[Averton (P and C)]

We purchased the Solar Scout 60 with the intention of using it's parts in our DIY solar set ups which has worked well. We have actually never used it as supplied. We do occasionally see the image from the scope on the screen while setting up prior to adding the extra etalon for double stacking. From those quick views we have never been impressed with the scope so we took the opportunity to experiment with it a bit to see if we could get an image we were happy with.

Initially, no matter what capture settings we played with the image was terrible. Our first change was to add a 40mm aperture mask as the scope as supplied is operating at F15.5 when DayStar's own documentation for the Quark states that it is best to operate at F25 or better F30 and above. The 40mm mask brings the focal ratio up to F23.25. We had already read of someone using a 37mm mask which makes it F25. Still it was difficult to focus the image. Our next step was to add an IR cut filter to the focal train before the reducer.

This is the result.
Final set up was DayStar Solar Scout 60 with 40mm aperture mask, ASI178MM plus IR cut filter and 0.5 reducer.
In our opinion, for single stack, the 40mm Lunt provides better images much more easily.