Telescope Sky-Watcher 180/2700 OTA - Only tube with accessories, without mounting, without tripod

Sky-Watcher 180/2700 Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA telescope

If you are looking for a telescope that excels at observing planets, the Moon and double stars, then the Sky-Watcher 180/2700 Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA is exactly what you need. The combination of a large 180 mm aperture, a long 2700 mm focal length and a focal ratio of f/15 creates an instrument with exceptional contrast and resolving power, capable of making the most of steady seeing conditions. The optical elements are manufactured from glass by the renowned German company Schott, guaranteeing outstanding light transmission and minimal chromatic aberration.

Optical design

The Maksutov-Cassegrain is a closed optical system in which a primary spherical mirror works together with a meniscus corrector lens and a secondary mirror. This folds the optical path into a compact tube, while the resulting focal length of 2700 mm delivers high magnifications even with relatively long-focal-length eyepieces. The closed tube protects the optics from dust and thermal currents inside the tube, keeping the image stable even during extended observing sessions. Collimation adjustment screws are located on the rear of the tube, making the process straightforward even for less experienced observers and requiring no specialist tools.

Included accessories

The output diameter is 2″, allowing a wide range of accessories to be used - eyepieces, filters and cameras with a standard 2″ fitting. The set includes a star diagonal and an LE 28 mm (2″) eyepiece, which at a focal length of 2700 mm provides a magnification of 96x - an ideal starting magnification for orientation on planetary discs and in star fields. For object finding, a quality 8x50 finder scope is included, with an aperture sufficient for fainter stars as well.

Mounting compatibility and weight

The tube is equipped with a standard Vixen-style dovetail bar compatible with Sky-Watcher EQ and HEQ mounts, so it can easily be fitted to an EQ5, HEQ5 or EQ6 according to your preference and payload capacity. The tube itself weighs 7.7 kg, which should be taken into account when selecting a mount - for comfortable visual observing and astrophotography, an HEQ5 is the recommended minimum. The OTA is supplied without a mount, allowing each observer to choose a base that suits their needs and budget.

Planetary observing and astrophotography

The Maksutov-Cassegrain 180/2700 is an outstanding planetary telescope - its long focal length naturally delivers high magnifications without the need for short-focal-length eyepieces with limited eye relief. On Saturn you can easily resolve the Cassini division in the rings, on Jupiter the main cloud belts and the Great Red Spot, and on Mars surface details when the planet is close to Earth. Double stars and globular clusters are also popular targets. The telescope will be appreciated both by advanced visual observers and by astrophotographers focused on planetary imaging with CCD or CMOS cameras.

Low maintenance and ease of use

The closed Maksutov-Cassegrain optics are highly resistant to moisture and dust and require minimal maintenance. After purchase, simply attach the tube to your mount, perform a basic collimation check and you are ready to observe. This is an advantage that any observer will appreciate - spending evenings actually observing rather than adjusting equipment.

About Sky-Watcher

Sky-Watcher telescopes are among the most widely used in the world, with decades of experience in developing and manufacturing optics for astronomers of all levels. They are valued for their carefully crafted optics, robust mechanics and competitive price-to-performance ratio. Service support and the availability of spare parts and accessories across Europe are at a very good level, making this instrument a worthwhile long-term investment.

Technical specifications