Guest recceranger Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Guys, Any members any experience with the SW 180 MAK Pro? Thinking of adding to my arsenal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 With a ratio of f-12 and 1500mm focal length it'll be very nice for looking at moon and planets. Is that the kind of thing you wanted it for Richard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyboy1970 Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Its actually 2700mm focal length f15. Absolute planet killer but I would suspect that and double stars are as much as its useful for. Seen great pictures taken with these scopes and the owners rave about them which I suspect as they don't come up second hand very often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Yup you're right Andy - I was looking at the wrong spec. Even better than I first thought and yeah they don't appear on the s/h market often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 As you say they are rather speciallised and hard to get but I have heard the views are awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Graham Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 If you do get a newer black tubed one and plan to fit a decent focuser you will need a special adapter. Fortunately you have a member on here who has these in stock. ;) (shameless plug there) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teslar Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 (edited) Yep I've got one and it is indeed a planet killer coupled with the right ccd you can get really good images. I've been neglecting it a bit recently as I'm trying to perfect a guiding set up on my Quattro but thanks for reminding me ill be setting it up again soon Oh and I have one of Graham's special adapters so I could fit a Baader steel track focuser. Works so much better and can be motorised handy when moving around during a session. Especially on the colder nights Edited January 19, 2013 by Teslar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Quattro not up for sale for the forseeable future then Tom? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teslar Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 You seem to be buying enough gadgets to Keep you going Ron it will be a while yet !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest recceranger Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Thanks guys, Sounds good and that's exactly what I want it for, planets/lunar. Will shop around and see some deals. Cheers to all FAB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philjay Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Just be aware Richard that Maks are not grab and go. To get the best out of them they need to cool to the ambient temperature, the bigger the mak the longer the cool down. If you keep it in a nice warm centrally heated room and you take it outside to look at the moon or Jupiter you will be dissappointed with the views for about 1 hour, maybe more. Once they have cooled they are superb for planets and lunar and double stars. Hower you will not see wide field vistas of stars with them as they are long focal length and very narrow field of view. As someone above has said they are rather specialised. I had and F12 127mm Mak for years and it was a beauty provided I didnt push it and let it cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyboy1970 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Dew control is essential with Maks as the miniscus lens fogs up quickly. I had a 127 mak and loved it, surprisingly heavy though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigTfromNotts Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 (edited) I have been thinking about getting one of these rather that my initial plan of getting a C8. My main interest is Lunar & planetary, so would suit. I have heard them described as a cheaper option than a 7 inch Apo refractor. RVO are doing the MAK 180 at £735 (OTA only) at the moment. FLO arre doing the CG5 GOTO at £475. So for £1210 it looks like a decent package. Edited January 20, 2013 by BigTfromNotts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyboy1970 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Good review by a lucky sod here - http://www.spacegazer.com/index.asp?pageid=264839 Also note it weighs approx 9 Kgs which would be as heavy as the EQ5 is rated for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest recceranger Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 The MAK sounds like the scope. I already have the HEQ5 and assume it will take the weight of a 180. The only thing attached would be a DSLR/CCD. In the main though, its for visual. All thats needed now is for my unit to post me to somewhere like Arizona to get a few clear nights. Ps, anyone going to the IAS from EMS? If so I will see you there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big Maks Dad Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 The Mak 180 is AWESOME. It is not a "One Trick Pony". Check out astro-baby.com in her reviews section. I am a member of York AS and my scope is very popular with members. It gives fantastic views of compact DSO's, globulars, planetary nebulae etc. How many times do you REALLY NEED a wide field view of something? The Moon and Jupiter in this scope are RIDICULOUS. It is a scope you will not regret buying. Ian at RVO is the cheapest for the OTA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyboy1970 Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 The MAK sounds like the scope. I already have the HEQ5 and assume it will take the weight of a 180. The only thing attached would be a DSLR/CCD. In the main though, its for visual. All thats needed now is for my unit to post me to somewhere like Arizona to get a few clear nights. Ps, anyone going to the IAS from EMS? If so I will see you there. I'm booked for the Friday and CCD talk. Will start a thread nearer May to see who's going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest recceranger Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Thanks mate, Ordering from RVO next month. Will update members. FAB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 There's a second hand one, not sure, I think it's on ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Here it is: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Used-Skywatcher-Skymax-180-7-Maksutov-Cassegrain-OTA-/200887823082?pt=UK_Photography_Telescopes&hash=item2ec5d8eaea Wouldn't mind one of these myself one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teslar Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 That's an old one. But the good side is it should be able to fit an sct mount focuser more easily . Price looks high though as I bought mine open box from flo for that price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bunnygod1 Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 hi all i am a regular user on SGL as brantuk knows, i thought i would let you know that i am selling a newer black tube model mak180 on astro buy and sell at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 You're very welcome to pop it in our For Sale section Peter - these have been discussed very recently here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bunnygod1 Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 sad to see it go, but it was sold today but it has been replaced by a C9.25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest recceranger Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 What are the pro,s and con,s between the MAK 180 and C9'25? Apart from the prize! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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