NEW SCOPE DAY ( sorry for the cloud )

[Stu1smartcookie]

Hi all , 

just wanted to announce my new arrival , I have , today , taken delivery of the skymax 150 pro. . Initially I wanted a large refractor and tried to purchase the bresser 127/1200 ( but the supplier still hasn’t delivered )so I changed tak and bought the skymax, mainly for the long focal length , to use as a planetary scope , which I know they excel at . So , the delivery came at 4pm ( Thanks Rother Valley Optics) and ever since it’s been cloudy and raining zzz . Whilst I’ve heard good things about this scope I am still a bit in two minds about it , mainly because there has been quite a bit of negativity regarding cool down times and  dew . Also it obviously has limitations regarding FOV . So , I am hoping for a little bit of reassurance on here from  other users of Maks . I have read interesting threads from a few years ago but , I want  to know if anyone else has bought one recently ( last year or so) and their experiences with it . To be fair to the supplier they have said I can return it ( unused ) I like the scope from what I see , it feels like it’s well put together . Just need a bit of practical advice . 
 I , probably like many people are finding that  owning one scope is not enough . I plan to pair this scope with a very short widefoeld refractor wife permitting . Until then I really want this scope to be a “success” . It’s easy to store , a nice weight , and built to last . 
Thank you for reading this , I would value your constructive comments , for or against . After all if I can’t ask fellow astronomers then I can’t ask anyone . 
Stu 

Edited June 18, 2020 by Stu1smartcookie

[Robindonne]

Im willing to send you a list with all the pros and cons.   But i dont have it.  Dont know them.   When reading your post and questions i hoped to find some advices.   But maybe its an all straight forward scope.  Mount it cool it and use it.  I did buy some accessories last week.  And they come with an 127 mak.   I dont know the scope, but i sold my old c5 and maybe this one will act as an easy and lightweight alternative.   The one thing i wondered is if any sct reducer will fit the mak.   

[PEMS]

A 150 will have a long focal length and so an inherant narrow field when viewing. At 1800mm even a 30mm plossl will only deliver 0.8 degrees edge to edge. In effect 0.4 from centre to edge.

It seems a somewhat "specialist" scope with that field. M45, M42, M33, C14 are all too big to observe in their entirety. There is something nice about seeing all of an object at one view. Possibly more suited to planetary imaging.

Hope the scope is intended to be mounted on a fairly large goto mount, you will I expect need the tracking capability and a fair goto ability to have objects in view. As any target that is missed by more then 0.4 degrees will not be in the view.

Guess you were the cause of the thunder and downpour last week then.

[GraemeC]

One scope won't meet all of your observing needs, as there are wide field targets every bit as enjoyable as the narrow field, small targets.  I use a small scope or even binoculars for wide field - you will find a longer focal length will be ideal when you are craving more magnification!  if you choose your target to suit your scope I think you'll be very happy.

[Stu1smartcookie]

Thanks guys for the replies.. I was beginning to think I was alone on here .. well here is an update , my bresser 127/1200 arrived two days after I got the 150 pro . That gave me more dilemmas lol as both these scopes are good for planets .. but , my head ruled and I took ( drove 140 miles to Rother valley optics ) my skymax back today . I did of course buy a couple of accessories for my frac ! But I’m happy , the bresser is a great looking scope and to be honest I had a sneak peak the other night , very nice crisp views . I know I will get some CA . It’s mounted on an heq5 pro . I am now setting my sights on a skywatcher 72ed , which I hope to buy ( stock willing) this coming week .. after that I’m scoped out ! 

[Stu1smartcookie]

On 20/06/2020 at 20:28, Stu1smartcookie said:

Thanks guys for the replies.. I was beginning to think I was alone on here .. well here is an update , my bresser 127/1200 arrived two days after I got the 150 pro . That gave me more dilemmas lol as both these scopes are good for planets .. but , my head ruled and I took ( drove 140 miles to Rother valley optics ) my skymax back today . I did of course buy a couple of accessories for my frac ! But I’m happy , the bresser is a great looking scope and to be honest I had a sneak peak the other night , very nice crisp views . I know I will get some CA . It’s mounted on an heq5 pro . I am now setting my sights on a skywatcher 72ed , which I hope to buy ( stock willing) this coming week .. after that I’m scoped out ! 

I can't believe i wrote this only last year ... since then i have tried and owned many scopes ... and now , would you believe i am getting a 150 mak .... AGAIN !! but this time i am a bit more clued up on the scope . Now i really am scoped out , with a short widefield Achromat , and a 200p Newt . ... NO MORE ( must keep reminding myself ) 

[Tiny Clanger]

21 minutes ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

I can't believe i wrote this only last year ... since then i have tried and owned many scopes ... and now , would you believe i am getting a 150 mak .... AGAIN !! but this time i am a bit more clued up on the scope . Now i really am scoped out , with a short widefield Achromat , and a 200p Newt . ... NO MORE ( must keep reminding myself ) 

🙂 I had noticed your name and ' pm sent'  cropping up on rather a lot of interesting 'for sale' listings recently !

Scoped out , yeah, me too. 

Not sure I believe it for me though 🙂

Heather

[Stu1smartcookie]

11 minutes ago, Tiny Clanger said:

had noticed your name and ' pm sent'  cropping up on rather a lot of interesting 'for sale' listings recently !

As others, i am always striving for the perfect set up ... the trouble is i really don't know what that is   . I would never  say i've wasted money in this hobby though ( my wife might beg to differ ) as i have had great enjoyment from gear that i have bought ( and sold) . The trouble is there is always something to buy lol . Three scopes is enough ? surely ? God only knows how many i would have had if we were able to travel   

Edited February 4, 2021 by Stu1smartcookie

[Tiny Clanger]

6 minutes ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

As others, i am always striving for the perfect set up ... the trouble is i really don't know what that is   . I would never  say i've wasted money in this hobby though ( my wife might beg to differ ) as i have had great enjoyment from gear that i have bought ( and sold) . The trouble is there is always something to buy lol . Three scopes is enough ? surely ? God only knows how many i would have had if we were able to travel   

So far I'm managing with just the two ....  but  .... 😉

[Pixies]

I'm sure, like for bikes, the n+1 rules applies?