Quote:
Originally Posted by Stardrifter_WA
Expensive in relation to what?
It is all relative Stefan. Although they cost a lot, as most specialised equipment does, I don't think they are that expensive, considering what you are getting, but I admit that that is a subjective view. They are only become expensive if you can't ever afford to buy one.  Sure, I can't afford to buy one right now, as there are other priorities at present. Do I think they are worth what you pay for them....sure do! I will get one, eventually
If everyone bought a solar scope in the same numbers as, say, a Bluray player, unit cost would be much lower, due to manufacturing economies of scale. But that isn't the case, hence a higher price due to lower volume. Not that many people want them, so they are not as popular as a normal scope, at least yet. With light polution getting much worse, we may only be able to observe the sun, in years to come, so they may become very popular then and will become cheaper as a result.
Cheers Pete |
I totally agree cost is relative. Hydrogen filters are the best thing since sliced bread. A marvellous feat of craftsmanship. After years of pondering, I finally got a 60mm Solarmax this year to put on the little 60mm Tak frac, and the views blow me away every single time I look at the sun through it
. There is nothing like it. Crank up the mag and you think you can just about touch those proms. This is the coolest piece of equipment I ever owned, so money well spent. Glad I didn't spend it on, say, a big screen TV
. Because what this thing shows is REAL. And it doesn't need batteries, updates or "likes". Only thing to consider (besides the cost) is that these filters are hefty lumps of metal that still need to be treated like raw eggs, especially when you love portability. I travel a lot and was lucky enough to also get my hands on a well-priced LS35Tha, Lunt's PST equivalent, this one with a larger-than standard blocking filter. also the band is slightly narrower (i.e. better) than the PST's. I quite often have breakfast now while watching our star do its thing. According to the saying that the best scope is the one you use most often, this is it!!
Cheers Mirko
