Sirius Optics Planetary Contrast

Ratings:Top:Astronomy:Equipment Reviews:Filters:Sirius Optics Planetary Contrast

 Info  Votes  Messages  More Stats  Up One Level
Brand and Model:Sirius Optics Planetary Contrast
Price ($USD):$75-120
Type:Planetary Contrast
Filter Position:
un-checked .96" checked 1.25" checked 2"
un-checked Visual Back un-checked Full Aperture
Description:

Vote Highlights Vote
Sirius Optics Planetary Contrast
Let me say right out that I have a rocky relationship with filters... While I have enjoyed the capabilities of DSO (OIII, H-alpha etc.) oriented filters, I’ve never been a big fan of filters for planetary observing. The offerings in the traditional multicolor sets tend to make things murky and have never improved viewing for me.

However, the Sirius Optics PC1 is relatively bright (even with a 4 inch scope) and does what it says it will on the Jupiter, Saturn and (surprisingly...) Mars. The effect is not dramatic but is demonstrable. The down side is a greenish cast, but you’d expect that (as blocking certain color wavelengths to the relative benefit of others is the point here...)

So, if you’ve optimized all else: mount, scope, EPs, have some money left, and realize that only slight improvements can be had with filters go ahead...

(Also recommended are the Baader Moon & Skyglow and the Sirius Mars 2003.)

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:9 Value:6
Weight: 20 (Notable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=290921

Sirius Optics Planetary Contrast
I've just got my pc-1 filter,i'm very pleased with it's performance,i own a sky-watcher 120/100 refractor witch shows some false color on brigth objects (a comon issue with achromats) my first impression when observing the briliant star vega was that the chromatism was tremendously redouced,although this is not a minus violet filter it works just as one.
Overal ligth transmission is a bit reduced but not enough to be bothersome,when observing the good old moon the craters and the shadows they cast were in fact mutch darker creating a good contrast on the lunar features,resolution was a step further.
I also like to do some solar imaging with this scope,this was another revelation,solar spots were much darker not bluish like before,faculae were also easier to see proving once again that the contrast was improved.
On the other hand i've tried to compare this filter with my yellow filter coupled with a tou cam pro for some lunar imaging,that's where I was a bit disapointed,lunar images were more "soft" when using the pc-1,so i'm looking forward to try the same with the planets...let's see.
excelent product anyway,I would recomend it to anyone who has an achromat,it's defenitly a good improvement.
Good skyes too all :-)

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Value:8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=365244

Sirius Optics Planetary Contrast
I have this filter for a year now. The first two planets I looked for were Jupiter and Saturn. Saturn gave more brownish and yellowish line structures on the globe of the planet. Polar region was better to see. Shadows on the globe and on the ring behind the planet gave a better look. But the Cassini Division was NOT sharper. Also Jupiter gave more details on the globe. Structures in the equatorial bands were easier to see. Great Red Spot was also easier to find as a hole in the band. Only in the great summer of 2003 I searched Mars. Of course, an orange filter putted the desert details clear, and a blue one putted the south pole clear. But also the Planetary Contrast filter gave an allround better picture than without a filter. Darker and lighter features were easily seen. So it worked also on the red planet. And if your big scope collects too much light, combine it with a gray filter or polarisation filter. I used an 12 inch f4 Newtonian and an LV4 eyepiece.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:8 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=291890

[Click Here to Login]
Don't have a login? Register!

Starting out in Amateur Astronomy
 
How to use This Site
Why Register?
Voting Guide
Searching with Fact200