Saxon M20325 Maksutovs-Cassegrain

[Neil]

G,day i havent posted for a while so i thought i,d take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the up comming festive season. My question is has anyone had any opportunity to use the saxon m20325,?. If so any opinions or links to any reviews would be apprecieted.:)

[TrevorW]

Not heard of this particular Saxon scope can you post a pic, although I've head that Saxon telescopes tend to be overpriced and not in the same league as Skywatcher, Vixen etc

Cheers

[Octane]

Trevor,

I thought that all the Orion's, Saxon's, Skywatcher's, etc., came out of the same Synta factory?

Regards,
Humayun

[Wavytone]

Google turned up this

http://www.splendourtrading.com.au/m_schm.html

No prices.

[Neil]

Thanks for the replies fella,s.I,ve also googled and there,s two ad,s in dec s&t,pgs 7&13. But there only telling me how good it is, i,d prefer an independent review. Thanks again,Neil

[toc]

I posted in cloudy nights asking about this scope, but it seems to be a bit of a mystery. Looks like someone here will have to buy one and report back :-)

[dannat]

it looks like it comes from here http://www.alibaba.com/catalog/11064726/8inch_Maksutov_Cassegrain_Telescope s.html aoe sell them also, could ask them.

no reviews could i find

[Wavytone]

There's also this range I haven't seen before. The focal ratios seem a little odd - f/14, then an f/20 (gawd - WHY ???) the smaller scopes may be maks but I suspect the larger ones aren't - they are quite coy about not showing a photo of the front of the scopes.

http://www.orionoptics.co.uk/OMC/omcrange.html

[aerobrake]

I remember reading a review in a British astro mag about a smaller Orion Optics mak and it was given an excellent writeup, I think they are approaching the premium end of the scale. The OMC250 OTA retails for over $3000 AUD!!!!The OMC 250 OTA only with enhanced optics etc retails for just under $6000 AUD, ouch.

[netwolf]

From what I have read the CN Fourms 180mm (like the one Mike aerobrake reviewed) is better than the 200mm version. Andrews were also selling this at one point, but its not on there page anymore.

Regards
Fahim

[Terry B]

Here is another link
http://www.astronomyonline.com.au/ProductMenus/Telescopes/tabid/42/CategoryID/649/List/1/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/86/Language/en-AU/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName% 2cProductName
There was one for sale here in the past.
see
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=25574

I looked into this scope as well and had difficulty finding much info. From what I remember it doesn't seem to have a fan in it and has a non standard thread on the back making attachment of accessories a bit difficult. Good concept though.

[chris lewis]

Hi ! I notice in the latest 'Sky and Telescope' that the price for the OTA on these is on special and now down to $A1400. I was assuming they are Bosma made - they supply an OEM service to Meade and Konus and others but cannot confirm this. Bosma appear to have a variable reputation. These 8 in Maks. do look interesting however - no mirror shift, [yea] small secondary, Crayford focuser etc. As above mentioned there is little info on them and no clear reviews on one. Any one have any more info on these ?

http://www.splendourtrading.com.au/m20325.html

Chris

[toc]

I definitely think you should buy one. Buy, buy, buy! you know you need it :D

...Then you can post a full review for the rest of us :lol:

[Wavytone]

Hmm.. found Bosma, they have a PDF catalog for astronomical telescopes
http://www.bosma.com.cn/en/down1.asp?no1=9

and there is this page
http://www.bosma.com.cn/en/product_info.asp?id=438

Page 6 of the catalog shows a 200mm aperture x 2400mm (f/12) Maksutov with a moving mirror focussing system claimed to have zero image shift. Not a Crayford. Superfically looks a bit better than the Saxon one, though no cooling fan. I have a friend from Guangzhou, might try to find out how much.

Also smaller Maks and mounts; none of their gear looks familiar.