One trick pony

[recceranger]

Had my doubts about versatility of the MAK 150 but after viewing M67 and the Leo Triplet my mind is put at rest

Even during pretty poor seeing I must say the resolution was very good. That was using the supplied 28mm LET EP giving around x 64

M67 perfectly framed within FOV

[alan potts]

I have the slightly larger one and i often wonder where the idea that these are Planets and Double scopes comes from. I don't use it that often but I have found it very good on a wide range of DSO's, about the only thing it won't do is wide field views and it's not on its own there, my 12 inch SC will not either. Very good scopes for the money.

Alan

[recceranger]

Agreed Alan, very happy and it compliments my SW ED80 nicely. The visual back is pants though! This will definitely get an upgrade in future

Looking ahead I think I'm still in the market for an SCT myself, probably a C9'25 or if too much for the HEQ5 a C8

[Stu]

I agree, even my f20 Mak was great on a whole range of smaller DSO's including globs and planetary nebulae. Enjoy the scope!

[Macavity]

Quite so! At f=1800, the MAK150 gives ~60x and just over a degree field with

(say) my 31mm Baader Aspheric Hyperion. Quite sufficient for most DSOs.

Shares many "general purpose" characteristics of the ever-popular MAK127.

Closest I'll get to a "six inch APO" type (Hey, we can dream?) scope...

I did add a TS Monorail focusser - The MK.I Gold ones have slight image shift.

[alan potts]

Agreed Alan, very happy and it compliments my SW ED80 nicely. The visual back is pants though! This will definitely get an upgrade in future

Looking ahead I think I'm still in the market for an SCT myself, probably a C9'25 or if too much for the HEQ5 a C8

Recceranger,

I agree the visual back is absolutely awful it's in the bin, mine has the Mak thread so I had to spend about 45 quid getting the adapter, then fitted my Meade 2 inch SC back, as it has a Moonlite on.

The finder could be better but as I have 5 finders ranging from 360 euros to the SW which would be the cheapest and this I consider best maybe I am the fault.

I gave the eyepieces and diagonal away as I use better ones.  However for the cost of the scope the optics I feel make up for any downsides. It is much the same with the M/N 190mm they do as well, great optics not so hot with bolt on bits.

I would buy them again though so I guess they have it right, I would like to see these scopes offered with either a small discount for scope only or a premium for better add on parts, in 2015 that can't be that hard.

I fancy a nice 80mm scope too

I had a HEQ 5 Pro and that handled a M/N 190 fairly well for visual, it should be OK with an 8 inch I would have thought but I think 9.25 may be a bit big on the EQ5.

Alan