Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Dec 1, 2023 23:32:35 GMT -6
Basic 100mm Maksutov Telescope addition to the Chicago Astronomer arsenal of gear
01 December 2023
01 December 2023
I have been looking for a light weight, non-motorized mount/tripod for awhile now, for quick Grab & Go set-up to catch and image the Moon, Sun, conjunctions and other non precise tracking enjoyment...especially when I climb to the top of my garage roof to catch celestial events to the east.
Lugging a motorized CG5 mount, (the smallest mount I had), with counter weight & power source or similar just for a quick view or image is so much of a hassle, that sometimes I would rather just let the celestial event go without being part of it. But really, all I desired was a simple light weight mount with manual slow-mo controls.
I found this kit of tubular legs and a EQ mount that will serve my intent perfectly....and a 100mm Maksutov scope is included...an added bonus.
It's light & cute.
It also has the smallest counter-weight I have ever seen. Along with the accessories are a cheapo plastic diagonal, Red-dot finder, slo-mo control cables, cell phone adapter, eyepiece tray and a single plossel 25mm eyepiece.
The whole set-up is pretty compact, which could be carried in a single over the shoulder bag.....which is great and the Mak scope can be used solo or I can have it ride on top of the C11 or C8 SCT Tubes. The mount will accept dovetail rails from my other scopes, so it's versatile for my needs. A decent 1400 Fl on the Mak scope for good magnification and contrast, although Maks are known to be slow and this one is at f/14. But that's ok, 'cause the cost was practically pocket change, when including "Cash-back" "points" and other rewards. (NOTE: I would not have purchased this set-up at the full retail price of $229.95, but rather would had applied that amount to something else astronomical.)
But for about $150...it's all good and I spend more at Aldis!
The single box arrived on a rainy Friday afternoon, only four days from my order placement...
All parts were accounted for and nicely packed in several boxes. The mount and legs will fit in an over the shoulder bag well and the Mak stored in a small padded luggage tote.
I had some time after my After School Matters Remote Astronomy class and quickly set-up the gear on my front porch for a quick view...
The mount has plastic parts, but that is ok, as it makes it lighter for transport. All movement was smooth and snug and the slo-mo cable controls did their job with responsive movement with no gear-lash. The views via the Mak were sharp, albeit not bright as I focused on a distant non-illuminated Cell phone tower. It's a "slow" scope, being at f/14 and the FOV was darker than a refractor or SCT of the same aperture....and expected. A better shake out test during the day and of course, on a clear evening, which may not occur for over a week.
All I need to do is replace that plastic diagonal with a real one, slap a Chicago Astronomer sticker on the OTA....and I am ready to go.
I will give it a good shake-out soon and share the results with all good Chicago Astronomer fans.
Astro Joe
