PolarAlign

Intes MN-86 Mak-Newt withnew Moonlight dual speed 2" focuser. $2500

This is an 8 inch f/6 Russian Intes Maksutov-Newtonian with new Moonlight dual speed 2" focuser and a 10X50 finder scope. Optically it is perfect. It has been professionally collimated. It holds collimation very well. The corrector plate coatings are flawless.

This telescope tube was originally painted instead of powder coated. The paint chips easily. Chips have been touched up as they occur. I've been happy with the telescope and images taken through this telescope.

The Maksutov-Newtonian has a much smaller obstruction than conventional Newtonian telescopes. Reviews call the views through this telescope refractor-like although the cost of the Mak-Newt is a small fraction of the cost of an 8 inch refractor. The corrector plate on the front supports the secondary mirror so there are no spider vanes and so no diffraction spikes. The corrector also allows a much smaller secondary mirror. This Russian built telescope is known for superb optics but somewhat less than superb construction. One of the weaknesses in these telescopes is the focuser. This one has been replaced with a new butter smooth 2" dual rate MoonLite focuser. I have the original focuser and can include it. The telescope is fully baffled. It comes with a screw on dew shield, also fully baffled.

This telescope weighs 44 pounds and is 3'11" long without the dew shield. It can be used for imaging but lack of back focus can be an issue. The telescope is known for providing a flat focal plane, much flatter than the typical Newtonian, so field flatteners aren't needed. I've used it for imaging and have been very happy with the results. I'll send a .jpg to anyone that's interested. The telescope has a built in 12 volt fan to speed temperature equilibrium. Cool down times are quick.

The telescope is mounted in rotation rings. By loosening the clamshell knobs, the telescope can be rotated to bring the eyepiece to a comfortable position. It has a Losmandy compatible dovetail plate on the bottom and a flat plate on the top where I put my Telrad.

You can read more by Googling "Mak-Newt" or "Maksutov-Newtonian". If you have questions, please leave a message and I'll try to answer them.

Included is the telescope, the focuser, the rings, and the 10X50 guide scope. Other equipment may appear in some images and is not included.  Pictures can be enlarged.

 My initial setup

 Just the telescope, as it is set up now

 Corrector plate, coatings perfect

 Original Intes focuser

 Moonlite focuser, 2 inch, dual rate

 Internal baffling

 Baffled shade

The following are first light images for me through this telescope.  Being new to photography and processing then, please bear with me.  I want to show what you can expect early on. Camera SBIG ST2000XCM

Additional items will be added.