The iOptron MAK 152mm, 1900mm Focal Length f12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA Telescope is an excellent piece to be purchased by a rather serious astronomer. This is the ultimate apochromatic refractor currently existing on the market, and, as a plus, it comes at an amazing price, making this scope extremely affordable. Intermediate level and even pro-level astronomers could greatly benefit from the use of this high performance scope.
Multi-coated optics, portability and affordability are the key features that make this telescope an amazing piece, suitable for all amateur astronomers that want to refine their celestial research. All the while, the quality of iOptron products and the highly praising iOptron company reviews are also a key factor in awarding this telescope our trust and support.
What is the iOptron MAK 152mm, 1900mm Focal Length f12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA?
iOptron MAK 152mm, 1900mm Focal Length f12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA is just a remarkable telescope. Lightweight and capable of high performance, this is the perfect result of the combination between the best designs, precision, and the latest astronomical engineering.
An aperture of 152mm and a focal length of 1900mm, combined with a Catadioptric Rumak style Maksutov-Cassegrain lens and a T-ring make this scope a perfect tool for astronomical observation (and astrophotography as well).
MAK 152mm also comes with a dual speed focuser that enables a fine-tuning of your celestial images. You will be amazed by the high-quality crisp images that can be obtained with this scope. As a plus, due to the attachable dew shield, the scope can offer some great pics of the celestial bodies even in cold temperatures, making it a scope to be used all-year around.
(Click image to see more pictures on Amazon)
Unlike other Celestron or Orion products, this scope will imply purchasing a mount. With this scope, you get to choose the mount, and somehow this is both a positive and a negative aspect, as you can choose the type of mount that suits you best, and you are not obliged to stick with the one that comes with the product, but you will need to do some additional research on the best mount available that would suit this model.
Pros and Cons to Using the iOptron MAK 152mm, 1900mm Focal Length f12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA
PROS:
- Affordable – this scope cost only a fraction of a telescope that would offer similar images, and, besides that, for the quality of the images that you can obtain, we may say that this scope comes at an amazing low price.
- Portable – with a total weight of 22lbs, the iOptron MAK 152mm, 1900mm Focal Length f12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA Telescope is extremely light and portable, making it the ideal piece to take and to use outdoor. Also, when your observation is don, you can disassemble the components (optical tube, finder scope, mount, counterweight, dew shield) and store them separately so that the scope won’t occupy too much place.
CONS:
- Reaching thermal equilibrium – sometimes it can be a true dare, at least in the cold season, to reach it. You will have to take the scope out in advance and then wait. Even with the dew shield, the whole process would take at least two hours, depending on the temperature.
Where to Find the iOptron MAK 152mm, 1900mm Focal Length f12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA Telescope?
The standard price on Amazon begins at around $800 – $900, FREE shipping included. You will find some of the best prices on Amazon, as they usually offer lots of discounts that can reach even 40%.
Purchasing a scope is not the easiest task in the world, and we know it. Still, when it comes telescopes, we strongly insist on trying purchasing your products from a safe and trustworthy place, be that a shop or a website. As you may know, telescopes are fragile pieces that can be easily destroyed.
Buy your iOptron MAK 152mm, 1900mm Focal Length f12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA Telescope from a place that offers a warranty. Check that all the pieces are in the pack and make no compromise when it comes to your product. iOptron MAK 152 is not a cheap department store telescope, so be extra careful when purchasing this scope.
Extra Info:
Maintenance Advice
When it comes to iOptron MAK 152, maintenance is rather rudimental. Generally, the optics are the most important part of a telescope, so you must take extra care of them. Clean them as rare as possible, especially the mirror. Apply dust covers after all the observation sessions to minimize the risk of contamination; remove the dust with a specialized brush (made of camel’s hair) or with pressurized air.
Use only lint-free cloth and remember to clean the telescope from the center to the outer regions of your piece. Do not rub in circles and do not use normal paper towels, as these will destroy your optical pieces.
Telescope Accessories
iOptron MAK 152 comes with a wide range of accessories. From the 2 and 1.25″ Eyepiece Adapter with Compression Ring to the dew shield and the T-Ring adapter, this scope has it all. You will also find a capable Finderscope and a dual speed focuser which will help you align your scope and then to get some amazing crisp images.
Depending on the shop where you’re taking your scope, the number of accessories may vary, so you may want to ask this question, before purchasing.
Warranty and Guarantee Information
iOptron MAK 152mm has a two-years limited warranty, period that starts from the date of purchase. Check before purchasing the piece, the warranty’s conditions, the length of the warranty, as well as the returning conditions
In the case of technical problems that cannot be solved at home, without help, call iOptron’s technical support team. They may give you guidance, and tell you what you need to do to fit the scope. If this won’t help, you will have to return the product and to expect it to be repaired. Do not try to repair it by yourself. Remember to attach to the package, the proof of purchase.
The warranty won’t cover a product that has been mishandled or abused. All unauthorized repairs, be them attempted or performed, will imply the warranty’s cancellation.
Our Recommendation
The iOptron MAK 152mm is a very good scope for intermediate and advanced amateurs astronomers. It is not a toy, and even though a beginner could use it, this is not a scope for a beginner. Intermediate level astronomers and even pro-level ones could benefit from the perks of the iOptron MAK 152mm, 1900mm Focal Length f12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA Telescope more than beginners would be able to. Read carefully the scope’s specifications, be very careful from where you want to purchase it, and do not forget the maintenance work.
This is a really good tool to be used for celestial observation and it’s the next step in the life of any astronomy enthusiast. Pick carefully your tripod, as this can also influence the quality of the images. Don’t rush when unwrapping and assembling your iOptron MAK 152mm, 1900mm Focal Length f12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA Telescope, or while mounting it. Take great care of your scope and you will use it for a lifetime of wonderful astronomy adventures.
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