Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescopes

Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes are very popular, and for good reason! These compact powerhouses, often called a ‘Mak’ by enthusiasts, combine the best of both worlds: they use both mirrors and lenses in a smart, ‘compact/folded’ optical design. The result? An extremely short telescope tube that delivers sharp, high-contrast images. This makes the Maksutov the ultimate travel telescope. You can easily pack it into a compact bag and take it with you in the car or even as carry-on luggage on a plane! If you are looking for a sharp view of the moon and planets and want to get off to a flying start, be sure to check out the popular Sky-Watcher Skymax complete series Celestron NexStar SLT bundles

GoTo Maksutov telescopes Manual Maksutov telescopes Maksutov OTA Maksutov OTA (Loose tubes)

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Maksutov telescope: the planetary scope that fits in a backpack

A Maksutov telescope (full name: Maksutov-Cassegrain) has a thick, curved meniscus lens at the front and a spherical primary mirror at the back. The secondary mirror is a silvered spot on the inside of the lens. The result is a fully enclosed tube that never requires collimation, with a focal ratio ranging from f/12 to f/15. With a 127 mm aperture, you already get a brand focal length of 1500 mm in a 35 cm tube. For the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and double stars, there is no sharper instrument in this price range.

Which size?

60 to 90 mm. Travel telescopes and children's telescopes. The Omegon MightyMak series and the Skymax-90. Moon and bright planets, can also be used as a spotting scope during the day.
102 mm. The best balance between size and picture. Skymax-102 on AZ-GTi or if loose tube.
127 mm. The best-selling size. Detail in Jupiter's cloud belts, the Cassini division in Saturn's rings. Skymax-127 Virtuoso GTi, Skymax-127 EQ3 Pro or as an OTA.
150 to 180 mm. For the serious planetary observer with a sturdy mount. Skymax-150 PRO and Skymax-180 PRO. Allow an hour for cooling.

Three subcategories

GoTo Maksutovcomplete sets on a computer-controlled mount, from tabletop model to EQ5 Pro.
Manual Maksutov: sets up AZ or EQ mount without electronics.
Maksutov OTAloose tubes for your own mount.

For whom yes and for whom no

Good for: planetary observers, balcony watchers, travelers, and anyone who wants a telescope that will last ten years without maintenance. Also strong for lunar and planetary photography with a planetary camera. Not for: anyone who wants to see faint nebulae and galaxies. At f/12 to f/15, the field of view is narrow and the image is dark; a Dobson with the same opening, show much more there.

Useful accessories: a dew shield (the lens mists up quickly), a good star diagonal, and a 2x barlow for the highest magnifications. Brand pages: Sky-Watcher, Omegon, Bresser.