After I had filmed, edited and scheduled this video for release, a wonderful southern hemisphere Astrophotographer, Ollie @AstroSoundscape uploaded a couple of excellent videos on the Skymax 127 (great minds think alike! Lol!). As my upload had already been filmed and edited, I couldn’t reference him in the video, but I wanted to include links to his channel in the description of this video! I’d encourage you all to check him out and enjoy his wonderful images! Can’t wait to see what you produce with the Skymax in the south, Ollie! Cheers! :)
Nice video for a great scope. I've had mine for 12 years, and I call it my little big scope. Great high power views. I recommend wrapping the OTA in Reflectix insulation. It almost fully eliminates internal heat plumes.
Yes, it's a fantastic wee performer! Thanks for the tip on the insulation wrap...will definitely try that out! Appreciate you tuning in and have a great weekend! :)
I only have set up on 127 for visual (no astrophotography). My best upgrade was the Baader prism diagonal with micro focusing EP holder. The stock visual backs for my Skymax 127 and my SLT 90 has the standard male T2 threads. The Baader prism diagonal has a female T2 telescope side thread and can be screwed directly on to the standard visual backs. I am less concerned about my Baader Hyperion 8-24 zoom EP falling out with the diagonal (it can't, it's screwed on) than using a couple of screws. Also, I don't like the way the mak focuses (though I love the scope) and don't want to faf with small £9.99 pieces of small 3d printed plastic or clothes pegs. Just when you think you are about at focus with the mak then it starts going out of focus again in the opposite direction. Fracs and Newts are much better at getting sharp focus. Having fitted the Baader (any Baader diagonal that incorporates its T2 system) the micro focusing component on the EP holder does a far better job at getting into sharp focus than the maks focuser alone. You just need to get the mak as closely focused first with its own focuser then the micro focuser on the Baader will much better finish the job.
@@johnnimmo4114 Don't know if you got my reply as UA-cam not showing it. Type in 'Baader Prism Diagonal T-2 With Focusing Eyepiece Holder and 1.25" Nosepiece' into Google search for outlets that retail.
Might also want to flock the inside of the tube, round the secondary baffle and up the central baffle tube to increase the contrast. I’ve done that and used it as an overpowered daytime spotter.
Thank you very much for this very informative video. I've just started getting interested in astronomy and plan to start out with visually observing. Would you recommend the Skymax 127 (with az GTI mount) as a good "first scope"? Or does it offer too little aperture for a rookie and I might miss out on some deep sky objects?
This is a great starter scope, especially for the planets and brighter deep sky objects (star clusters look great!), so I'd definitely recommend it mate! Thanks for tuning in and glad you found it useful! If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out! :)
I prefer the Meade/Explore Scientific's 5" MCT's f/15 focal ratio as it meshes better with 8-24mm Zooms, but otherwise I've made much the same modifications
The 127 measures 119 not 127mm, just measure the front, FYI. I have the Celestron 127 which is the same as the SW Mak, just a different paint job. I put a Fire Ball 2" adapter on that can take any 2" refractor diagonal, just unscrew the 1.25 back. Synta makes both scopes is why they are the same.
HI Steve, I have this scope, and it works well with a Skywatcher GTI. Its great for globular clusters and other small objects. I don't know if you have a solution to fitting an EAF to this scope, i can not find anything on UA-cam on the subject. Anyway, nice video and looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Thanks for watching mate and yes I agree, the Skymax is a real hidden gem in the Skywatcher line-up! There doesn't seem to be a 'standard' way to attach an EAF, but I think you can easily on the 150 and 180 Skymax? There are a few videos on UA-cam which show some retro fitting of other focusers, so people have done it, but it's not a streamlined process...good luck and have a great week! :)
@@groundhoppingwlkp3622 I don't think so. The Mak has a central obstruction and a mirror with just 88-94% reflectivity. The achromat should be better on the Moon, planets and also DSO.
3:23 IMO celestron SCT T2 adapter is really poorly made. Mostly for planetary I use 2 inch visual back, 40mm GSO 2-T2 adapter and then T2 - EOS for DSLR, but it's change focal length to about 1650mm and F13. You can also use that SCT T2 Adapter with 0,63 SCT reducer, but useful corrected field is pretty small (just about for zwo asi 585) and make Mak F7,5 scope ;)
After I had filmed, edited and scheduled this video for release, a wonderful southern hemisphere Astrophotographer, Ollie @AstroSoundscape uploaded a couple of excellent videos on the Skymax 127 (great minds think alike! Lol!). As my upload had already been filmed and edited, I couldn’t reference him in the video, but I wanted to include links to his channel in the description of this video! I’d encourage you all to check him out and enjoy his wonderful images! Can’t wait to see what you produce with the Skymax in the south, Ollie! Cheers! :)
Get yourself a dew shield.flo does them.garnett Leary showed me how to convert to sct visual back.great upgrade.love my wee mak.clear skies Vic
Hey, thanks for tuning in! Yes, I've got a dew shield already and forgot to include in the video! Lol! :)
Nice video for a great scope. I've had mine for 12 years, and I call it my little big scope. Great high power views. I recommend wrapping the OTA in Reflectix insulation. It almost fully eliminates internal heat plumes.
Yes, it's a fantastic wee performer! Thanks for the tip on the insulation wrap...will definitely try that out! Appreciate you tuning in and have a great weekend! :)
I only have set up on 127 for visual (no astrophotography). My best upgrade was the Baader prism diagonal with micro focusing EP holder. The stock visual backs for my Skymax 127 and my SLT 90 has the standard male T2 threads. The Baader prism diagonal has a female T2 telescope side thread and can be screwed directly on to the standard visual backs. I am less concerned about my Baader Hyperion 8-24 zoom EP falling out with the diagonal (it can't, it's screwed on) than using a couple of screws. Also, I don't like the way the mak focuses (though I love the scope) and don't want to faf with small £9.99 pieces of small 3d printed plastic or clothes pegs. Just when you think you are about at focus with the mak then it starts going out of focus again in the opposite direction. Fracs and Newts are much better at getting sharp focus. Having fitted the Baader (any Baader diagonal that incorporates its T2 system) the micro focusing component on the EP holder does a far better job at getting into sharp focus than the maks focuser alone. You just need to get the mak as closely focused first with its own focuser then the micro focuser on the Baader will much better finish the job.
Great tip buddy! Thanks! Will certainly look into that, appreciate you sharing your experiences and thanks for tuning in! :)
Do you have a link for the upgraded baader diagonal you fitted to your 127 as I also having same focus issues as yourself
Thanks!!
@@johnnimmo4114 Don't know if you got my reply as UA-cam not showing it. Type in 'Baader Prism Diagonal T-2 With Focusing Eyepiece Holder and 1.25" Nosepiece' into Google search for outlets that retail.
Might also want to flock the inside of the tube, round the secondary baffle and up the central baffle tube to increase the contrast. I’ve done that and used it as an overpowered daytime spotter.
Great tip! Thanks so much for tuning in! :)
Thank you very much for this very informative video. I've just started getting interested in astronomy and plan to start out with visually observing. Would you recommend the Skymax 127 (with az GTI mount) as a good "first scope"? Or does it offer too little aperture for a rookie and I might miss out on some deep sky objects?
This is a great starter scope, especially for the planets and brighter deep sky objects (star clusters look great!), so I'd definitely recommend it mate! Thanks for tuning in and glad you found it useful! If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out! :)
Ollie doesnt sound like he's upside down, but i subbed him inspit of this
I prefer the Meade/Explore Scientific's 5" MCT's f/15 focal ratio as it meshes better with 8-24mm Zooms, but otherwise I've made much the same modifications
Sounds good.
Would love you to plop this on your sw gti and try dso imaging with it :)
Great idea, will see how it performs! :)
@@scotiaastro lol im interested in results but not too serious though :)
The 127 measures 119 not 127mm, just measure the front, FYI. I have the Celestron 127 which is the same as the SW Mak, just a different paint job. I put a Fire Ball 2" adapter on that can take any 2" refractor diagonal, just unscrew the 1.25 back. Synta makes both scopes is why they are the same.
HI Steve, I have this scope, and it works well with a Skywatcher GTI. Its great for globular clusters and other small objects. I don't know if you have a solution to fitting an EAF to this scope, i can not find anything on UA-cam on the subject. Anyway, nice video and looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Thanks for watching mate and yes I agree, the Skymax is a real hidden gem in the Skywatcher line-up! There doesn't seem to be a 'standard' way to attach an EAF, but I think you can easily on the 150 and 180 Skymax? There are a few videos on UA-cam which show some retro fitting of other focusers, so people have done it, but it's not a streamlined process...good luck and have a great week! :)
Like! If possible please make a comparison video with the Skymax 127 vs Bresser AR127 achromat. That would be really interesting.
Will do mate! Thanks for tuning in! :)
@@scotiaastro Thank you, that would be great :)
Mak smokes out Bresser achromat on Moon and Planets.
@@groundhoppingwlkp3622 I don't think so. The Mak has a central obstruction and a mirror with just 88-94% reflectivity. The achromat should be better on the Moon, planets and also DSO.
Is true aperture of this still 118mm ?
3:23 IMO celestron SCT T2 adapter is really poorly made. Mostly for planetary I use 2 inch visual back, 40mm GSO 2-T2 adapter and then T2 - EOS for DSLR, but it's change focal length to about 1650mm and F13. You can also use that SCT T2 Adapter with 0,63 SCT reducer, but useful corrected field is pretty small (just about for zwo asi 585) and make Mak F7,5 scope ;)