Experience with SM2 and SM3 scopes

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
hopskipson
Im an EXPERT!
Im an EXPERT!
Posts: 328
Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2019 9:27 pm
Location: Queens, NY
Has thanked: 404 times
Been thanked: 191 times

Experience with SM2 and SM3 scopes

Post by hopskipson »

Hi all

I'm contemplating buying a 90 mm Solarmax scope at NEAF this April. I'm leaning towards the SM3 with its external etalons. The thing is right now I can only afford the single stack model. Right now the few double stacked SM2's are on sale and you can pick one up for approximately the same price as a SS SM3. My question is "Has anyone looked through a SM3 or compared it to a SM2?" I'm going to double stack the SM3 in the future I just want to get an idea if possible any noticeable differences between internal and external etalons.

Thanks in advance
James


James
These pretzels are making me thirsty! (C.C.)
The Quark introduced me to this wonderful side of the hobby and the sun hasn’t disappointed yet.
Solar Equipment: Solar Spectrum RG-18 0.3A, Coronado Solarmax 90mm etalon Isle of Man SN-001, Tuscon SN-380 and Meade SM2, Lunt LS80 DS, Quark Chromosphere, Lunt 2" wedge, 2-Lunt CaK II 1200, Baader 3.8 and 5.0 solar film in 208mm cells, and 3D printed Sol'Ex SHG, Lunt 40mm
Coming Soon: Solar Spectrum CaK II <1A filter
User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18728
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17458 times
Been thanked: 16548 times

Re: Experience with SM2 and SM3 scopes

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Hey James,

I have a SolarMax II 60 DS and it works great so a 90 would be only better. I might be wrong and someone else here may correct me but I think they don't sell the SM III etalons separately like they do the SMII. You cannot upgrade later to a DS if you initially buy a SS. You have choose to go SS or DS right off. With the SMII series you have the option to buy the single stack and go back later and buy the second etalon for DS separately. I just don't think Meade/Coronado sells the DS etalons apart from the scope on the SMIII series. I have never seen them listed as such.

Now if you can pick one up gently used that would be a plus.

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18728
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17458 times
Been thanked: 16548 times

Re: Experience with SM2 and SM3 scopes

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Again...

The SMIII is almost certainly the best made of the two. Anodized brass tube, much better focuser and totally external etalons. You can remove them for nighttime use! I have never had the pleasure of looking through one.

Stephen Ramsden ( SolarChat ) has an exellent review on the 70mm model.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piAvHg5ZnF8

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
User avatar
hopskipson
Im an EXPERT!
Im an EXPERT!
Posts: 328
Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2019 9:27 pm
Location: Queens, NY
Has thanked: 404 times
Been thanked: 191 times

Re: Experience with SM2 and SM3 scopes

Post by hopskipson »

Thanks James for the link. I’m sure eventually Meade will come to their senses and sell the etalons separately. I also heard that the double stack SM 2 etalon will fit the 3.


James
These pretzels are making me thirsty! (C.C.)
The Quark introduced me to this wonderful side of the hobby and the sun hasn’t disappointed yet.
Solar Equipment: Solar Spectrum RG-18 0.3A, Coronado Solarmax 90mm etalon Isle of Man SN-001, Tuscon SN-380 and Meade SM2, Lunt LS80 DS, Quark Chromosphere, Lunt 2" wedge, 2-Lunt CaK II 1200, Baader 3.8 and 5.0 solar film in 208mm cells, and 3D printed Sol'Ex SHG, Lunt 40mm
Coming Soon: Solar Spectrum CaK II <1A filter
User avatar
DeepSolar64
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Posts: 18728
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
Location: Lowndesville S.C.
Has thanked: 17458 times
Been thanked: 16548 times

Re: Experience with SM2 and SM3 scopes

Post by DeepSolar64 »

hopskipson wrote: Sun Mar 01, 2020 4:59 am I also heard that the double stack SM 2 etalon will fit the 3.
I have wondered about that. Make sure before you buy.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces

Image Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
Post Reply