the new scope...enjoy the sun!!!

Nice review of your newly arrived toys...always nice to hear how people perceive even the little details.

Brian


Brian Colville

Maple Ridge Observatory
Cambray, ON Canada

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/185395281@N08/albums

10'x15 Roll-off Roof Observatory
Takahashi EM400 Mount carrying:
C14 + Lunt 80ED
Deep Sky Work - ASI294MM Pro+EFW 7x36/Canon 60D (Ha mod), ONAG
Planetary Work - SBIG CFW10, ASI462MM

2.2m Diameter Dome
iOptron CEM70G Mount carrying:
Orion EON 130ED, f7 OTA for Day & Night Use
Ha Setup: Lunt LS80PT/LS75FHa/B1200Ha + Home Brew Lunt Double Stack/B1800Ha on the Orion OTA + Daystar Quantum
WL, G-Band & CaK Setup: Lunt Wedge & Lunt B1800CaK, Baader K-Line and Altair 2nm G-Band filter
ASI1600MM, ASI432MM, ASI294MM Pro, ASI174MM, ASI462MM
User avatar
04Stefan07
Ohhhhhh My!
Ohhhhhh My!
Posts: 163
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:10 am
Location: Australia
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Re: UPDATED! Lunt LS50THa Unboxing and Thoughts

Post by 04Stefan07 »

Thank you!

Looking forward to using it but the weather is not being so kind to me!


SOLAR SCOPES: Lunt LS50THa Pressure Tuned with B600 filter & Moonlite Focuser, Daystar Quark Chromosphere
MOUNTS: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro & Skywatcher Star Adventurer
CAMERA: Player One Neptune-M & Flea3 1.3 MP Mono USB3
Post Reply