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
Showing 41–51 of 51 resultsSorted by popularity
Showing 41–51 of 51 resultsSorted by popularity
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.