How does the AVX 700 Mak perform on Jupiter with its 2700mm focal length?
The Celestron AVX 700 Mak is an exceptional instrument for observing Jupiter. The long 2700mm focal length and high-contrast optics are ideal for resolving fine details. With the included 28mm eyepiece (96x), you will easily see the primary cloud bands and the four Galilean moons. Adding a higher-power eyepiece or a Barlow lens to push magnification towards 200x will reveal intricate details like the Great Red Spot, smaller ovals, and festoons within the cloud bands, especially on nights of steady seeing.
Can I use the Celestron AVX 700 Mak for deep-sky imaging of a target like the Orion Nebula (M42)?
Yes, but with considerations. The f/15 focal ratio is very slow, requiring much longer sub-exposure times compared to faster telescopes, which makes guiding more critical. The 2700mm focal length is also very high, making it better suited for smaller deep-sky objects like planetary nebulae (M57, the Ring Nebula) and globular clusters (M13, the Hercules Cluster) rather than large targets like the Orion Nebula (M42). While possible, a focal reducer would be highly recommended to make deep-sky imaging more manageable.
What is the advantage of the f/15 focal ratio on the AVX 700 Mak?
The primary advantage of the slow f/15 focal ratio is in high-magnification planetary and lunar viewing. It allows you to achieve high powers using eyepieces with longer focal lengths, which typically have better eye relief and are more comfortable to look through. It also makes the telescope very tolerant of less-expensive eyepiece designs, delivering sharp views across the field without requiring complex, premium eyepieces.
Does the Advanced VX mount have enough capacity for the 19 lb optical tube and a camera?
Yes. The Advanced VX mount has a 30 lb instrument payload capacity. The 19 lb optical tube leaves an 11 lb margin for accessories. This is more than sufficient for a typical DSLR or dedicated astronomy camera, an off-axis guider, and other small accessories, making it a capable platform for starting planetary or deep-sky astrophotography.
Why does the AVX 700 Mak take longer to cool down than an SCT?
The Maksutov-Cassegrain design uses a large, thick corrector lens at the front of the telescope. This heavy piece of glass has more thermal mass than the thinner corrector plate on a Schmidt-Cassegrain of similar aperture. As a result, it takes longer for the optics to reach thermal equilibrium with the ambient night air. For best performance, it's recommended to set the telescope outside for at least an hour before observing.
What does the dual saddle plate on the Advanced VX mount let me do?
The dual saddle plate adds significant versatility to your setup. It is compatible with both the narrow CG-5 (Vixen-style) and wider CGE (Losmandy-style) dovetail bars. This means you can use the 7" Mak's CGE bar and also mount other telescopes you may own—like a smaller refractor with a Vixen-style bar—on the same mount without needing to change any hardware.
