Coronado vs Lunt

[Stefan12]

Hi there,

I'm looking at buying a solar scope for under 2k
I'm tossing up between the the Coronado PST (double stack) or the Lunt 40mm (single stack)

Should I go straight for the double stack? or is Lunt just better quality overall.

Cheers,
Stefan

[evltoy]

Interesting thread. I too would like to read peoples opinions.

[astro744]

I have the Coronado SolarMax 40 (pre-Meade takeover) and whilst I have contemplated an extra Etalon to double stack it I think that I would rather have more aperture before doing that as I'm not sure if the image would be too dim with only 40mm double-stacked. I could be wrong but its expensive to try.

[astro744]

FYI

Lunt 40 single stack <0.7 Angstrom
Lunt 40 double stack <0.5 Angstrom

Coronado PST 40mm single stack <1 Angstrom
Coronado PST 40mm double stack <0.5 Angstrom

Coronado Solarmax 40 single stack <0.7 Angstrom
Coronado Solarmax 40 double stack <0.5 Angstrom

I find 0.7 Angstrom quite nice for both surface and edge features (proms). Having <0.5 Angstrom will enhance surface features at the expense of dimmer proms but I have never looked through a double stack 40mm (or any size) to see how much the effect is. Also larger aperture vs smaller aperture will make a difference when double stacking. I’ve not looked through a PST to comment on just how 1 Angstrom looks and then to compare it to 0.7 Angstrom.

I bought my Solarmax 40 (last of the pre-Meade Coronado and all I could afford) after viewing the Sun in Ha through someone else’s Solarmax 60. I use it time to time and have have enjoyed it immensely. I mount it on a Tele Vue Telepod as a quick grab and go although the solar ‘scope is stored in it’s case to protect it.

[Peter Ward]

I've dealt with both companies for some time.

Lunt take pride in their product and after sales support.

Meade won't even return emails.

Lunt (effectively Coronado before the Meade buy-out) is my pick by a country mile.

[Stefan12]

Thank you all for the replies. I went with the Lunt 40mm and just the BF500 filter for now. My guess is I'll be waiting an eternity for it to get here :(

Id still be interested to hear if anyone else has any other thoughts or opinions of PST and Lunt telescopes

Stefan

[Derek Klepp]

As Peter said.Lunt have good after sales service and most of their product only require minor maintenance suck as rubber o rings on the PT models and cloudy blocking filters which are easily cleaned.I also have Daystar products but they are more finicky and require a higher level of maintenance and care.
So you know I have the Lunt 100 which gives impressive views

[Merlin66]

I’ve used Coronado PST’s for many years and modded quite a few to larger apertures.
Along the way I had the SolarMax 40 and 60 etalons, with no problems or concerns.
Currently I use a double stacked SM60 setup with BF15 blockers.
This works 110% and exceeds expectations.
The only issue to look out for is the premature failure of the blocking filters - both Lunt and Coronado.

I’ve never used or owned a Lunt so can’t comment on them.

[GrahamL]

Owned a solarmax 40 for a while , visually double stacked was very dim and over time i found i didnt use it that often.

[Merlin66]

Graham et al,
When the double stack is used only a small percentage of the H alpha light get’s through, think about 40% hence the view always looks much darker, both with Coronado and Lunt.
Best for imaging, better resolution and surface features.