Sky-Watcher BKMAK 127 OTAW Telescope + EQ3-2 PRO Equatorial Mount (SW-3004 + SW-4133)

The Sky-Watcher BKMAK 127 OTAW with EQ3-2 PRO equatorial mount is a compact and versatile setup for night-sky observers. The 127 mm Maksutov optical tube delivers sharp, detailed views of the Moon and planets, while the precision equatorial mount ensures stability and automatic tracking of celestial objects.

The MAK 127 is an excellent choice for astronomy enthusiasts looking for a compact instrument that offers impressive performance when observing the Moon and planets. Maksutov telescopes feature reduced coma and only minimal chromatic aberration, producing crisp, high-contrast images. Their major advantages include short tube length, compact design, and relatively low weight. Despite its small size, the MAK 127 offers a long 1500 mm focal length, enabling the high magnifications needed for studying fine planetary and lunar details.

This optical design excels in urban environments where light pollution makes faint nebulae difficult to observe. The telescope includes a 2" eyepiece holder, a 2" diagonal, and an LE 28 mm eyepiece providing 54× magnification. Contrary to common belief, the MAK 127 also performs very well on brighter deep-sky objects, such as the Orion Nebula, the Hercules Cluster (M13), and Bode’s Galaxies (M81 and M82).

Optical System

The telescope uses a spherical meniscus corrector, a primary mirror, and a secondary mirror placed on the inner surface of the meniscus. This design minimizes coma and astigmatism while keeping chromatic aberration extremely low. It delivers remarkably sharp, contrasty images. The long focal length and narrow focal ratio make it ideal for observing the Moon and planets.

The instrument gathers about 235 times more light than the human eye, allowing observations of objects down to magnitude 12.1 (with naked-eye visibility around magnitude 6). Its resolving power enables separation of stars with angular distances greater than 1.1".

Astronomical Observations

1. Solar System
• lunar features larger than 1.5–2 km
• sunspots and their structure
• all Solar System planets
• phases of Mercury and Venus
• Mars, including polar caps and dark surface features in good conditions
• Jupiter’s equatorial bands, Great Red Spot, Galilean moons, transits, and occultations
• Saturn’s rings including the Cassini Division, shadows, Titan, and several smaller moons
• Uranus and Neptune
• motion of asteroids against the star field
• bright comets

2. Stars
• about 1.8 million stars up to magnitude 12.1
• double and multiple stars with separations above 1.1"
• visible color differences in bright stars

3. Nebulae and Deep-Sky Objects
• nearly all Messier objects
• hundreds of globular clusters
• hundreds of open clusters
• bright nebulae
• dozens of galaxies

Terrestrial Observing

This optical design is not ideal for terrestrial use. A prism diagonal is required to obtain a correct upright image. With a suitable diagonal and mount, the telescope can be used as a simple spotting device.

Mount

The EQ3-2 PRO is designed for users who want GoTo functionality without the weight of larger mounts such as the HEQ5 or EQ6. It uses the same control system as HEQ5/EQ6, offering a database of over 13,000 objects. It is an excellent upgrade for small, optically capable telescopes around 130 mm in aperture, providing full convenience and automated tracking.

Because the set is optimized for portable use, it does not include an AC power supply. Only a car power adapter is provided. A compatible AC adapter is the ESPE 12V/3A model.

Sky-Watcher BKMAK 127 OTAW Optical Tube

• Catalog number: SW-3004
• Optical system: Maksutov-Cassegrain
• Mount type: none (optical tube only)
• Aperture: 127 mm
• Focal length: 1500 mm
• Focal ratio: f/11.8
• Limiting magnitude: 13.1
• Maximum useful magnification: 254×
• Resolution (Rayleigh): 1.13"
• Resolution (Dawes): 0.91"
• Light-gathering power: 329×
• Tube weight: 3.4 kg
• Tube length: 330 mm
• Tube diameter: 140 mm
• Eyepiece holder type: SCT/MAK
• Eyepiece holder size: 2"
• Micro adjustment: no
• Mounting dovetail: Vixen
• Warranty period: 60 months

Included with the Optical Tube

• dovetail
• 2" 90° diagonal with 1.25" reducer
• 2" 28 mm eyepiece
• 6×30 finder
• 2" eyepiece holder

EQ3-2 PRO Equatorial Mount + Steel Tripod (1.75")

• Catalog number: SW-4133
• Mount type: equatorial
• Maximum payload: 5.5 kg
• Tripod height: 85–121 cm
• Tripod weight: 5.6 kg
• Motors: stepper motors
• Maximum slewing speed: 3.4°/s
• Autoguiding speeds: 0.25×, 0.5×, 0.75×, 1×
• PEC correction: software-based
• GoTo system: SynScan
• Object database: 42,000+
• Included catalogs: Messier, NGC, IC, Caldwell, double stars, variable stars, named stars, planets, user-defined objects
• Control: hand controller
• Tracking mode: R.A. axis
• Alignment methods: 1-star, 2-star, 3-star
• Ports: ST-4
• Electronics warranty: 24 months
• Total warranty period: 60 months