Sky-Watcher · Maksutov-Cassegrain
Sky-Watcher SkyMax 180
180mm of Maksutov precision in a compact, portable package built for serious planetary observation.
Price updated Mar 22, 2026
Performance Scores
Overview
The Sky-Watcher SkyMax 180 is a 180mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope with a 2700mm focal length at f/15, a combination that makes it exceptionally well suited for planetary and lunar observing. That long focal ratio delivers the high contrast and fine detail that planets demand, and the Maksutov design keeps stray light in check through a fully baffled tube and matched, coated optics. At this aperture, you can realistically expect to resolve Saturn's Cassini Division, Jupiter's cloud bands and the Great Red Spot, and surface features on Mars during opposition.
The tradeoff is field of view. An f/15 instrument is not designed for wide-field deep-sky work, so if nebulae and open clusters are your primary interest, you will want to look elsewhere. Where this telescope earns its price is in crisp, high-magnification planetary views that smaller scopes simply cannot match. It comes ready to use with a 28mm 2-inch eyepiece, a 2-inch 90-degree diagonal, and a 9x50 straight-through finderscope.
At 8.62kg it is manageable for solo transport. The alt-az mount works for visual observing, though dedicated planetary imagers may want to pair the optical tube with an equatorial platform or mount separately.
At a Glance
180mm
Aperture
f/15
Focal Ratio
8.62kg
Weight
2700mm
Focal Length
Specifications
Key Features
- The 180mm aperture resolves fine planetary detail that smaller Maksutovs and refractors regularly miss
- A 2700mm focal length at f/15 produces naturally high magnification, reducing the need to push eyepieces to their limits
- Matched primary and secondary mirrors with 94% reflectivity coatings maximize light transmission and image contrast
- The fully baffled tube suppresses stray light effectively, contributing to the dark background contrast Maksutovs are known for
- Includes a capable 9x50 finderscope, a 28mm 2-inch eyepiece, and a 2-inch star diagonal, so the kit is genuinely usable out of the box
- The Vixen-style dovetail makes it straightforward to move the optical tube to a different or upgraded mount when needed
- Not the right choice for wide-field deep-sky observing, but nearly ideal if planets and the Moon are your main targets
Customer Reviews
207 reviews
This a great "little" scope. This review is for the 7" (180mm) maksutov cassegrain. Out of the box, the collimation was perfect. Personally, I am a "refractor person", but when those scopes get up there in aperture, the tube length can become cumbersome for transporting. Maksutov scopes can give you...
I was looking for a lightweight Mak-Cass or similar to mount on a small Alt-Az mount for night hikes. I did NOT want this for go-to or astrophotography. Though I imagine this scope would be great for that too. I wanted a scope that's easy to bring outside and actually use. The first Sky-Watcher I or...
I started with a small 90mm Orion Mak-Cassegrain and wanted something a bit bigger. The 127mm Sky-Watcher was the perfect choice for me. It is a bit larger and heavier than the Orion, but is still much smaller than a Dobsonian. The added focal length and aperture give me a better, brighter, and shar...