Skywatcher Skymax 127 - Part 1 - Why Bother ?

[@Tony-Elliott]

Great review Ollie , seeing the night sky with your own eyes is something that never gets old, so much more relaxed way to enjoy the night sky

[@OlliesSpace]

You're not wrong Tony I love imaging but nothing matches that connection of when it's your own eyes. Yes and very relaxing too, once I remembered how to use the hand controller 😂

[@LogansAstro]

Nothing quite like seeing the moon and planets with your own eyes so I'm sure this will be a great addition to the astro arsenal.

[@OlliesSpace]

Agreed although the arsenal has been shrinking, 😮!

[@GarnettLeary]

Great scope. Love the 127’s.

[@OlliesSpace]

Loving it so far !

[@nikaxstrophotography]

Congrats Ollie can't wait to see how it all goes

[@OlliesSpace]

Cheers Nik first light was on the Moon of course was looking good !!

[@scotiaastro]

Great upload Ollie and you've made a great choice! Its a wonderful lunar and planetary scope...I've just plonked my Skymax 127 on a spare Nexstar SE mount that I wasn't using, so will be fun to get some visual work done while the other rigs are snapping away! Have fun mate and best of luck! :)

[@OlliesSpace]

Cheers, yes I've had it out a couple of times now and loving it. Good idea sticking it on the Nexstar mount. Clear skies to you.

[@AZ4RunnersRealm]

I have the Orion 150 MaKCas. I love it Ollie.. it is great for Planetary imaging. You'll have a camera on it in no time!

[@OlliesSpace]

Lol already had the planetary camera on the Moon 😂. I nearly went the 150 but decided on the slightly lighter 127.

[@litacatalin3261]

I also am into astrophotography, but jist baught the 127 and it's such a joy! I also baought a bino.That realy makes al the difference.Go for it! 😊

[@OlliesSpace]

It's a great little scope I've never tried the Binos thanks for the tip

[@davidwitt2188]

I just bought both those scopes. So far so good.

[@OlliesSpace]

Couple of good scopes you got 👍

[@SimonsAstro]

Nice review of a good looking scope Ollie! I really should get into visual! Maybe, one day😀 Clear skies mate!

[@OlliesSpace]

Add it to the list mate !! 😜

[@MountainFisher]

I bought my son the Celestron Nexstar 127SLT and was surprised to see it was the exact same scope as my 127mm SW except the paint job. Both are owned by Synta Corp. Only difference was the 127SLT came with a 1.25 diagonal, but the back unscrewed and took a Fire Ball 2" adapter. I don't see a need for a 2" eyepiece because if you put too wide of a fov eyepiece in it you'll get vignetting. I aimed it at M1 Crab Nebula with a 26mm eyepiece and its outline showed up fairly well.

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

I love the 127 MAK I've got the older Skywatcher blue tubed telescope & it's a great scope for visual & even the odd planetary session if the conditions are right, mine was originally 1.25" adapter for the diagonal but the previous owner changed it for a 2" with the brass ring so the diagonal doesn't get marred.

[@OlliesSpace]

Hey mate just saw you on Simons PAS video.....so did you buy something 🤔🤣. Ye a better visual back would be good without just the two screws.

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

I cannot confirm nor deny any money changing hands to buy such astronomy goods lol.

[@OlliesSpace]

@dumpydalekobservatory 🤔🤣🤣

[@ITProjectManagerMan]

You should flock both the tube and the center baffle, plus use dew shield to block any extraneous light. You will be amazed at the improvement. It's a really nice scope for all the reasons you mentioned. I have heard that this scope only tests as having 119mm aperture, not the full 127mm. But still a nice scope.

[@IvorStiffan]

So, I have a Skymax 127 with AZ-GTI-EQ, Evoguide 50ED MK2, just got an Esprit 80ED and am planning a C9.25 XLT on an EQ6R-PRO (£350 cheaper than AZ-EQ6). Do you also have an Esprit 80ED and Evoguide 50ED???

[@HosseinZareiOshtolagh]

Very good review and desciption!

[@mehensley1234]

I use mine for cluster imaging primarily. I also plan to nab a tabletop mount for quick visual scope.

[@OlliesSpace]

Be nice to get this on a tabletop little dob design 👍

[@ohwell2790]

I just bought on 7/3/2024 because of the reviews and it is lighter than my other scopes. Know that it will be good.

[@OlliesSpace]

@@ohwell2790 I think you'll be happy it's a super little scope.

[@patricj951]

Good video! I have a question. I know the central obstruction in any mirror telescope results in a certain contrast loss compared to a refractor. I have a Skywatcher 90 mak. And while the sharpness is very good even at high magnification I am not satisfied with the contrast. But in this case I am sure it's mainly because of too reflective inside of the tube. I read about improving contrast of mak 90 by adding matt paint on the inner wall. I find it sad that Skywatcher have not made this as standard. I do not believe it could be more than + $100 extra cost for that, which definitely would be worth it. Therefore I wonder: is the 127 mak treated with some matt black finish on the inside?

[@OlliesSpace]

@patricj951 Hi Pat, I can't see any and have been advised by other also its worth flocking.

[@patricj951]

@OlliesSpace Hi! And thanks for the reply. But sorry, my english is not perfect. I don't understand what you mean here.

[@frackcenturion]

i have the 127 and the 180 both awesome scopes 👍

[@OlliesSpace]

I'm loving it so far glad to join the Mak club.

[@namero999]

How do you compare them? Had the 127 for a few years and thinking about going for the 180. I wonder if it's too much focal..

[@evertonporter7887]

I've got the Skymax 102 you mentioned and it's a great scope for lunar, planetary and the brighter DSOs. It has a FL of 1300mm.

[@OlliesSpace]

Those things are super light too

[@arnaubonetbiesca3751]

I also have a Mak127 and just can say good things about it. Good for general visual, good in lunar and planetary, good for planetary and lunar photo. In resume a good little cope for grab and go just you say for those days you want check the moon or planets in a quick view. And by the way if you didn’t check the collimation, for sure if you didn’t isn’t 100% fin

[@bobslfcu773]

Nice video, is. there a way to attach a DSLR to it? Thanx for the info.

[@OlliesSpace]

@bobslfcu773 Hi Bob. Sure, you can use a T-Ring and adapter for your DSLR to attach it. Usually, Nikon and Canon are fairly easy. I'm pretty sure if you query Skymax 127 and DSLR, a guy has done a video showing how to connect. Thanks Ollie

[@gettingpast4391]

I have a 127mm Mak and you haven't fully appreciated this scope until you use it with a set of binoviewers. Unlike a newt, no barlow is required to reach focus. The moon and planets through binoviewers will blow you away.

[@paganphil100]

The 102mm version has a focal length of 1300mm and is f 12.7

[@huf67]

01:17 ... Sadly that's what she said too 😞

[@bazpearce9993]

I got my 127mm Mak in 2015. I have way more expensive scopes as well, but they never get a look in.

[@OlliesSpace]

It's a top little scope I'm really enjoying using it and how portable it is.

[@bazpearce9993]

@@OlliesSpaceMine only has the 1.25 inch back, so i'm thinking if i can cobble the cash together i want the new model. I've got that eyepiece with an 80ED refractor, and it's like having a little TV screen compared to a pinhole with a one and a quarter.

[@3dfxvoodoocards6]

A 102/714 mm FPL51 refracror would destroy that 127mm Maksutov and it costs just 460 $, sold by Svbony.

[@OlliesSpace]

😂

[@seanflewin9803]

The ads are starting to piss me off on youtube they're increasing in volume

[@OlliesSpace]

Yes there are a lot !

[@Robb-jf7vg]

For portability, yes, go for a 127mm. But to really enjoy the view? Go 150 or 180mm. I split the difference and got the 150mm. Really GREAT views!

[@OlliesSpace]

That's a fair call Rob. I'd love to check the planets thru that 180 must be awesome.

[@hooch1111]

actually central obstruction is quite similar in both SCT and Mak, SW specs are not accurate. Also contrast is quite similar too, all this "refactor like view" BS about Maks is coming from "influencers" mostly. SCTs are perfect for both photo and visual, since FL is shorter and F number is lower, BTW.

[@OlliesSpace]

@hooch1111 That's interesting although I must say from personal experience I do find the Mak has a sharper view.

[@marbasfpv4639]

Thumbs up for skipping the unboxing, it is boring

[@OlliesSpace]

Ha you're not wrong mate 😂