Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

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Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

All,
Does anyone here have any experience with a double stacked Lunt LS100Tha scope? I am strongly considering buying one of these in the near future. The SolarMax II 60 I already have would still be a full disc grab and go but I would like to have an instrument that would give higher magnification and finer detail than I can get with the Coronado 60, and hopefully a more consistent tuned field and better contrast. If I dive in deep I may even get a CMOS video camera to go with it and go beyond visual. Do you think this scope is a good choice or would the LS80Tha DS be a better choice? Or a Coronado SolarMax II or III 90 DS?

James

https://luntsolarsystems.com/shop/solar ... ouch-zoom/


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
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Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by marktownley »

Yes, have used a few. One was my friend in Switzerland and it provided stunning views, the other was a pal who live close by here and the views were awful. Bit of a mixed bag from my perspective then. What I always say to anyone considering an outlay like this is to either try before you buy, or, even better buy from somewhere that has an extended returns policy. I still have no faith in any of the main solar companies to provide consistent quality controlled products. (but then i'm a perfectionist with my solar gear!)


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Mark,
I understand that. Judging by what I have read though, Lunt seems better on average in quality and service than does DayStar and Meade Coronado. Now on Solarscope I have no idea.

I have always had doubts about my Coronado 60. It seems to me not contrasty enough and has a very defined sweet spot. It might be just me. I have nothing to compare it to.

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
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Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
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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
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by marktownley »

Have you got 2 external etalons or is one internal in the scope James?


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

My Coronado 60 has one internal etalon and one external etalon.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Montana »

I would probably go for the Lunt 80mm double stack, lots of people on here use them and love them. I have never heard much or anything good about the 100mm double stack, does anyone own one? too much risk to me.

Alexandra


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by marktownley »

How long have you been observing in Ha James?


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Alexandra,
The Lunt 80 is almost certainly more forgiving of seeing conditions than the 100 is but how does it do at higher magnifications? It's one of my Coronado's shortcomings. I rarely exceed 33x on that scope. 50 usually at best.

Mark,
I am a newbie in the field of H-Alpha. I have had my Coronado 60 since May 13 2019 but have used it almost every sunlit day since. Practice practice practice I say. I may expect too much. Still, I have really enjoyed H-Alpha observing and it adds a new twist to white light as well.

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
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by marktownley »

You are in a fortunate position James. You've experienced solar minimum, but, have importantly cut your teeth and honed your skills on a quiet sun. That means when we do start getting activity it will blow you socks of.

I really liked the Lunt80s when I looked through them which was a couple of three years ago, the combination of Ha detail and also seeing the umbra penumbra of the spots makes for a very interesting disk - don't forget with double stack the sunspots are hidden to some some degree and they are photospheric features, double stack has less parasitic leakage from the photosphere, therefore spots aren't as easy to see.

Once we're up in the 80mm/100mm scope league you're into big bucks, and so are investments not to take lightly, you're definitely doing the right things and not buying on a whim. I don't know what your local seeing is like, you seem pretty rural from the pics (compared to me in the city!) so maybe the 100mm will be a good option. Are you going to keep the DS60 or will this be part of the part-ex if that's the route you take?

You and HighburyMark are both in a similar situation. Make sure patience and reasoning drive what you do rather than impulse, it is the key to long term satisfaction.


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Mark,
I do live in a fairly rural area. Seeing varies a lot though. For example not so good yesterday but well above average today and it shows in the scopes. I live in a subdivision among apple orchards. Not so far from town though to avoid light pollution from Hendersonville.

I bought pretty blind when I got the Coronado 60 and have second-guessed myself ever since. But again with no solar observers nearby I have nothing to compare it to. You might be able to judge my scope from my observational postings. With scopes it seems you always want more. with nighttime for example it is aperture fever. But I have learned bigger is not always better. The best scope is the one most used and it is usually a smaller grab-and-go instrument. I would keep the Coronado 60 because of this. It would be more portable than an 80 and certainly more portable than a 100. But are they that much difference between a 60 and an 80 in solar observing?

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
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Highbury Mark »

Good luck with this James. It’s not unusual for SMII60s to lack contrast in my experience, but as Mark says, there’s big variation within the same product line - and that goes for Lunt too, though I’ve always thought they have the edge over Meade/Coronado.


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Where I hear the difference in Meade Coronado Vs Lunt Solar Systems is in customer support. I have heard from a number of sources including some here that Lunt is much better on this. Service after the Sale matters!!


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
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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
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Rojas522 »

Thanks for posting this. Just like you, I am a visual observer, and I've been thinking about buying this scope for a while after seeing the excellent pictures
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=16532&p=161314&hilit=100Tha#p161314
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=16532&p=161314&hilit=100Tha#p161314
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=24046&p=216321&hilit=100Tha#p216321
I contacted Lunt Solar last week, and was I learned told that the "old" Lunt 100 is "out of stock" (or discontinued?), you can only get the modular scope. I also called OPT, telescopes.net, etc., with no luck. I have zero interest in the LS100MT.

Frank


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Frank,
I will check out the modular scope. I am also considering the LS80Tha double stack. It would be generally more usable in the local seeing conditions I have here. I just wonder if it would be enough gain in resolution for the cost against the SM 60 I already have.

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

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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Highbury Mark »

I think a really good double stack LS80 would definitely be a decent step up from your current set up James, though a really good 100 would be superb. As you say, you also have the benefits of support from Lunt in Tucson if anything goes wrong. I suppose the other thing to bear in mind is with Lunt moving to an all-modular range, there may be more people selling their dedicated scopes to buy one of the new ones, and you might be able to pick up something pre-owned from the classifieds. That might mean you can afford the 152mm...... :seesaw


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Solar B »

What about the SMIII 90 💙 in DS configuration it's offers the ideal configuration

of 2 externally mounted etalons ! .... It looks amazing to .... I'd love one 🌞

Having owned numerous Lunt 50 and 60s I have not been impressed with any of them plus

I also think that with the new so-called modular systems they're just trying to reinvent themselves.

However it has been often said that the LS80 is the jewel in the crown I've never used one

but they're bandwidth is obviously a little narrower than the 50s & 60s.

Truth be told if money were no object I would opt for solarscope every time they're etalons

offer imho the ultimate in finesse experience.

But the very bottom line is that you won't actually know what you really like yourself until

you have tried and spent some time with the device.

Brian


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Brian,
I am actually considering both the SolarMax II 90 DS and the SolarMax III 90 DS. The SolarMax II can be picked up considerably cheaper than Lunt's offerings or the SolarMax III. But those external etalons are nice and the SM III is probably the most attractive of all the commercially manufactured solar telescopes. And Stephen Ramsden ( SolarChat here ) really endorses the Coronado 90 scopes for visual use.

I also really like the Lunt LS 80. I just wonder if it performs enough above a 60 to justify the cost. A 90 or 100 certainly would.

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
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by marktownley »

Highbury Mark wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2020 6:06 pm That might mean you can afford the 152mm
Money can't buy the good seeing for it, short of relocating...


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Derek Klepp »

James I have the Lunt 100 single stack and I love it albeit not as much during the recent Solar minimum.I have a Quark and various combo,s but for pure convenience the Lunt is the best all round. I have dealt with Lunt for various spare parts and they have always come through.I would however take Mark T,s advice and when this crisis has past thouroughly recommend trying before you buy. Don't rush in it is a big investment and there are many alternatives you may even find a good second hand option out there.
Hope this helps Derek


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Derek Klepp »

Mark is correct on seeing there. I have a 152mm mod and I was only able to use it 3x in 2years to its advantage due to the seeing.The best scope is the one you use most.


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Solar B »

James

I'm after one myself (80-90mm) albeit on a much smaller budget , I could stretch to an

an SM90II SS but not a III SS ... I think the IIIs look amazing and much better than the LS100

which just looks like a regular scope (which of course it is) plus there are real advantages to an

external etalon configuration 💛

However from my own point of view I must be careful as I don't know if you've heard but there's a

recession coming and there are 5 of us currently at home with 4 cars i,m running so I really

shouldn't be thinking about any scopes at all 😅

Brian


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Highbury Mark »

LS152 was only a tongue in cheek suggestion. In my city centre location, even a Quark through a 4” refractor is often too much for the seeing.
Worth bearing in mind for James that the LS80 has a relatively modest F/L of 560mm - only 60mm more than the LS60, while both the LS100 and SMIII90 are 800mm - a considerable step up in power as well as aperture. The Coronado’s a hefty beast too - needs strong mount. I have back problems and the 90 would be too much for me.


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by GUS »

James, I have a Lunt LS100 with the DSII unit.I have had the scope since 2014 and added the DS in 2015. I also own a DS Lunt LS60/60F. The singlestack LS100 provides excellent views and in great seeing I can use up to 200-250x magnification for some real close in prom views. The DSII on the other hand I'm not fond of, It can give some nice views of surface detail, but has quite a noticeable glow which overlaps the suns disk, and prom detail is diminished ( I have rigged up a circular polarizer between the etalons and this has improved the image dramatically) but I personally like the singlestack view better. If I was buying this set up again, I'd buy the SS LS100THa, and wouldn't waste my money on the DSII unit, I'd rather get an SM90 front etalon and get an adaptor plate made up, or if money permits an LS100F front etalon. Another thing is that you can easily get full disk with the LS100 anyway.


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Astrograph »

Just to throw my two pence worth in for some balance and perspective.

I like solar but as a dealer I am not a great lover of the quality / consistency / flexibility vs price of dedicated Solar Telescopes.

As such, while we offer them, I tend to suggest that people consider a rear mounted filter from Solar Spectrum. These are premium filters without any of the associated quality / service issues of Daystar. I happened to have quoted an example of a rear mounted system compared to a Lunt LS100 last night so here it is for comparison;

Lunt 0551401 Lunt LS100THa/B1200 H-alpha solar telescope £6,478.00
Lunt 0551490 Lunt LS100THa/DSII double stack module for LS100THa £2,647.00
Lunt 0551491 Lunt anti-reflection filter for LS100THa/DSII £223.00
Lunt 0554402 Lunt LS150PS Dovetail Bar 150mm GP level £58.00

The above is £9,406.00 in total

As an alternative

Tecnosky 102 F7 (Doublet Super ED Apo) £899.00
Solar Spectrum 25mm 0.5A Etalon £4,299.00
Baader TZ-4 Telecentric £299.00
Baader 35nm H-Alpha Filter £118.00

This is £5615.00. A saving of £3791 over the Lunt. The uniformity of this system will be far superior. I never have worries about that.

The basic optics of this scope are the same as for the LS100 as they come out the same factory. The difference is the Lunt uses ED as opposed to Super ED glass. The SS based system is much longer focal length and a full disc is actually the same size as the etalon so a full disc view is not really possible but the disc is just under 25mm in diameter compared to just over 6mm in the Lunt.

If you were happy to spend the £3800 you had saved, there are options.

The ERF in the SS system is internal. You could use a front D-ERF for even better performance. With a cell that would add £511. Or you could go for a bigger etalon. An extra £2700 gets you a 32mm etalon and then you definitely get a full disc. Or you could just spend an extra £1000 and go to 0.3A for super contrast. You could add a CaK Module and a Wedge.

Although this type of system requires you to put it together and is physically longer, it destroys any off the shelf 100mm Solar Scope and costs a lot less. It should be a no brainer for anyone.


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Solar B »

Marks right thats the only downside to the 90mms is that they are hefty brutes 💀

but owning an SM60DS (I've one to) you'll probably already know that.

At the other end of the scale a Daystar 80mm Solar scout would be highly portable and

offer the required magnification plus almost the same ease of use 👴

Brian


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Thanks all of you for you inputs and suggestions. I have a lot to wrap my head around. I do like the idea of a longer focal length instrument like the Coronado SM II 90DS. But I could also modify my Celestron 102 achromat for solar using the suggested filters as Astrograph has suggested. That scope is nearly an f10 and would give nice magnification. I currently use it for white light with an Altair wedge when seeing permits.

I still like the versatility of the Lunt 80. But how much different, better, will it be than my Coronado 60?

My Losmandy AZ8 would easily hold the weight of a Coronado 90 or a Lunt 100. It'll hold 35 pounds per side!

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

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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Astrograph »

Your Celestron 102 would work well. You would just use it with a 3x telecentric. The only caveat is the quality of the focuser on the Celestron. Because of the length of the optical train there can be a danger of tilt with lightweight focusers. This will cause a system to go off band.


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Highbury Mark »

Must be a better replacement focuser for the Celestron 102 which would handle a Solar Spectrum set up. Though once stocks of the dedicated LS100 finally sell out, you’ll be buying a 4” ED scope as part of the modular Lunt package. I wonder how many observers actually don’t want a modular solar scope though?
Can’t argue with Rupert’s analysis of solar ha options here in the U.K. I’ve just bought the double stacked 70mm Solarscope package for not a huge amount more than the price of the LS80 DS B1800 FT.


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

I could probably find a Crayford two speed or FeatherTouch focuser to fit it. A FeatherTouch ironically would cost more than the instrument itself would!

I would prefer a dedicated solar refractor over a modular scope because I already am well equipped for nighttime observing. But I would not outright reject a scope because of a modular design, unless that design dramatically increases the cost of the scope.

Are Solar Spectrum and Solarscope etalons available in the US and at what increased cost compared to Lunt and Coronado?


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
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Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by marktownley »

DeepSolar64 wrote: Sat May 02, 2020 5:10 am I could probably find a Crayford two speed or FeatherTouch focuser to fit it. A FeatherTouch ironically would cost more than the instrument itself would!
I've done this on a couple of my scopes, don't worry it's perfectly normal!


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Astrograph »

Solar Spectrum is based in the US.

An SS based scope is only modular because it uses a conventional scope. If you want to use it just for solar or even Ha there is nothing to stop you. The fact remains the core scope and the filter are better quality than an off the shelf Solar Telescope and price will always be less compared to a similar aperture pure Solar Telescope.


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Astrograph wrote: Sat May 02, 2020 11:29 am Solar Spectrum is based in the US.

An SS based scope is only modular because it uses a conventional scope. If you want to use it just for solar or even Ha there is nothing to stop you. The fact remains the core scope and the filter are better quality than an off the shelf Solar Telescope and price will always be less compared to a similar aperture pure Solar Telescope.
Awesome! I will have to do more research on Solar Spectrum and how to fit the ERF in front of the scope's objective.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
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Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
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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
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

It looks like I might be going Lunt after all. Meade Coronado is discontinuing the SM II line of scopes. I still am considering converting my Celestron over but the heated etalon method is a bit discouraging, the tilt-tuned and pressure tuned systems are more user friendly to a fairly novice person as myself and of course do not require electrical power therefore not requiring a wall plug or batteries and do not respond as quickly as the other tuning methods. Also F30 is terribly long. It would be very high-power only, limiting it's use considerably in so-so seeing. The SM II 90 with it's larger aperture and longer focal length was a compromise. It could give full-disc images AND good high power views. Ahhh. Dern it. Still thinking....

Modular Lunt 100 DS is really pricey. So is the Coronado SM III 90 DS. I might end up doing nothing and staying with my SM II 60 DS.

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
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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
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Montana »

Always good to take a deep breath and keep thinking, you never know a nice second hand one may turn up :)

Alexandra


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Montana wrote: Sun May 03, 2020 6:00 pm Always good to take a deep breath and keep thinking, you never know a nice second hand one may turn up :)

Alexandra
So true. Or a closeout sale. On Lunt or Coronado!!

JP


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
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Half the price of the SolarMax III DS or the Lunt 100MT DS!!! And marked down almost 2000 dollars!

I'm game!!

https://telescopes.net/store/solar/smt9 ... ilter.html


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
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Highbury Mark »

If you’re happy with the weight (and ideally are able to send the scope back if you’re not happy with the performance), that’s some deal!


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

It's not a grab and go, that's for sure but I have the SM II 60 for that and my Losmandy mount will easily hold it. No problem there. The dealer is reputable and the scope comes with a five-year warranty.

I hope they are as good as Stephen says they are. I ordered one just a few minutes ago.

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
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Rojas522 »

Good for you!


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Rojas522 wrote: Mon May 04, 2020 2:01 am Good for you!
Thank you. I just hope my decision is a good one. Coronado is discontinuing these scopes and my other alternatives were considerably pricier. The " bang for the buck " factor should be high here. I see a lot of people on here who use Coronado etalons on custom built scopes and mods but don't see near as many " stock " scopes in use. Lunt seems more popular on stock instruments but they are expensive. Lunt is discontinuing it's old line and going modular and Coronado is doing away with the SolarMax II line. I knew I would have to find a sale or buy one used on these instruments and I found this SMII 90 DS marked way down. So I jumped on it. I'll see how it goes.


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
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by marktownley »

Great stuff! Think you'll like!


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Highbury Mark »

Fantastic - congratulations! Should be an awesome scope.


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

It was a deal. Discounted wayyy off. It won't replace my smaller Coronado, it's far more portable with much easier set up. But it should do much better when the disc is active enough to warrant setting it up. It's like the C102 with the wedge. It outperforms the Orion 70 but I don't bother using it unless the sun has spots to see!


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
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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by marktownley »

Make sure you post some pics when it arrives!


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Will do!!


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

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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

It Came today!! I few tiny breaks in the clouds tempted me to set up and tune it but to no avail.



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90 and 102.JPG
90 and 102.JPG (158.91 KiB) Viewed 3830 times
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

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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by JochenM »

Congratulations with the new toy, James.

I hope you get to try it out soon.


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by marktownley »

Lurvely!!!!!!


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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by DeepSolar64 »

I tried it out briefly in Single Stack setting the tuning peg. I was stunned. I could see every prom GONG shows around the disc. One showed really nice detail. And I could actually see the spicule layer!!! Clouds moved in before I could put the DS etalon back on and tune it.


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

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Re: Lunt LS100Tha Double Stack

Post by Rojas522 »

Awesome!!


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