Maksutov-Cassegrain 90mmF5.6


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Brand and Model:Maksutov-Cassegrain 90mmF5.6
Price ($USD):~$300
Type:Maksutov-Cassegrain
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:90mm (3.5")
f Ratio:f/5.6
Focal Length:500mm
Finder:N/A
Electric Power:N/A
Mount:1/4 " x 20
Tripod:Photo Tripod
Weight (lbs):~4 lbs. lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):Small
Description:Imported under Celestron, Orion, Pro-Optic, and Vista brand names.

Vote Highlights Vote
Maksutov-Cassegrain 90mmF5.6
Like many others, I compared this little Mak to my ST80 and the ST80 killed it. I'm amazed at how many comments there are that the cuteness of this scope increases it's rating! Does cuteness help reduce that big central obstruction? NO! Although the visual appeal of a scope could be a consideration, I don't think it should really affect someone's rating of it's overall performance. This little scope gives much dimmer views than an ST80, with greatly reduced contrast. One is far better off to spend the extra $100 and get the Orion Apex 90 or just buy the ST80. VERDICT: Not recommended.

Overall Rating: 3
Optics:2 Ease of Use:7 Value:4
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=142297


Maksutov-Cassegrain 90mmF5.6
Fantastic as a spotting scope/telephoto lens, but leaves a bit to be desired as an astro scope. I owned the Orion version (MAK-500) with the black tube and no finder. Excellent build quality for the price ($269), but Orion didn't even advertise it as an astro scope (and I can see why). I also own an Orion Short Tube 80 which walks all over the mak for astronomical viewing. The Mak is ALOT dimmer and less resolved than the 80 and the 80 can take more magnification (around 100x).

Rating for Astronomy: 5

Rating for spotting: 9

Seeing as this site is rating astronomical telescopes...

Overall Rating: 5
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39122


Maksutov-Cassegrain 90mmF5.6
Compared this 90mm Mak with the Orion short tube 80, and it lost big time. That huge obstruction cuts down the light gathering power and kills the contrast. M13 was bright and easy to view in the 80mm while in the 90 it was a faint smudge that you had to use averted vision to even see! In the 80mm, some of the outside stars could even be resolved with a 10mm plossl! For observing, this 90mm isn't that great. It is simple no match for the refractor design. I gave it a 6 because it looks to be high quality and would make a fine guide scope for a CCD application.

Overall Rating: 6
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39119


Maksutov-Cassegrain 90mmF5.6
Price is low for such a Maksotov, but the centre obstruction is too large for optimum optical performance. A terrible 40% obstruction downgraded the sharpness and contrast a lot. No match with Ranger/ETX. But the tube is just too cute, like the size of a large, pure white cup(celestron version), that add lots of rating to it. Surely going to attract lots of attention in starparties if the people haven't seen it before.

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39118


Maksutov-Cassegrain 90mmF5.6
This little scope has it's limitations but when operated within those limitations with quality eyepieces it offers superb performance. I have the Celestron white-tube version. Up to 67x (7.5mm eyepiece) it's optical performance belies its small size. Comes with a padded carrying case, camera adapter, 45* diagonal, various eyepieces. When used with a mirror star diagonal it shows beautiful astro images. Absolutely perfect star test. Small size and weight makes it usable on medium size photo tripods. Perfect telescope for kids because it's so darned cute (my kids love ours)! Central obstruction is evident during daytime terrestrial use under 30x but you get used to it. Have compared it to 80mm F5 "short-tube" refractors. The "mini-Mak" has much sharper optics. Built like a tank.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39117


Maksutov-Cassegrain 90mmF5.6
I have a "no trade-mark" one in white colour as long as 5 years with excelent results as guiding scope. Fine focus adjust due to back big knob

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: <none>
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=39120

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