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Telescopes > Skywatcher > Avant > Skywatcher Maksutov telescope MC 102/1300 SkyMax-102 AZ-EQ Avant
( 5 / 5 )
Product no.: 56249

Maksutov telescope MC 102/1300 SkyMax-102 AZ-EQ Avant

$ 520.00 incl. VAT, plus shipping costs
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Product description

More about the series Avant...

The MC 102/1300 telescope: This telescope is an ideal companion for trips and is suitable both for astronomy and for use as a reflector spotting scope for nature watching. This telescope is also super for letting children take their first steps in observing the night sky. The extremely compact design fits into virtually any hand luggage and is also known for the very high-contrast image it produces. Its 102mm aperture collects much more light than its 90mm little brother - the light collecting capacity is 212X more than the naked eye alone (for a 7mm exit pupil). Although the overall length is only 28cm, it has a long focal length of 1300mm resulting in an aperture ratio of f12.7.

Astronomically, this telescope has had a lot to offer: with a resolution of 1.13 arc seconds, planets become beautiful objects to observe. Exploring deep sky objects such as the Orion Nebula or the summer Milky Way is also highly enjoyable. This telescope also provides an appropriately low priced alternative as a spotting scope for nature watching. Many classic spotting scopes only start to include adapters for use with a camera at the higher end of the market, at several hundred Euros. This telescope is different: it comes with a large range of adaptations for nature photography included. The 1300mm focal length means that low cost bird photography is possible. The built-in T-2 thread allows the simple connection of an SLR camera. And, for astrophotography, you can also take shots of the Moon for example. The focusing sharpness is set by adjusting a knob on the side which moves the primary mirror forwards or backwards. This type of focusing mechanism provides a large back focus, enabling a wide range of add-on options to be used.

The advantages in a nutshell:

  • compact telescope with long focal length and 102mm aperture
  • high contrast image
  • 1.25" connection with T-2 thread
  • nature watching and photography possible

The well engineered and easy to use AZ-EQ Avant mounting provides excellent stability and precise control in either Alt-Azimuth or Equatorial configurations, via its smooth slow motion controls located on both axes. The slow motion control knobs can be conveniently positioned at either end of both the R.A. or DEC axis shafts.

It not only matters which telescope you buy but also where you buy it. Our additional services:

  • We are a leading telescope dealer and know the devices we sell. Our customer service team will gladly help you after your purchase if you have problems with assembly or operation.
  • We provide a copy of the 80-page Telescope ABC beginners handbook with every telescope.
  • We also provide an edition of the exciting astronomy magazine, “Sterne und Weltraum” with each telescope.

Specifications

Optics


Type
Reflector
Type of build
Maksutov
Aperture (mm)
102
Focal length (mm)
1300
Aperture ratio (f/)
12,7
Resolving capacity
1,13
Limit value (mag)
11,8
Light gathering capacity
210
Max. useful magnification
204
Tube weight (kg)
2
Tube construction
Full tube

Focuser


Type of build
Internal
Connection ( to eyepiece)
1,25"

Mount


Type of build
Avant
Mounting type
Equatorial
GoTo control
no
Motors
no
Load capacity (kg)
3

Tripod


Material
Aluminium
Type
Tripod
Accessory plate
yes
Height (cm)
81cm - 156cm

Included accessories


Counterweights (kg)
1
1.25'' eyepieces
10mm & 25mm
Finder scope
Star diagonal<p>
Prism rail
Vixen-Style
Deviating optics
1.25", 90° star diagonal

General


Total weight (kg)
7
Series
Avant

Area of application


Moon & Planets
yes
Nebulae & galaxies
not recommended
Nature Observation
yes
Astrophotography
no
Sun
no (Only with appropriate Sun filter)

Recommended for


Beginners
yes
Advanced
no
Observatories
no

Recommended accessories

Telescope accessories > Prisms & Diagonal mirrors (3)
Amici prism

Omegon 1,25'' Amici Prism 90°

$ 169.00*
Telescope accessories > Barlow & Erecting Lenses (3)
Barlow Lens

Omegon 1.25'', 2X, 3 Element Barlow eyepiece

$ 99.00*
Telescope accessories > Transport & storage (5)
Carry case

Oklop Carry case Padded bag for Maksutov 90, 102 and 127

$ 64.00*
Eyepieces (3)

Omegon Suitcase with eyepieces and accessories

$ 199.00*
Filters > Nebulae filters (4)
Filters

Omegon Filters Nebula/ city light filter 1.25 ''

$ 39.90*
Filters > Other (3)
Filters

Omegon Filters Moon filter 1.25"

$ 19.90*
Astrophotography > Camera mounts (4)

Omegon Easypic Universal Smartphone Adapter

$ 129.00*
Mountings & accessories (3)

Skywatcher Slow Motion Cable Set for EQ2/5/AZ3

$ 35.90*
Observatories (1)

Omegon Tent observatory

$ 189.00*
Media (3)

John Wiley & Sons Astronomy For Dummies

$ 24.90*
Outdoor > Lamps (3)
Astronomy torch

Explore Scientific Astronomy torch Astro R-Lite

$ 18.90*
Astronomy (2)
Filters

Omegon Filters OIII filter 1.25''

$ 89.00*
Globes & Maps (1)
Continental map

Oculum Verlag Sky Quality Map Europe

$ 18.90*
Solar Observation (2)

Baader Sun filter foil 20 x 29 cm

$ 31.90*
Maintenance & Cleaning > Lens cleaners (3)

Omegon 7-in-1 lens cleaning set

$ 19.90*
Maintenance & Cleaning > Other (2)

Omegon microfibre cleaning cloth 20cm x 20cm

$ 4.90*
Miscellaneous (1)

Star In A Star Moon Hat

$ 17.90*

*All prices include VAT plus shipping costs.

Skywatcher Maksutov telescope MC 102/1300 SkyMax-102 AZ-EQ Avant
This accessory allows you to operate the equatorial iEQ45 Pro mount in alt-azimuth.

Customer reviews

Clarifications to my review

Review by copernico on 25.07.2018 21:22:14

( 5 / 5 )

I was wrong about slow-motion cables. The Skywatcher Slow Motion Cable Set, although not listed among recommended accessories, DOES work for the Avant mount, as duly clarified by Astroshop staff. You just need to mind the following:
1) Both the RA and the Declination controls have rubber caps on one end, and a protruding metal cylinder on the other end: this is where the slow motion cables are inserted.
2) The first time you fit either cable, it is a bit tight. Unscrew fully the cable retaining screw, and try until you get it in. It has to go fully into the cylinder: if it is even 1/2mm not fully in, the retaining screw will not work.
3) Unlike other mounts, where the two cables hang from the same side of the mount, in the Avant they hang from opposite sides. Therefore using both cables means large arm movements. So far, I find it more practical only to fit the slow motion cable for one of the controls only (to follow planets, mostly in South regions of the sky if you are in the Northern Hemispyere, it may be more convenient to use the slow motion cable for the RA, but this varies with sky object and location).

Excellent value-for-money for the beginner or occasional amateur

Review by copernico on 08.07.2018 14:55:37

( 5 / 5 )

I got to this model after much searching and, having used it for a few days watching Jupiter and Saturn, I am very happy with it. These are my first impressions:

PROS:
- The cardboard boxes are very well padded for transportation.
- All the parts look beautiful, precision-made and sturdy.
- Assembling tripod, mount and telescope is straightforward, and anyway the enclosed printed leaflet is helpful.
- I tested my telescope's factory collimation and found it to be excellent. (This is imporant as this model is not meant to have the collimation corrected by the user)
- The red-dot finder, although it has no magnification, is functional and easy to use.
- The mount is easy to use in either Azimuthal or Equatorial mode.
- The sharpness of the bundled 25mm eyepiece is excellent (I tested it watching Jupiter and Saturn), and is still very sharp when a 104x magnification is reached by inserting the affordable Omegon 2x Barlow lens.
- The total weight of tripod, mount and telescope is 8.7kg: holding it by the extension tube it is possible to raise it with just one hand. When unmounted it can be stored in four bags/cases, each one weighing between 2 and 4kg and easy to carry around by either a child or an elderly person.

CONS:
- No bags are provided, and no customised bags or cases are available: you have to search for four suitable ones for the telescope, mount, tripod and accessories.
- The bundled 10mm eyepiece should provide an excellent image, with a magnification of 130x (this is slightly above the 104 produced by the 25mm+Barlow, and well below the 204 rated for this telescope). Unfortunately it is not so: the 10mm image lacks definition to the point of being useless, and different users have voiced online the same complaint. I have to admit that at such a knock-down price this is a minor shortcoming: perhaps the telescope should not have included this eyepiece at all, and the obvious solution it to buy a better one separately.
- No user-collimation is possible: there are no external screws for its adjustment. The user should buy a well-padded bag for the telescope and be careful not to drop it.
- No slow-motion cables can be fitted to the Avant mount Right-Ascention and Declination knobs: if the rubber caps are removed, the black plastic cylinders are too wide for the cables that are available online. Besides, the knobs do not move that smoothly, so I assume cables may not work well with this mount. Anyway for what this telescope is meant for, the mount's knobs are perfectly functional.

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