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Sky-Watcher

Sky-Watcher Skymax 180mm Maksutov-Cassegrain - Large Aperture Compound-Style Reflector Telescope (S11540)

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Style: 180mm Maksutov-Cassegrain


Features

  • EXPERTLY MATCHED OPTICS: The Skymax series of Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tubes features matched primary and secondary mirrors with an expertly coated corrector plate that delivers contrast-rich views with charcoal-black skies.
  • 94% REFLECTIVITY MIRROR COATINGS: Using a borosilicate primary mirror with an aluminum coating and a quartz overcoat, Sky-Watcher Maksutov-Cassegrains produce a 94% reflectivity rating for outstanding light transmission.
  • VIXEN-STYLE DOVETAIL: An industry standard, the Vixen-style dovetail is the most commonly used dovetail bar for astronomy.
  • FULLY BAFFLED TUBE: Utilizing a fully-baffled tube, Sky-Watcher Maksutovs prevent stray light from interfering with your viewing experience.
  • EVERYTHING YOU NEED: The 180mm Skymax Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope comes equipped with everything you need to get started, including: 28mm 2-inch eyepiece, 2-inch 90-degree star diagonal, and a 9x50 straight-through finderscope.

Description

Sky-Watcher’s premiere line of Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes create a perfect blend of aperture and lightweight portability. This telescope design has a reputation for sharp, high-contrast views, ideal for planetary observation. Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes serve as an alternative to Schmidt-Cassegrains and Newtonians, and offer astronomers a large visual aperture, high contrast, and long focal length in a compact package. Maksutov’s deliver better planetary detail than other telescopes due to a focal length that’s 5-7 times longer, increasing overall magnification. Maksutov-Cassegrains also uses a meniscus-shaped corrector plate, eliminating any spherical aberration caused by the primary mirror. Our Maksutov series telescopes deliver refractor-like views and superior contrast while allowing for larger apertures at a fraction of the cost. Our Maksutov series features a borosilicate primary mirror with an aluminum coating and a quartz overcoat, producing 94% reflectivity. The corrector plate utilizes our proprietary Metallic High -Transmission Coatings™ (MHTC™), giving visual astronomers professional-grade optics, creating a unique viewing experience. In addition to the visual benefits of Sky-Watcher Maksutovs, these serve as excellent optical tubes for imaging planetary, lunar, or solar (with use of a solar filter). For astronomers looking to start in astrophotography, the Sky-Watcher Maksutovs deliver exceptionally long focal lengths, necessary for imaging planetary detail. This provides an increased image scale, forgoing the need of a barlow lens or other accessories that may increase exposure times. As customary with all Sky-Watcher products, the Maksutov series includes a bundle of accessories, including: a 28mm 2-inch eyepiece, 2-inch 90 degree star diagonal, and a 9x50 straight-through finderscope.

Brand: Sky-Watcher


Model Name: Sky-Watcher Maksutov-Cassegrain 180mm


Optical Tube Length: 180 Millimeters


Eye Piece Lens Description: Barlow


Objective Lens Diameter: 182 Millimeters


Telescope Mount Description: Altazimuth Mount


Product Dimensions: 30"D x 12"W x 14"H


Focus Type: Auto Focus


Power Source: manual operation without any external power source


Finderscope: Reflex


Eye Piece Lens Description: Barlow


Mount: Altazimuth Mount


Focus Type: Auto Focus


Power Source: manual operation without any external power source


Finderscope: Reflex


Compatible Devices: Camera


Coating: Fully multi-coated


Focal Length Description: 2700 millimeters


Zoom Ratio: 96.431


Optical-Tube Length: 180 Millimeters


Objective Lens Diameter: 182 Millimeters


Item Dimensions D x W x H: 30"D x 12"W x 14"H


Item Weight: 19 Pounds


Brand: Sky-Watcher


Model Name: Sky-Watcher Maksutov-Cassegrain 180mm


Global Trade Identification Number: 07


Manufacturer: Sky-Watcher


UPC: 050234115407


Manufacturer Part Number: S11540


Model Number: S11540


Warranty Description: Two-year


Built-In Media: Diagonal, Eyepiece, Finder


Unit Count: 1.0 Count


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Monday, May 18

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Beautiful Viewing Through A 180mm Maksutov
Style: 180mm Maksutov-Cassegrain
This a great "little" scope. This review is for the 7" (180mm) maksutov cassegrain. Out of the box, the collimation was perfect. Personally, I am a "refractor person", but when those scopes get up there in aperture, the tube length can become cumbersome for transporting. Maksutov scopes can give you the benefits of refactors, in a folded reflector format. Planets look spectacular. With the 7" mirror, you get some good light gathering for deep sky objects. At the same time, it's easier to transport and set up. Match this scope with a celestron AVX mount - or similar. You don't need anything more sturdy - unless you're going to do some very long exposure astrophotography. That said, these kinds of "maks" are best for visual use. At a recent star party with a local astronomy club, many were looking at Saturn rising through the 'scopes. There were big schmidt-cassegrains and newtonians, as well as a couple of small refractors. Everyone thought this 7" mak had the "best" image - at 180x. The rings - while still almost edge on - were crisp. We also saw 4 satellites of Saturn. They were pinpoints sparkling next to the planet. The bigger scopes showed them, but they were more like small "blobs", even in best focus. This mak gave a more "sharp" and detailed view, which everyone enjoyed. As for the focusing, maks (and SCTs) can have a little "wobble" when focusing. This 'scope did have a small shift when focusing, but not horrible. Objects stayed in the eyepiece. Fine focus is possible if you have a steady hand. But there are other focusers you could add, to give even finer focus. But I had no problem with the stock focuser for visual use. As for deep sky objects, again, the views may not have been as bright as in bigger 'scopes, but the views were "beautiful" - the detail and almost 3-d structure of clusters and nebulae was impressive. Double stars are very nice - especially colored ones like Albireo in Cygnus. The colors and sharpness were similar to or better than through a refractor. The Moon is equally stunning. If you're looking for a good, portable 'scope that's primarily for visual use on solar system and brighter deep sky objects , you can't beat these maksutovs. If you're looking to do more astrophotography and deep sky observing, a larger SCT is probably better for you. I would highly recommend also getting an aftermarket fitted carrying case/bag for this scope. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2025 by HockeyNJ
    • Excellent Planet Killer (180mm)
Style: 180mm Maksutov-Cassegrain
Review Image by David M.
Review Image by David M.
Review Image by David M.
Seeing as the major planets would be in optimal positioning for me for the next several years, I bought this OTA (the 180mm/f15) as a planet killer to complement my venerable Celestron C5/750 f/6. It arrived just in time for Jupiter's opposition on April 7th—complete with a GRS transit plus a transit of Io with shadow. The scope didn't disappoint—my family watched all three (Io, its shadow, and the GRS march across Jupiter's face with great delight). Though my specimen has a very slight chromatic aberration (causing a slight green/magenta fringe on Jupiter's limb), images are sharp as a tack with amazing detail (especially when used with orthoscopic eyepieces). The stock straight-through finder scope is a bit of a beast, but its mini-dovetail base is standard—so I replaced it with a lightweight Orion right-angle finder scope. The 2" visual back is also a bit of a waste (of added weight) if you're using this as a planet killer—all of my high power eyepieces are 1.25". Fortunately, the OTA is SCT threaded, so I use my Blue Fireball 1.25" compression ring visual back and my Orion 1.25" dielectric diagonal. I also use my Blue Fireball low-profile SCT-to-T2 adapter for imaging attachments. The OTA weight and its Vixen-type V dovetail mean it will happily ride atop any EQ5-equivalent, 20 lb rated mount (Saxon EQ5, Celestron CG-4, Meade LX70, Orion SkyView Pro). On my Orion SkyView Pro, the OTA requires two 7.5 lb counterweights (the stock 7.5 + 4.0 lbs was slightly underweight). At 7", this OTA fills a nice niche (in both size and price) between the crowded 6" and 8" markets (dominated by SCTs with poorer contrast resolution). At this size, your only options are the Orion 180 and SkyWatcher. SkyWatcher's decision to go with the SCT visual back put it over the edge for me. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2017 by David M.
    • Excellent Scope!
Style: 180mm Maksutov-Cassegrain
Review Image by ZGuy
Review Image by ZGuy
Review Image by ZGuy
Review Image by ZGuy
Review Image by ZGuy
I have numerous telescopes that I've acquired over about 50 years, but I wanted one that was a bit more portable and good for planetary viewing and photography. At 180mm with a focal length of 2700mm at f/15, this one hits the mark. The build is exceptional as is typical for Sky-Watcher. Recent views and unprocessed photos of Saturn came out exceptionally well, especially considering my light-polluted location and fair seeing. I also got their focal reducer to try out on some brighter deep space objects, but haven’t had a chance to test yet. I highly recommend this scope! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2024 by ZGuy

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