sputniksteve

Must admit I’m a bit perplexed by this. Why would anyone buy this over the AZ-GTI?

Anyone got their hands on one of these yet? for instance: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellalyra-eyepieces/stellalyra-25mm-125-kitakaru-rpl-eyepiece.html

They would be unlikely to. They sell packages with mediocre elements so that you buy better stuff later on.

I don't know when it was originally released. All I know is that the maks have been called Skymax for many years. I picked up a used one last year, on a AZ Goto. Black tube with white ends, with a proper finder (albeit not very good) mounted via a white finder holder. The tube bears the legend "Schott glass", which always makes it sound broken to me!

I'm confused by this. Hasn't the 127 Mak always been called Skymax?

Yeah. It’s ok, but I do want to upgrade it.

The OTA's are identical as far as I know. The AZ-GTi is generally very highly regarded, but you'll want to upgrade the tripod at some pooint. I picked up a used 127 on the old AZ GOTO mount earlier this year and the tripod is a bit naff. It's also difficult to change the tripod because of the unique bowl of the GOTO / SLT mounts, although I've seen it done.

Hi Andy, The information at this website seems to suggest that yes, you can upgrade to a syncscan handset: http://www.opticalvision.co.uk/astronomical_telescopes-sky-watcher-mountings/eq6_syntrek_deluxe_super_heavy_duty_equatorial_mount.html

I didn’t. And now the price has been seriously hiked to £399. 🤪

I was compiling my Xmas wish list last week and put the Celestron StarSense for Sky-Watcher mounts on it. I didn’t really expect my wife to spend £249 on a Xmas prezzie, but I thought nothing ventured and all that. She clicked on the link today and pointed out that the price there is now £399. 😶 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-mounts/celestron-starsense-accessory-for-sky-watcher-mounts.html

This is why FLO gets such positive comments. Excellent customer service.

You mean it doesn't come with a mains power adapter?

Hi Jimmy, Did you get one? How’s it working out? I have the same scope and mount and would like to add a starsense.

So, I had first (and second) light with my new BST StarGuider 8mm this week. I’m very happy with it. Draws out lovely surface detail on Mars and, last night, I’m fairly confident that I could discern the polar ice cap. First light was actually on Thursday where I took my setup to a new friend’s place. He let me try out his atmospheric dispersion corrector with it which really did yield a very sweet view. So guess what’s been added to my Xmas list!

If was still cheaper than anywhere else. Had first light with it yesterday. Very pleased with it.