C90 or Skymax 90

[Tangent]

Hello,

First time posting here so be gentile please. 

I’m looking to get my first scope and I am torn between the Celestron 90 or the Skymax 90 maks. 

Why a mak? I need something small light and portable that will not easily go out of collimation. This scope will be getting bounced around a bit in a camper van so size weight and robustness is important to me. 

I believe that Celestron are now coating the baffle tube of the C90 to cut down on glare and contrast which used to be an issue on older models. Does anyone know if the Skywatcher skymax 90 baffle tube is similarly coated or not?

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @Tangent and welcome to SGL. 

Apologies in advance but I am unable to answer you question/last paragraph.

May I ask why you are set on a 90mm Mak, rather than one with a bigger aperture? The SkyWatcher SkyMax 127 has good reviews by owners here on SGL. Also, if you are set on a catadioptric* ‘scope have you considered an SCT?

I own a Meade ETX-105 [with a re-modded backplate that replaced the ABS backend after an incident] and a Celestron C6 [image below]. Both give about the same magnification, though the focal lengths and f/ratios are different...

• ETX-105 = 1470mm f/l @ f/14
• C6 = 1500mm f/l @ f/10

Since the above image, I now use alt-az mounts as per my signature, as the weight/payload was to much for the Vixen GP.

Anyway... whichever you choose, do remember to order or purchase a dew shield. They are not included and are a must have accessory.

 

* the word catadioptric refers to Maksutov and SCT telescopes.

Edited January 13 by RT65CB-SWL

[Beardy30]

Bresser 127 is a full 127 the SW is 119 in aperture not a true 127 , worth consideration over the sky max 

Edited January 13 by Beardy30

[Tangent]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.
 

The reason I’m set on a 90 mak is outlined in my original post. The scope plus mount and tripod etc will be travelling in a camper van along with sundry other stuff ( beer,food, more beer, bicycles, wetsuits etc) as such I need to be careful not to exceed the payload of the van. With a 90 mak I think I can have a setup which will be around 6kg so that won’t threaten my payload capacity nor will it take up much space. I’m often away for weeks at a time in my van pursuing several activities. Quite often I find myself in locations with good dark skies and it would be nice to take advantage of them by having a small lightweight set up at my disposal. Astronomy is not the main purpose of my trips away so for now I’m just looking for a low maintenance simple lightweight setup. 
 

Hopefully that will explain why I’m focussing ( pardon the pun ) on 90mm maks.

Sodoes anyone know if the skywatcher skymax 90 has its baffle tube coated or is it shiny and needing flocked?

Thanks,

Tangent.