Opinions on Maks - 127mm or 150mm

[MortonH]

For some reason I've started longing for a smallish Maksutov-Cassegrain. I've always loved small scopes and have owned several small refractors over the years but the only Mak I've ever owned or used was an Intes Micro 715D, which was not really "small".

I like the look of the Intes Micro M500 but it's only 127mm and compared to my existing scopes I'm not sure it really offers anything new or better. Next size up is 150mm which is more tempting, but the budget would require a drop down in quality to something like a Skywatcher.

Anyone have experience of small Maks? I see there have been a few sold here in the past. I'm particularly curious about performance on deep sky objects like globs and galaxies.

Thanks

Morton

[mercedes_sl1970]

Hi Morton

I quite like Maks for the very reasons you mentioned - compact, quick set up, low weight (generally), etc. I currently have an Intes MN500 (bought here) which produces rather good, clean, sharp images. At f10 the magnifications don't get too high. Lovely to use on the solar system and ok for brighter DSOs, not a huge FOV but fine for me.

If I didn't have an 8" dob thing, I think I would have considered a 6" Mak, but, costs do start to rise, and unless you go for an Intes you will end up with longish focal lengths. At that size, for me I would potentially be thinking about a used C8. Then there is the issue of mounting and having something steady enough.

Lots of trade-offs, but I think a 6" Mak would be useful, fun and physically easy to use.

Andrew

[Logieberra (Logan)]

Morton, something else to consider -Tal. A mate has the 8" version. It astounds me how stubby and portable that thing is (small being one of your requirements). I'd swear it's half the length of a fellow 8" SCT. More importantly, that short tube does great things with cool down times (Macs are not forgiving there). Also, the Russians are on to something with the 'Kletskov' (sp?) design. It's a real performer. Very fine detail for planetary viewing.

[Wavytone]

Hi Morton,

I had a Meade 4" SCT for years as a travelscope, originally purchased to see solar eclipses, as this worked quite well on a sturdy camera tripod which I still have. But it was a bit small for anything else - I used a 6" f/5 for astrophotography and a C8 for visual, as well as a fast 12" newtonian.

A 5" or 6" Mak would also work quite well as a travelscope, but the mount will be the challenge. I suspect that if you are prepared to lug the mount, you're rapidly gong to wish you has a 7" or 8" scope - the 6" Maks are a bit small for most things.

BTW I have two Maks - an Intes 180mm f/10 and a Skywatcher 180mm f/15, bigger than what you have in mind but they suit me fine.

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by Logieberra

Morton, something else to consider -Tal. A mate has the 8" version. It astounds me how stubby and portable that thing is (small being one of your requirements). I'd swear it's half the length of a fellow 8" SCT. More importantly, that short tube does great things with cool down times (Macs are not forgiving there). Also, the Russians are on to something with the 'Kletskov' (sp?) design. It's a real performer. Very fine detail for planetary viewing.

Yes, the TALs are very impressive, but unfortunately pricey and heavy. The 150mm model is A$1750 new - way out of my price range.

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by Wavytone

Hi Morton,

A 5" or 6" Mak would also work quite well as a travelscope, but the mount will be the challenge. I suspect that if you are prepared to lug the mount, you're rapidly gong to wish you has a 7" or 8" scope - the 6" Maks are a bit small for most things.

Exactly my concern - a 6" Mak may be good but ultimately a bit limiting. But then it wouldn't be my main scope- still have my 8" Newt for that.

[Wavytone]

Hmmm... I'm fairly sure that with the 8" and 6" side-by-side, you'll opt for the 8" 99% of the time.

A few years ago I also bought a 102mm ED f/7 refractor as a travelscope (memories of the 4" Meade) but frankly it doesn't get much use - invariably I take one or both of my 7" Maks.

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by Wavytone

Hmmm... I'm fairly sure that with the 8" and 6" side-by-side, you'll opt for the 8" 99% of the time.

A few years ago I also bought a 102mm ED f/7 refractor as a travelscope (memories of the 4" Meade) but frankly it doesn't get much use - invariably I take one or both of my 7" Maks.

That's kind of what happened with my Megrez 72. Thought it would be good for travel and birding but I haven't used it at all. Always wanted to take at least my SV80ED instead. The good news is that my new DSV-1 mount is capable of holding two scopes up to 4" refractor or 8" SCT. And my Stellarvue travel tripod is only 20" long when collapsed. So the scope limit is what will fit in the car with the family and other luggage, which means the 8" Newt and Stellarvue 110ED get left at home. A 7" Mak or 8" SCT would also be too big to squeeze in, but perhaps a side-by-side combo of the SV80ED and a small Mak would be the ideal compromise.

[Logieberra (Logan)]

Mak for sale here?
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=108848

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by Logieberra

Mak for sale here?
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=108848

Pretty sure an Intes 6" will be out of my price range. I'll need to sell my Megrez 72 first anyway.

[Steffen]

Actually, with my 6" Intes Mak and the 8" GSO Dob side by side, I opt for the Mak much more often, even though it takes a lot more effort to set up (it's on an HEQ5 Pro mount). I only take out the Dob when it looks like favourable viewing conditions will be short-lived, or when we have visitors and need multiple scopes.

For me the 6" Mak strikes the optimal compromise between aperture, affordability, optical quality and practicality.

Cheers
Steffen.

[MortonH]

Thanks, Steffen. Very useful.

Just realised that I forgot to come and check out your Mak at IISAC!

[Steffen]

Hi Morton,
I hope to be at the Katoomba airfield next new moon, and possibly at Linden the first and laster quarter Moon weekends before and after that.

Cheers
Steffen.

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by Steffen

Hi Morton,
I hope to be at the Katoomba airfield next new moon, and possibly at Linden the first and laster quarter Moon weekends before and after that.

Cheers
Steffen.

An extra incentive for me to make my first Katoomba night then!

[Wavytone]

Morton,

There are 3 maks going here on the IIS forum - a 90mm and two 150mm, you could easily try one of these and if you don't like it resell it with negligible loss beyond the cost of freight/postage.

Weather permitting I'm often at the northern Sydney AS Friday nights at Turramurra, and hopefully the Katoomba evening.

[MortonH]

It's all about raising the cash now. The Megrez 72 is up for sale and we'll see what happens.

Looking out the window right now I need a boat more than a scope!

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

If the weather holds up (sorry, British pessimism about the weather still dominant ), I should be at Katoomba with my C8 too, so that might be another interesting comparison.

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

If the weather holds up (sorry, British pessimism about the weather still dominant ), I should be at Katoomba with my C8 too, so that might be another interesting comparison.

Mate, I'm from Western Scotland, so pessimism about the weather runs in my veins!

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

LOL sounds like we're having a better winter than the summer they're having back "home", so I think our senses are justified (especially with the weather in Sydney this weekend )

[FJA (Faith)]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

LOL sounds like we're having a better winter than the summer they're having back "home", so I think our senses are justified (especially with the weather in Sydney this weekend )

The summer is pretty good here on England's South Coast this year. Warm, pretty sunny, not bad at all.