My new weapon!

[recceranger]

Well after much deliberating and general mincing about I took the plunge and bought myself the 180 Mak Pro.  Dew shield included!  Have thought long and hard and got plenty of advice from all at SGL (with much thanks).  Looked at the pro's and con's from top to bottom, left to right and inside out!  The pro's most definitely out way the con's.

The Mak then for vis and my guided ED80 Pro for AP.  All came together in the end.  The new weapon of choice arrives in a few days.

Thanks again to all who put up with my endless Q's on the issue.

Rick

[RobertI]

That looks like a really nice scope. Let us know how you get on.

[Naemeth]

I sincerely hope you aren't planning on DS AP, you'll need to spend a while on perfecting guiding. Should be excellent for planetary AP, looking forward to first light . 

[swamp thing]

Hi Rick

Those 180 Maks are great scopes alright, they make great planetary scopes and work really nicely on the smaller DSOs too.

Enjoy

[Steve Ward]

Congratulations ... 

Great scope , fabulous planetary viewer not to mention the fact that it loves the Moon and Sun as well as small DSO'S , double stars , clusters etc , etc .... 

[Joves]

Nice work, Rick. I'm sure you'll love your new Mak. Will make a very nice visual companion to your ED80!

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Sounds like an excellent combo, in much the same way as my C8 + APM 80mm combo. I use the 80mm for wide field, white-light solar, and hope to do guided imaging, and the C8 is the main planetary and DSO visual scope. Don't let anybody let you believe the mak is unsuitable for DSO viewing! Its performance on DSOs should be very similar to my C8's, and with say a 40mm Aero EP it should be excellent on galaxies and many other DSOs.

[faulksy]

dont forget to show us pics when it comes and do a first light report

[recceranger]

Guys,

Thanks and will send a report when it arrives.

Steve,

I see your using a Revelation Focuser on yours.  Can I ask how you attached etc?  This is the only issue Im concerned about regarding the Mak!

Rick

[Steve Ward]

Hi Rick ,

I had to get an adapter from Graham at Astrotec ( http://www.astrotecuk.co.uk/contact%20us.html )  

But it's worth checking with your supplier because I think that SW have changed the thread on the back of the Mak180 ( yet again ! ) and it now takes the Revelation focuser direct.

[nightfisher]

nice scope, i should know i had one up till a few weeks back, i sold my 180 pro to get the 150 pro as i can use the smaller scope on my AZ4 mount, making it more "grab an go"

[Doley68]

Rick, I've had a 180 pro for over a year now and love it.

In fact I'm going out to point it at Jupiter right now!

Chris.

[recceranger]

Guys thanks again.  I will get a few FL shots of jupiter etc when I get it set up and get them on the forum.

Steve thank for the heads up and the link.  I will take a butchers

In addition to my last and completely flying of the subject;

Jonathan Ross this Sat.  Professor Brian Cox weaving his magic.

Dont miss it!

[jonathan]

Just curious...  how does the 180 Mak compare to the 8SE?  One inch less aperture, is that it?

[recceranger]

There is a Santa!

[Steve Ward]

Just curious...  how does the 180 Mak compare to the 8SE?  One inch less aperture, is that it?

8SE .... FL 2032mm @ f10 ,

Mak180Pro .... FL 2700mm @ f15.

[hobsey]

Very nice.

I'm getting very jealous of these larger maks that are being purchased at the moment.

[starman1969]

It is a beautiful thing.