Skymax 127 AZ Gti - starter accessories

[gold682]

I’ve just purchased a Skymax 127 Gti and was wondering the best first upgrades to get the most out of it.

im assuming:

- a battery pack of some kind?

- a replacement for the 10mm eyepiece and/or a complimentary eyepiece (zoom?)

- replace red dot finder with the skywatcher RACI? 
 

I intend to take this on my travels (place where we stay in Spain is particularly good as it’s not been ‘urbanised’ hence no light pollution), so a good carry bag would be needed. Recommendations?

Thanks

Paul

[Cosmic Geoff]

1 hour ago, gold682 said:

- a battery pack of some kind?

- a replacement for the 10mm eyepiece and/or a complimentary eyepiece (zoom?)

- replace red dot finder with the skywatcher RACI? 

Battery pack is needed. Don't even think of using internal AA cells (etc)

Replace the 10mm eyepiece with something decent.

Red dot finder may be OK. Your choice whether you get a straight-thru or RACI finder instead.

[Zermelo]

Hello, is this your first scope?

An eyepiece or two, perhaps: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html

RACI: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/stellalyra-8x50-right-angled-correct-image-raci-finder-scope-with-bracket.html

A dew shield: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dew-prevention/astro-essentials-flexible-dew-shield-for-5-telescopes.html

An observing chair. This doesn't have to be an expensive astro chair. Many people have done well with adjustable stools, or home-made, if you're handy like that.

[gold682]

1 hour ago, Zermelo said:

Hello, is this your first scope?

An eyepiece or two, perhaps: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html

RACI: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/stellalyra-8x50-right-angled-correct-image-raci-finder-scope-with-bracket.html

A dew shield: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dew-prevention/astro-essentials-flexible-dew-shield-for-5-telescopes.html

An observing chair. This doesn't have to be an expensive astro chair. Many people have done well with adjustable stools, or home-made, if you're handy like that.

Thanks for the link to the Starguider eyepieces, they look extreme good for the money. Any particular recommendations for say 2 eyepieces to get started (assuming I can use the supplied 25mm as that doesn’t seem as bad as the 10mm). I’m thinking maybe a Starguider 8mm & 15mm along with the Starguider Barlow. It will be mainly used for planetary/moon with maybe the odd DSO if feasible. 
 

ps. Yes this is my first ‘proper’ scope. 

[Zermelo]

If you are getting a x2 Barlow, you could perhaps go for the Starguider 18mm and 12mm. In the Mak, that would give you approximately x83, x125, x164 and x250.  The stock 25mm would also give you x60.  

That would be a reasonable spread for a range of targets. Conditions won't allow you to go above x250 very often in any case. At some point you might want to add a 30mm or 32mm Plossl for larger targets, though you'll only manage about one degree in the Mak. This is a decent one: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/vixen-eyepieces/vixen-npl-eyepieces.html

[Jules Tohpipi]

A clothes peg.

That Mak can be somewhat frustrating when making fine adjustments on the focus wheel. Putting a clothes peg on it increases its circumference (to paint a picture) and so allows for finer focussing. Plus its inputs are less likely to make the tripod wobble for a few seconds (if using the bundled black somewhat light-weight tripod).

 

Also the ADM saddle is a popular improvement. While not 100% a necessity, this saddle clamps the dovetail on the Mak much better that the single screw. I say 'better' but the original saddle is possibly perfectly adequate. However, the ADM upgrade certainly gives a perception of being much more secure.
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-replacement-saddles/adm-dual-dovetail-adaptor-for-az-gti.html

 

As for a case, I went with the MAX465H220 with the Pick and Pluck foam interior option added prior to check out. My photos show the Mak 127 inside along with the AZ-GTi and the Sky-Watcher tripod extension tube (standing vertically). I have removed the top of the extension tube (as it doesn’t fit vertically) and fitted it to the base of the AZ-GTi. The diagonal is kept in a separate eyepiece box. This case is extremely robust and well built and heavy. Packed as shown the total weight is 10.5 kg.

https://www.trifibre.co.uk/product/max465h220/

and the roller version

https://www.trifibre.co.uk/product/max465h220tr-blk/

Edited June 15, 2023 by Jules Tohpipi

[gold682]

10 hours ago, Jules Tohpipi said:

A clothes peg.

That Mak can be somewhat frustrating when making fine adjustments on the focus wheel. Putting a clothes peg on it increases its circumference (to paint a picture) and so allows for finer focussing. Plus its inputs are less likely to make the tripod wobble for a few seconds (if using the bundled black somewhat light-weight tripod).

 

Also the ADM saddle is a popular improvement. While not 100% a necessity, this saddle clamps the dovetail on the Mak much better that the single screw. I say 'better' but the original saddle is possibly perfectly adequate. However, the ADM upgrade certainly gives a perception of being much more secure.
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-replacement-saddles/adm-dual-dovetail-adaptor-for-az-gti.html

 

As for a case, I went with the MAX465H220 with the Pick and Pluck foam interior option added prior to check out. My photos show the Mak 127 inside along with the AZ-GTi and the Sky-Watcher tripod extension tube (standing vertically). I have removed the top of the extension tube and fitted it to the base of the AZ-GTi. The diagonal is kept in a separate eyepiece box. This case is extremely robust and well built and heavy. Packed as shown the total weight is 10.5 kg.

https://www.trifibre.co.uk/product/max465h220/

and the roller version

https://www.trifibre.co.uk/product/max465h220tr-blk/

I absolutely love that last picture of that high tech equipment sitting in a secure padded case along with a wooden clothes peg 😁 (but yes I’ll try the clothes peg mod and if works I might 3D print something) 👍

Edited June 14, 2023 by gold682

[Jules Tohpipi]

1 hour ago, gold682 said:

I absolutely love that last picture of that high tech equipment sitting in a secure padded case along with a wooden clothes peg 😁 (but yes I’ll try the clothes peg mod and if works I might 3D print something) 👍

Haha!! Thank you. It was tucked in the corner when I opened the case so gave it pride of place for the photo!

FYI, for the focussing, there’s a person selling this on eBay - albeit not as much fun as designing your own. 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185060378222?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=amM_ReOxR3i&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=N2wZ271JRqi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[Jules Tohpipi]

Just to add, the zoom eyepieces are generally convenient and also good for determining what your own personal favoured  magnification levels are. 
 

However, they tend to have noticeably narrower fields of view compared regular eyepieces. Which is not a plus point for a Mak. Nor quite 100% the quality - albeit still good. Horses for courses, but my Baader one stays in the box now having served a useful initial phase. 

[AstroNebulee]

Great portable battery packs are the talentcell range I have this one but more powerful ones available. 

TalentCell Rechargeable 36W 12V/3000mAh Lithium Ion Battery Pack, 12V/5V Dual Output External Battery Power Bank with Charger https://amzn.eu/d/58x3noI

They last for ages on one charge and about the size of an old cigarette packet. 

Many other az gti owners have used these without complaint. 

And change the power lead to a silicone lynx astro one. They are more expensive than cheaper ones but it won't go brittle in the cold and it'll last a long time. I think this is the correct one and what I've used. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/lynx-astro-cables/lynx-astro-silicone-power-cable-21mm-dc-jack-to-21mm-dc-jack.html

Lee 

Edited June 14, 2023 by AstroNebulee

[doublevodka]

3 hours ago, gold682 said:

I absolutely love that last picture of that high tech equipment sitting in a secure padded case along with a wooden clothes peg 😁 (but yes I’ll try the clothes peg mod and if works I might 3D print something) 👍

The peg works, I've stuck with it as in the garden there is a useful supply of spares, otherwise known as the clothes line 😂

As for printing, you don't have to dig far to find people have already provided the relevant files e.g. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5006844

Personally, I get on fine with the AA batteries, I know many recommend against it, but the AZ-GTi mount is a lot less fussy about voltage than other mounts that can be AA powered, like the Celestron ones, if it gets you out using it then go for it 👍

This thread is also full of useful info, although it's a pretty long read these days, started by @AstroNebulee who's posted above 👍 - 

 

[Gfamily]

A sheet of Baader solar film can be used to make a white light filter for solar observing. 

This can be mounted between two strips of card or similar, with the film held between them so they fit securely to the OTA. 

The RDF can be replaced by a solar finder, and if you have a 3D printer (or access to one), these can be easily made (or alternatively bodged with an offcut of wood and some plastic or metal strips).

Have you downloaded the Pro version of the SynScan App? That allows you to use the Point and Track mode for the Sun

For general use I'd also suggest getting a longer focal length eyepiece; the narrow field of view of a Mak is a given, and can make it frustrating if you're trying to find a target that's slightly off centre, ao a longer EP with a wider fov will help.

. 

[rob_r]

Hi, welcome to the 127 Mak club.

Yes, I would agree with your initial shopping list plus a dew shield. A portable power pack certainly and replace the red dot finder with a RACI/finderscope. I got an AstroEssentials one, https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/astro-essentials-9x50-right-angled-erecting-finderscope.html . If you are primarily observing perhaps upgrade the diagonal and EPs too, the stock ones the Mak comes with are not all that well regarded.

The whole setup is quite light and portable which is a nice plus. The above and the other suggestions should be good starting points anyway. Have fun!

Edited June 14, 2023 by rob_r

[gold682]

3 hours ago, rob_r said:

Hi, welcome to the 127 Mak club.

Yes, I would agree with your initial shopping list plus a dew shield. A portable power pack certainly and replace the red dot finder with a RACI/finderscope. I got an AstroEssentials one, https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/astro-essentials-9x50-right-angled-erecting-finderscope.html . If you are primarily observing perhaps upgrade the diagonal and EPs too, the stock ones the Mak comes with are not all that well regarded.

The whole setup is quite light and portable which is a nice plus. The above and the other suggestions should be good starting points anyway. Have fun!

Hi, what diagonal do you recommend? Haven’t heard about people complaining about the diagonal, only the eyepieces. I’m going to go with Starguider eyepieces as recommended earlier in this thread and a RACI Finderscope (probably the Astro Essentials as you’ve mentioned). 
 Will also get a power bank of some sort as can’t be arsed with AA’s.

[Ratlet]

I second the recommendation for the Starguiders.  They're great eyepieces.  Not going to make a suggestion on what powers though. The 12mm is one of my favourite eyepieces though.

Dew shield is a must, you can make one out of a sheet of craft foam easily enough if you want to be cheap (I do).

Spirit level for making sure the scope is level for alignment.

Maybe an old mobile phone to control the azgti?  I use an old one which I charge up for observing.  I've stuck red cellophane over the screen to help preserve my night vision.

[LaurenceT]

My upgrades for that kit:

Skywatcher electronic focuser, zoom eyepiece, in my case the Baader but cheaper ones will do the job. A dew shield, a Telrad with heater element and a Trifibre case, it weighs a ton but it holds everything. Last but not least is the battery pack/brick mentioned by @AstroNebulee, I use the smaller Talentcell from Amazon and it lasts for ages.

 

 

[bosun21]

2 hours ago, LaurenceT said:

My upgrades for that kit:

Skywatcher electronic focuser, zoom eyepiece, in my case the Baader but cheaper ones will do the job. A dew shield, a Telrad with heater element and a Trifibre case, it weighs a ton but it holds everything. Last but not least is the battery pack/brick mentioned by @AstroNebulee, I use the smaller Talentcell from Amazon and it lasts for ages.

 

 

How did you fit the Skywatcher electric focuser? I had to buy a 3D printed kit for the focuser motor. I’ve since sold the telescope. It does make a considerable difference in focusing though.

[LaurenceT]

2 hours ago, bosun21 said:

How did you fit the Skywatcher electric focuser? I had to buy a 3D printed kit for the focuser motor. I’ve since sold the telescope. It does make a considerable difference in focusing though.

I bought a 3d printed kit from a chap in Portugal, works very well and possibly the same as yours.

[bosun21]

3 hours ago, LaurenceT said:

I bought a 3d printed kit from a chap in Portugal, works very well and possibly the same as yours.

Same 👍.

[gold682]

Hi, just an update. With thanks for all your input and help, I have ordered the following to get me started:

Starguider 12mm, 18mm & 2x Barlow 

Astro Essentials RACI finder

Talentcell powerbank

(was going to order the dew shield but it’s out of stock and would have delayed the order as FLO only send when all is ready). 
 

I plan to print off a focusser knob but until then a clothes peg will do. 
 

Thanks all for your advice.

Paul