Newbie with Celestron 6SE, Filters??

[FlaSky]

Hi,
New set up here 6SE. I do get the power adapter since I heard the mechanism will operate better.
I’d like to get some filters for Sun, Moon, etc. can someone recommend a brand of filters or any filter that would work well and last? I see a lot of variation in prices on the Sun filters. Some are many are made in China. Celestron has one for $48 solar Baader. There are some for $100. Just want to get an idea on what works well without overpaying.

[gregl]

Before commenting on your questions, here's a great site for NexStar owners. Lots of good info:
https://www.nexstarsite.com

As to power, I use a 12-volt, 18-AH battery that's sometimes used for wheelchairs, gate openers and so on. If you have access to line power, the adapter could also be useful. I use the battery because I'm always away from line power. The battery will run the mount for at least two nights or more without a problem.

As to filters, try to borrow before you buy. Filters can be somewhat personal and somewhat dependent on what you want to see and your observing situation. I rushed to buy polarizers for the moon and ended up not using them. But I'm not really a lunar observer. The un-filtered moon is going to spoil your night vision if you are looking from a dark site when you plan to look at other objects.

When I first had my scope I bought a boatload of assorted filters and after a few uses I put them away or sold some of them. I did get a look one night at the Swan nebula through an 18-inch Obsession equipped with, I think, an O III filter. The filter did make a noticeable difference. But said filter is out of my budget.

As to the sun, you want to filter it before the light passes through the scope. I use the Baader solar film and just fitted it into a poster board frame that fits over the outboard end of the scope. Below are a couple of pix. Filtering at the eyepiece is not a good idea. You are concentrating the sun's rays inside the tube and thus the heat generated can damage the scope.

[Lady Fraktor]

The Baader ND5 solar film is a excellent way to start solar observing, you can make a filter easily with it as Greg shows.
A dewshield is a must with a SCT to block light and help hold off dew while viewing.
Polarizers are a 50/50 thing, I have one but rarely use it.

Some of the others will give pointers on visual filters for SCT.