Sky Watcher Sky-Watcher Skymax 180mm Maksutov-Cassegrain - Large Aperture Compound-Style Reflector Telescope (S11540)

I love this optical tube. I live in the suburbs of Orlando FL, so the light pollution isn't gonna let me see alot of deep sky objects. So a mak seemed like a logical choice for lunar and planetary astronomy. I did see the Orion nebula and the image was sharp. Planets and the moon are amazing and ideal for observing thru this scope. Stock 2in 28mm eyepeice is awesome. It has comfortable eye relief, I'm guessing around 20mm, and the feild of view is (chef's kiss). No need for replacement like with other scopes, not right away anyway. The diagonal is good too, using a mirror rather than a prism, that are usually no good. I still got an upgrade but I didnt feel the need to replace it right away like other cheaper scopes. The only complaint I have is the finder scope. I'm just not a fan of them, it was sturdy and I can't thing of any problems with operating it. I will have this scope for the rest of my life. I can't wait to share my love of astronomy with my children. I loved Meade as a kid, but since meades are now harder to find, Sky watcher will now be my go to brand.

Upgrading to the Sky-Watcher Skymax 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain from a beginner's telescope has been an astronomical leap in my stargazing journey. Here's why this telescope is a star performer in its category.Pros:Powerful Magnification: The leap in detail is breathtaking. Viewing Jupiter felt like bringing the giant planet right into my backyard. The clarity and closeness with which I could observe its bands and moons were a game-changer.Compact and Portable: Despite its large aperture, this compound-style reflector telescope is surprisingly portable. Its design is perfect for those who have limited space but don't want to compromise on quality.Ease of Use: Transitioning from a beginner's scope, I found the Skymax 102mm to be user-friendly. It strikes a nice balance between advanced features and simplicity, making it accessible for amateurs looking to step up their game.Cons:Learning Curve: While it's relatively easy to use, getting the most out of its advanced features does require a wee bit of a learning curve. However, this is to be expected with any step-up in equipment.Conclusion: The Sky-Watcher Skymax 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain is an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade from a beginner telescope. Its ability to bring distant celestial bodies like Jupiter "close" and in stunning detail is impressive. It combines power, portability, and ease of use in a way that's hard to beat. Whether you're an amateur astronomer passionate about planetary observation or deep-sky viewing, this telescope will not disappoint. It's an investment that opens up a whole new universe to explore. Wish I started off with this one, but at least now I appreciate it more having stepped up to it.

It’s a great telescope! Its work extremely well for planets and terrestrial viewing. It gives very nice views of Saturn and Jupiter as well as close up and sharp views of objects and wildlife it’s small lightweight easy to use and it arrived perfectly collinated! Here are some picture of Jupiter a wide view of Saturn and the moon edited to show color. Different days yield different results some days I could see only 1 band on Jupiter and a poor quality Saturn it all depends on weather!!!! I will update this review once better picture have been taken enjoy! (Edit) new objects! In order left to right monkey head nebula,Crab nebula,needle galaxy,dumbbell nebula,ring nebula Lyra,M13,sombrero galaxy,M81/82,M42Bortle 7Skywatcher star adventurer GTi and 102 Mak40mm eye pieceiPhone 15 pro

I'm amazed at how excellent this compact scope is while being in such a small / compact package at such a great value. Sharp and high-contrast views with the ability to push the limits of magnification with it's long folded focal length and high-quality optics. At only 5 lbs, it makes an excellent "grab-and-go" scope for travel or quick views in both terrestrial and astronomical viewing. It even comes with two KE eyepieces (25 and 10 mm) that produce good views at what looks to be about 45 or 50 degree Apparent Field of Views. I have a set of Naglers (with 82 degree AFOV) that I use on this scope that it's funny to admit that each eyepiece costs more than this scope but they compliment each other very nicely. I'm very pleased with this "pairing" and this compact MAK 102 mm brings out the best in performance with perfectly round airy disks around stars right to the edge of field of view. I also use a Nagler 3-6 mm Zoom eyepiece (50 degree AFOV) that pushes this scope beyond it's recommended maximum magnification. However, it's incredible how good the image holds up as I zoom and this scope produces surprisingly good terrestrial views at 400+ magnification in this "little" scope. This is a great scope with amazing value in a compact package. Highly recommended for both the beginner and advanced amateur astronomer.