Sky-Watcher SkyMax-127 EQ3 Pro SynScan: The Portable GoTo Planetarium
The well-known 127/1500 mm Maksutov-Cassegrain (f/11.8) on the computerized EQ3 Pro SynScan mount. The tube is 33 cm long and weighs 3.4 kg, making this the most portable equatorial GoTo set in the Maksutov line: automatic searching and tracking of over 42,900 objects, in a package that simply fits in the car.
What do you see through the SkyMax-127?
Bands of clouds on Jupiter with structure within, the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings, polar ice caps on Mars, and a moon worth a walk at 150x magnification. Double stars and bright, compact deep-sky objects like globular clusters complete the program. With automatic tracking, all of this stays in view.
EQ3 Pro: Equatorial GoTo in a lightweight form
The EQ3 Pro is Sky-Watcher's lightest SynScan GoTo mount, and it's a perfect match for this compact telescope tube. Once aligned with Polaris, the mount tracks precisely, and the hand controller guides you to celestial highlights. It's also suitable as a first step into short lunar and planetary imaging.
This is how to get the most out of this telescope
- Give the thick correcting lens plenty of time to cool down. 45 to 60 minutes with these larger lenses. A Maksutov rewards patience with a silent image.
- Protect against dew The front meniscus lens fogs up faster than a mirror. A dew shield is the most useful first upgrade for this type.
- Align the mount to Polaris: For visual use, roughly north and the correct pole height are sufficient; after that, you can follow objects effortlessly.
- Use a power tank: The SynScan mount runs on 12V and cold nights drain battery capacity.
- Magnification: The 10mm eyepiece gives 150x, the optimum for this optics.
- 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 The moon and planet specialist, double star enthusiast, and urban observer: bright targets don't care much about light pollution. Unsure about the type? Our Telescope Buying Guide for Beginners List the considerations.
Not For wide deep-sky fields, the field of view of this long focal length is too narrow. If you want more aperture in the same format, the SkyMax-150 PRO EQ5 SynScan is the next step. Long exposure deep-sky photography is best suited for smart telescopes or a bright Newtonian; moon and planetary shots are precisely a specialty of this optics.
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: It’s precisely with a Maksutov, with its long brand focal length, that moon photos taken with a phone are impressive. The Sky-Watcher SmartPhoto+ adapter comes with a special 20 mm photo eyepiece.
- Carrier bag There is a suitable bag for the EQ3 mount. Check out the carrier bags.
Technical specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Optical design | Maksutov-Cassegrain |
| Opening | 127 mm |
| Focal length | 1500 mm (f/11.8) |
| Tube | 33 cm, 3.4 kg |
| Mount | EQ3 Pro SynScan (equatorial, GoTo) |
| Controls | SynScan Hand Controller with 42,900+ Objects |
| Eyepieces | 20 mm (75x) and 10 mm (150x), 1.25 inch |
| Seeker | Red dot viewfinder |
| Maximum useful magnification | Approximately 250x |
Included in the box
- Sky-Watcher SkyMax-127 Optical Tube
- EQ3 Pro SynScan GoTo Mount with Hand Controller and Tripod
- 20 mm eyepiece (75x) and 10 mm eyepiece (150x)
- Red dot viewfinder
- Free: Stargazer's Handbook by Telescoop.nl (16 pages, Dutch language)
Free Stargazers' Handbook
Every Sky-Watcher telescope from Telescoop.nl comes with our own Stargazer’s Handbook in the box. It’s a 16-page booklet that helps you get started on your first few nights: how to align the finder scope, what magnification to start with, why the image sometimes wobbles, and when a telescope does or doesn’t need to be collimated. It’s not a thick book—just the essentials you really need when you’re starting out.
Honest advice from observers
We sell and use the Sky-Watcher line ourselves. In our Sky-Watcher brand guide We'll explain which series are strong and which you'd rather skip. View the full range on our Sky-Watcher brand page. Order before 11:59 PM for fast delivery within the Netherlands and Belgium. Unsure about assembly or version? Call or email us; we're happy to help you with these systems.
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