PST Repairs

Jouke,

I've tried the Solarmax 60 filter combined with the PST etalon and WO 80mm shorty a few times now.

Solarmax Filter on it's own:
First impressions were that the image was a little dimmer than I expected but the detail was more even across the disc - no sweet spot issue. The level of detail was slightly better than my PST, but only slightly.

PST on it's own:
The PST had a brighter image with more detail on the proms.

Using an adapter I previously purchased from the UK, I tried to double stack the filters. I left the Solarmax 60 filter attached to the front of the WO 80mm. I unscrewed the gold tube from the PST and attached the adapter. I then inserted the back end of the PST into the WO 80mm 2" focuser.

First thing that needed to be done was to adjust the T-max to provide as much of an illuminated disc as possible. At some settings, the disc is almost invisible. No detail - just black. I played around with the T-max and the PST etalon positions until I got the two optimised relative to one another. At a particular position, I can see the entire solar disc of which approx 1/2 is double stacked with the remainder similar to a single stack.

A couple of weeks ago, I took a look with the PST on it's own and the detail & proms seemed fine. Then, in the double-stacked mode, the detail was FAR better. In particular, I looked at one long filament in the PST which didn't seem too remarkable. In the double-stacked mode, it was like someone took a black marker on the sun and drew one long dark streak. Lots of other detail was apparent in the double-stacked mode which did not appear with just the PST. Difference between night and day to be honest.

Only thing I'd have against the system is the complexity. It needs a Solarmax 60 filter and T-max, Adapter, WO 80mm shorty scope, PST adapter and back end of PST. That's a fair bit of gear on a tripod or carrying around. Would be very interesting to do a back-to-back test with a double-stacked PST to see if the 60mm filter gives a significant performance boost. One thing for certain though, I won't be going back to single-stack mode.

Hope this helps Jouke,

Hey guys,

Got a nice surprise from the postman today. The PST was returned. Actually, they replaced it with a brand new one under warranty and even sent a new hard case and 20mm Kellner with it!

Looks like it's the new model with the clear blue objective rather than the old reflective type. Hopefully this type is immune to the oxidisation problem.

Will give a first light report if these clouds ever pass.

Fair play to Meade. They've been getting a hell of alot of stick for poor customer service on other boards since their accounts came out, but Meade Germany have proved that wrong in my book.

Trev

I've tried the Solarmax 60 filter combined with the PST etalon and WO 80mm shorty a few times now.

I was looking into something similar but using a cerf and a similar refractor + PST. A UK dealer was showing them off recently. As far as I know they would sell the package or the cerf + refractor + adaptor if you have a PST already. To be honest it was the complexity of the system that turned me off. + I've no idea which version of the PST it would work with.

Alot cheaper than buying an SM60 or Solarscope 50 though!

Trev

I was looking into something similar but using a cerf and a similar refractor + PST. A UK dealer was showing them off recently. As far as I know they would sell the package or the cerf + refractor + adaptor if you have a PST already. To be honest it was the complexity of the system that turned me off. + I've no idea which version of the PST it would work with.

Alot cheaper than buying an SM60 or Solarscope 50 though!

Trev

Apparently, Scopes n Skies are selling these now. System isn't too bad once you get to grips with it (what I have is similar but a double-stacked version). Basically, the system consists of a C-ERF (Cool Energy Rejection Filter) in from of the objective lens in a refractor. At the back, the back end of a PST goes into 2" focuser. Result: An 80mm H-alpha scope. Will certainly work with the old version of the PST and I'm reasonably confident it will also work with the new version, although need to confirm this. A good number of people have now done this mod and the resulting images are amazing.