: 8 inch makutsov... : does anybody know these instruments?

: (new to this forum, hope I didnt step on anybodies toes...

: thanks for your input! : michael

It's a Klevzov Cassegrain, not a Maksutov. Instead of the big correcting lens at the opening of the tube (Maksutov), there's a small correcting lens just over the secondary mirror, between it and the primary mirror. The advantages are you don't have as much of a dew problem, it's a little lighter and it has a faster cool-down period. The disadvantage is that it's an open-ended optical tube, and dust can get inside, onto the primary mirror (just like a newtonian).

Indications are that it will not be available until sometime next month. It's a new product from the TAL company in Moscow.

Regards,

Marc