Acuter Optics 60mm Telescope Arrival
The order for the Acuter 60mm Maksutov "Maksy" telescope was placed on Monday May 9th, 2022 and specified delivery was promised as soon as Wednesday May 11. Early Wednesday morning the the telescope arrived and a box appeared outside in front of the door, just as planned. A minuscule telescope has a minuscule box as can be seen in the photo in the unboxing sequence. Just as it always happens with a new telescope, the weather turned to overcast with heavy rain, predicted for the next two weeks!
Precision
The first thing noticed was the great attention to precision detail in the manufacturing process. There is not one blemish on this telescope and not one speck of dust on the optics.
Construction
There are no defects and everything works smoothly and perfectly. The eyepieces and 90-degree diagonal just drop into place and are held with adjustable screws. The inserted diagonal is turned to make it tight.
The 20mm eyepiece supplied appears to be of high quality. A second supplied ocular is really a projection tube for use with the telescope at Prime Focus - an intentionally frosted flat glass for projection of brighter images, for group viewing. The focus will be different when switching from the projection tube to the eyepiece.
The telescope kit includes the OTA - optical tube assembly, which has two molded tick marks for "down the tube sighting" and thus no finder telescope is needed. Using the scope on the Moon and brighter deep sky objects should be ideal for this method - "down the tube sighting" and thus no finder telescope is needed. Using the scope on the Moon and brighter day or deep sky objects should be ideal for this method.
Cute Factor
The cute factor for this minuscule telescope is off the charts - this is truly the "cat's pajamas." The light blue color might be a bit deceiving as this is no toy - this is a precision instrument with a high level of manufacturing. Being cute may have something to do with the naming of the company - A Cute / Cuter.
The telescope kit includes the OTA - optical tube assembly, which has two molded tick marks for "down the tube sighting" and thus no finder telescope is needed. Using the scope on the Moon and brighter deep sky objects should be ideal for this method - "down the tube sighting" and thus no finder telescope is needed. Using the scope on the Moon and brighter day or deep sky objects should be ideal for this method.
Solar Filter
The sun filter is an extra purchase and comes with its own solar finder - a small projection screen that shows the sun when centered. The filter has a very tight fit and has an additional two locking screws. The solar filter is manufactured with the same attention to precision detail and the filter membrane is perfectly flat with no wrinkles, pinholes or defects in the film layer.Mobile Phone Camera Mount
Included is a cell phone camera mount which very easily attaches with bands around the phone, and can be rotated alongside the OTA to adjust perfect balance and stability.
Table Top Tripod
The small tripod is amazing, steady and solid when placed on a stable surface like a table, counter top, window sill or flat surface. The solid steel legs add stability weight. After the telescope is attached, the motions are smooth with the ball gimbal and completely adjustable tension is set with the small handle directly under the tripod. I was able to set a smooth tracking motion with a little finesse and it can even compensate for the weight of a camera.
Finding a Table
I also immediately dedicated a round table at just the right height to the initial testing and use of the telescope.
Lens Cap
The lens cap is remarkable. It's the first cover I've ever had that's easy to use. It's made from rubber and has a perfect fit. Other telescopes have strange plastic caps that might be interlocking in some scheme or simply fall off.
OTA Weight - Mounting On Other Telescopes
The telescope tube is so light, at around a pound weight, it can mount on other telescopes to act as a second telescope and a guide and tracking scope. This is exactly what's planned when the camera mount arrives for the Celestron Nexstar 6SE. The Acuter Maksutov telescope has standard photographic camera style threads to accept a 1/4" bolt. It can share the mounting resources of other telescopes. With the Nexstar it will suddenly have access to 40,000 goto objects. It can also be used with other tripods. However, I like the "grab n' go" ability, the ease at which it can be carried, the tiny form factor, and the fact that it takes only a few easy minutes to set up. By the time the owner of a computerized GOTO telescope punches in date, time, and location coordinates, the little Maksy is already observing celestial objects.
Overview
The Acuter Maksy 60 is a complete fully functional telescope set with the added benefit of a removable discovery panel which reveals the fascinating internal construction of an advanced Maksutov-Cassegrain optical system and to give an understanding of how it works. This compact and portable telescope is great for observing, learning & taking photos of the stars with your smartphone, to keep a record of your observations. The set includes a 60mm Diameter f=750 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope, a 37.5x Eyepiece, a Projection Eyepiece, an Erect-image Diagonal, a Smartphone Adaptor (smartphone not included) and a Table Top Tripod. Supplied in an attractive colour gift box with carrying handle for easy transportation and instructions for use.
Mobile Phone Camera Mount
Included is a cell phone camera mount which very easily attaches with bands around the phone, and can be rotated alongside the OTA to adjust perfect balance and stability.
Table Top Tripod
The small tripod is amazing, steady and solid when placed on a stable surface like a table, counter top, window sill or flat surface. The solid steel legs add stability weight. After the telescope is attached, the motions are smooth with the ball gimbal and completely adjustable tension is set with the small handle directly under the tripod. I was able to set a smooth tracking motion with a little finesse and it can even compensate for the weight of a camera.
Finding a Table
I also immediately dedicated a round table at just the right height to the initial testing and use of the telescope.
Lens Cap
The lens cap is remarkable. It's the first cover I've ever had that's easy to use and stays on the tube. It's made from rubber and has a perfect fit. Other telescopes have strange plastic caps that might be interlocking in some scheme or simply fall off.
OTA Weight - Mounting On Other Telescopes
The telescope tube is so light, at around a pound weight, it can mount on other telescopes to act as a second telescope and a guide and tracking scope. This is exactly what's planned when the camera mount arrives for the Celestron Nexstar 6SE. The Acuter Maksutov telescope has standard photographic camera style threads to accept a 1/4" bolt. It can share the mounting resources of other telescopes. With the Nexstar it will suddenly have access to 40,000 goto objects. It can also be used with other tripods. However, I like the "grab n' go" ability, the ease at which it can be carried, the tiny form factor, and the fact that it takes only a few easy minutes to set up. By the time the owner of a computerized GOTO telescope punches in date, time, and location coordinates, the little Maksy is already observing celestial objects.
Overview
The Acuter Maksy 60 is a complete fully functional telescope set with the added benefit of a removable discovery panel which reveals the fascinating internal construction of an advanced Maksutov-Cassegrain optical system and to give an understanding of how it works. This compact and portable telescope is great for observing, learning & taking photos of the stars with your smartphone, to keep a record of your observations. The set includes a 60mm Diameter f=750 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope, a 37.5x Eyepiece, a Projection Eyepiece, an Erect-image Diagonal, a Smartphone Adaptor (smartphone not included) and a Table Top Tripod. Supplied in an attractive colour gift box with carrying handle for easy transportation and instructions for use.
Copies
After being in production for a couple years, several copies of the telescope are being made. Some of these have major differences and may have compromising optical performances. For example, the high quality AMICI prism is replaced with a lesser light transmission flat mirror. The mount is cheapened. Some versions have completely different mounts, either a tripod or Dobsonian single arm mount. One version has a matching light blue finderscope and another has a large black finderscope. Some include an extra eyepiece 10mm without the frosted glass projection eyepiece.
Specifications
Taiwan Name - Mini Horse Multifunctional Life Telescope
Acuter Optics Telescope Name - Acuter Maksy 60
Design - Maksutov-Cassegrain Catadioptric
Diameter - 60mm (2.4")
Focal Ratio - f/12.5
Focal Length - 750mm (29.5")
Focal Ratio - f/12.5
Focal Length - 750mm (29.5")
Optical Coating: Multi Layer Film
Eyepiece 20mm - 37.5x
OTA Length - 25 cm (8.25"), 10" with 90-deg. Diagonal
OTA Outer Diameter - 82mm (3.2")
OTA Weight - 467 grams (1 lb)
Tripod Weight - 360 grams (.8 lb)
Tripod Height - 20 cm (7.9")
Light Gathering - 73.5 times the naked eye
Assembled Height - 30.5mm (12" To Diagonal Top)
Box Contents - OTA, Tabletop Tripod Mount, 20mm Eyepiece (37.5x), 90-deg. Diagonal, Lens Cap, Instruction Manual, Mobile Phone Adapter, Frosted Glass Projection Eyepiece
Eyepiece 20mm - 37.5x
OTA Length - 25 cm (8.25"), 10" with 90-deg. Diagonal
OTA Outer Diameter - 82mm (3.2")
OTA Weight - 467 grams (1 lb)
Tripod Weight - 360 grams (.8 lb)
Tripod Height - 20 cm (7.9")
Light Gathering - 73.5 times the naked eye
Assembled Height - 30.5mm (12" To Diagonal Top)
Box Contents - OTA, Tabletop Tripod Mount, 20mm Eyepiece (37.5x), 90-deg. Diagonal, Lens Cap, Instruction Manual, Mobile Phone Adapter, Frosted Glass Projection Eyepiece
Eyepiece Magnification Guide
EP Power 2x Barlow Focal Reducer
6mm 125x 250x 62.5x
10mm 75x 150x 37.5
20mm 37.5x 75x 18.8
25mm 30x 60x 15
30mm 25x 50x 12.5
40mm 19x 38x 9.5
Prime Focus = 29.5x
2x Barlow Projection = 59x
1/2x Focal Reducer = f/12.5 (750mm FL) to f/6.25 (375mm FL)
2 Stacked Focal Reducers = f/3.1 (187.5mm)
