I really enjoyed the video. I own both the 127 and 180 Maksutov telescopes, but when it comes to astrophotography, I always go for the 127. It's an excellent choice for capturing detailed images of the moon and planets, truly delivering performance beyond its size. A helpful tip for easier focusing during imaging sessions, if you haven't already adopted it, is to attach a clothes peg to the focuser. This makes achieving sharp focus much more straightforward.
I have this scope in my collection and also the heq5 Pro mount and managed 2 hours on the whirlpool galaxy guiding with a 32mm f4 guidescope @ 300 second exposures and it guided very well. Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised.
That sounds very good Dave I find at this focal length beyond 3 min and I start to lose the stars even on my iOptron CEM60EC. How did the Galaxy come out, did it pull enough data out ?
@@AstroSoundscape compared to my newt, overall it wasn't as good but I must say that I did it purely as an experiment just to see 'What if!' So to speak and was way more surprised than I thought. Manual focused, only 2 hours instead of the usual multiple... but it worked. Guiding was around 0.9 if I remember correctly
Hi Ollie, I have had my 127mm mak out over this winter for visual use. The weather has been so bad that we often only get short windows of clear sky. Mine goes on an alt az mount and is set up within about 5 minutes, so it lends itself to short sessions. I pretty much abandoned photography for the last month because of weather, but have been enjoying the visual side of things. Like you, I have some Baader eye pieces which give lovely views with this scope of the moon, and some open clusters along with the brighter Globular clusters.
Hey John it sounds like you guys really have had it quite bad. It's good to be able to set something up quickly and be viewing. I've been happy with these eyepieces, do a good job and are not super expensive. Clear skies soon 👍
Interesting video. I have a 102/1000 mm F10 achromat made by Bresser, I wonder how it would compare to the 127 mm Skywatcher Skymax on the Moon and planets for visual observations :)
Really not too sure, maybe this would be a little better corrected as the Bresser is an acromat but some of those are still very good. I have a 700mm achromat SVBony I use for Solar. I'm gonna put an eyepiece in this soon and post something so that will be interesting comparison.
@@AstroSoundscape it would be very interesting to see a comparison between the Skywatcher Skymax 127 and the Svbony refractor :). Which Svbony model do you have, the 102 mm aperture?
Fantastic choice Ollie, Maks 127 are great scopes, and with a bit of patience can also give nice pics as you have shown here. They can also be collimated and once done it holds for much longer than say a SCT. What I've found at least in my sample (a Saxon mak 127, which is also Synta made) is that the field is not too flat and star shape suffers, I did some tests a couple years ago with a 0.63 reducer only, but was not too happy with the results either. Your stars look good, I think a small sensor with fat pixels can help is someone wants to use the scope for imaging, or EAA. Thanks for this video, all the best!
Hey cheers pal good to know about the 0.63 reducer, I've seen a couple of people using these. My camera has pretty big pixels so probably helped a bit as did Blur X terminator. Thanks again for watching and the tips.
Those little Maks are by far one of the best bang for buck scopes you can buy, I have to say the DSO's came out well as well as the Moon shots nice job mate.
Yes you're right can't argue with that. I did have to blast the DSO with Blur and Noise X terminator to pull something out but not bad for just 10 min of data. Cheers and clear skies soon pal.
Well, just got mine and they may be really good on planets, but as far as stars go it is a no go. Have only been able to do Saturn so far and the results are acceptable. The image scale is very small nothing like my Celestron Omni XL 120, not a fair comparison as I got the Skymax instead of a expensive apo refractor. I use a 2x barlow which helps and is a must with the 127 MAK. I do like the scope. As far as focus use a batinov mask to focus on a bright star which works well. Now waiting for Jupiter. Also use the SvBony straight thru correct image illuminated finder scope an excellent buy and makes things easier. Use a IR/UV filter and it doubles as protection for the camera sensor. why use a diagonal with the camera? Clear sky's to all
Looks like a great little scope Ollie and the fact that it was quick and easy to set up and use means you'll be more likely to observe when the conditions are not good or you only have limited time, will be good to see what it can do in combination with sharpcap's new live stacking on the planet s and Moon
Hey Tony yes exactly something I can setup quickly and just do that old thing we all used to do LOOK 🧐. Good idea on the livestack pal I'd forgot about that. Cheers and hope you're well. 👍
Great review of a great telescope. I bought an older version of this scope, the blue tube one, a few years ago (for 120 euro's second-hand!). I have to say, its a superb little scope. I have imaged Mars, Jupiter and the Moon with it and got great results. I have a Televue 76 and a Explore Scientific ED102 and it is as good, if not better, than those 'scopes on Planetary & Lunar viewing.
Comes on the Celestron Nexstar as the 127SLT, but they're the same scope made by Synta who owns both companies. I personally do not care for the SW SynScan as much as the Nexstar, but my favorite is the iOptron Nova hand control because I look up double stars and its 112,000 objects is quite useful and is easy to use. If you have a full Moon use a Moon & Skyglow light pollution filter, edit; but not at the Moon use that polarized filter. I know the Baader is more expensive, but Baader's Neodymium M&Sg filter is exceptional, just take a look at the Orion Nebula with it.
I find the primaluce esatto to be a great auto focuser for this scope. Use the scope focuser for course adjustment set esatto at mid point - it will now focus on anything.
@@AstroSoundscape You’re right. I agree it’s expensive but I feel well worth the cost and comparable to other premium auto focusers. It actually turns the OTA into a very decent EAA setup even for deep sky objects.
Hey I have a question, I am getting a skymax 127 but it doesn't come with a tripod. I want an inexpensive one. Is there any you would recommend that will support its weight? I just don't want to spend 400 for one
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I really enjoyed the video. I own both the 127 and 180 Maksutov telescopes, but when it comes to astrophotography, I always go for the 127. It's an excellent choice for capturing detailed images of the moon and planets, truly delivering performance beyond its size. A helpful tip for easier focusing during imaging sessions, if you haven't already adopted it, is to attach a clothes peg to the focuser. This makes achieving sharp focus much more straightforward.
Hey thanks Matt I've heard of the peg trick but never tried it, great tip cheers.
I have this scope in my collection and also the heq5 Pro mount and managed 2 hours on the whirlpool galaxy guiding with a 32mm f4 guidescope @ 300 second exposures and it guided very well. Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised.
That sounds very good Dave I find at this focal length beyond 3 min and I start to lose the stars even on my iOptron CEM60EC. How did the Galaxy come out, did it pull enough data out ?
@@AstroSoundscape compared to my newt, overall it wasn't as good but I must say that I did it purely as an experiment just to see 'What if!' So to speak and was way more surprised than I thought. Manual focused, only 2 hours instead of the usual multiple... but it worked. Guiding was around 0.9 if I remember correctly
Hi Ollie, I have had my 127mm mak out over this winter for visual use. The weather has been so bad that we often only get short windows of clear sky. Mine goes on an alt az mount and is set up within about 5 minutes, so it lends itself to short sessions.
I pretty much abandoned photography for the last month because of weather, but have been enjoying the visual side of things. Like you, I have some Baader eye pieces which give lovely views with this scope of the moon, and some open clusters along with the brighter Globular clusters.
Hey John it sounds like you guys really have had it quite bad. It's good to be able to set something up quickly and be viewing. I've been happy with these eyepieces, do a good job and are not super expensive. Clear skies soon 👍
Thanks alot for sharing brother, New friend here stay connected God bless you
Interesting video. I have a 102/1000 mm F10 achromat made by Bresser, I wonder how it would compare to the 127 mm Skywatcher Skymax on the Moon and planets for visual observations :)
Really not too sure, maybe this would be a little better corrected as the Bresser is an acromat but some of those are still very good. I have a 700mm achromat SVBony I use for Solar. I'm gonna put an eyepiece in this soon and post something so that will be interesting comparison.
Me too for the moon that's good enough, to see M13 you might want 127mm...
@@AstroSoundscape it would be very interesting to see a comparison between the Skywatcher Skymax 127 and the Svbony refractor :). Which Svbony model do you have, the 102 mm aperture?
Yes the 102 is the model I have
@@AstroSoundscape that would be great, the 127 mm Skymax against the 102 mm Svbony refractor. I would bet my money on the 102 mm refractor :)
Fantastic choice Ollie, Maks 127 are great scopes, and with a bit of patience can also give nice pics as you have shown here. They can also be collimated and once done it holds for much longer than say a SCT. What I've found at least in my sample (a Saxon mak 127, which is also Synta made) is that the field is not too flat and star shape suffers, I did some tests a couple years ago with a 0.63 reducer only, but was not too happy with the results either. Your stars look good, I think a small sensor with fat pixels can help is someone wants to use the scope for imaging, or EAA. Thanks for this video, all the best!
Hey cheers pal good to know about the 0.63 reducer, I've seen a couple of people using these. My camera has pretty big pixels so probably helped a bit as did Blur X terminator. Thanks again for watching and the tips.
Looks like a great scope for observing, great for outreach etc, Thanks Ollie
Ye I think that's the real strength Nik and like you say outreach. Cheers 👍
Those little Maks are by far one of the best bang for buck scopes you can buy, I have to say the DSO's came out well as well as the Moon shots nice job mate.
Yes you're right can't argue with that. I did have to blast the DSO with Blur and Noise X terminator to pull something out but not bad for just 10 min of data. Cheers and clear skies soon pal.
Well, just got mine and they may be really good on planets, but as far as stars go it is a no go. Have only been able to do Saturn so far and the results are acceptable. The image scale is very small nothing like my Celestron Omni XL 120, not a fair comparison as I got the Skymax instead of a expensive apo refractor. I use a 2x barlow which helps and is a must with the 127 MAK. I do like the scope. As far as focus use a batinov mask to focus on a bright star which works well. Now waiting for Jupiter. Also use the SvBony straight thru correct image illuminated finder scope an excellent buy and makes things easier. Use a IR/UV filter and it doubles as protection for the camera sensor. why use a diagonal with the camera? Clear sky's to all
They moved Olympus Mons to the Moon? LOL Nobody told me, must have been them nasty Aliens again...!
🤣🤣 Oh no, look they both start with an M. Luckily I remembered it was the Moon and didn't call it Mercury!!
Looks like a great little scope Ollie and the fact that it was quick and easy to set up and use means you'll be more likely to observe when the conditions are not good or you only have limited time, will be good to see what it can do in combination with sharpcap's new live stacking on the planet s and Moon
Hey Tony yes exactly something I can setup quickly and just do that old thing we all used to do LOOK 🧐. Good idea on the livestack pal I'd forgot about that. Cheers and hope you're well. 👍
Excellent. Got me subscribed. You have really got me interested in this unit.
Thanks it's a great little scope
I love those little scopes, great for Lunar and Planetary for sure! It did a great job on those DSOs! CS
There are capable little beasts aren't they. Will be interesting to put it on the planets next year.
Great review of a great telescope. I bought an older version of this scope, the blue tube one, a few years ago (for 120 euro's second-hand!). I have to say, its a superb little scope. I have imaged Mars, Jupiter and the Moon with it and got great results. I have a Televue 76 and a Explore Scientific ED102 and it is as good, if not better, than those 'scopes on Planetary & Lunar viewing.
Hey Thanks Kevin you're certainly right, I'm glad I pulled the trigger on this one really good value for money for the view you get.
No complaints, I think they are a good purchase.
I'm using a Skywatcher Star Adventurer GTi as a mount.
That's good to know a couple of people now have said there doing ok with the AZ GTI 👍
Comes on the Celestron Nexstar as the 127SLT, but they're the same scope made by Synta who owns both companies. I personally do not care for the SW SynScan as much as the Nexstar, but my favorite is the iOptron Nova hand control because I look up double stars and its 112,000 objects is quite useful and is easy to use. If you have a full Moon use a Moon & Skyglow light pollution filter, edit; but not at the Moon use that polarized filter. I know the Baader is more expensive, but Baader's Neodymium M&Sg filter is exceptional, just take a look at the Orion Nebula with it.
I have Skymax 180 as a visual telescope as aperture always rules, still quite light weight and portable.
I've seen some Planetary images from those 180s which look incredible. How long do you tend to leave yours to cool down ?
the skywatcher az gti handles this scope with no problems in alt az mode, perfect setup for a travel light weight rig 👍
Thanks Frack that's good to know 👍 like you say very good little portable rig at that.
@@AstroSoundscape also you went 127 mak, you will get aperture fever and go 180 😁👍
For visual the ZWO AM3 is an option. It does alt az mode as well as eq. Your scope is probably on the practical limit for the AZGTi.
Ye I've seen people use the AZ GTI and probably ok in ALT/AZ mode but I imagine not for long exposures.
I find the primaluce esatto to be a great auto focuser for this scope. Use the scope focuser for course adjustment set esatto at mid point - it will now focus on anything.
Thanks good tip, those are expensive but look a great well made piece of kit. Great for fine focus on this.
@@AstroSoundscape You’re right. I agree it’s expensive but I feel well worth the cost and comparable to other premium auto focusers. It actually turns the OTA into a very decent EAA setup even for deep sky objects.
I have my 127 on a az5.great grab and go
Hey I have a question, I am getting a skymax 127 but it doesn't come with a tripod. I want an inexpensive one. Is there any you would recommend that will support its weight? I just don't want to spend 400 for one
What about the Skywatcher AZ3-R? It's a manual mount but I honestly haven't used it maybe try researching this one.