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 (Wayne)]

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 (Ken)]

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 (Ken)]

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.