Maksutov telescopes

Just wondering how many people here have a maksutov telescope?
I came across this scope:
www.apm-telescopes.de/skymax-180-maksuto...a_proinfo_12690.html

180mm f/15. Focal length = 2700mm
Secondary obstruction is not too big either.
Should be very good planetary scope, in theory.
Anyone seen one?

Michael

I have an ETX 105, 1470mm FL, f/14 that provides some excellent views of the moon and sun, haven't tried it on the planets yet.

Hey, Michael.

I have an APM Mak-Cass, but it's one of their custom jobbies (based on Intes Micro optics), rather than a production model.

The 180 f/15 is probably a fine scope, but there's no substitute for aperture (even on the planets). My money's on your SCT wiping the floor with it.

If you're looking for something more portable, though, then it's certainly got appeal.

-- Jeff.

well,
I got a f12 6" intes maksutov and find that the star images are extremely small, even for the brightest stars, however the image scale for the planets is considerably smaller then you'd find compared to a 12" SCT, now its been several years since Ive put these scopes up against each other and it would be interesting to do so again, to be honest I didnt have good seeing so it wasnt a good comparison.
As for maintainance the mak is MUCH hardet to collimate, but not impossible.

jeyjey wrote:

Hey, Michael.

I have an APM Mak-Cass, but it's one of their custom jobbies (based on Intes Micro optics), rather than a production model.

The 180 f/15 is probably a fine scope, but there's no substitute for aperture (even on the planets). My money's on your SCT wiping the floor with it.

If you're looking for something more portable, though, then it's certainly got appeal.

-- Jeff.

Hmm interesting. Would be great to do a back-to-back sometime.
Wouldn't hvave much need for a portable mak though, to be honest.