Maksutov Cassegrain
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Orion Padded Case for 180mm Mak-Cass Telescope Optical Tube
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DescriptionWe offer a rugged, soft custom case to fit the SkyView Pro 180mm Mak-Cass. It is fully padded on all sides to provide maximum protection of your instrument. Our padded scope cases provide a convenient means for transporting and storing your scope. It'll stay cleaner and last longer, free of dings and scrapes. They're made of heavy, water-resistant polyester/nylon material with padding sewn into the inner lining. Full-length zipper allows easy access. Handle straps fit nicely in the hand and most are long enough to sling over a shoulder, too. Comfortable to carry, forgiving of bumps and bruises, and more space-efficient than boxy hard cases, our scope cases are a smart buy for any telescope owner. Get yours today! One-year limited warranty. Features
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Upgrading to a new telescope.?
I currently have a Orion 102mm maksutov cassegrain telescope I have used it to the best of its ability and I am starting to get bored with it because I can not see very much with it. I was thinking about getting the Orion SkyQuest XT10 Computerized IntelliScope. Would this be a good idea? The only con is that I will lose 100mm of focal length but that is expected. Could I use a 10mm eyepiece and a 2x barlow to make up for the missing focal length? Why is this telescope so cheap for its size? Or is it that other telescopes are expensive for their size.
Are there any major differences with this telescope and my other telescope. It is obvious that they are very different but what I mean is, will I have to do certain things to it like collimate it every time I use it and stuff like that or can I just set it outside to acclimate and then use it?
It sounds like light pollution is a big problem for you, like most amateur astronomers. A good 4-inch from a dark site will show a lot more objects than many people would think possible. A 10-inch Dobsonian on the other hand from a dark site will show you 13th magnitude galaxies, and if your vision is excellent it will show 14th magnitude objects provided the skies are very clear and your eyes are fully dark adapted. This is far beyond the reach of a 4-inch. The slightly shorter focal length is of no consequence, because magnification is controlled by the focal lengths of both the main optics and the eyepiece in use. You can reach 400X or even higher with a 10-inch simply by using a high power eyepiece, or a high power eyepiece and a Barlow lens. The reason why Dobsonians cost less for their aperture than other telescopes is the mounting and the fact optically they're Newtonians. It's made of plywood or in the case of the Orion Intelliscope, fiberboard and it's a simple alt-azimuth mounting, not an equatorial. Because it's not made of metal, which has to be machined or cast to fine tolerances, the mounting is inexpensive and most of the money is in the optics. There are only two surfaces that have to be made precisely in a Newtonian, whereas a Maksutov-Cassegrain has at least four surfaces that all have to be made precisely for the telescope to give sharp views. The glass the corrector is made from has to be not only free of stresses, it must be uniform throughout. That fact and the larger number of surfaces to be ground and polished are why Maks are far more expensive than a Newtonian or Dobsonian of the same aperture. In contrast., mirrors can be made of metal, quartz,ceramic, and numerous kinds of glasses as long as they're dimensionally stable enough and can be polished well enough to make a mirror. You do need to keep the telescope sealed up with dust caps when not in use to keep the optics clean unlike your Mak. As for collimation, Newtonians and Dobs do require it to preform at their best, and it's particularly critical when the focal ratio is 5 or less. This is not difficult to do when you use the appropriate collimation tools, which are a sight tube and a Cheshire eyepiece. Forget the laser collimators, because unless they're collimated themselves they're useless. A good one will cost 200 dollars, whereas I bought a complete set of collimation tools for 75 bucks. Best of all, it never needs batteries. A good Dob will never need a major collimation every time you set it up, but it might need a minor tweak to the primary mirror. Unless the tube is bumped or you remove the secondary mirror for cleaning, it should rarely if ever require adjustment. If you do buy a 10-inch Dob, don't sell your Mak. It is an ideal portable second telescope you can take almost anywhere. Even so, you should take the 4-inch to a dark site because as you will see in some of the sketches in my web page, galaxies and nebulae are well in reach of a small telescope.
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US $499.00
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Celestron 52268 C90 Mak Spotting scope (Black)
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DescriptionThe Maksutov optical design is recognized for being a portable design that is easy to use and has a variety of applications, making it an excellent choice for both terrestrial and astronomical usage. This C90 Mak has excellent optics with razor sharp images over a wide field, along with built-in T-adapter threads for adapting SLR cameras. It comes with a 32mm eyepiece, 45° erect image diagonal, and 8x21 erect image finderscope. Celestron’s 52268 90mm Maksutov Spotting Scope delivers excellent high power optics in a compact, affordable package. The 52268 package includes a backpack style soft carrying case, an 8x21 erect image finder scope, a 1.25 inch size correct image 45* prism diagonal, and a fully coated 32mm plossl eyepiece for a magnification of 39X. The Maksutov-Cassegrain design of the C90 uses a combination of mirrors and lenses; this “folded” optical system has a focal length of 1250mm in a body only twelve inches long. The Maksutov design delivers high power views without a trace of the chromatic aberration, also called blue fringing, that can distort high power views in competing refractor style spotting scopes. At 40X magnification where some low cost spotting scopes start to seem fuzzy, the C90 is just getting started. The C90 uses the same 1.25 inch eyepieces used in astronomical telescopes. The standard equipment 32mm plossl eyepiece yields a magnification of 39X, but many other eyepieces can be used to vary the magnification. The Celestron model 52268 seems very well built, with excellent multi-coatings visible on the front lens. The real beauty of this 90mm Maksutov spotting scope, however, is in the view it offers. When I use an optional 12.5mm eyepiece to look at Jupiter at 100X I can clearly see Jupiter’s major cloud bands as well as its four moons. When I look at the Moon and stars I can easily push the magnification to 200X with an optional 6mm eyepiece. When I look at birds in the backyard, I’m treated to delightful views full of vibrant color and crisp detail. With a close focus distance of only 15 feet, the detail and texture I see is simply amazing. High magnification viewing requires a solid tripod, of course. Celestron’s Heavy Duty Altazimuth Tripod comes with slow motion controls to allow the scope to be pointed precisely, and I can clamp the dovetail base on my CG5 mount for astronomical use. The other drawback to high magnification viewing is a narrow field of view; high magnification makes it hard to follow moving targets like birds in flight. Overall the Celestron C90 Maksutov Spotting Scope does a fine job as a companion to good pair of binoculars. The C90 also doubles as a portable astronomy scope; it won’t show the flag on the Moon but it will show thousands of craters on the Moon as well as showing the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn. --Jeff Phillips Pros: Compact and portable Excellent high power optics Upgradeable with 1.25” eyepieces Adaptable for astronomy and photography Cons: Not waterproof Features
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Celestron 52238 C70 Mini Mak Spotting Scope
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DescriptionThe Celestron® Mini Mak spotting scope brings portability and versatility to a new level. The Maksutov optical design is compact, easy to use, and applicable for both terrestrial (land) and astronomical use. The C70 is a small, but powerful spotting scope that includes a built-in zoom eyepiece capable of 90x magnification, a tabletop tripod with built-in slow motion controls, and a soft carrying case. Features
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Celestron NexStar 4 SE Telescope
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DescriptionTE1) CELESTRON NEXSTAR 4SE TELESCOPE Amazon.com Review Celestron’s NexStar 4 SE is the smallest and most portable telescope in Celestron’s NexStar SE series. Using a Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design, the NexStar 4 SE puts the magnifying power of a four foot long telescope into an optical tube only 13 inches long. MoonThe NexStar 4 SE features computerized finding and tracking of nearly 40,000 celestial objects, no-tool setup is easy, and planetarium software for your PC is included. Jupiter The NexStar 4 SE delivers great views of the Moon, the planets, and bright deep space objects. The standard equipment 25mm E-Lux plossl eyepiece gives a magnification of 53X, enough to see the Lunar disk, Saturn’s rings and the major cloud bands on Jupiter. It’s easy to add optional eyepieces to zoom in for more detail. Using a 12.5mm X-Cel eyepiece for 106X magnification I can see several cloud bands on Jupiter and I can even pick out the small dark shadow as one of Jupiter’s moons passes in front of the planet. On a good night I can push the magnification up to 230X with a 6mm plossl eyepiece while viewing the Moon and planets. The NexStar 4 SE package also includes a sturdy adjustable tripod, a motorized alt-azimuth mount, and the NexStar hand held computer controller. I don’t need star charts or a GPS reciever to operate this telescope. Celestron’s patented SkyAlign procedure is easy to use, and experienced users will like the two-star align and solar-system align options because they are even quicker to set up. The steel tripod and alt-azimuth mount provide a solid base for the NexStar 4 SE. Vibration is not a problem, even while focusing at high power. The computerized tracking is also very good, easily keeping planets in the field of a high power eyepiece. The disadvantage of a computerized scope, of course, is battery consumption. I find that rechargeable NiMH batteries work very well in the NexStar 4SE; a set of batteries lasts all evening and I don’t need to worry about electrical cords getting tangled in the dark. The NexStar 4 SE is a great portable telescope, just right for visual observing or for taking short exposure pictures of the Moon and planets. It’s only fair to warn you that a small telescope has its drawbacks, however; there are thousands of objects in the NexStar database that are simply too dim to see with a four inch telescope. --Jeff Phillips Venus Pros: Small, portable and affordable Very good optics Easy computerized tracking Cons: Rechargeable batteries not included Small size limits deep space viewing Features
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Orion Padded Case for 180mm Mak-Cass Telescope Optical Tube
List Price: |
DescriptionWe offer a rugged, soft custom case to fit the SkyView Pro 180mm Mak-Cass. It is fully padded on all sides to provide maximum protection of your instrument. Our padded scope cases provide a convenient means for transporting and storing your scope. It'll stay cleaner and last longer, free of dings and scrapes. They're made of heavy, water-resistant polyester/nylon material with padding sewn into the inner lining. Full-length zipper allows easy access. Handle straps fit nicely in the hand and most are long enough to sling over a shoulder, too. Comfortable to carry, forgiving of bumps and bruises, and more space-efficient than boxy hard cases, our scope cases are a smart buy for any telescope owner. Get yours today! One-year limited warranty. Features
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Orion Apex 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
Sale Price: $229.99 |
DescriptionWith a tube length of 11 inches, a 90mm (3.5") precision-polished fully multi-coated meniscus front lens, and solid uncompromising construction. the Apex 90 Compact Mak is a paragon of portability, optical excellence, and durability. Better still, it's one of the most versatile scopes we offer. The Apex 90 delivers bright, high-contrast images, and with a focal length of 1250mm (f/13.9) you also get a generous image scale. It features a built-in 1/4"-20 adapter plate that makes it easy to mount onto a standard photo tripod for viewing grand daytime vistas. Attach a 35mm camera to the scope's visual back (with a T-ring adapter sold separately) and use the whole assembly as powerful telephoto lens for astrophotography and terrestrial shooting. What more could you want? Includes a 25mm Plossl eyepiece, 6x20 finder scope, 45-deg correct-image diagonal, and fully padded carrying case. One-year limited warranty. Features
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Orion FlexiShield for 150mm (6") Cassegrains
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DescriptionEvery owner of a Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov telescope knows what a pain dew can be. When it forms on the front corrector plate or lens, it's usually time to call it a night. Our FlexiShield dew cap is the answer. It reduces the formation of dew, prolonging your observing sessions. It's made of durable, flexible ABS plastic that won't chip or break like hard dew caps. It wraps snugly around your telescope tube and fastens with Velcro. FlexiShield can be stored flat or rolled up for convenient storage and transport. It also makes an excellent lens shade when using your telescope in daylight. Features
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Choosing and Using a New CAT: Getting the Most from Your Schmidt Cassegrain or Any Catadioptric Telescope (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series)
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DescriptionChoosing and Using the New CAT will supersede the authorâs successful Choosing and Using a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, which has enjoyed enthusiastic support from the amateur astronomy community for the past seven years. Since the first book was published, a lot has changed in the technology of amateur astronomy. The sophistication and variety of the telescopes available to amateurs has increased dramatically. Computerized SCTs, Maksutov-Cassegrains, and most recently Meadeâs new and acclaimed Ritchey-Chrétiens have come to dominate the market. That means that all amateurs considering the purchase of a new telescope (not only a SCT, and not just beginners) will benefit from this detailed guide. Choosing the right telescope for particular kinds of observation (or even for general work) is far from easy â but Rod Mollise gives invaluable advice and guidance. |
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Choosing and Using a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope : A Guide to Commercial SCTs and Maksutovs (Practical Astronomy.)
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DescriptionAmateur astronomy is becoming more and more popular, mostly because of the availability of relatively low-cost astronomical telescopes of superb quality - commercially-made Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutovs. Rod Mollise's book contains everything amateur astronomers need to know about these telescopes. |
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Geometric Optics: Theory and Design of Astronomical Optical Systems Using Mathematica® (Modeling and Simulation in Science, Engineering and Technology)
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DescriptionThis bookâunique in the literatureâprovides readers with the mathematical background needed to design many of the optical combinations that are used in astronomical telescopes and cameras. The results presented in the work were obtained by using a different approach to third-order aberration theory as well as the extensive use of the software package Mathematica®. Replete with workout examples and exercises, Geometric Optics is an excellent reference for advanced graduate students, researchers, and practitioners in applied mathematics, engineering, astronomy, and astronomical optics. The work may be used as a supplementary textbook for graduate-level courses in astronomical optics, optical design, optical engineering, programming with Mathematica, or geometric optics. |
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Celestron 52233 C50 Mini Mak Weather Proof Spotting Scope
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DescriptionCelestron Mini Maks bring portability and versatility to a new level. The Maksutov optical design is recognized for being compact, easy to use, and applicable for both terrestrial (land) and astronomical use. C50 Mini Mak is a small but powerful spotting scope that includes a tabletop tripod which has built-in panhandle control, a built-in zoom eyepiece capable of 90x magnification, and soft carrying case. Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design with multi-coated optics Waterproof 45 eyepiece - zooms up to 75x 1.25" eyepiece adapter allows usage of any 1.25" eyepiece Table top tripod Soft carrying case No-Fault Lifetime Warranty Features
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