Intes Micro Alter a-809


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Brand and Model:Intes Micro Alter a-809
Price ($USD):3769
Type:Maksutov-Cassegrain
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:203mm (8")
f Ratio:f/10
Focal Length:2023mm
Finder:12x55
Electric Power:
Mount:
Tripod:
Weight (lbs):
Dimensions (w/h/d):
Description:

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Intes Micro Alter a-809
I've owned this scope for 2 years now (I am the second owner) so I have a accumulated a bit of experience observing with it.

First off, I must say that the star images are absolutely beautiful through this scope - much like looking through a quality APO refractor. They are lovely pinpoints of light. Sky background is jet black, making observing star clusters with a quality eyepiece is a true joy. Planetary performance is also quite good, but less than the views of a mak-newtonian, which is to be expected with a F10 MCT (larger central obstruction).

In doing a side by side comparison to 8" SCT, the SCT seemed to have a brighter image, but the views weren't has crisp. The dimmer image is no doubt due to the thicker meniscus lens rather than the thinner front corrector plate of the SCT. Still, I much prefer clarity over brightness any day.

Despite what some others have said, there is no noticeable mirror shift using the stock focuser on my scope. Adding another after market Crayford focuser is no problem because it has standard 2" rear threads so you can mount any SCT accessory without a worry (I added a Feathertouch for critical focus work).

The overall build quality of the scope is very good. It's quite heavy at almost 24 lbs, but has a solid, quality feel to it (despite it's rather bland appearance). I use it with an Eq6 mount, which I would recommend as the minimum mount to use.

The cooling fan is a nice feature, but to get observing with it as soon as possible, I recommend that you find a place to store it outside so that it's ready to go when you are.

Overall, I am quite pleased with this scope and would definitely recommend it. Currently it is only available on a custom order basis overseas and carries a hefty price tag (almost $6,000 Canadian), so if you can pick it up on the used market for a good pricer, do it!

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:9 Ease of Use:8 Value:8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=609958


Intes Micro Alter a-809
I did the previous entry, and wanted to make some additions to it. I really like the Mak design, both the Cass and the Newt and I plan on building my own 11" Mak (possibly a convertable Cass/Newt design)

I got a MN 61 (6" f/6 mak newt) and I am really impressed with it. See my review of that.

The M809 is heavy at 24 lbs, and that goes up quite a bit when you add a diagonal, eyepieces, barlow, finder, dew shield etc to over 30 lbs. I wouldn't recommend anything less than a G11 Losmandy or equivalent for it.

It works really well on deep sky with a 0.63 focal reducer for a SCT and a 26 mm Nagler. I did try a 41mm Panoptic but that only worked by itself with the reducer.

I have posted details at www.cloudynights.com under the user name johnhenry.

I have looked through a 12" Questar owned by a person in Vancouver, and I would buy it from him if he was

a) Selling it.

b)If I could get the Byers mount it came with

At over 300 lbs for both, this is an observatory instrument only.

I also looked through his 5" Televue MPT and will post a review of thisalso

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:8 Ease of Use:6 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=581370


Intes Micro Alter a-809
I got this one for $2500 through a telescope store used in 2005.

On the outside, the cosmetics are a bit, well, drab. The paint is a light gray with black accents. There is a carry handle attached to the rear of the scope, a plate with the model and serial number and a small focus knob. There is a small slot to mount a finder but it is too small to be useful. It needs a telerad or something that doen't use that slot.

Optically, the scope is superb once it cools, which can take a few hours. I now keep it in an unheated garage. I can easily see the small craters in Plato on the moon, and with a special mask, can find Sirius B, the small white dwarf companion.

The front corrector dews up easily in the winter here, so I have purchased a heater for it. It does need a front hood to help shield it from stray light.

The only weak point is the focuser. It suffers from serious image shift, sometimes putting Jupiter out of view, even with a low power eyepiece.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:8 Ease of Use:7 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=573043

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