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Maksutov-Cassegrain · Maksutov-Cassegrain

Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope, Mak70 Telescopes for Adults Kids 1000mm Focal Len

62Good

Compact Maksutov-Cassegrain with 1000mm focal length, built for planetary views on the go

(211 reviews)
Maksutov-Cassegrain
Amazon's Choice

Price updated Apr 18, 2026

Performance Scores

Value
82
Beginner
42
Astrophoto
18
Portability
62
Planetary
52
Deep Sky
25

Overview

The Mak70 is a 70mm f/14.3 Maksutov-Cassegrain, a design that folds a full 1000mm of focal length into a tube just 210mm long. That long focal ratio is genuinely useful for planetary observing, giving you tighter, higher-contrast views of the Moon, Saturn's rings, and Jupiter's cloud bands than a short refractor of similar aperture typically delivers. At 100x with the included 10mm eyepiece, you will see real detail on bright solar system targets on a steady night.

The trade-off is aperture. At 70mm, deep-sky objects like nebulae and galaxies will appear faint and mostly featureless. This is fundamentally a planetary and lunar scope, not a light bucket. The fully multi-coated optics help maximize the light you do collect, and the Maksutov design minimizes chromatic aberration effectively.

Weighing just over 4kg with a collapsible tripod and a phone mount included, it is genuinely portable. The micro-movement slow-motion controls on the tripod are a practical touch that aids keeping objects centered at higher magnifications. For a beginner focused on the Moon and planets who needs something truly packable, this scope offers a sensible entry point at its price.

At a Glance

70mm

Aperture

f/14.3

Focal Ratio

4.19kg

Weight

1000mm

Focal Length

Specifications

Aperture70mm
Focal Length1000mm
Focal Ratiof/14.3
Optical DesignMaksutov-Cassegrain
GoToNo
TrackingNo
Weight4.19 kg
Smart TelescopeNo
CoatingFully Multi-Coated
Finder5x24 optical finder

Key Features

  • The Maksutov-Cassegrain design delivers sharp, high-contrast views with minimal chromatic aberration, well suited to lunar and planetary targets
  • A 1000mm focal length in a 210mm tube makes this one of the more compact options available at this price point
  • Slow-motion tripod controls help keep objects centered at 50x and 100x, where even slight vibration becomes noticeable
  • Two included eyepieces provide 50x and 100x magnification right out of the box, covering the most useful range for this aperture
  • A universal phone mount with 1.5x Barlow lens allows basic smartphone astrophotography of the Moon and bright planets
  • At 70mm aperture, deep-sky performance is limited; manage expectations around galaxies and nebulae and prioritize this scope for solar system use
  • The adjustable tripod accepts standard 3/8-inch and 1/4-20 fittings, making it compatible with aftermarket heads if you want to upgrade later

Recommended Eyepieces

Analyze full eyepiece coverage in Performance Calculator

Customer Reviews

4.1

211 reviews

5
58%
4
21%
3
7%
2
6%
1
8%
Impressive package - maybe this is what you need.

I consider myself a "professional amateur" in the sense that I've had formal training in and am far deeper in the astronomy hobby than most, and for over 40 years. Even though I have loads of equipment, I bought this on a whim out of curiosity. Over the course of 3 weeks, this scope just earned its ...

S. Kasten·Apr 22, 2023·Verified
Good for beginners

Easy to set up. Instructions manual a little light on assembly instructions. Youtube is your friend for clarity. Nice clear views. Looking forward to setting up with a phone for pictures. I think the stand would benefit with some extra weight for stability. Overall an affordable option for someone j...

Lisa Wade·Feb 6, 2026·Verified
If you are looking for a telescope to get into astronomy, THIS IS IT!

If you are looking for a telescope to get into astronomy, THIS IS IT! I can think of very few things that have brought me as much joy as this little scope, it's perfect for everything I have wanted to do so far. With it, you can see clear details of the moon, Jupiter's moons and bands, Saturn rings,...

Alyssa Troyer·Feb 25, 2025·Verified
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Compare Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope, Mak70