180 Mak v 200 SCT for road trips.

[MattT]

Thoughts on throwing one of these two scopes in a car to mount on an EQ5.

Looking for a bit more compact scope than an ED120 refractor, that will hold collimation well and give good views.
Leaning toward the mak at the moment.
TIA

Edit: Never used a mak or sct and want to have a crayford focuser on the back too!
The alternative is a ST 120 frac I have.

[OzEclipse (Joe Cali)]

Never used either of these. Depends whether you want it for photo or visual?

Suggest you also consider scopes like Takahashi's Mewlon 180C and Mewlon 210 and the Vixen VMC200L(visual) or VC200L(photo-visual).

Skywatcher make a classical cass in addition to the many RC's. All these scopes have no front element so no problems with dew or fogging and you won't have to bring dew cones or heaters.

Vixens come with a high precision R&P focuser. Taks have focus by primary mirror movement.

I have a Vixen VC200L...love it.

Joe

[Saturnine (Jeff)]

As an owner of both types of scopes and depending if wanting to use for imaging or visual or both, the better all round scope would be the SCT. It is lighter in weight and more suited for deep sky than the Mak, which at F15, has a narrower FOV. The EQ5 will better handle the lesser weight of the SCT as well and an SCT Crayford focuser can be easily fitted to the rear of the scope.

[MattT]

Jo….thanks, hadn't thought about the classic cass from gso, food for thought.

Jeff, thanks for your thoughts too. Should have said that this is visual only.

Quite a while ago I did have a 150mm f12 refractor which did get 1.5 degree TFOV with a 40 68 eyepiece, so not too concerned with a bit less from a Mak.

Decision time coming

Matt

[AG Hybrid (Adrian)]

Yo. Well I have a Skywatcher 150 Mak, 8" SCT and a 120ED.

I understand the feeling of the 120ed being annoying to transport due to its length. Lately I've been using my 8" Sct as the views are brighter and with insulation the SCT is grab and go - even in the frigid winter.

But, I would recommend the 180mm Mak for something that will hold collimation the best between it and the 8" SCT. Mostly due to the secondary mirror being an aluminum sticker and not a mirror mounted in the correct plate. Also, if your buying new, the Mak comes with a decent finder scope and scope finder mount, unlike the barely functional trash that my SCT came with. I had to remove the finder dovetail included on the SCT so I could use a decent finder.

[MattT]

Thanks Adrian,
Just put up a wanted ad for a 180 Mak.
🤞