Manual Maksutov telescopes

Manual Maksutov: small, sharp, always ready

A manual Maksutov is a closed catadioptric telescope on a mount without motors. No batteries, no app, no collimation: unpack, set up, look. It is the telescope you take with you to the campsite and use during the day to look at boats and birds. In this category are the Omegon MightyMak series and the Sky-Watcher Skymax models on AZ and EQ mounts.

Our recommendations

• Omegon MightyMak 90/100090 mm on a lightweight AZ mount with LED finder scope. Complete, lightweight, and sharp enough for the rings of Saturn.
• Sky-Watcher Skymax-102 EQ2102 mm on an EQ2. With the slow-motion control, you can track planets at 150x magnification.
• Sky-Watcher Skymax-102S AZ Prontothe same tube on the smooth AZ Pronto mount with slow-motion controls on both axes. Our favorite for visual use without electronics.
• Sky-Watcher Skymax-150 PRO EQ5150 mm on an EQ5, for those who want to add a motor kit later.

A to Z of EQ?

For a Maksutov, we preferably recommend an alt-azimuth mount with slow-motion controls (such as the AZ Pronto): intuitive, quick to set up, and stable enough for this compact size. Choose an equatorial mount if you want a tracking motor later on or if you frequently observe at the highest magnification. If you want the telescope to track automatically, take a look at GoTo Maksutov.

For whom yes and for whom no

For: planet observers, travelers, balcony and city viewers, and anyone who wants a telescope that is also useful during the day. Not: for those who want to see nebulae and galaxies; for that, a tabletop Dobson at the same price the better choice. Accessories: a dew shield and a moon filter. Brand pages: Omegon and Sky-Watcher.