Posts Made By: John Moore

Bruce:

There are a couple of differences between the PST and the SolarMax 40 Telescope: a) the SM40T has a bandwidth of <0.7 angstroms while the PST is advertised at <1.0 angstroms (some of them are reported to be as good as <0.6 angstroms). The narrower bandwith of the SM40T allows you to see more surface detail; b) the SM40T is a better choice if you want to do any photography or binoviewing, although there are some new accessories that make this possible with the PST.

As far as what to invest in, I decided to go with a dedicated scope (SolarMax 40 Telescope) so that I could use my TV-76 for simultaneous white light and h-alpha views. I am just in the process of getting my scope double-stacked, and I also bought an adapter plate so that I could travel with just one scope (the TV-76) for both day and night viewing.

The bottom line is really how you want to view. If portability is key, go with the PST. If surface detail and the ability to do photography and binoviewing are important, go with the SM40 for your Sky90 or if you want more flexibility (white light & h-alpha at the same time), go with the SolarMax 40 Telescope.

You can't go wrong with any of those setups.

YIKES & DRAT!!! My SolarMax 40 scope is at Coronado being double-stacked!! Won't have it back till late this next week. And the Sun was actually visible today in SE Indiana, too.

Oh, well. They'll be other days. Somebody post some pics.

See this thread:

http://www.astromart.com/forums/viewpost.asp?forum_post_id=307431&poll_id=&news_id=&page

I guess it boils down to personal preference. I was mulling this same situation, and like Don, had an SM40 Scope. I looked through both an SM60 scope and a double-stacked SM40 scope at H.O.T.S. last year. In fact, I spent quite a lot of EP time at each. In the end, I sacrificed the aperture of the 60 for the improved detail that MY eyes saw in the SM40 double-stack. I couldn't see myself ever spending the cash to double-stack the 60, so I ended up getting the second SM40 for my scope. I am very pleased with the choice. Would I love to have another 20mm aperture? You bet!! But given the allowance my wife allots to me for this hobby, I gave it up for a <0.5 angstrom bandpass. Improved contrast, and the double-stack just fit my eyesight better.

Paul:

I use two setups. I've got a Helix Hercules single arm alt/az mount that is great for travel. And I've got a saddle for my CG-5 GEM that allows me to mount my SM40 Scope beside my TV-76 so I can do both h-alpha and white light viewing. I also use the CG-5 when I want to do any photography.

I'm using a Helix single arm alt/az on a Bogan 3001BN tripod as a travel mount for my SolarMax 40 Scope. Works very nicely. Not quite as compact as the UA mount mentioned by Don, but very solid.

John:

I own a double-stacked SolarMax 40 scope and have looked through a number of other single & double 40's as well as a number of PST's. For me personally, I prefer the view through the 40's. And, as my primary objective is imaging, I think the 40 is a better choice for me. It was worth the extra cash in my case. Have never second guessed my decision. Now, the CaK version of the PST is another story altogther!! I'm trying to figure out how to justify the 500 bucks to my wife. :S

The ghost image is normal with a double-stacked set-up. Use one tuner to move the ghost image just out of the field of view and then tune with the other.

Don: On another forum, there was a posting from someone using one of these:

http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=61&pid=7130&m=3

I've got a TV-76 and want to mount my (not yet bought) PST CaK on it - I'm going to try this method.

Curt:

I'd be interested in the occultation data for the following:

38.126N
85.975W
Alt = 860 ft
Eastern time zone

From your graze map, it appears that Atlas, Pleione, HD23923, and 26 Tauri are of interest to this location. It is also fairly close to the Northern graze line for Merope, if I'm reading the map correctly.

Now if the clouds would just go away. :S

Thanks!