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I'm loving this little MAK, the perfect grab-n-g0

Discussion in 'Telescopes and Mounts' started by Zen Kletsyn, Dec 2, 2017.

I'm loving this little MAK, the perfect grab-n-g0

Started by Zen Kletsyn on Dec 2, 2017 at 9:41 PM

6 Replies 3264 Views 1 Likes

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  1. Zen Kletsyn

    Zen Kletsyn Member

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    Zen Kletsyn, Dec 2, 2017
    #1
    Recently acquired a Sky-Watcher Virtuoso 90mm Mak. It's the first Mak I've ever owned. As far as grab and go "goes", I can't imagine a better setup. I ran a 3/8th inch bolt up through the seat of a 29-inch tall wooden stool and thus secured the telescope. Hung an 8 lb sandbag from a crossmember of the stool for stability. Upgraded the diagonal and employed my better eyepieces (although my wife said the view of the moon with the stock 10 was the best she had ever seen---- I have to admit, it was ok, but not even close to what we saw with an Explore Scientific 14mm.) My previous "grab-n-go" setup was a Celestron C6SE, this is lighter, quicker, and being under Bortle 7 skies, the aperture difference is inconsequential.
     

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  2. Mak the Night

    Mak the Night Well-Known Member

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    Mak the Night, Dec 3, 2017
    #2
    I have the Orion equivalent of that OTA. It is a great little grab'n'go scope.

    Orion Starmax 90mm.jpg

    A 14mm eyepiece gives an almost perfect one millimetre exit pupil. I often use a 102mm Sky-Watcher Mak with certain eyepieces equipped with a reducer to give a larger exit pupil than normally achieved on a small Mak.

    19mm Panoptic TSO red.jpg

    Some eyepieces can vignette slightly, but in the main it can work.

    b4.jpg
     
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  3. Dave In Vermont

    Dave In Vermont Well-Known Member

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    Dave In Vermont, Dec 3, 2017
    #3
    I guess you now know why I tell people not to be deceived by a Maksutovs' diminutive size. And refer to these scopes as 'powerhouses' and similar words - no matter which size of these you first buy. A 90mm for you, Zen, and a 150mm for Yours' Truly.

    And the views they give you/me! Wow!!

    Dave

    p.s. - Whether a Skywatcher, Orion, or a Celestron - these Maks are all from Synta in the P.R. China. Excellent scopes! Only the peripherals differ. My 150mm is also 'branded' Skywatcher.
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2017
  4. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Dec 3, 2017
    #4
    I love my 127mm Mak or "Lil' Mak" as I like to call it. I took it with me on a 240 mile journey to the Cherokee Reservation in NC to catch the total eclipse, and I carry it around with me to dark sites to kill some planets and bright DSOs. Def my preferred grab'n'go!

    21057730_10211519834606346_799298431_o.jpg
    Reggie
     
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  5. Zen Kletsyn

    Zen Kletsyn Member

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    Zen Kletsyn, Dec 4, 2017
    #5
    Dave, I believe I see something like a 150 in my future--- just have to wait the appropriate amount of time since my last big purchase so that I'm not kicked out of the house....
     
  6. Dave In Vermont

    Dave In Vermont Well-Known Member

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    Dave In Vermont, Dec 4, 2017
    #6
    A common lament, I'm sorry to say. :D
     
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  7. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Dec 4, 2017
    #7
    First, welcome to AC. I have a couple of Maks, a 127mm and a 150mm. They are wonderful instruments for observing planets and the moon. Glad you are enjoying yours.

    Ed D
     
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