stuy

Romano Zen makes a high end optical telescopes in Italy he used to make complete tube assembly, but now just makes optics , his optics Have been tested by Wolfgang rohr in Germany at high strehl values 99. Etc .. they don’t come up often

Yes it’s the best thing I’ve ever done ! having used large maks for many years I had my doubts , BUT what a difference I can start viewing almost straight away simple idea but gives massive rewards stu

Finally got the AP 1200 up and running thought I’d need a few counter weights but the weights that came with mount will suffice ! A few quid saved there 😳 impressed with quality of the AP Mount its carrying the 12” zen maksutov with ease regards all stu

Yes !! And I’ve one 👍 which will go on as soon as the weather plays ball 🙄

Great mounts and the benchmark that’s been copied for years , when properly polar aligned very good indeed 👍

Managed to acquire a AP1200gto at a good price with the cpo4 drive compared to my existing Gemini 41 ( eq8 copied it) it is massive , so progress now follows as I prepare a mount pier and tripod , the mount will carry a 36 kg 12” maksutov ! Progress pics to follow stu

Yes doesn’t it 😂but it transformed the scope , I’m going to do the 10” mak newt dob next 👍

After much thought I double wrapped the zen in an reflective insulation to reduce the thermal issues that come with these large maksutovs , I was very surprised with the results ! so from bringing the scope from house to garden a difference of 12 degrees centigrade was noted , and it took 15 min set up the scope , I thought it would need say 1 or 2 hours to get thermally stable , But I was wrong I put in a 7 mm Pentax and had a quick look at the moon and was blown away from the image stable ! No thermal plumes from baffles at intra focus incredible ! It works simple , effective,cheap, easy to do so if you do have a maksutov or even a Cassegrain try this simple idea , that will now transform the waiting time for these scopes to acquire thermal stability

Old post this but what a lovely job he has done I’d buy one for sure 👍

Very nice 👍who made the mirror ? F ratio ?

Looking good for Sunday night I wonder how many will turn out ?

I am tempted !! Only 45 min from me

Hi all is this still on ????

I think we’ve started a Mak withdraws syndrome @PaulC-I yes ! But seriously you are the Mak man Paul 👏and anyone who needs any work or advice on these highly specialised scopes should contact you 👏👏👍

I used to image many years ago but just do visual now

He will make them up to f30 !! Just tell him the configuration you require

Yes I’m the same as you I’ve a 10” Mak newt as well and this 12” hits the scales at 30kg 😳 there are not many of these big Maks out there I will not sell this as I did with the 10” f15 intes micro 😩 but the build and optics of this zen are incredible

@PaulC-I this is the chap 👍👍

Hows the collimation going ?? 😀

One thing i will add is that paul Cruikshank inns is THE man on maksutov type telescopes his knowledge is second to none and a true craftsman can’t recommend him highly enough ( he also owns 2 10” Maks newt and cass)! So bring on Mars and Jupiter Saturn and some fuzzies 😀

Hi yes Romano doesn’t speak English but I use a translator app to send him emails his scopes are superb as tested by Wolfgang rohr strehl of 98/99 he only does optical sets now not whole tube assembly’s mine was the last it’s a compromise being f9 and a CO of 32%

Finally got to do a quick test with the big maksutov a very big thank you to paul Cruikshank inns (paul c) who is an expert in all things maksutov Cassegrain or Newtonian 👍he made a stunning dew shield from carbon fibre , initial collimation from viewing the front of scope checking for concentricty looked very good ,as did the holographic laser projection , the scope was left outside for a hour before I used it but it did need a bit longer as I could see a heat plume from baffle but I was desperate just to look through it having received it a while ago, so straight into Polaris to check collimation which showed primary collimation was spot on (Intra focus ) but on extra focus ( secoundry )need a small tweak which I will do at a later date under better seeing conditions , then onto Venus using various filters I was very impressed with initial views showing subtle shading first for me as I normally concentrate on the gas giants !! The image snapped into focus and no image shift what so ever super smooth indeed looks like my planned planetary holiday to Spain in summer is a no go for obvious reasons but hopefully soon to do a proper session on possibly a well placed moon thanks stuart

Hi can anyone recommend a saddle plate that has the drop in or tilt in function to balance tube not the thread in type as my scope weighs 30kg!! My mount it a Gemini. 42 observatory mount thanks stu

Hi from a wet carephilly 😳