Hioptic 6" Maksutov Cassegrain NMC1900x152 Telescope Review

(May also be selling under various own brand names. I think I've spotted it as Astronomica, Astrozap, Eclipse, Harmonius Optics, T.S.A, Astro Professional, MC6" and Nanjing Optical MC1900x152)

Hioptic 152 Mak on Celestron CG5 GT
  The 152mm Mak has now made its way onto to a Celestron CG5 goto mount and feels right at home!

CONCLUSION

Some of the issues I had with this telescope kit would put off first time astronomers, it's not exactly an out of the box package for a telescope newbie, but with a bit of perseverance you can get a really nice piece of kit for not much money. This scope would probably suit the intermediate astronomer on a budget. They would appreciates the sharp views that a Maksutov optical design has to offer but have stuck to other cheaper designs due to cost. The 152mm Hioptic Mak gives anyone considering a 6-inch Schmidt or Newtonian the option of corrected Maksutov optics for similar money but you will have to invest in a stronger mount than the one supplied as standard.

(10-07-2008, updated 01-11-2009)