Skywatcher Mak150 Pro

[StarScream]

Hi All, I'm new to posting on IIS, its a great site.

I'm thinking of buying a Skywatcher Mak150 Pro with HEQ5 Pro mount from BTOW in Perth. I would like to get peoples advice and experience on this telescope.

I did an astronomy unit at uni using a Meade 8" M3 and would love to get a Meade 8" but no store in Perth sells them. If I get a thumbs down for the Mak150 I'll look to buying a Meade or Celestron online.

Initially I'd like to see the planets, then of course nebulas, clusters and galaxys, and then Id like to photograph them.

Hope I don't seem to be asking too much.
I've got $2500 to spend, which I accidentally saved.

Thanks,
Stephen

[TrevorW]

Hi Stephen

Try shopping around on line and get ex East such places as Bintel / Andrews Communication, Myastroshop etc. B tween u & me you can sometimes pick up a better deal from these guys. I've dealt with them all on and off over the years and the service has been great.

Personally if you can go too $3000 look at a Vixen 8" SC on a EQ5 pro mount but thats only my advice for what it's worth.

Do the research check all the reviews available locally and overseas before investing in a scope. Also look at what you want to do with it etc.

Things like portability, taking away on a camping trip and whether you may want to take up astrophotography

Clear Skies

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Hi Stephen,

Andrews pretty much cant be beaten for price in my opinion. They have a GOTO version package of what you want for much less than you are willing to spend and the change could buy some astrophotography gear and or quality eyepieces / barlow.

PROMAK150 150mm x 1800mm Maksutov-Cassegrain (inclusions as per OTA below) with HEQ5PRO SynScan Go-To white coloured equatorial mount/tripod, V3.0 flash programmable hand controller and aluminium carry case!

$1599 for the package and comes with 5yr warranty and free freight Australia wide!

Website is here

This is a good quality scope, but as I am sure they will come from far and wide to tell you, the experts here on IIS probably will not recommend the Promak for Deep Sky Onject Photography as its focal length is too long. You may be better off with a quality ED80-120 if you seriously want to spend up to $2500. These are the ones I see all the time used for AP of DSO's.

Cheers

Chris

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

Personally if you can go too $3000 look at a Vixen 8" SC on a EQ5 pro mount but thats only my advice for what it's worth.

I hoped you meant Heq5 pro as I wouldn't recommend an eq5 for carrying an 8 inch anything!

[PeteMo (Pete)]

Keith/Brian at BTOW have viewing nights every thursday (weather permitting) where you can try before you buy, so get along and check them out.

I got my SkyWatcher 10" Dob plus a few other bits and bobs from BTOW and can recommend them.

[TrevorW]

Geoff typo meant heq5 pro in my opinion if you can stretch go to the 8" over a 6" anytime the extra 2" makes a world of difference

[StarScream]

Ok, thanks for the advice and recommendations, and yes that is a good price from Andrews. I will do some more investigations.

[Maverick]

Hi StarScream!
I'v bought Mak150 and HEQ5 about year ago from BTOW.Keith was great and will recommend BTOW any time.Also I know that in BTOW any price can be matched even that from Andrews so you can have waranty localy.About Mak150 is great scope with GoTo.If you can get it for $1599 I'v paid more and Bintel is selling it curently for over $3000.

Good luck

[StarScream]

Thanks Maverick, thats good to hear.

[dazastar]

I wouldn't be to concerned with warranty and dealing with local suppliers etc. I've been dealing with Andrews now for 4 years and have never had a problem with service. On the odd accasion i've needed warranty etc, Andrews were quick to respond with replacements. Andrews have a 150 x 1900 Mak that's andrews branded for $499 and is in my opinion better than the skywatcher as it has a focuser that can take both 2" and 1.25" eyepieces and has excellent optics. Couple that with a goto mount and you have a real winner. Many at my club and others have commented how clear and sharp it is to look through.

Hope this helps