SkyWatcher Virtuoso 90 Maksutov 10241

The Virtuoso mount provides a stable platform and will track night sky objects automatically once located. The telescope can be slewed automatically in both axes, at five different speeds, via the mount’s electronic keypad.

A great feature of the Virtuoso™ is the patented Freedom-Find™ dual-encoder technology which also allows the telescope to be moved manually in either axis without losing its alignment or positional information, giving the user enormous convenience and flexibility during observing sessions.
Furthermore, the Virtuoso™ mount can be upgraded to Go-To by purchasing a Synscan™ AZ Go-To handset and cable, allowing 42,900+ night sky objects to be automatically found from its extensive database.

As well as its superb astronomical functionality, the Virtuoso™ mount has a lot of other clever features for photography (camera not included):

Camera Cruising: Take photographs automatically with your DSLR at up to 6 preset positions. The mount will stop at each predetermined position and automatically trigger the camera’s shutter release. (Canon-D electronic shutter release cable supplied but other Skywatcher cables are readily available)

Video Cruising/Time Lapse Photography: The mount can automatically move your video camera through up to 6 preset positions without any pause. Up to 5 speeds can be selected in this mode (see below)

Panoramic/Matrix Photography: The mount can control a DSLR camera to take long distance panoramas up to 360°.

The Sky-Watcher SKYMAX Maksutov-Cassegrains are the ultimate ‘take-anywhere’ telescopes. They are also ideal if working space is limited. Despite their small dimensions they pack a powerful punch. Their High-Resolution, diffraction limited optical systems are multi-coated to maximize contrast and image sharpness. The Skymax Maksutovs come in apertures of 90mm, 102mm and 127mm, and are available either complete with equatorial mounts and tripods, or as tube assemblies only, which can be mounted onto a standard photographic tripod. Whether your requirement is for terrestrial or astronomical use, these compact scopes are the perfect companion. Tube material: Aluminium.

The Auto-Tracking telescope is an evolutionary alt-azimuth mount that allows automatic tracking of celestial objects without complicated add-ons. It can be used not only for astronomy but for terrestrial applications as well. It is fast to set-up and very simple and easy to use. Highly recommended for the first-time buyer.

With any Cassegrain telescope you will have to consider the affect of dew fall. The cheapest solution is a lens hood but when dew is a real problem then heater straps will effectively evaporate dew and frost.