Anyone else notice how cheap the 7.1" MAK's are becomming?

[g__day (Matthew)]

I was interested reading that Bintel now advertise these at at $1,450 compared to there $2,200 price last month if I'm not mistaken. That makes them only $100 more than the 5" MAK - which seems like a steal to me. I knbow Steve Massey of MyAstroShop has one of these for his personal use - and he says there are superb. Might be worth watching...


Skywatcher Maksutov Cassegrain Pro 180mm OTA https://secure.attl.com.au/bintelshop/Stock/7320.jpg
Click here for larger picture

$1,450.00



Stock code: 7320
Ok so there comes a time in every astronomer's life where you want more power and large aperture. If this sounds like you then maybe its time to try a big Mak! For the most demanding enthusiast, the Skywatcher 180mm Mak sets a new standard for planetary performance in a remarkably compact design. With 7.1" of aperture and that long focal length Mak aficionados love, you'll get tack-sharp, high-contrast views and clearly defined photos with subtle detail.
With 44% more light grasp than the 150mm Mak, you'll get brighter images and better resolution with less eyepiece magnification than other designs. Its big aperture and 2,700mm focal length (f/15) are the perfect combination of brightness, contrast, and definition for planets, double-stars, and deep-sky targets.
Includes:
- 9x50mm Finderscope and bracket
- 25mm and 9mm LET eyepieces
-1.25-inch Visual back adapter and star diagonal
-Dovetail bar suitable for HEQ5 or EQ6 and many other mounts using dovetail fittings.
Specifications:
Diameter: 180mm
Focal Length: 2700mm
F/ratio: F/15

[iceman (Mike)]

I was looking through Chris Wakeman's (33South) 7" SkyWatcher Mak at the SPSP.. at the long focal length and slow scope it wasn't a wide field of view, but with the 40mm eyepiece there was plenty of nice contrast and the view of Eta Carinae and Omega Centauri were very nice.

[toc (Tim)]

Originally Posted by g__day

I was interested reading that Bintel now advertise these at at $1,450 compared to there $2,200 price last month if I'm not mistaken. That makes them only $100 more than the 5" MAK - which seems like a steal to me. I knbow Steve Massey of MyAstroShop has one of these for his personal use - and he says there are superb. Might be worth watching...

How would this scope compare to my C8 for planetary and lunar?

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

I looked through one on several occasions. Very nice with pinpoint stars. Only thing I did not like is sloppy focuser with plenty of image shift. Great value at under $1500. Toc, it would be comparable to the C8 - maybe better contrast. CO is about 30% (25% mirror + 5% from internal baffle iirc). Compared NGC 253 (silver coin) in the 180mm mak and 8" f/4 Newt - not much between these two.

[33South (Chris)]

I really like mine, not the ultimate all purpose scope I had hoped for, but close.

But then what is ?

I would rate it above any 8" SCT I've used. As already said it gives great contrasty views of anything that can take a bit of magnification.

Due to the long focal length (2700) the problems with the focus mechanism is magnified and a pain, but I stuck on a Meade 1209 that really helps.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by janoskiss

Compared NGC 253 (silver coin) in the 180mm mak and 8" f/4 Newt - not much between these two.

About $1000 I'd say

What I would love to see is someone making small-medium newtonians with premium optics.

[bluescope]

I get my replacement 180mm Mak tomorrow. The one I bought had some black paint flakes on secondary mirror and neither I nor the dealer wanted to try to take it apart to clean it. I suspect it may have had a heavy knock in transportation. I got it for $1,430 .... great deal and from what I saw very promising scope ..... great contrast and flat field view. Can't wait to pick up my new one and have some clear skies here in the West.

[Ingo]

I wouldn't call that cheap