Hi Sil,
Thank for all the info. All good points and alot of stuff i havent even considered.
One question i had is it worth the additional cost of double stack or pressure tuned? I see that the same model as you mentioned has these features. I would like to buy once but not sure if it makes a major difference in viewing as i have no experience with solar scopes?
Thanks,
Mel
Quote:
Originally Posted by sil
The one you can afford.
When I got mine it seemed they come in basically one or two sizes (models) then all the others are variations with improved contrast/viewing to each of the tuners for different solar features. so eg buying the cheapest model 60mm Coronado still lets you see all the same solar features as the most expensive 60mm Coronado, the most expensive should let you see various features a bit better. I've only used my solarscope so I don't know if there is much difference though considering the price differences. I seem to recall hearing the differences are not startlingly clear for visual but for photometry/research they are worth it. The size differences in practice give you a differing field of view, with my 60mm I can see the full disc of the sun at once. I guess the 90mm is best if you are studying a single feature. I can only assume the Lunt 60mm gives the same field of view too with i think around 25mm eyepiece. My choice came down to price, there was a great deal on Coronados at the time so I went with the most expensive my budget could handle at the time to give me best all round performance for my money. They are pricey both L & C and you'll have pretty much the same performance with either.
If you have children I would think carefully about going with Coronado as the metal gold finish is very distinctive while a Lunt looks like an ordinary white telescope and a yound mind might not comprehend the distinction in regards to safety and pointing telescopes at the sun. I retired my Celestron 102 refractor to use the tracking mount for my Coronado. With GPS and a bit of deep menu hunting the mount will track the sun nicely for me.
Viewing the sun tends to be far more convenient than getting up at 2am to check cloud cover  |