As if I need a new telescope...

[Lady Fraktor]

This looks interesting
https://www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/Tel ... embly.html

[notFritzArgelander]

This looks interesting
https://www.bresser.de/en/Astronomy/Tel ... embly.html

It is interesting, but I do prefer the faster Rutten Maksutov design with an independently curved secondary. Asl long as my Intes MK66 works fine, I'm not temped. For a refractor lover looking for more aperture, if I didn't have the MK66, I'd give it a whirl! The focuser is likely less quirky than on the Intes FWIW.

I long for the post Putin era when Intes Micro can get back into producing consumer optics. :sigh:

[Lady Fraktor]

That would be very nice though I have seen a couple Intes Micro for sale, the prices are still high though.
I have not looked around for a TAL lately...

Or I could rent a lorry and go visit in the middle of the night:
https://www.professional-telescopes.com ... assegrains

[notFritzArgelander]

That would be very nice though I have seen a couple Intes Micro for sale, the prices are still high though.
I have not looked around for a TAL lately...

Or I could rent a lorry and go visit in the middle of the night:
https://www.professional-telescopes.com ... assegrains

But there's always the Vixen VMC line too. They are the same design as Tal but perhaps with better execution and better response to customer service: https://www.vixenoptics.com/Vixen-VMC20 ... /58291.htm

I think the VMCs would be better for visual than the VC series. I could be wrong...

[Lady Fraktor]

The VMC always seem to be out of stock, I know they quit making the 330 and 260 a while ago, not sure about the 200 though.

[notFritzArgelander]

The VMC always seem to be out of stock, I know they quit making the 330 and 260 a while ago, not sure about the 200 though.

I think [mention]Voyageur[/mention] rather likes hers? I know I like the 110. It's not thr MK66 but... Not much is.

Are you sure about the 260? I've been eyeing it or a 9.25 Edge.

[JayTee]

Anybody who wants to charge 739 Euros for a 152mm scope and only provides a 6X30 finder, it makes me wonder what other sub-par stuff I should worry about. Also, the focuser description was rather nebulous. I say pass, there are better deals out there.

Cheers,
JT

[Lady Fraktor]

The focuser is the standard R&P Bresser and ES both have used for quite some time, a couple of minor tweaks and it is a robust focuser.
Accessories such as the finder are not and issue to me as it would be changed out anyways.

[Lady Fraktor]

The VMC always seem to be out of stock, I know they quit making the 330 and 260 a while ago, not sure about the 200 though.

I think @Voyageur rather likes hers? I know I like the 110. It's not thr MK66 but... Not much is.

Are you sure about the 260? I've been eyeing it or a 9.25 Edge.

It appears you are correct as the only ones gone are the 330mm and 110mm, though I am sure I recieved a notice about the 260mm being discontinued last year(?)
I will have to go through my old messages when I have time.
https://global.vixen.co.jp/en/product/tls10303/

[helicon]

This thing looks like a planet killer. With my newfound interest in planetary observing I might consider it. Yeah, it's got a small finder and 1.25" focuser but I suppose that these could be swapped out as [mention]Lady Fraktor[/mention] said.

[Lady Fraktor]

This thing looks like a planet killer. With my newfound interest in planetary observing I might consider it. Yeah, it's got a small finder and 1.25" focuser but I suppose that these could be swapped out as @Lady Fraktor said.

The focuser is actually 65mm (2.7"?) with 58mm and 31.7mm adapters.

[helicon]

Wow.

[Bigzmey]

I thought you are not in to catadioptrics Gabby.

[Lady Fraktor]

I have no issues with Maksutov telescopes, Rutten and Klevtsov are my preferred styles though.
There are even some Mak-Cass and Mak-Newt that I would consider owning.
I just have a general dislike for the optics of standard SCT telescopes.

[Bigzmey]

I have no issues with Maksutov telescopes, Rutten and Klevtsov are my preferred styles though.
There are even some Mak-Cass and Mak-Newt that I would consider owning.
I just have a general dislike for the optics of standard SCT telescopes.

Funny how things work. From the limited sampling I had I prefer standard SCTs over standard Maks.

[UlteriorModem]

Wait a second? Gabby is looking at a Mak Cas? What on earth is going on around here!

[notFritzArgelander]

I have no issues with Maksutov telescopes, Rutten and Klevtsov are my preferred styles though.
There are even some Mak-Cass and Mak-Newt that I would consider owning.
I just have a general dislike for the optics of standard SCT telescopes.

Funny how things work. From the limited sampling I had I prefer standard SCTs over standard Maks.

Bad sample?
I MUCH prefer aplanatic SCTs and Rutten Maks and Klevzov Maks for DSOs and planets. Even Gregory Maks like this Bresser model outperform standard SCTs on lunar/planetary.

[Lady Fraktor]

Not a huge surprise I have mentioned it a few times before
I even own a 150mm f/5 Newtonian, not that it sees much use other than outreach.

[notFritzArgelander]

Wait a second? Gabby is looking at a Mak Cas? What on earth is going on around here!

Mak Cas is a refractor lover's economical path to larger aperture refractor like views at lower cost. Nothing out of the ordinary.

She's remarked favorably on them in the past .

[Bigzmey]

I have no issues with Maksutov telescopes, Rutten and Klevtsov are my preferred styles though.
There are even some Mak-Cass and Mak-Newt that I would consider owning.
I just have a general dislike for the optics of standard SCT telescopes.

Funny how things work. From the limited sampling I had I prefer standard SCTs over standard Maks.

Bad sample?
I MUCH prefer aplanatic SCTs and Rutten Maks and Klevzov Maks for DSOs and planets. Even Gregory Maks like this Bresser model outperform standard SCTs on lunar/planetary.

Bad sampling can go both ways. I have not, but would love to try better executed Maks. As for mass produced Gregory Maks, they are not bad. I still prefer SCTs though.