Similar to their Schmidt cousins, this 102mm f/13 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope from Sky-Watcher exchanges the conventional front corrector plate with a convex meniscus lens, which results in a smaller secondary mirror—limiting obstruction and increasing contrast, while eliminating the need for periodic collimation. The Maksutov optical path results in a slower focal ratio and narrower field of view versus a similar Schmidt, but the optical benefits, when coupled with the larger aperture and fully multi-coated optics, make this an ideal scope for solar, lunar, planetary, and deep-sky observation of bright objects like stars and clusters.

The scope is outfitted with a 1.25" visual back and, to get users started, Sky-Watcher includes 10 and 25mm eyepieces that produce low and moderate magnifications and a 90° star diagonal for more comfortable viewing when the optical tube assembly (OTA) is pointed at or near the celestial zenith. The OTA is offered here without a mount or tripod for users who have a platform or want to use it as part of a dual-OTA setup for star parties or observation/imaging rigs. It is outfitted with a Vixen-style dovetail plate for easy attachment onto many mounts. This OTA's compact form factor belies its observation power and resolution and is ideally suited as a grab-and-go option for quick observation sessions or heading out to remote locations.

102mm Aperture Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA    1300mm Focal Length, f/13 Focal Ratio    Limited-Diffraction Optical System    Motorized Computer-Controlled AZ Mount    Built-In WiFi Module for Remote Control    Free Android & iOS SynScan Pro WiFi App    42,900+ Object Database    Day/Night-Assisted Alignment Procedures    Two 1.25" Eyepieces, 90° Diagonal    Aluminum Tripod with Extension Pier

• 102mm aperture
• f/13 focal ratio
• 1300mm focal length
• Front convex meniscus lens corrects spherical and chromatic aberrations and comas (off-axis aberrations) across the entire field of view
• Smaller secondary mirror versus Schmidt-Cassegrains reduces obstructions and increases contrast
• Fully multi-coated optics maximize light transmission to improve brightness, color rendition, sharpness, and contrast
• Resolution: 1.01 arcsec
• Internal primary mirror focus
• 1.25"-diameter visual back takes 1.25” eyepieces and accessories 

• Requires user-supplied mount and tripod
• Vixen-style dovetail plate
• Weight: 4.6 pounds including OTA, dovetail plate, finder, diagonal, and eyepiece

• Eyepieces:
• 1.25" barrel diameter
• Accept most 1.25" astronomical filters
• 25mm eyepiece yields 52x power
• 10mm eyepiece produces 130x magnification

• Diagonal:
• 1.25" snout and eyepiece holder
• 90° angle places head in a comfortable viewing position
• Star configuration corrects image horizontally for terrestrial use

• Finderscope:
• Unmagnified view provides a wide field of view for easier alignment and faster star-hopping navigation
• Red center aiming dot won't obstruct objects
• Variable intensity to preserve night-adjusted vision

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. I can't install the accessory tray on the tripod... no matter how hard I push down, the central disc (with the three ears) will not rotate. Seems like I will break it if I push any harder. What am I doing wrong?

A: There is a complete YouTube videoset up guide on the Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi GoTo AZ Mount BH #SKS21110 • MFR #S21110

Q: 2. What mounts are you using?

A: The Sky-Watcher 102mm f/13 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope (OTA Only) does not come with a mount but this Skywatcher GTI mount is recommended and sold in a kit with the telescope. Please take a look at the following link: https://bhpho.to/3B4y5I6

Q: 3. Does the dove tail bar have a hole for a standard 1/4 inch mounting post?

A: There are two 1/4"-20 holes in the Vixen V-mount.

Q: 4. Do I need to polar align this?

A: No it is not necessary to polar align. However, it is a very useful tool.

Q: 5. can I use a 3x barlow lens with this?

A: Yes you can use a 3x Barlow with the Sky-Watcher 102mm f/13 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope.

Q: 6. Can this skywatcher scope be mounted celestron's heavy duty alta az mount?

A: Yes this would be able to Mount on a Celestron Heavy-Duty Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount with Tripod.

Q: 7. Does this particular item count with a threaded hole in the clutch ring? I heard that some instances of this mount (probably from earlier releases) got no thread, thus no way to attach a counterweight. Thank you.

A: This is the only information being offered bt Sky-Watcher https://www.skywatcherusa.com/products/az-gti-mount

Q: 8. can you mount a Sony A6600 to the telescope and if so what parts do i need. also can you mount a Samsung Note 8? Thanks

A: Hello, The smartphone, can connect with the : https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1201285-REG/tele_vue_sfa_0001_fonemate_universal_smartphone_adapter.html You A6600 can connect to the scope with two T mpiunt parts: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/202135-REG/Celestron_93625_SLR_35mm_OR_Digital.html https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/839140-REG/vello_la_nex_t_lens_mount_adapter.html

Q: 9. Does this scope accept a standard T-ring adapter for Canon DSLR 7DII? Does it accept an eyepiece projection T-ring tube?

A: If you have a Nikon F mount camera or a Canon EF mount camera it will use the Sky-Watcher T-mount rings directly

Q: 10. Does this scope (S11510) come with storage case as indicated on Sky-WatcherUSA website?

A: The Sky-Watcher 102mm f/13 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope (OTA Only) BH #SK102MMMCOTA • MFR #S11510 comes with a soft caring case as indicated on Sky-Watcher website