SolarQuest review

Use this section to discuss "standard" Baader/Coronado/ Lunt SolarView/ Daystar, etc… filters, cameras and scopes. No mods, just questions/ answers and reviews.
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Ronnie_Clayton
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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by Ronnie_Clayton »

Great Review Pedro!

One question, is it possible use this mount in equatorial mod? (like the SkyWatcher AZ GTi)?

Um grande abraço!

Ronnie


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by pedro »

HI Ronnie

No, you can use it only in azimuthal mode. It works only for solar observation

abraço amigo


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by Ronnie_Clayton »

Thanks for your explanations Pedro :D

Um forte abraço amigo!

Ronnie


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by skyhawk »

Great review, ordered


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by pedro »

Thanks


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by skyhawk »

Just bought, HATE the terrible flimsy tripod not safe for an expensive kit so changed for EQ5 legs from Ebay

Thanks for the SUPERB review it was that, that sold me

The video is of the flimsy mount only don't download if slow internet
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Just for info, if I ever come over as "blunt" or upset it is not intentional, I am AUTISTIC, I have Aspergers, and ADHD, Autism, so my apologies if I ever sound, unintentionally confrontational. Thank you

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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by skyhawk »

Ronnie_Clayton wrote: Wed Jan 30, 2019 11:03 am Great Review Pedro!

One question, is it possible use this mount in equatorial mod? (like the SkyWatcher AZ GTi)?

Um grande abraço!

Ronnie
No ? it is a Solar mount ?


Just for info, if I ever come over as "blunt" or upset it is not intentional, I am AUTISTIC, I have Aspergers, and ADHD, Autism, so my apologies if I ever sound, unintentionally confrontational. Thank you

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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by skyhawk »

Any idea whet it means when the RED and GREEN LED's flash alternately, is it looking for GPS ?


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by pedro »

nice mod of the SolarQuest Mount

The led flashes when it is acquiring the GPS


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by skyhawk »

Thanks,GPS then, appreciated


Just for info, if I ever come over as "blunt" or upset it is not intentional, I am AUTISTIC, I have Aspergers, and ADHD, Autism, so my apologies if I ever sound, unintentionally confrontational. Thank you

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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by skyhawk »

I fitter remote focus to my ED72 on the GREAT Skywatcher Solar tracking mount

https://youtu.be/o7VXcG6hmFA

AND what about the 12v adapter that comes with it, perfect
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Just for info, if I ever come over as "blunt" or upset it is not intentional, I am AUTISTIC, I have Aspergers, and ADHD, Autism, so my apologies if I ever sound, unintentionally confrontational. Thank you

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Celestron Evolution Edge HD 8"
72mm Ed Skywatcher for Solar

SkyTee 2
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest
Gitzo Systematic Series 5

ASI 178MM
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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by pedro »

I also use the same 12V adapter


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by pedro »

Daystar Quark Chromosphere SWSolarQuest mount + FS60C/SM60/BF10
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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by DeepSolar64 »

What brand of scope is this Pedro? It looks like a small fine apochromatic refractor.


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by pedro »



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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by shetowl2020 »

What about the tripod, is it solid? live in a windy area in Shetland, UK


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by pedro »

Not really, you better change it. I did it recently. The maximum payload is 4kg

ImageSW102_SM60_SolarQuest_20200422-011 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr

ImageSW102_SM60_SolarQuest_20200422-010 by Pedro Ré, on Flickr


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by marktownley »

shetowl2020 wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 10:03 pm What about the tripod, is it solid? live in a windy area in Shetland, UK
Hi There and welcome to the forum. I have the AZ GTi, essentially the non solar version but with the same tripod. I changed mine so it sits on top of my EQ6 tripod.
P1100957.jpg
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Or, alternatively on my pier

ImageP1100963 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

I got one of these adapters from FLO https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-wa ... ripod.html

IMHO, either the solarquest or the AZ GTi package (including tripod) is built to a price point and the savings are made with the tripod. Any good tripod with a 3/8" thread on the top will be a better alternative than the stock tripod.


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by shetowl2020 »

what's the tripod like in windy conditions


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by shetowl2020 »

marktownley wrote: Thu Apr 23, 2020 2:02 pm
shetowl2020 wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 10:03 pm What about the tripod, is it solid? live in a windy area in Shetland, UK
Hi There and welcome to the forum. I have the AZ GTi, essentially the non solar version but with the same tripod. I changed mine so it sits on top of my EQ6 tripod.

Do you still need the extension pole on the EQ6

P1100957.jpg

Or, alternatively on my pier

ImageP1100963 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

I got one of these adapters from FLO https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-wa ... ripod.html

IMHO, either the solarquest or the AZ GTi package (including tripod) is built to a price point and the savings are made with the tripod. Any good tripod with a 3/8" thread on the top will be a better alternative than the stock tripod.
Do you still need the extension pole on the EQ6


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by marktownley »

No, I thought I might, but, took it off in the end. Depends how tall you are I guess :D


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by marktownley »

I've just bought the solarquest head this weekend, so look forward to it arriving and comparing with the AZ GTi. I think it may end up living in the back yard on the tall pier for quick full disks. Next step is a nice tripod for the 'travelling' setup, I find the legs on the EQ6 tripod jam so I struggle to extend them, and in the 'wrestle' that ensues I invariably end up pinching my fingers. A nice Barlebach springs to mind...


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by marktownley »

So, my solarquest head arrived today... It was supposed to be clear skies so i'd arranged to work at home, instead it rained, so I went into work :lol:

First step was a quick mod; change the vixen saddle on it for the ADM dual dovetail designed for the AZ GTi.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-re ... z-gti.html

I was greeted by thread locker galore on the screws that hold the stock vixen saddle, not a problem for a determined solar modder ;)

Then realised the hole pattern on the solarquest saddle compared to the Az GTi saddle is offset by 45 degrees, so, in its present guise does not fit. I could fix it on, but the OTA would sit at 45 degress to the sensor, and that would mean when the scope was on the sun the sensor would be off the sun by 45 degrees, and i'm not sure it will work with that much offset...

It's an easy mod, the plate is going into work tomorrow and I will tap out the appropriate threads in the new hole pattern on the black fixing plate that comes with the ADM kit. Should all fit in nicely...

Keep you updated!


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by marktownley »

So an update folks. Successfully modded the Solarquest head to accept the ADM dual dovetail adapter.

ImageP1000678 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

ImageP1000677 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Imageaz-gti-plate by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Really quite an easy thing to do. All needed to do was drill out and tap one of the 4 counter sunk fixing holes. One thing to note; the ADM uses an Imperial fitting 1/4" UNC, i'd tapped using metric m6, so a brief head scratching moment before I worked out why the ADM allen stud was not going in. However an easy fix just replacing with a m6 stud from my box of fixings. Attaches just fine as you can see in the pictures above.

The only thing I don't like the pier extension, the head is fixed to the top by 3 finger tight knobs, felt play in this a couple of times. Not sure I want to rely on this for expensive solar gear. Tecnosky do a pier extension that seems a little more substantial, however before splashing cash i'm going to explore how essential the pier extension is. Unlike night sky, for me, with solar the sun never gets close to the zenith so i'm not convinced the ota fouling the mount will be an issue. I have a devil sat on my shoulder now whispering Barlebach down my ear as I don't like the metal EQ6 tripod, but that's a way down the line yet if it happens.

Just need the sun to come out from the grey, damp and cold winter skies!


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by Highbury Mark »

Very nice Mark - I too have struggled with the ADM clamp upgrade, but good to see there’s a solution. I’m interested to see if you can use the mount for imaging - short bursts of video?


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by marktownley »

I got to try the solarquest out for the first time today. Have to say, i'm incredibly impressed and pleased with it!

It is so easy to use. I set up with the 50mm lunt etalon on the 60mmf6 scope and within 30 seconds it had the sun within the field of view, centering was easy with the toggle switch. My biggest question was how it would handle passing cloud, and today was the perfect test day with the sun going in and out of said clouds. The sun also sat in the top branches of a leafless tree, both it and the cloud had no effect on the tracking. There was no problems with the weight of this setup either.

Upping the ante a bit, I switched out the BF15 from this setup and inserted my 2" diagonal, Quark, Baader Solar telecompressor and the Cemax 25mm eyepiece. I needed to recenter, but that's not unexpected given the extra mass at the back of the scope. Again it tracked wonderfully and I enjoyed views through the eyepiece even if the sun was quiet.

Next step I swapped the eyepiece for my Grasshopper camera for a full disk shot of the sun. The fov is about 0.7 degrees vertically, so not much wiggle room on the chip. Despite the sun disappearing in and out of the clouds there were no issues with the tracking and the sun remained centered in the fov. There was a bit of movement but only a few arc minutes, more than acceptable!

Given this mount just sits on the top of the EQ6 tripod 'ready for action' I can see it is going to get frequent use, and may well be the one that's used regularly for full disk shots with the smaller scopes. It will certainly make the perfect travelling mount. It definitely needs a decent tripod, and i'm going to look at a more secure interface than just the 3/8" thread at the bottom as this has a tendency to allow to rotation despite how tight is done up. All very minor concerns. If skywatcher did a similar one that could hold bigger scopes it would be a winner!

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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by dhkaiser »

marktownley wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 3:23 pm I got to try the solarquest out for the first time today. Have to say, i'm incredibly impressed and pleased with it!

It is so easy to use. I set up with the 50mm lunt etalon on the 60mmf6 scope and within 30 seconds it had the sun within the field of view, centering was easy with the toggle switch. My biggest question was how it would handle passing cloud, and today was the perfect test day with the sun going in and out of said clouds. The sun also sat in the top branches of a leafless tree, both it and the cloud had no effect on the tracking. There was no problems with the weight of this setup either.

Upping the ante a bit, I switched out the BF15 from this setup and inserted my 2" diagonal, Quark, Baader Solar telecompressor and the Cemax 25mm eyepiece. I needed to recenter, but that's not unexpected given the extra mass at the back of the scope. Again it tracked wonderfully and I enjoyed views through the eyepiece even if the sun was quiet.

Next step I swapped the eyepiece for my Grasshopper camera for a full disk shot of the sun. The fov is about 0.7 degrees vertically, so not much wiggle room on the chip. Despite the sun disappearing in and out of the clouds there were no issues with the tracking and the sun remained centered in the fov. There was a bit of movement but only a few arc minutes, more than acceptable!

Given this mount just sits on the top of the EQ6 tripod 'ready for action' I can see it is going to get frequent use, and may well be the one that's used regularly for full disk shots with the smaller scopes. It will certainly make the perfect travelling mount. It definitely needs a decent tripod, and i'm going to look at a more secure interface than just the 3/8" thread at the bottom as this has a tendency to allow to rotation despite how tight is done up. All very minor concerns. If skywatcher did a similar one that could hold bigger scopes it would be a winner!

Mark
Thanks for for the report Mark! Can you give an weight estimate of the heaviest configuration you used?


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by marktownley »

dhkaiser wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 5:58 pm Can you give an weight estimate of the heaviest configuration you used?
Hi Dan

I just weighed the Lunt50/ED60/Quark combo and it came in at 4.2kg, a shade over Skywatchers stated capacity of 4kg.

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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by dhkaiser »

Thanks Mark, very close to my Lunt 60mm DS with blocking filter heater. Interesting mount. Thanks.


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by marktownley »

As an aside, I replaced the 3 black thumbscrews at the top of the sky watcher extension pillar today. I just feel they can't get tight enough and there is play. I replaced using stainless steel allen bolts, that with an allen key offer a tighter fit. However, beware, the extension column aluminium and feel then tensile strength of the soft aluminium being put to the test, it would be very easy to strip the threads. Need to look at an alternative longer term...


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by fedele »

can be used for common Planetary imaging, night works etc?


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by marktownley »

fedele wrote: Thu May 27, 2021 10:50 am can be used for common Planetary imaging, night works etc?
Solarquest, no, it is only for the sun...


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by TAILSPIN45 »

Late to the gamer, but just a note to clear up a point that has some folks here confused: the camera on the SolarQuest mount is only used for acquisition and not for tracking, according to Sky-Watcher tech support.


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by TAILSPIN45 »

After further use...it's clear that what I weas told and what I wrote is incorrect.

When clouds move it, tracking becomes erratic or stops


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by marktownley »

TAILSPIN45 wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 8:47 pm When clouds move it, tracking becomes erratic or stops
Yup, I found this too.


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by SimonM »

TAILSPIN45 wrote: Sat Oct 16, 2021 2:07 pm Camera on the SolarQuest mount is only used for acquisition and not for tracking, according to Sky-Watcher tech support.
I'm using only a "low tech" acquisition method using only the Tele-Vue Sol Searcher. Tracking is just the mount in Sun mode.
marktownley wrote: Sun Dec 12, 2021 5:26 am
TAILSPIN45 wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 8:47 pm When clouds move it, tracking becomes erratic or stops
Yup, I found this too.
Interesting that clouds cause it to either hiccup or start over again. I'm also using an EQ6-R Pro mount - that tracks accurately forever with/without clouds, with a "lift legs and rotate" quick polar alignment with a phone app being sufficient and then a "slew" to the Sun. Acquisition with (Rate = 5) on handset, works good.

Simon


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by WAskywatcher »

I bought my 70mm Solarquest combo a few weeks ago, decided to buy the Coronado to use with the mount.....
How the hell do I get the 70mm off the mount ..??


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by SusieQ »

Hi. I am getting ready to use my SolarQuest for the first time and have misplaced the DC adapter cover. I think I'd prefer using batteries so I don't have to think about cable wrap. Would I possibly regret not getting a replacement DC adapter? Would some of you please let me know which you prefer and why?


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Re: SolarQuest review

Post by marktownley »

SusieQ wrote: Thu Jun 15, 2023 2:42 am Hi. I am getting ready to use my SolarQuest for the first time and have misplaced the DC adapter cover. I think I'd prefer using batteries so I don't have to think about cable wrap. Would I possibly regret not getting a replacement DC adapter? Would some of you please let me know which you prefer and why?
I use a rechargeable 12v LiPo battery, lasts much lomnger than 'normal' batteries.


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