Sky-Watcher MAK 90/1250 Virtuoso Motorised Telescope

Sky-Watcher MAK 90/1250 Virtuoso Motorised Telescope

The Sky-Watcher Virtuoso is a genuinely original device that defies easy categorisation. At its core it is a compact Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope with a motorised tabletop alt-azimuth mount - but describing it only as a telescope would significantly undersell what it can do. The Virtuoso combines the qualities of a comfortable, portable astronomical instrument with those of a fully automated photographic pan-tilt head capable of time-lapse sequences, programmed multi-point shooting and complete 360-degree spherical panoramas. There is nothing quite like it at this price point.

Optical system - the strengths of Maksutov

The optical tube uses the Maksutov-Cassegrain design, which folds a long focal length into a very compact body. The 90 mm aperture and 1250 mm focal length give a focal ratio of f/13.9 - a characteristically slow, high-contrast system that renders fine planetary and lunar detail with exceptional sharpness and is completely free of chromatic aberration. There are no colour fringes around bright objects, no false colour on the limb of the Moon or around planetary discs. What you see is purely optical resolution, and a well-made Maksutov of this size delivers 100% of what 90 mm of aperture can theoretically resolve.

The package includes two eyepieces - 25 mm and 10 mm - providing magnifications of 50x and 125x respectively. Both are fully adequate for the primary targets the Virtuoso is designed for: lunar observation in fine detail, and basic planetary work. At 125x the equatorial belts of Jupiter are clearly visible, Saturn's rings are well separated from the disc, and Martian polar caps can be detected during opposition. The 1.25-inch focuser output accepts the full range of standard eyepieces and planetary filters, allowing the telescope to be upgraded over time. A T2 thread is also available for camera connection.

The mount - motorised tracking and much more

The heart of the Virtuoso system is its motorised alt-azimuth mount, which uses Sky-Watcher's patented dual-axis encoder technology. Unlike simple motor drives that rely on open-loop stepper motors alone, the Virtuoso combines stepper motors with double positional encoders on both axes - the mount always knows exactly where it is pointing, even if the tube is moved manually. This means the user can freely nudge the telescope by hand at any moment to centre an object, and the motor will simply pick up tracking from the new position without losing its orientation.

Setting up for astronomical use is straightforward. Level the mount, enter your geographical coordinates, and the Virtuoso begins tracking the rotation of the sky automatically. No polar alignment is required. For extended tracking sessions or for users who want access to a GoTo object database, the mount is compatible with the Sky-Watcher SynScan AZ hand controller - the same controller used with large Dobsonian telescopes in the Sky-Watcher range. With SynScan added, the user gains access to a database of tens of thousands of objects that can be located and tracked automatically. The Virtuoso is the only telescope in its class that offers this capability.

Photography - time-lapse, panoramas and sequential shooting

Alongside the optical tube, the Virtuoso package includes a robust camera bracket that mounts directly to the motorised head. With the telescope set aside and a camera attached instead, the Virtuoso becomes a sophisticated automated pan-tilt head for photography and video - essentially a computerised camera motion controller in a package that weighs only a few kilograms.

Time-lapse photography - the mount supports smooth, programmed rotation between up to six preset positions at variable speeds. The slowest setting completes a full 360-degree rotation in exactly 24 hours, matching the apparent rotation of the sky. Faster settings allow conventional time-lapse motion across any chosen arc. The movement is driven by precision stepper motors and is smooth enough for video as well as still sequences.

Panoramic photography - the Virtuoso can execute automated panoramic sweeps both horizontally and in parallel horizontal bands. After entering the field of view of the attached lens and setting the horizontal and vertical rotation limits, the mount steps through the required positions automatically. With correct settings, a complete spherical panorama covering the full environment can be assembled from the captured frames.

Sequential object photography - the mount stores up to six pointing positions in memory. Point the camera at each subject in turn, save the position with a button combination, and the Virtuoso will cycle continuously between all stored positions - pausing at each one to trigger the camera shutter via the included remote cable. This is particularly useful for documenting changing conditions at multiple fixed locations, for astrophotography of several objects across a single night, or for any project requiring periodic images of a set of predetermined subjects.

The remote shutter cable uses the standard 2.5 mm minijack format and is compatible with Canon DSLRs in the three- and four-digit series (300D, 400D, 550D, 1000D and equivalent models). Third-party cables for other camera brands using the same standard are also compatible.

Portability and mounting options

The Virtuoso fits on a table, measures just a few tens of centimetres in its working configuration and weighs only a few kilograms. It requires no permanent installation and can be set up and ready to use in minutes. For field use, it can be mounted on any photographic tripod rated for approximately 10 kg load via the standard 3/8-inch tripod thread on the base of the mount.

Specifications