96 replies to this topic

[Jond105]

127 or 150 grab and go Maksutov. I’ve read enough about maks and can’t stop myself. No longer care if it compliments my scope now, or doesn’t. The compact size, the aperture, the high power work is all I care about. For winter grab and go in SE Michigan, which should I go for. 

[Astroman007]

For winter grab 'n go, I'd take the 127.

 

Is it an Intes Micro?

[Bataleon]

127 or 150 grab and go Maksutov. I’ve read enough about maks and can’t stop myself. No longer care if it compliments my scope now, or doesn’t. The compact size, the aperture, the high power work is all I care about. For winter grab and go in SE Michigan, which should I go for.

We're talking about a roughly 4 lb difference between the two so if it's apples to oranges, I'd go with bigger aperture.

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[outofsight]

Definitely the 150.

[Ssayer]

I have the 127 because it was what I could afford. I'd have gotten the 150 in a heartbeat if I had the extra wallet for it...

[deepwoods1]

Just keep in mind that Maks don't cool quickly. More like grab and view low mag until it cools. There are threads about wrapping in Reflectix. 

[Bataleon]

I leave my Maks draped in the garage when not in use. Leaves them closer to optimum temperature for quick use.

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[Jond105]

This will be left in the shed all winter long. 

[Bataleon]

This will be left in the shed all winter long.

I recommend a drape or some other sort of soft cover without the dust caps on. It allows the glass to be exposed to the ambient air while still protecting it.

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[lakeorion]

In the garage, caps on both ends, unused shower curtain thrown over the whole kit + mount.  Temperature problems greatly minimized.

[Bataleon]

In the garage, caps on both ends, unused shower curtain thrown over the whole kit + mount. Temperature problems greatly minimized.

I think he can probably forego the caps to get it closer to viewing temperature as long as it's draped no? Unless humidity is an issue. My garage is pretty dry so I hadn't taken that into account.

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[Bean614]

This will be left in the shed all winter long. 

Still, wrap it in Reflectix.  I've had the 127 and 150, and both were Insulated.  Makes a big difference, especially in Northern Winters.  I would add that, actually, the 127 is a 'true' grab and go, as the weight and length of the 150 require some forethought about whether you really want to go out in the cold.  It's probably as much of an effort as your 120ED.

   I would go for the 127 in a heartbeat, which is how long it would take you, if it's Insulated, to grab it, go out and start observing.

[vdog]

Won't tell you what to do, but can tell you what I did. I gave into temptation and acquired a 127 Mak myself.   I looked at 150s, but ultimately it came down to price and weight.  The 127 saved me about $300 and will ride much more steadily on my Twilight I.

 

But if I had a bigger mount and money was not a factor, I would have gone for the 150.

[Jond105]

The AZ4 seems to hold the 120ED fine, at a much longer scope, compact that down some and it probably be better. CG4 with my CW’s would have no problem, but don’t like the CG4 as much has the AZ4. 

[Bataleon]

The AZ4 seems to hold the 120ED fine, at a much longer scope, compact that down some and it probably be better. CG4 with my CW’s would have no problem, but don’t like the CG4 as much has the AZ4.

If you've been using a 120ED, you'll be fine with either Mak. The frac is heavier than both and has greater moment arm, so any Mak 150 and under ought to be significantly more stable by nature.

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[Jond105]

Seems like 150, dew shield, reflectix wrap, and covered in the shed makes this a grab and go scope. With more light grasp for fainter doubles, might even put an 8-24 zoom in it and call it an easy ready to go scope. Wait for summer, compare views with the frac, and sell one off!! Appreciate this guys. 

[Stellar1]

I second the 150, i have one, the small difference in size and weight makes it the best choice, ill take my 150 Mak to my grave, it shreds planets and Lunar.

[Astrolog]

OP - Which model are you looking at getting?

BTW - I cannot blame you one bit for being tempted this way as I often cant help but wonder if having a portable MAK makes sense for me.

[vtornado]

I just had a shoot out between my 127Mak and 100ED. 

Basically a tie, as far as the view goes.  I tested planets, lunar, doubles.

 

If the same scaling factor occurs I assume a 150 would be about the same image quality as your 120.

 

One thing I have not done is compare my 127 SCT to the 127 Mak.

An SCT has several things going for it.  Lighter, Shorter and wider field, compared to the same aperture mak.

But then you don't get to drink the Mak Kool-Aid.

[Jond105]

OP - Which model are you looking at getting?

BTW - I cannot blame you one bit for being tempted this way as I often cant help but wonder if having a portable MAK makes sense for me.

I’m gonna go Orion in 150. Since it’s bare bones and I don’t need any of the extras. Had I gone 127, I would have gone Sky-Watcher just for the 2” focuser. I know my eyepieces will end up vignetting a little I imagine, but I’m ok with it as they’ll mainly be used as finder eyepieces. 

[Jond105]

I just had a shoot out between my 127Mak and 100ED. 

Basically a tie, as far as the view goes.  I tested planets, lunar, doubles.

 

If the same scaling factor occurs I assume a 150 would be about the same image quality as your 120.

 

One thing I have not done is compare my 127 SCT to the 127 Mak.

An SCT has several things going for it.  Lighter, Shorter and wider field, compared to the same aperture mak.

But then you don't get to drink the Mak Kool-Aid.

Need to get the Kool Aid taste. Is this why your 100ED went up?

[jaraxx]

I've a 127 Apex Mak, and one of it's selling points is how robust a scope it is. I've dragged it about the landscape and never had any problem. I use it on a dual mount with an ST80 as complimentary scope / finder scope / wide field. I can manage both out the door (carefully). I keep them outside on a covered porch, caps on and draped with a little shroud. Temp in such a set up is no problem.

 

I've thought about replacing it with a 150, but not yet. And like vtornado, I've compared the 127 with a 102 ED and it's essentially a tie - maybe just a bit better with the Mak.

 

If it's a single scope, I think the 150 is fine given you have the mount for it. I think the 150 is about 12 pounds as opposed to the 127's eight pounds, and probably compatible to the ST80 /  127 Mak combo. 

[JohnH]

Smallest one I own is a 7" MN 76.

 

No regrets at all.

[vtornado]

. Is this why your 100ED went up?

only one reason.

 

The ED is f9 making it 900 mm, which is kind of long.

It does not mount on my porta or tw II

 

I am of the thinking now that refractors should be short and fast.

Mirror scopes should be big.

 

6 inch dob beats the 100 in just about everything, super easy to set up and has a street value of $150.

 

If I ever do try some picture taking the 100mm is probably too long.

I just picked up a 80mm f 7.5 ED for ed fun.  mounts on the porta, has a wider field.

 

Now if I see a 100 f7 ED that could be the perfect scope.

[SeattleScott]

Keep in mind the ergonomics of the finder. I generally don’t use my iOptron 6” Mak on AZ4 because the finderscope ends up n an awkward position. Can’t rotate it in rings like a refractor. Granted, nothing a Telrad or Rigel can’t solve, but something to consider.

Scott