New Maksutov-Newtonian (Mak-Newt) from Skywatcher

[kayheem]

Hi all,

Skywatcher (Synta) has come up with a new scope and that is the Mak-Newt:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddet ... _astograph

The strange thing is that it is not found on the Skywatcher website.

For newbies, the Mak-Newt design, when properly executed, is supposed to give apo refractors a very close fight and is equivalent to a slightly smaller apo refractor.

Imagine doing astroimaging with a 'fast' 5-6" apo costing about SGD2K!

Kay Heem

[Tachyon]

Looks nice.. does that mean one does not need to collimate a Mak-Newt?

[VinSnr]

Hi all,

Skywatcher (Synta) has come up with a new scope and that is the Mak-Newt:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddet ... _astograph

The strange thing is that it is not found on the Skywatcher website.

For newbies, the Mak-Newt design, when properly executed, is supposed to give apo refractors a very close fight and is equivalent to a slightly smaller apo refractor.

Imagine doing astroimaging with a 'fast' 5-6" apo costing about SGD2K!

Kay Heem

This look like the 190mm Mak Newt that Orion is selling.

[weixing]

Hi,
Sky-Watcher website always the last to update any new product they have. Usually, Orion will have it first, so if you want to know any new telescope from Sky-Watcher, check Orion website.

Have a nice day.

[perseid]

The scope has been in the market close to half a year now. Weixing is correct. SW website is the last to update their new product. And they didn't list down all their products.

I ordered one from SW three months ago and arrived last month. It is still in the box.

I have not test out the scope yet, as there was a potential buyer. Thought that I will test out for him, but he back out last minute.

I have not seen any credible report on the performance yet. I am actually very eager to test out the scope myself for its astrophotography performance, but I'm using a 8" F5 newtonian with coma corrector currently. Using this scope, meaning I have to get rid of the 8" first.

I am pleased with 8" F5 and coma corrector performance, but the field is not flat and stars are not pin point till the edge. To get good image, you'll have to rely heavily on flat frame. Personally, of all the image callibration processes, I despise having to do flat frame.

I have use MN56 before and was very pleased with its result. But it lacks aperture and speed. It is not design for astrophotography in mind as the secondary mirror is way too small. I also need to modify my t-ring a bit so that it can reach focus for my DSLR camera.

Back to the mak-newt, I think it should work well. Based on initial reports, it seems that the contrast is slightly lower compared to those mak-newt from russia. This is not a problem for astrophotography, as the contrast of RC scopes are even lower. Yet nobody complain about it. It should offer flat field and no need for coma corrector. You don't even need to change focuser to reach focus like many newtonian.
Pricing wise, you can't beat this mak-newt.

[Meng Lee]

Hi,

There are reviews of this scope on Craig Stark's website and on Andy shot glass website.

Do note that the BARE tube is 22lbs and the 8" f5 newtonian is only 17lbs. So the Mak Newt needs at least Atlas capacity kind of mount for photography to work well.

Meng Lee