Heritage 150 or 127 mak

[thestargaze]

Which of the two is better, Heritage 150p and 127 Mak? The latter being a bit more expensive. I noticed that most people mention 150p. I guess you could get the 127 Mark as a stand-alone scope to combine with the goto tabletop setup? Also which tripod would you recommend for this table top setup? I saw someone attaching it to a tripod.

[CraigT82]

I’d go for the Heritage 150p personally, I have the 130p version and I love it. I also owned a 127 mak and compared planetary views with it and the 130p and there was nothing in it, the benefit of the mak was being able to used longer fl eyepieces for any given magnification.
 

The 150p can also come off it’s base and be used on any other mount. 
 

 

[Astro_Dad]

As is generally the case regarding ‘scope choice there is no “best” per se only differences and preferences depending on your need. There is though considerable overlap between the two, and both offer satisfying views of both planets/moon and the deep sky. 

The 150p has the bigger aperture and is tuned towards deep sky observing, but will require collimating from time to time (simple once you’re used to it - using the supplied collimation cap) and will need the home made light shroud mod. The helical focuser is the weakest part of the specification in my view - but it is really not a problem and works well. The 150 also provides very sharp views of planets, but to get up close with high mag you’ll need short focal length eyepieces or a Barlow. 

The Skymax 127 being a Maksutov is geared towards planetary viewing and excels at this. It will also be good for some deep sky, but has a narrower field of view than the 150, having double the focal length. You’ll need a few shield for this one. 

As you say you could by the Mak afterwards, but I tried this and the version I received had a different orientation with respect to the finder shoe position - it meant that the red dot finder was on the “wrong” side- but there are ways around this, and older style models you could pick up second hand work well. 

The recommended tripod is the SW:

“equipped with a 3/8" standard tripod bush so can equally be used with an optional tripod making it a versatile choice. The Sky-Watcher AZ5 Stainless Steel Tripod (code 20316) is highly recommended for use with this telescope”. 

My opinion overall is that the 150p is the most versatile model and offers greatest bang for buck, but both excellent and depends on your preferences. 

Edited August 5, 2022 by Astro_Dad
Typo

[Carbon Brush]

There is a saying. The best scope is the one that gets used the most.
Of the two mentioned, my vote goes to the DOB.

It has a good compromise (every scope has compromises) on light gather, magnification and ease of use.

At some point you may want high magnification - but that places constraints on the mount, which is another expense.
Usually packages of scope + mount have the smallest (least rigid) mount that the manufacture can get away with.

While the 127mak will give higher magnification for a given eyepiece, it ultimately will not give higher magnification.
There is a limit on magnification based on the lens/mirror diameter. In this case, they are similar.
 

HTH, David.

 

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @thestargaze and welcome to SGL.   

9 hours ago, thestargaze said:

Which of the two is better, Heritage 150p and 127 Mak? The latter being a bit more expensive. I noticed that most people mention 150p. I guess you could get the 127 Mark as a stand-alone scope to combine with the goto tabletop setup? Also which tripod would you recommend for this table top setup? I saw someone attaching it to a tripod.

Tough decision for a beginner I know. We have all been here.

Below is an image of my 're-modded' ETX105 on a DwarfStar mount and Manfrotto 055PROB tripod.

Catadioptrics [i.e. Maksutov's and SCT's] do have a narrrow field of view. If you have never used an astronomical telescope before, then I would suggest the SkyWatcher Heritage 130 or 150 or a refractor.

This is a good/interesting/useful guide by FLO, the sponsor of SGL... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes.html

Edited August 5, 2022 by Philip R

[Louis D]

Since I buy most astro gear used, I'd go for the 127 Mak because they show up so often in the classifieds, at least here in the US.  I don't think I've ever seen a SW Heritage 150 on the classifieds.  I know used prices have gone up recently, but in the last 4 years I've picked up two Synta 127 Maks for $200 each.  One was for me and one was for my grown daughter.  Keep in mind you'll need to budget for a mount and tripod for the 127 Mak while you can technically use the SWH 150 right out of the box on a table top.

[Carbon Brush]

If you want a new scope, FLO the site sponsors are very good. I'm not saying it because I hope to get a discount on my next buy😄.
I made my first purchase from them in I think 2008/9 and they have yet to let me down. They always get first chance at anything new I buy.
SGL members always advise against new purchases from mail order companies, chain stores, etc.
Always use a specialist astro retailer. Tis can be over the counter, or on the web.

If you go down the used scope route. BEWARE.
There is a lot of damaged rubbish out there.
On the used market. If scope inspection is new to you....avoid ebay, gumtree, car boot sale, etc.

If you stick with SGL, after not too long and a few posts, you will get access to the classified section. A trusted place for used kit.

HTH, David.

 

[Pixies]

12 minutes ago, Louis D said:

Since I buy most astro gear used, I'd go for the 127 Mak because they show up so often in the classifieds, at least here in the US.  I don't think I've ever seen a SW Heritage 150 on the classifieds.  I know used prices have gone up recently, but in the last 4 years I've picked up two Synta 127 Maks for $200 each.  One was for me and one was for my grown daughter.  Keep in mind you'll need to budget for a mount and tripod for the 127 Mak while you can technically use the SWH 150 right out of the box on a table top.

Perhaps the fact that one can't find many Heritage dobs on the used market says something about how well liked they are?

[Zeta Reticulan]

I think Astro_Dad has a good point about the finder shoe position. Most Synta Mak's are designed to be used on an EQ mount. Predominantly as Mak's are considered more suitable for lunar/planetary observing. As a consequence the finder shoe is in a position suited to an EQ mount. I managed to obtain a Sky-Watcher 127mm Mak bundled with a Sky-Watcher AZ mount.

Although I normally use it now on a Porta II. I've also replaced the bundled 'straight-through' with a reflex sight. Note the position of the dovetail in relation to where the finder is above and below.

The only way this can realistically be remedied on most Mak's intended for EQ mounts is by adding a Rigel QuickFinder or using an RACI in the 7 o'clock position.

[Gfamily]

+1 for the Heritage as a starter scope.

The wider field of view gives more satisfying results for open clusters, as well as making it much (much) easier to find the targets in the first place.

I started with a couple of long focal length scopes, and very often I had to give up of an evening as it was so frustrating finding targets. More recently I've moved down to a lower power scope, and it's a real delight. 

[Zermelo]

I also have the Mak version with the shoe that's positioned "down the side" when it's mounted on my Skywatcher Star Discovery. I find it's perfectly usable with a RACI, as shown above. I've also bought a multi-way shoe adapter, and that moves the RACI further round.

Also note, some mounts like the Az-Gti can be set up to work either left arm or right arm, which gets round that issue.

If you do get the version with the "wrong" shoe position, the bravest option is to loosen the back plate and rotate it, but then you need to recollimate (and be careful that things don't drop out inside).

On the choice between the Heritage and the Mak, both make great starter scopes. If you don't have any strong preferences as to types of targets, I would lean towards the Dob. Its wider field of view will also make navigating a bit easier for a beginner.

[Stu1smartcookie]

HMMM spanner in the works , time . I am going to ask the op what interests them in the hobby . Planetary and Lunar ? , DSO's ? Double Stars ? Globs and Nebs?

No one scope will do it all , well . 

I think the little Dob is a better all rounder , but i also think the Mak excels in what it does best . There is a reason why it gets such high praise on here and other sites . Sure there are downsides ie you must let the scope "cool down" longer than the dob , and , as pointed out the FOV is reduced compared to the dob , but lets look at the good stuff ... pinpoint views with high magnification , as has been said ... NO COLLIMATION  . The Dob has probably one of the worst focusers going , which you can rectify by adding tape !!!  To my mind that is a quality control issue that never should have passed inspection . Why you have to fix something that is new is beyond me . 

... now for the spanner ..... im just throwing this one in , what about a nice refractor ? Decent focuser , No cool down time . Sharp Views . ( very satisfying to see the "snap" of an object come into focus on a frac ) .

Hey , nobody said this hobby is a simple right and wrong ! 

[Louis D]

6 minutes ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

what about a nice refractor ? Decent focuser , No cool down time .

I guess you've never used a triplet refractor.  Mine takes at least 30 minute to acclimate.  All sorts of pinched optics looking artifacts until then.

[Stu1smartcookie]

Just now, Louis D said:

I guess you've never used a triplet refractor.  Mine takes at least 30 minute to acclimate.  All sorts of pinched optics looking artifacts until then.

true enough , i haven't but then again i think the op isn't looking at that kind of money judging by the scopes he listed . I'm purely in the doublet range .

 

[Zermelo]

Not pre-judging the outcome, but this one just bumped:

 

[dweller25]

Have owned a 150mm Newtonian and two 127 Maks I would choose the Newtonian as it’s quicker to cool, has more light gathering and better resolution - which makes it a better all rounder - cheaper too 👍

A Skywatcher EQ5 would hold both scopes well.

Edited August 5, 2022 by dweller25

[Neil H]

If your quick Stu is selling his heritage 150p look in the for sale section 

[wulfrun]

11 minutes ago, Neil H said:

If your quick Stu is selling his heritage 150p look in the for sale section 

OP doesn't yet have access though...

[Louis D]

4 hours ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

true enough , i haven't but then again i think the op isn't looking at that kind of money judging by the scopes he listed . I'm purely in the doublet range .

I was genuinely surprised after having used doublets for years at just how slowly a triplet cools.  Basically as slowly as the 127 Mak, if not slower.

I just wanted to put that out there to avoid someone else like me upgrading to a triplet and being shocked by how slowly it acclimates.  If quick acclimation is the goal, definitely stick with doublets.

[Stu1smartcookie]

13 hours ago, Louis D said:

just wanted to put that out there to avoid someone else like me upgrading to a triplet and being shocked by how slowly it acclimates.  If quick acclimation is the goal, definitely stick with doublets.

A good call Louis , that's why this forum is considered one of the best , everyone wants to offer the best advice they can .