SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

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Bigzmey United States of America
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SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#1

Post by Bigzmey »


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 standard SCT 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!
Mak7 upgrades A.jpg
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 SW 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.
Mak7 upgrades B.jpg
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 aperture length.

Large aperture 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
Mak7 upgrades C.jpg
Here is the Mak in shiny armor riding together with SV102ED. :)
Mak7-SV102 B.jpg
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.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#2

Post by notFritzArgelander »


You're really "going to town". Great!
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Bigzmey United States of America
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Re: SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#3

Post by Bigzmey »


notFritzArgelander wrote: Thu Dec 02, 2021 1:32 am You're really "going to town". Great!
:lol:
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#4

Post by Makuser »


Hi Andrey. A very nice report on your Mak mods and upgrades. It is always nice to add a few improvements to an already great telescope. Thanks for your report Andrey and I know that you are really going to enjoy this new addition to your astronomy tool box.
Marshall
Sky-Watcher 90mm f/13.8 Maksutov-Cassegrain on motorized Multimount
Orion Astroview 120ST f/5 Refractor on EQ3 mount
Celestron Comet Catcher 140mm f/3.64 Schmidt-Newtonian on alt-az mount
Celestron Omni XLT150R f/5 Refractor on CG4 mount with dual axis drives.
Orion 180mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain on CG5-GT Goto mount.
Orion XT12i 12" f/4.9 Dobsonian Intelliscope.
Kamakura 7x35 Binoculars and Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binoculars. ZWO ASI 120MC camera.
>)))))*>
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Re: SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#5

Post by Richard »


Nice I have a dual speed focuser on my 150 so get the focuser issue , why not get one of those bigger wheels on if there is space ? I had one 3 d printed for a 127 mak worked just as well a a 2 speed
Reflectors GSO 200 Dobs
Refractors None
SCT C5 on a SLT mount
Mak 150 Bosma on a EQ5
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Re: SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#6

Post by Bigzmey »


Richard wrote: Thu Dec 02, 2021 3:52 pm Nice I have a dual speed focuser on my 150 so get the focuser issue , why not get one of those bigger wheels on if there is space ? I had one 3 d printed for a 127 mak worked just as well a a 2 speed
Hi Richard I believe my iOptron is a rebrand of Bosma Mak you have. :) I am aware of the big wheel trick and may try it, but the iOptron/Bosma 2 speed and feather touch I have on 9.25" Edge are so tight and smooth. :D
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#7

Post by Bigzmey »


Makuser wrote: Thu Dec 02, 2021 3:40 pm Hi Andrey. A very nice report on your Mak mods and upgrades. It is always nice to add a few improvements to an already great telescope. Thanks for your report Andrey and I know that you are really going to enjoy this new addition to your astronomy tool box.
Thanks Marshall, I will! :)
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#8

Post by Greenman »


Wow, quick work Andrey and using pre-existing kit is great.
Cheers,

Tony.

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Smart Scope: Dwarf II - Club and outreach work.

AP Refractor: Altair 72EDF Deluxe F6;1x & 0.8 Flatteners; Antares Versascope 60mm finder. ASIAir Pro.Li battery pack for grab & go.

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Cameras: main DSO ASI533MC; DSO guide ASI120MM; Planetary ASI224MC; DSLR Canon EOS100 stock.

Filters: Astronomik IR cut; Optolong L-Pro; Optolong L-Enhance.

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Re: SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#9

Post by The Happy Parrot »


I hd no idea these telescopes could be improved in so many ways. Kind of like dobs. Nice work!
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Re: SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#10

Post by Bigzmey »


The Happy Parrot wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 10:06 pm I hd no idea these telescopes could be improved in so many ways. Kind of like dobs. Nice work!
Thanks! I did get the two speed focuser and it has improved the operation considerably.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#11

Post by deci.bel »


Do you find the stock focuser introduces a substantial amount of mirror shift? Mine did, and so I took the entire scope apart, and greased the focuser and baffle tube with snowmobile grade grease. This took care of the mirror shift completely at first, but has since returned. Perhaps the grease didn't last as long as I'd hoped.

As for the insulation jacket, I should really try this. In Winter, it gets to -45°C here, so the insulation is of little use. But in the Summer, temperatures are more moderate. I like the idea of Velcro holding the jacket together around the OTA. Now to get motivated to do it!
Dan
------
Cameras: Sony a6500, ASI224MC, ASI585MC, ASI678MC, ASI482MC
Optics: Sony 200-600mm, Celestron C5, Celestron C11, SkyWatcher SkyMax 180
Mounts: Orion SkyView Pro, SkyWatcher EQ6-R Pro
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Re: SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#12

Post by Bigzmey »


deci.bel wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:30 pm Do you find the stock focuser introduces a substantial amount of mirror shift? Mine did, and so I took the entire scope apart, and greased the focuser and baffle tube with snowmobile grade grease. This took care of the mirror shift completely at first, but has since returned. Perhaps the grease didn't last as long as I'd hoped.

As for the insulation jacket, I should really try this. In Winter, it gets to -45°C here, so the insulation is of little use. But in the Summer, temperatures are more moderate. I like the idea of Velcro holding the jacket together around the OTA. Now to get motivated to do it!
Yes there was substantial mirror shift which made focusing harder. I have upgraded to Feathertouch SCT microfocuser which improved focusing considerably.

I have been using insulations jackets on all my CATs and it has negotiated need for acclimation. I was quite impressed. You put your Mak out and can go straight to 300x on planets (seeing permitting of cause). I read on Cloudy Nights that one can add extra layers to accommodate larger temperature variations. Could not test it in SoCal, though. :)

The insulation also slows down dew formation.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#13

Post by deci.bel »


I just made a jacket for both my SkyWatcher SkyMax 180 and Celestron C11. I'll try it out this evening, weather permitting. Now, I just wrapped the outside of the tube, not including the back end. It's still left open for collimation, but mostly because I forgot to include enough material for the back. Hopefully that won't negate the efforts...
Dan
------
Cameras: Sony a6500, ASI224MC, ASI585MC, ASI678MC, ASI482MC
Optics: Sony 200-600mm, Celestron C5, Celestron C11, SkyWatcher SkyMax 180
Mounts: Orion SkyView Pro, SkyWatcher EQ6-R Pro
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Re: SkyWatcher 180mm Mak mods

#14

Post by Bigzmey »


I don't cover the back, seems to work fine.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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