Coronado Personal Solar Telescope with EQ-1 Mount

Rating:
Summary: Coronado PST Solar Telescope H-Alpha
Review: To my knowledge these items run out of stock due to being new and the now relatively very low price compared to the other fine Coronado H-Alpha solar filters-scopes. Price on this one is $499, prior models several times this cost, specs on these quality filters are amazing, 1/100th light wave tolerence compared to a usual 1/4 or better light wave of many telescopes. The PST Solar instrument gives amazing results, tho only 40mm objective (front lens) still gives startling views of the Sun in the Hydorgen-Alpha Spectrum. Image appears red when viewed, able to see fine line Filaments, a granualtion effect covers the entire solar shpere, sunspots visible, along with many many other features as Plage (bright areas of activity), solar prominences ejecting on outer limb are very impressive to say the least. The fine detail may fall slightly less than its other more expensive models, but an amazing amount of features are visible. Treated to what probably was a solar flare just off center inside the sloar sphere, kept building and became a fantastic bright White Area, actually glowed, lasted several minutes !! Just purchased this Coronado PST. The tube is all metal aluminum, very well made, can be set up on a simple camera tripod ! I'm completely new to H-Alpha viewing, takes awhile to grasp the view for the newcomer. Had a little trouble focusing the first time, concentrated on the solar spots, and things started to come into view nicely. No moving parts all internal, like the twist focus knob and a clever sol range finder reflects a small image of the sun on top of the scope for alignment, also is a ring tuner at base of the round scope where it fastens to the square portion, was unable to view the beautiful prominences on the suns edge until I gave the tuner a twist, suddenly several popped into view, one with a loop, some shooting straiht up, fantastic ! One word of caution, these function with what are calleg etalon filter(s) two are suspended, not locked into a cell etc, therefore this can be a slightly delicate instrument far as ruff handling in shipment, from their past experience, Coronado strongly suggests shipping 1-2 day air only, decreases the handling problems ! Infact their Warranty Demands this type of shipment ! Scope is designed for Sun (Solar) viewing only, but what a scope..<>...Caution, may be very addictive ! ..<>..PS Orion may also still sell these, check for availabilty..<>..