What mount does it need?
It weighs 14 lb with accessories (Sky-Watcher USA) and has a V-style dovetail rail, so use a mount with a Vixen-style saddle and a payload rating that covers it. skywatcher.com lists its HEQ5 Pro and EQ5 Pro mounts as related products.
What magnification can I use?
Divide the telescope's focal length by the eyepiece's: 1800mm with a 28mm eyepiece gives 64.3x. Sky-Watcher's rule of thumb is about 2x per mm of aperture under good conditions, since air turbulence limits what you can use, and skywatcher.com lists 300x as the highest practical power.
What is the Signature Series?
The Signature Series is the new generation of Maksutovs, manufactured to high levels of optical and mechanical precision, and in many applications their sharpness and image quality match and exceed those of the classic Schmidt-Cassegrain design.
How does it focus?
By moving the primary mirror. Turn the focus knob slowly one way or the other until the image is sharp. The image usually needs fine refocusing over time because of temperature changes, and almost always after changing an eyepiece.
Why is the primary mirror 166mm when the aperture is 151mm?
The primary mirror is 166mm and the aperture 151mm; no reason is given for the difference.
What eyepiece sizes does it take?
The focuser is a 1.25" opening with a 2" adapter, and the diagonal a 2" 90 degree star diagonal with a 1.25" adapter, so both 2" and 1.25" eyepieces can be used.
What finder is included?
Sky-Watcher USA includes a 9x50 finderscope with bracket; skywatcher.com lists an 8x50 finder for this Maksutov.
Can I view the Sun with it?
Only with a proper solar filter firmly mounted on the front of the telescope. Never look directly at the Sun through the telescope, cap or remove the finderscope, never use an eyepiece-type solar filter, and never project sunlight with it.
Does it need time to adjust to outside temperature?
The image usually needs fine refocusing over time as the telescope adjusts to temperature changes, particularly before it has reached outside temperature. No specific cool-down time is given.
How faint can it see?
skywatcher.com lists a faintest stellar magnitude of 13.2 for the 150mm Maksutov.
How big and heavy is it?
Sky-Watcher USA lists 14 lb with accessories, 17.5" long with the diagonal and 7.5" in outer diameter; skywatcher.com lists a 5.6 kg tube and 18.3 cm x 40 cm tube dimensions.
How do I set up the Skymax 150 for the first time?
Attach the tube to the mount of your choice and install the finder. Loosen the three thumbscrews at the end of the tube, insert the diagonal and retighten them, then insert an eyepiece into the diagonal and secure it. Like all finderscopes, the finder must be aligned with the main telescope before use.
