I think it's all one company so one segment couldn't go bankrupt without the whole company failing?
I have read in the last couple of days that customers are having difficulty getting their PSTs repaired and that Meade is only offering warranty service on PSTs less than one year old.
Still, if you can get a well cared for, used PST of the latest design, they're a cheap entry into H-alpha observing.
In a scope of this type, the thought of warranty work being required is a bit scary. Observing the sun with a device that could compromise vision is a concern.
One of the filters in the pst and other coronado scopes can oxidize over time leading to loss of image quality, but it has no impact on safety (as reported by the company). The scary part is relying on Meade for any repair - they're in poor financial shape at the moment. Hopefully they'll be purchased by another company and the products will continue.
I've been in the unfortunate position of having bought two PST's which ended up showing the "rust" defect. The third was OK!!
Firstly the "rust' does NOT affect the safe operation of the scope. It is 100% safe, all the time.
Original owners, with receipts for purchase have managed to get free warranty repairs of this defect within the 5 year coverage. I know of at least 15 successful repairs.
They offer a great introduction to Ha solar observing.
Seems like there are definite quality problems with the PST.
A good thing I gave up saving for the 90mm double stack!!!!
I'm pretty sure the wife would have walked out 5 minutes after discovering the invoice !!!!
Peter,
I think I should explain that the "rust" problems ONLY affected the early builds of the PST. Later ones with the "blue" objective have NO issues, and are great little solar telescopes.
Re Double stacking - the front etalon Coronado SolarMax SM40/ SM60/ SM90 etc did NOT have the same coatings as the PST and hence NEVER had any "rust" problems.
Just to clarify.
