SolarMax III 70mm CBSAP Promo

[@dingdong1009]

Hi Stephen. Thanks for the promo/review. Besides Meades own promo video yours is the first I have found that shows how it all fits together. I purchased a PST a couple of months ago and it does my head in how beautiful the sun is and I absolutely love looking through it. I have just ordered a SM III 70 DS, they are like hens teeth at the moment. I hope it arrives before the total solar eclipse here in Western Australia next year. After watching this I believe Ive made the right purchase. Thanks again - D

[@zeroalpha7755]

I am assuming that you now have the SM III 70, how does it compare to the PST looking at the sun visually.

[@dingdong1009]

@@zeroalpha7755 the first time I looked through the SM III my jaw dropped. And then I played with the etalons... WOW!! It still blows me away how crisp and sharp the features on the solar disc look. I did receive the scope two months before the eclipse so used the SM III for imaging (time lapse) and the PST for visual. Because of it's ease of use, the PST gets used visually 90% of the time. But it doesn't compare to the detail the DS etalons reveal on the SM III

[@zeroalpha7755]

@dingdong1009 OK, thanks for the reply.

[@slapastronomy8646]

Nice video Stephen. Thanks for posting this one. The SM III will definitely be my next solar scope. Scott

[@mylogify]

That’s great! Could you mention how much of a difference there is comparing 70mm model to 90mm model which is like double the price? Cheers

[@sandb1867]

0:45 It's a rack and pinion focuser. You can see the rail at the base of the draw tube.

[@worldbestpilot]

You know that it has only 60 mm for sun observation ?!!!

[@yusuff8071]

Which cameras should I use to take photos? Do you have any suggestions for this?

[@SunlitEarth]

@@yusuff8071 yes sir. You should use a high frame rate monochrome astronomy camera like the player one Apollo M max. Definitely a monochrome camera of some kind that is capable of at least 30 frames per second.

[@slam854]

I am also a happy owner of this scope. Many club members have stated it is equal or superior to Daystar Quark solar scopes. Sometimes my iOptron AZ Pro mount has the SolarMax and PST attached for more viewers at Sun Parties. I also use the Coronado AZS mount/tripod with is a beautiful platform.

[@MattF12765]

I had the Lunt LS60. I wonder how this will compare? Looks a nice scope. Am tempted.

[@Wolfie6020]

Thanks for a great review. I have this scope and love it.

[@KelleyTexas]

WANT! Guess I will have to sell my SolarMax II 60mm.

[@zirconzircon8861]

Hey Stephen ... nice video. Charlie seems a little nonchalant about it, though. :-) I just ordered one of these little beauties. Have you purchased any other eyepieces besides the 18mm that comes with the unit? If so, which ones? If I want to do some solar photography with the scope ( I have the ZWO ASI 183MM Pro (mono) camera) will I be able to just remove the eyepiece and attach the camera that way or will I need some other adapters, etc?

[@SunlitEarth]

Hello! The Coronado 18mm gives a great and tight full disk view. They also make a 26mm and a 12mm that work really well. Another alternative is the Meade 8-24mm Zoom. You don't want anything too fancy or expensive as it is a single wavelength scope. Chromatic aberration is impossible. Yes, the ZWO camera will just fit into the eyepiece cup and you will be able to image. You may have to reposition the blocking filter for additional in or back focus.

[@Zircon_215]

Stephen W. Ramsden Thanks for replying, Stephen! I was especially wondering about back focus.

[@chromamaster6147]

Hi Stephen. I've followed your site over the years and appreciate the detailed reviews that you have provided and your outreach programs. In the past you've been extremely complimentary of the Lunt Pressure Tuned Systems vis a vis all of their competition. Are your reviews implying that the new Meade SM III systems are superior? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[@SunlitEarth]

Ive always believed that the visual view through the Coronados is superior to nothing out there. When imaging, the flatness of a pressure tuned (Lunt) or heated etalon (Daystar) has the edge. The Coronado PST started it all!

[@Davide-md9ju]

Ah… about you is better Coronado?

[@davidsolomon593]

Nice review, I was wondering how you would compare this to the SMII 60MM DS, Thanks.

[@SunlitEarth]

Optically almost identical but mechanically far superior with a redesigned blocking filter, external etalons and new focuser.

[@Nottsboy24]

Looks pretty nice ☺ cool video 👍

[@vailypyshkin5120]

Thanks for video bro. Can i use this mount with coronado II 90mm?

[@SunlitEarth]

yes, but I would go bigger