182mm (7.1-inch) Maksutov-Cassegrain Optical Tube 2700mm Focal Length at f/15 5% Secondary Obstruction by Area for High Contrast Radiant™ Aluminum Quartz™ (RAQ™) Coatings with 94% Reflectivity Weighs 19 lbs with Accessories Description FAQ Specifications In the Box Downloads Warranty Sky-Watcher Skymax 180 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope The Sky-Watcher Skymax 180 delivers high-magnification planetary and lunar views with its 182mm aperture and 2700mm focal length. Its f/15 focal ratio and minimal 5% central obstruction by area produce exceptionally high-contrast images, resolving details down to the 0.64 arcsecond Dawes limit. The optical system uses Radiant Aluminum Quartz (RAQ) mirror coatings to achieve 94% reflectivity, ensuring bright images even at the 354x maximum magnification. 2700mm Focal Length in a 22" Tube The Maksutov-Cassegrain design concentrates a powerful 2700mm focal length into a compact optical tube that is just 22 inches long and weighs only 19 pounds. This combination makes the Skymax 180 an ideal high-magnification instrument for observers with limited space or smaller equatorial mounts that cannot handle a long refractor or large Newtonian. High-Contrast Views with a 5% Central Obstruction A key advantage of the Skymax 180 is its small secondary mirror, which obstructs only 5% of the aperture area. This minimizes diffraction effects compared to other catadioptric designs, resulting in sharper, higher-contrast images. You will notice finer detail in Jupiter's cloud bands, subtler texture in Saturn's rings, and a darker sky background when observing faint planetary nebulae. Superior Planetary Detail: The long f/15 focal ratio is optimized for high-power observation, easily revealing features like the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings or the polar ice caps on Mars. Sharp, Aberration-Free Field: The Maksutov corrector lens and spherical primary mirror create a well-corrected image field, free from the chromatic aberration common in refractors and the coma found in fast Newtonians. Bright Images from 94% Reflectivity RAQ Coatings Sky-Watcher applies its proprietary Radiant™ Aluminum Quartz™ (RAQ™) coatings to the Skymax 180's mirrors, achieving 94% reflectivity for brighter, more detailed views. The front corrector lens is fully multi-coated to maximize light transmission and prevent internal reflections, ensuring the image reaching your eyepiece is as bright and crisp as possible. Skymax 180 vs. a Standard 8" SCT The Skymax 180 is often compared to 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes (SCTs). While an 8" SCT has a slight edge in light-gathering power, the Skymax 180 typically delivers higher contrast for planetary viewing. SCT Advantage: An 8-inch (203mm) SCT gathers about 25% more light than the 182mm Skymax, making it better suited for observing fainter deep-sky objects. It also typically has a shorter focal length (around 2000mm), providing a wider true field of view. Skymax 180 Advantage: The Skymax's smaller secondary obstruction (5% by area vs. ~10-12% for a typical SCT) and longer native focal length (2700mm) produce a higher-contrast image, which is a significant advantage for resolving fine planetary and lunar detail. It also requires less frequent collimation. What kind of mount is required for the Sky-Watcher Skymax 180? With an optical tube weight of 19 lbs, the Skymax 180 works well on mid-sized equatorial mounts in the HEQ5 or EQ6-R class. These mounts provide the stability needed for high-magnification visual observing and planetary imaging without excessive vibration. How does the Skymax 180 perform on Jupiter at high magnification? The Skymax 180's long 2700mm focal length and high-contrast optics make it an exceptional instrument for observing Jupiter. On nights of steady seeing, you can push the magnification past 250x to clearly resolve the Great Red Spot, intricate details in the North and South Equatorial Belts, and the shadows of the Galilean moons as they transit the planet's disk. Is the Skymax 180 good for deep-sky astrophotography? The Skymax 180 is not ideal for imaging large deep-sky objects like nebulae or galaxies. Its slow f/15 focal ratio would require very long sub-exposures. It excels at planetary, lunar, and solar (with a proper filter) imaging, where its long focal length is a major advantage for achieving high image scale. Why does focusing move the primary mirror? The Skymax 180 uses a primary mirror focusing mechanism, common in Maksutov and Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. Turning the knob moves the main mirror forward and back along a baffle tube to change the focal point. This design allows for a large range of focus travel to accommodate various diagonals, eyepieces, and cameras. Does the Skymax 180 need to be collimated often? No, a major advantage of the Maksutov-Cassegrain design is its robust collimation stability. Unlike Schmidt-Cassegrains or Newtonians, the Skymax 180 rarely needs collimation. Its optics are fixed in a sealed tube, making it a very low-maintenance telescope. Can I use 1.25" eyepieces with the included 2" diagonal? Yes. The included 2" star diagonal comes with a 1.25" adapter. This allows you to use both 2" eyepieces, like the included 28mm LET for wide-field views, and standard 1.25" eyepieces for higher magnifications. Optical Design Maksutov-Cassegrain True Aperture 182 mm Primary Aperture 199 mm Focal Length 2700 mm Focal Ratio f/15 Mirror Coatings Radiant Aluminum Quartz (RAQ)™ with 94% reflectivity Lens Coatings Fully Multi-Coated Glass Type BK7 / Borosilicate Secondary Diameter 41 mm Secondary Obstruction (by diameter) 23% Secondary Obstruction (by area) 5% Dawes Limit 0.64 arcseconds Rayleigh Limit 0.78 arcseconds Limiting Magnitude 13.8 Minimum Magnification 26x Maximum Magnification 354x Light Gathering (vs. next size down) 44% Focuser Primary Mirror OTA Length 22" OTA Outer Diameter 8.625" OTA Weight (with accessories) 19 lbs Finder Scope 9x50 Finder Diagonal 2" Star Diagonal Mounting V-style Rail Included Eyepiece 28mm LET (2") Magnification (with included eyepiece) 96.4x UPC 050234115407 Skymax 180 Optical Tube Assembly × 1 9x50 Finderscope × 1 2" Star Diagonal with 1.25" Adapter × 1 28mm LET Eyepiece (2") × 1 V-style Dovetail Bar × 1 Download Manual Download Software Sky-Watcher 2-Year Limited Warranty
