SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 12:45 am
I have recently added SkyWatcher 180mm Mak to my stable. Optically it exceeded my expectations in particular on planets.
See the first light report here
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22058
However, mechanically there is some room for improvements. This Mak comes with standardSCT threads which is good. However, the stock 2" visual back does not have compression band. Diagonal is hold in place by two screws at 4 and 8 o'clock with potential to introduce miss-alignment to the optical train, in particular if you have a diagonal with tapered barrel (like I do). Cheapest solution for a mechanically inclined person is to drill and tap a whole at 12 o’clock for another screw (I may give it shot ). However, better executed visual backs are available from a few vendors and I have realized that I already got one of the best – Baader clicklock. I bought it last year for my 9.25” Edge but decided to attached the diagonal straight to the 9.25" OTA threads instead.
So, my first mod was to add Baader clicklock visual back to the Mak, and the slightly oval image of the primary mirror I was seeing through the diagonal became perfectly round!
My next mode was to add a stopper to the vixen dovetail. After near disastrous slip of my SV102ED out from seemingly secured clamp I am putting stoppers on all my scopes.
I like to use plain red dots on all my scopes andSW Mak comes with Vixen finder shoe compatible with the red dot foot. However, there was not enough play in the red dot adjustment screws to align it to the scope. So, I have replaced the vixen style shoe with SCT style finder base. Hopefully, this will address the finder alignment issue.
The scope did not come with dewshield. I have made my own from 3mm reflective foam on the outside and matte black EVA 3mm foam on the inside. I made it slightly conical and close to 2xaperture length.
Largeaperture catadioptric telescopes and Maks in particular are prone to slow acclimation time. One of the ways to overcome it is to make it even slower, which would eliminate air turbulence inside OTA . I have made removable jacket from 5mm reflective foam with cutoffs for the dovetail, mount clamp and finder base. I use Velcro strips to secure the jacket. One can typically pick this insulation foam from a local hardware store. However, our local stores seems to run out of it, so I got some of eBay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/264589771219?s ... 2749.l2649
Here is the Mak in shiny armor riding together with SV102ED.
The only thing I have not addressed yet but plan is the sloppy focuser. It works, but after one session with the excellent two-speed focuser on the iOptron 150mm Mak I got spoiled and now looking to replace focusers on all my CATs with better two speeds.
See the first light report here
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22058
However, mechanically there is some room for improvements. This Mak comes with standard
So, my first mod was to add Baader clicklock visual back to the Mak, and the slightly oval image of the primary mirror I was seeing through the diagonal became perfectly round!
My next mode was to add a stopper to the vixen dovetail. After near disastrous slip of my SV102ED out from seemingly secured clamp I am putting stoppers on all my scopes.
I like to use plain red dots on all my scopes and
The scope did not come with dewshield. I have made my own from 3mm reflective foam on the outside and matte black EVA 3mm foam on the inside. I made it slightly conical and close to 2x
Large
https://www.ebay.com/itm/264589771219?s ... 2749.l2649
Here is the Mak in shiny armor riding together with SV102ED.
The only thing I have not addressed yet but plan is the sloppy focuser. It works, but after one session with the excellent two-speed focuser on the iOptron 150mm Mak I got spoiled and now looking to replace focusers on all my CATs with better two speeds.