Freaking 'puters!
I was going to make an addition to my post, and, WHAMO, I deleted the bloody thing!
I got really, really peeved I came within a whisker of tossing the damned thing! I've only calmed down enough now this morning to dare have another look.
Hotdog, I see you where replying to my now deleted post. Amazing 'backup' of my post you've got there,
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The new maks come with 2" focusers? Interesting. I'd be suspicious that this mod is only to accomodate the larger focuser, rather than an actual mod to the primary too. I'd talk to Bintel and Andrews about that one. Making a larger hole in the primary really impedes its performance. Doesn't make sense to me. I can see the advantage in larger Maks and SCTs, as this hole won't be larger than the secondary obstruction. But in a 6"?
Yes both Maks and SCTs are Cat's, but thier optical technicalities are distinct. You will see that a Maks tube is longer than a SCTs for the same size apeture. This will tell you that the primary and secondary are performing differently between the two styles. The focal reducers for SCTs are designed FOR SCTs. The light path coming from a Maks secondary is a different shape to that from an SCT.
"Just because" you live in a light polluted sky enviroment doesn't mean you need to sell yourself short on performance. It is easier to go "up" in f/ratio (with eyepieces and barlows), much harder to go "down" (reducers can introduce unwanted aberrations). It would be a shame to find your f/ratio is too slow in those chances you do get to go to a dark sky.
I'll give you an example. My f/4.5 17.5" dob is out performed here at home (eastern suburbs Sydney) by my f/4 8" dob, and a mate's f/4.5 13.1" dob. It may not seem like much in f/ratio terms, But in a light polluted sky, it made all the difference in seeing DSO's and not! Some may argue that the large apeture of the 17.5" and 13.1" also introduced more light pollution. I beg to differ.
20X80 binos are fantastic! I'd love to get my mits on a pair. They are also useful from Town too! Very, very useful. I've got a 10X50 pair, and I've been able to see the Sombrero galaxy and M83 galaxy through them, again here from home. Your 20X80 will give amazing views of the sky. Do you have them set up on a tripod?
Hotdog, I've got a standing invitation to IIS members to join me at my place to sketch the Moon this weekend, starting tonight (weather permitting). You'd be welcome. See this thread for details:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...626#post686626
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PS You might like to drop a PM to Wavytone on the subject. I don't know of many others who have the optical experience he does. His current "love" is a 7" skywatcher mak. This is Wavytone's member's page:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/member.php?u=5373