Sky-Watcher SkyMax-102 - 102/1300 Maksutov-Cassegrain

Sky-Watcher SkyMax-102 AZ-Go2: Finding Planets on Autopilot

This version of the Sky-Watcher SkyMax-102 (102/1300 mm Maksutov-Cassegrain, f/12.7) is on the AZ-Go2 GoTo mount with hand controller: automatically locate and track thousands of objects. The control is adjustable in multiple languages. For those who want the sharpness of a Maksutov without having to know their way around the sky.

What do you see through the SkyMax-102?

The Moon is a landscape at this focal length: craters, rilles, and mountain ranges along the terminator. Jupiter shows cloud bands, Saturn its rings with the Cassini Division under good seeing, Mars its polar caps. Double stars and bright star clusters complete the program. This type of telescope is not designed for wide nebulae.

AZ-Go2: Search and Track from Hand

After a quick alignment on two bright stars, the hand controller points the way: select an object from the database, and the mount will slew to it and track it. Especially at the high magnifications of this optic, that automatic tracking is worth its weight in gold: the object simply stays where you're looking.

This is how to get the most out of this telescope

• Give the thick correction lens cooling time: 30 to 45 minutes outside before looking at high magnification. A Maksutov rewards patience with a rock-steady image.
• Protect against dew The front-mounted meniscus lens fogs up faster than a mirror. A dew shield is the most useful first upgrade for this type of telescope.
• Virtually maintenance-free The closed tube keeps dust out and collimation is rarely an issue. Set it down and look.
• Magnification: the 10mm eyepiece already gives 130x; exactly what this optics are made for. Adding more magnification rarely makes sense in the Dutch climate.
• Take power with you A power bank or power tank will keep the GoTo mount going all evening, especially in the cold.
• Plan with the moon: Around the first quarter you see the most detail along the terminator. Our lunar calendar have the best nights in a row.

For whom yes and for whom no

Hello moon and planet watchers, city and balcony observers (bright targets are less affected by light pollution), and travelers who want a short, maintenance-free tube. Still unsure about the type? Our Telescope Buying Guide for Beginners List the considerations.

Not For wide deep-sky fields, the image field of this long focal length is too narrow; a short Newton would be more suitable. If you prefer to control everything from your smartphone, the AZ-GTi WiFi version is the next step. Long-exposure astrophotography belongs with the smart telescopes; moon photos with a smartphone adapter are precisely a strong point on a Maksutov.

Featured accessories

These accessories add the most after purchase:

• Moon Filter 25%: at this long focal length, the moon is the main course, and bright. The Omegon Moon Filter 25% (1.25 inches) dims the light and increases the contrast. More explanation in our Moon filter guide.
• Smartphone adapter: Maksutov telescopes, with their long focal length, are particularly good for impressive moon photos taken with a phone. The Sky-Watcher SmartPhoto+ adapter comes with a special 20 mm photo eyepiece.
• Carrier bag The short tube calls for a compact bag. Check out the carrier bags and choose the size that fits.

Technical specifications

Included in the box

• Sky-Watcher SkyMax-102 optical tube
• AZ-Go2 Mount with Hand Controller and Aluminum Tripod
• 25 mm eyepiece (52x) and 10 mm eyepiece (130x)
• Red dot finder

Honest advice from observers

We sell and use the Sky-Watcher line ourselves. In our Sky-Watcher merk Guide We'll explain which series are strong and which you'd rather skip. View the full range on our Sky-Watcher merk Page. Order before 11:59 PM for fast delivery, in the Netherlands and Belgium.