Back to forums

Dobosian Vs Makustov Cassagrain Telescope, Which is better for Observing Planets?

Equipment Buying Advice Solar System
8 replies•277 views
Szijártó Áron avatar
Szijártó Áron avatar
Hello and welcome.I'm on the hunt for a telescope specifically designed for observing planets and other solar system wonders.
My goal is to find one that offers a decent view without being too bulky—just something that allows me to really appreciate the details of the planets.I’ve been weighing my options between Dobsonian and Maksutov designs, and I'm also considering go-to telescopes to avoid the hassle of manually locating objects in the sky.
It's a bit frustrating having to constantly adjust the telescope to find what I'm looking for, and it would be good enough for that.I'm leaning towards more budget-friendly options and have been exploring brands like Skywatcher and Celestron.
A couple of models that have caught my eye are the Skywatcher Maksutov 127 and 102 Cassegrain, but I still need more information to make an informed choice.If anyone has suggestions for a telescope that fits these criteria or insights on what might work best, I’d appreciate your input! Thank you!
andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
Either are too small.
CraigT82 avatar
CraigT82 avatar
The 127 maks are a good place to start with planetary observing, compact and light they will sit nicely on entry level mounts. They also work well with cheaper eyepieces too being f/12 ish. Planetary observing is all about the seeing and when you get a good night even a small scope will impress, as long as it’s not a fast achro.

Another option would be a 150mm f/8 dob, overall not much bulkier than a mak and a mount, and a very capable planetary scope,  not motorised or goto though, if you are set on tracking/goto you could consider the Heritage 150p Virtuoso, or even the 200p flextube goto, but you’re getting quite heavy and bulky there.
Helpful
Benny Colyn avatar
Benny Colyn avatar
To each his own, but I find the optimum ratio of performance vs weight/compactness in the C6 scopes.

If you want something really "specifically designed for observing planets and other solar system wonders" then DIY a Kutter/"Schiefspiegler" design but that is of course a different ballpark.
Szijártó Áron avatar
Szijártó Áron avatar
The 127 maks are a good place to start with planetary observing, compact and light they will sit nicely on entry level mounts. They also work well with cheaper eyepieces too being f/12 ish. Planetary observing is all about the seeing and when you get a good night even a small scope will impress, as long as it’s not a fast achro.

Another option would be a 150mm f/8 dob, overall not much bulkier than a mak and a mount, and a very capable planetary scope,  not motorised or goto though, if you are set on tracking/goto you could consider the Heritage 150p Virtuoso, or even the 200p flextube goto, but you’re getting quite heavy and bulky there.

Hmm, to be honest, since I stated that I'm started to check first the Makustov models like 127 Sxymax. To be honest, it was a bit over my budget, so I can't afford that one.
Either way, what else do you know about the Makustov Skymax 102? When I mentioned that aswell is because that is reachable for me. But if it's not worth it, I might go for the Dobosian model, the Skywatcher Virtuso 150, if it's better?
CraigT82 avatar
CraigT82 avatar
Szijártó Áron:
The 127 maks are a good place to start with planetary observing, compact and light they will sit nicely on entry level mounts. They also work well with cheaper eyepieces too being f/12 ish. Planetary observing is all about the seeing and when you get a good night even a small scope will impress, as long as it’s not a fast achro.

Another option would be a 150mm f/8 dob, overall not much bulkier than a mak and a mount, and a very capable planetary scope,  not motorised or goto though, if you are set on tracking/goto you could consider the Heritage 150p Virtuoso, or even the 200p flextube goto, but you’re getting quite heavy and bulky there.

Hmm, to be honest, since I stated that I'm started to check first the Makustov models like 127 Sxymax. To be honest, it was a bit over my budget, so I can't afford that one.
Either way, what else do you know about the Makustov Skymax 102? When I mentioned that aswell is because that is reachable for me. But if it's not worth it, I might go for the Dobosian model, the Skywatcher Virtuso 150, if it's better?

Absolutely it would be better, if you had the choice between a 102mm mak and the 150mm newt, I would go with the 150mm every time…. For any type of observing. 

Just be aware the 150mm Virtuoso comes on a table top mount so you need somewhere outside with a table of other raised flat surface to sit it on. If you put it on the ground you will have to sit on the ground to use it. 

The 150p skylines dob would be better for the planets being a longer focal length, but it does not have goto or tracking. It would also need to be raised off the floor a little as the EP is quite low, but a bucket or water but would do.
Helpful
Szijártó Áron avatar
Szijártó Áron avatar
Szijártó Áron:
The 127 maks are a good place to start with planetary observing, compact and light they will sit nicely on entry level mounts. They also work well with cheaper eyepieces too being f/12 ish. Planetary observing is all about the seeing and when you get a good night even a small scope will impress, as long as it’s not a fast achro.

Another option would be a 150mm f/8 dob, overall not much bulkier than a mak and a mount, and a very capable planetary scope,  not motorised or goto though, if you are set on tracking/goto you could consider the Heritage 150p Virtuoso, or even the 200p flextube goto, but you’re getting quite heavy and bulky there.

Hmm, to be honest, since I stated that I'm started to check first the Makustov models like 127 Sxymax. To be honest, it was a bit over my budget, so I can't afford that one.
Either way, what else do you know about the Makustov Skymax 102? When I mentioned that aswell is because that is reachable for me. But if it's not worth it, I might go for the Dobosian model, the Skywatcher Virtuso 150, if it's better?

Absolutely it would be better, if you had the choice between a 102mm mak and the 150mm newt, I would go with the 150mm every time…. For any type of observing. 

Just be aware the 150mm Virtuoso comes on a table top mount so you need somewhere outside with a table of other raised flat surface to sit it on. If you put it on the ground you will have to sit on the ground to use it. 

The 150p skylines dob would be better for the planets being a longer focal length, but it does not have goto or tracking. It would also need to be raised off the floor a little as the EP is quite low, but a bucket or water but would do.

The skylnes seems good, but im frustrated by moving the tube while searching for the object I want to look at. Either way, speaking of Virtuoso 150, I have seen an image of that you can place it on a tripod, so it makes it a bigger telescope. I wonder if it's true or possible, so u don't need to sit beside it or use a table.
dkamen avatar
dkamen avatar
Szijártó Áron:
The 127 maks are a good place to start with planetary observing, compact and light they will sit nicely on entry level mounts. They also work well with cheaper eyepieces too being f/12 ish. Planetary observing is all about the seeing and when you get a good night even a small scope will impress, as long as it’s not a fast achro.

Another option would be a 150mm f/8 dob, overall not much bulkier than a mak and a mount, and a very capable planetary scope,  not motorised or goto though, if you are set on tracking/goto you could consider the Heritage 150p Virtuoso, or even the 200p flextube goto, but you’re getting quite heavy and bulky there.

Hmm, to be honest, since I stated that I'm started to check first the Makustov models like 127 Sxymax. To be honest, it was a bit over my budget, so I can't afford that one.
Either way, what else do you know about the Makustov Skymax 102? When I mentioned that aswell is because that is reachable for me. But if it's not worth it, I might go for the Dobosian model, the Skywatcher Virtuso 150, if it's better?

For visual, nothing beats a dobsonian in terms of observing capabilities per $$$.

But it is neither compact, nor goto. That's what Dobsonian means, a big bulky Newt mounted the Dobsonian way. It *is* very convenient for visual. When you put a Newt on a tripod, visual is impractical (think about it) plus vibrations and wind make your life difficult.

The SkyMax 127 could give you a very good balance between light gathering power and portability, the C6 even better (same as the dob). But they are way more expensive.
Helpful
TiffsAndAstro avatar
TiffsAndAstro avatar
Szijártó Áron:
Hello and welcome.I'm on the hunt for a telescope specifically designed for observing planets and other solar system wonders.
My goal is to find one that offers a decent view without being too bulky—just something that allows me to really appreciate the details of the planets.I’ve been weighing my options between Dobsonian and Maksutov designs, and I'm also considering go-to telescopes to avoid the hassle of manually locating objects in the sky.
It's a bit frustrating having to constantly adjust the telescope to find what I'm looking for, and it would be good enough for that.I'm leaning towards more budget-friendly options and have been exploring brands like Skywatcher and Celestron.
A couple of models that have caught my eye are the Skywatcher Maksutov 127 and 102 Cassegrain, but I still need more information to make an informed choice.If anyone has suggestions for a telescope that fits these criteria or insights on what might work best, I’d appreciate your input! Thank you!

*** Type your reply here **
Im a noob but have a C6 and budget eye pieces.
With eye pieces Jupiter looks small but clear bands and great read spot.
With a Barlow and camera it was small and blurry but got grs and transits.
I've looked through a meade 11 inch and Jupiter with a £1000 eyepeice size of a coke can. It was slightly bigger than in my C6.

I'd advise, if at all possible, looking through a scope at a local public obsie to get an idea what's likely before jumping in too much