Largest scope on Skywatcher Goto?

[Andyfx]

Hi guys,

I have a skyhawk 1145p goto and was wondering what the largest reflector or refractor was that the mount could handle? I have the one with steel legs if that helps...

In particular I was looking at the Vixen A80MF or Explorer 150P. Any advice or suggestions?

[great_bear]

From the importer's website:

Maximum recommended OTA examples: D102/F500 Refractor (Startravel-102), D130/F650 Reflector (Explorer-130P), D127/F1500 Maksutov (Skymax-127)

So a 150P is too much.

[ronin]

You will find that a company puts the scope on the smallest mount that they can get away with. So the 114 is probably as big as the mount will handle.

If they gave a heftier mount it is bad economics for them.

[great_bear]

You will find that a company puts the scope on the smallest mount that they can get away with. So the 114 is probably as big as the mount will handle.

Erm... Nope... The mount is well-known and is sold with all the scopes that I listed - as per this First Light Optics page here <click>

[Raju]

i thought my telescope was big........ i wish i was your nabour..... me and you would be best buddies

[Cunhaval]

Hi, there

I use the same mount and tripod with a 127 Mak, which I suspect is about the limit on this mount. That said, the mount is more robust than I was expecting, and I'm pleased with its performance.

But a 150p would definitely be one step beyond - really not a good idea. Look up the weight of a 127 (ota only) on FLO, and I would suggest that you would be OK with a similar weight or less, as long as it isn't too long and unwieldy, which will give you balance issues.

So, a long 'frac like a TAL 100RS would not be good - well, actually, it would be EXCELLENT - just, not on this particular mount

[Andyfx]

Hi and thanks for the replies everyone! I guess I will have to use my SkyHawk for now and upgrade the lot sometime in the future. I have seen some of those great william optics scopes on these mounts so maybe there's an option....