nfotis

Any news? I haven't received mine, yet. I guess that I'll have to initiate a dispute with the seller... (it's been my first transaction through this site) N.F.

Probably the simplest method would be to use a camera dovetail with 1/4" tripod screws, like this https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dovetails-saddles-clamps/astro-essentials-dovetail-bars.html Due to availability, I bought a video tripod dovetail, but I had to cut some of its ears in order to fit in the Vixen saddle of my HEQ5 mount. N.F.

I don't know if there's much astronomy done in Switzerland, but even here in Greece I was able to score a used HEQ5 mount (and the seller was even within walking distance from my home in Athens!). I think that there are many German language astronomy fora which could help in searching for used equipment (nearly everything I bought was in the previous year, used). N.F.

Nothing yet (I would be surprised to receive anything in less than ten days from my order, provided that the origin address is inside EU - if the origin is outside EU, all bets are off, but a month is not unusual) N.F.

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I am wondering if the latest Bresser 152/1900 Hexafoc and the iOptron/Bosma 150 Maks are better than the Skymax 150? Own an old Skymax 127 at the moment, and I am thinking about going one step larger (HEQ5 mount). The Skymax 180 seems too much (and I own a C9.25 already). N.F.

I find it interesting that the OP went twice for the Skymax 127, with the 180 jump. Why not try the Skymax 150 in the second time? N.F.

I don't know this particular scope, but at 900mm you can fill half the SLR frame with the Moon. Check with the Field of View calculator in this link, if you want to understand the possibilities with various scopes/eyepieces/cameras combinations (both in Visual and Imaging mode): https://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/ For used equipment, this forum has a Classifieds section (you could put a "wanted" ad for an 80ED scope, for example): https://stargazerslounge.com/forum/216-astro-classifieds/ There are also various sites for used equipment in UK, USA and elsewhere, like https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/, Cloudy Nights https://www.cloudynights.com/classifieds/ etc. Of course, "caveat emptor" holds. One major problem with stores is the low availability of astronomy equipment, due to the pandemic and the logistics problems. For example, the FLO site shows only four (!) telescopes in stock (from many dozens of models). Check about availability in each store before you put any order. You may want to check with this Polish shop, too, they claim availability for multiple scopes: https://teleskopy.pl/Telescopes-cat-21.html Hope this helps, N.F.

Maksutov-Cassegrain are reflectors (use mirrors) in order to offer a long focal distance (eg 1500mm) compared to a refractor (typical glass scopes). Here is a reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maksutov_telescope These are excellent for moon and planetary targets. A used Skymax 127 or a Bresser 127/1900 can offer impressive planetary views, if you have a good atmosphere/seeing. N.F.

Hello there, I think that a used ED80 scope might be a good starting point? Also, you can find used 102 or 127mm Maksutov scopes at 200 or so EUR, if you prefer to look at planetary targets (Moon, planets and the Sun - the latter requires a solar filter). A used scope mount may be included (but I wouldn't bet on it). Check at the ads in specialized forums like this one before you make a leap. We found a new 80ED scope from Svbony at 215 EUR via Aliexpress, but it doesn't include eyepieces or diagonal (these would set you back around 50 EUR from the same shop), But no mount/tripod is included in that price. N.F. PS. Oh, and happy birthday!

Didn't order a diagonal (not available in that store), I think that I'll re-use one from my Skymax 127 for now. Ordered an eyepiece, though, to complement my 6mm. In the meantime, I shot some photos of the Moon with my camera and a telephoto lens. N.F.

Oh well, I succumbed to temptation and ordered one anyway... N.F.

In my opinion, a Maksutov like the Skymax 127 or the Bresser 127/1900 would be better suited for planetary observation and imaging. N.F

Don't forget that the OTA isn't the whole weight/bulk. You have to add diagonal, eyepiece, guider, camera etc. All this starts to become really unwieldy quickly for a single person. For me, the C11 and C14 need either a permanent setup or a very organized mounting method if you are alone. N.F.

One thing I don't find about this scope is the backfocus for mounting a camera. Is it 55mm, 80mm or something else? I own an ASI 462C and Canon DSLR cameras, so I wonder what is needed for attaching these to this scope. N.F.

For me, the C9.25 is the practical limit for a person carrying and installing alone on an equatorial mount. A HEQ5 mount is barely capable of it, a NEQ6 should handle it quite easily. The focal distance difference from the C11 isn't great, but the weight and price difference is quite noticeable (I suspect that the NEQ6 will be near the limit with the C11) N.F.

If I am not mistaken, you fitted a 1.25" Lacerta wedge? How much backfocus does it consume? N.F.

Intriguing. Waiting for your experience with this one. N.F.

So, you need only a phone usb to PC style USB B connector? Which software do you use? (I own a 462c myself) N.F.

There's an adaptor from Astromechanics for EF lenses, you can fit a filter wheel and a dedicated camera in the 44mm backfocus. N.F.

If you dislike spider vanes, the best options seem to be the Skymax 180 and the C9.25 XLT (you don't need the Edge HD for planetary imaging). Add a 2x Barlow and a camera like the ASI 462 for planetary imaging, and maybe an ADC. Disadvantage of these two is a requirement for waiting for thermal equilibrium (especially the big Mak, with its thick corrector glass). A HEQ5 mount class seems to be the minimum for both. You can use reflectix, in order to reduce the thermal plumes inside the scopes. N.F.

It looks slimmer compared to the other SCTs, but appearances deceive. I feel that this is the maximum size for a one man SCT, the bigger sizes practically require two people to mount and unmount safely. N.F.

I haven't used this adaptor myself, but I cannot see why it won't work (I don't remember where it draws the power for operation, I would guess via the micro USB connector?) If you check the page https://astromechanics.org/ascom.html , you should notice that there are multiple versions of this adapter, due to the needed thickness of different astro cameras. Check also the various PDF pages for each adapter available. The most typical example is the M42 version: https://astromechanics.org/downloads/ascom_ef/en/manual/controller_m42.pdf N.F.

Since I own the 400/5.6L, doing a good focusing would be nice (and avoid buying a dedicated telescope like an Askar 400). One possibility is this Astromechanics adaptor I mentioned. Theoretically, it should give the most accurate focusing mechanism, since you can use the smallest possible step of the USM motors. Another (cheaper) option would be a follow focus ring, that would be a first approximation (the aperture could be controlled from a Canon DSLR - you do a 'depth of field' confirmation check with the dedicated button, then remove the lens while you keep pressed this button, and you have the aperture fixed for the astro camera) N.F.

At least, Astromechanics has an ascom compatible focuser for EF lenses. Another possibility is to use a follow focus ring and handle. N.F.

I am wondering, since I own a Skymax 127 (bought used), would it be worth it to buy a 150 and replace it? It should be a tad sharper and permit the use of a full frame dSLR (the 127 vignettes badly above APS sensor size). Also own a C9.25 XLT, so I feel that there's no real need for another large planetary scope (was thinking about a Skymax 180 before I decided on a 'jack of all trades' SCT). Using a HEQ5 mount at the moment. N.F.