Coronado SolarMax III ?

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DeepSolar64
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Coronado SolarMax III ?

Post by DeepSolar64 »

I see quite a few people here who use Coronado scopes or components like PSTs or their etalons or SMIIs or their etalons and blocking filters. Except for Stephen Ramsden I don’t see anyone here using a SolarMax III. I am curious how they compare with the SMII. Both etalons ( if DS )are front mounted full aperture and the helical focuser has been replaced with a two-speed rack and pinion. The scope also has a very attractive anodized brass finish. The III is also nighttime capable with the etalons and blocking filter removed. Unlike the Lunt modular line the Coronado SMIII is a standard achromat not an ED apochromat.

James


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
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Re: Coronado SolarMax III ?

Post by Highbury Mark »

I’d be interested in this too James. I always presumed that the SMIII etalons weren’t any different to those of the SMII apart from the shiny new casing - it was more a mechanical upgrade to fix the focuser and move to external filters only.


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Re: Coronado SolarMax III ?

Post by DeepSolar64 »

The SolarMax III is probably the prettiest solar telescope on the market. But I wonder if it's performance matches it's looks. The upgrade focuser is certainly a plus over the helical focuser of the SMII.


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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Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
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Re: Coronado SolarMax III ?

Post by marktownley »

I think the majority of people here who have pre series III Coronado stuff do so because they've had it for a while and are happy with it.


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Re: Coronado SolarMax III ?

Post by DeepSolar64 »

marktownley wrote: Sun Nov 22, 2020 10:04 am I think the majority of people here who have pre series III Coronado stuff do so because they've had it for a while and are happy with it.
Probably so. Maybe a newbie then would be more likely to have a SMIII or a new Lunt modular scope.


Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
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Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
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Re: Coronado SolarMax III ?

Post by SJohnson »

I have a SolarMax III and upgraded to it after owning a PST. I didn't like the focus on the PST and liked the rack and pinion on the SMIII. The visual views are excellent with this scope. For photography though, I struggle with it having a band across the center of the disk when using it double stacked so I have been removing one for my most recent shots. I'm still pretty new at solar photography so I've got a lot to learn with this telescope. Here is one of my latest shots (28-Nov-2020) using the SMIII (single stack), Astro IIDC, and a Grasshopper camera.
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20201128_121411_L_89LN_Color.jpg
20201128_121411_L_89LN_Color.jpg (2.21 MiB) Viewed 1282 times


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Re: Coronado SolarMax III ?

Post by marktownley »

SJohnson wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:01 pm I struggle with it having a band across the center of the disk when using it double stacked
This is because you have too much tilt on the etalon. Nice pic btw.


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Re: Coronado SolarMax III ?

Post by SJohnson »

marktownley wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:13 pm
SJohnson wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:01 pm I struggle with it having a band across the center of the disk when using it double stacked
This is because you have too much tilt on the etalon. Nice pic btw.
Thank you!

As far as too much tilt, I'll try again and tone it down on both.


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Re: Coronado SolarMax III ?

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Very nice picture! The detail is there and I love the colors you chose.


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: Coronado SolarMax III ?

Post by Montana »

Fabulous image :hamster: :bow

Alexandra


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