Lunt Sunoculars

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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Lunt Sunoculars

Post by Montana »

My Lunt Sunoculars 8x32 arrived at lunchtime :hamster: I was super excited. I had a lovely crisp, clear view of our star and I could easily see the amazing active regions of 12975,76 and 78. Spots were easy, I can't say I saw any faculae but I did have cloud in front of the Sun, I need a clear sky.

Why have I never owned these before? fabulous for a 5 minute view and so portable. They were bigger than I thought, will struggle in my handbag (need a bigger bag), but they are very light weight.

Also impressed by the seller DirectNine UK, very fast and efficient delivery and same cost as Bresser (Germany). Considering all the astronomy shops don't have any I suspect this company bought them for the American eclipse and never sold them due to the Amazon fake scare. I do recommend them though.

Alexandra


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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by marktownley »

It's a good week for the delivery of sunoculars :lol:

Are you ok if I share my thoughts here too? Maybe James will join in also?


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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by Montana »

Sure Mark, the more the better :)

Here is a photo of them next to my birding bins for size comparison :)
ImageLunt Sunoculars 8x32 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Alexandra


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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Alexandra,
I am glad you like them. They are well made and are worthy of the Lunt name and their versatility is a BIG plus!!

And they come in different colors. Mine are yellow. 😊

Enjoy them!

James

P.S. I used them in today’s post thinking the sky wouldn’t clear enough to make the scopes worthwhile. It did end up clearing out.


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 Sunoculars

Post by David Fox »

good luck with the bins Alexandra,
I had looked at these on Bresser previously but they only have the small 6/30 - big difference in price so assume as big difference in the two sets.


Lunt 60tha
Lunt 50tha with DS
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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Mostly in build quality.


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 Sunoculars

Post by David Fox »

Had forgotton bout these until I saw this thread just bagged a pair on Ebay tonight (stateside/pale blue)
Looking forward to end April


Lunt 60tha
Lunt 50tha with DS
Lunt HW 2' on Skywatcher 120ed esprit / Skywatcher 72ed
Coronado SolarMax 3 70mm SS
TI Dome / EQ8r / solar quest / Atik & Zwo
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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Did you get the 6x30 or 8x32?


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 Sunoculars

Post by David Fox »

8x32's


Lunt 60tha
Lunt 50tha with DS
Lunt HW 2' on Skywatcher 120ed esprit / Skywatcher 72ed
Coronado SolarMax 3 70mm SS
TI Dome / EQ8r / solar quest / Atik & Zwo
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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by DeepSolar64 »

David Fox wrote: Thu Mar 31, 2022 7:52 am8x32's

Nice!! 👍🏻


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 Sunoculars

Post by marktownley »

Thought I would add my pics to the party First off my 10x42s, 8x32 Lunt Sunoculars and the 6x30 mini sunoculars...

Image20220403_120658 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Next up the 2 Lunt side by side...

Image20220403_120731 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Image20220403_120801 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

I'm pleased with both the sunoculars and also the mini sunoculars. The bargain price of the mini sunoculars is certainly reflected in the build compared to their larger cousin, but at the respective price points the views through both are great!


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http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by David Fox »

:cool: Now I'm really looking forward to them.


Lunt 60tha
Lunt 50tha with DS
Lunt HW 2' on Skywatcher 120ed esprit / Skywatcher 72ed
Coronado SolarMax 3 70mm SS
TI Dome / EQ8r / solar quest / Atik & Zwo
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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by DeepSolar64 »

I have the Lunt 8x32 pair in yellow. I would highly recommend them.

How do the 10x42 binos do, Mark? Judging by the name they are solar binos too?

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 Sunoculars

Post by DavidP »

Do these have any advantage over regular binos with Baader film?


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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by marktownley »

DeepSolar64 wrote: Sun Apr 03, 2022 2:41 pm How do the 10x42 binos do, Mark? Judging by the name they are solar binos too?
No, these are no solar binoculars, despite their name :lol:


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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by marktownley »

DavidP wrote: Mon Apr 04, 2022 9:23 pm Do these have any advantage over regular binos with Baader film?
Durability?


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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by DeepSolar64 »

I like the glass filters better too.


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 Sunoculars

Post by Montana »

DavidP, I have never liked the idea of putting Baader film on my birdwatching binoculars, the caps would be too small and light and I am sure would blow off no matter how hard you try to stick them on. I have never done it and would never think of doing it, too much risk. I also don't like the thought of confusion it could give kids either. Bird watching binoculars stay exactly for that, never to be looked through at the Sun. The bright coloured binoculars, yes, they can look at the Sun.

Alexandra


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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by DeepSolar64 »

And the permanently installed filters cannot blow off!! My Orion70 has a permanently installed glass filter as well, making it a dedicated solar telescope.


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 Sunoculars

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Mark,
Looking at the pictures of your 6x30 SUNoculars it looks like the film filters are just behind the objectives, close enough to easily prevent heat damage. This is a good idea since it protects the film filters from damage from external sources

In the 8x32 set the glass filters are just ahead of the objectives.

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 Sunoculars

Post by David Fox »

Arrived from the States safely.
Guess what the weather is like outside?

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Lunt bins.jpg
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Lunt 60tha
Lunt 50tha with DS
Lunt HW 2' on Skywatcher 120ed esprit / Skywatcher 72ed
Coronado SolarMax 3 70mm SS
TI Dome / EQ8r / solar quest / Atik & Zwo
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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by Montana »

Your fault then :lol: we need more spots too!

Alexandra


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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by DeepSolar64 »

WooHoo!! But yes, the spot count is low and small right now. And of course when one gets any new astro gear clouds move in!!

It's neat how they come in different colors. Red, yellow, blue, black. Of course otherwise they are the same.

Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars.JPG
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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 Sunoculars

Post by marktownley »

David Fox wrote: Tue Apr 12, 2022 10:14 am Arrived from the States safely.
Guess what the weather is like outside?

Image
You have a blue pair like me! :)


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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by marktownley »

The sunoculars are good for looking through the cloud when a narrow band scope aint gonna work. I see a bit of false colour with them but I am thinking of a pair of green filters over the end to sharpen it up that bit more. I am very happy with my Sunoculars, Lunt should reinvent them, especially as it is 2 years until the big eclipse.


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http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by DeepSolar64 »

marktownley wrote: Tue Apr 12, 2022 5:46 pm The sunoculars are good for looking through the cloud when a narrow band scope aint gonna work. I see a bit of false colour with them but I am thinking of a pair of green filters over the end to sharpen it up that bit more. I am very happy with my Sunoculars, Lunt should reinvent them, especially as it is 2 years until the big eclipse.

Re-invent them? Yes! Maybe a 12x50 pair with image stabilization! A green coloration to the objective filters would eliminate most if not all of the CA. The 12x50's could also have ED objectives too!!


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 Sunoculars

Post by David Fox »

These are actually quite nice, good view of the current 'trio' even behind thin cloud.
Definitely not bad for the price and excellent for a quick grab and go.
Now, if I could keep my hands from shaking, be even better.


Lunt 60tha
Lunt 50tha with DS
Lunt HW 2' on Skywatcher 120ed esprit / Skywatcher 72ed
Coronado SolarMax 3 70mm SS
TI Dome / EQ8r / solar quest / Atik & Zwo
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Re: Lunt Sunoculars

Post by DeepSolar64 »

These new NE active regions should be easy in the SUNoculars. Brace yourself against a solid object like a wall or use a reclining lawn lounge chair. Both help to steady the view. Image stabilization would really help these but would also run the price up too.

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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