Orion Apex 127

Dear Group,

I have two questions and am hopeful someone will answer them.

1. Is the Orion Apex 127 and the Orion StarMax 127 the same
scope? It appears so - just that the StarMax has the mount and
extras.

2. I have been reading that the Apex 127 is very good for the
planets but have seen little concerning its capabilities
regarding star clusters, nebula and galaxies. Any comments on
this?

Thank you,
Kirby Benson
Las Cruces, NM

"Kirby Benson" wrote in message
...
Dear Group,

I have two questions and am hopeful someone will answer them.

1. Is the Orion Apex 127 and the Orion StarMax 127 the same
scope? It appears so - just that the StarMax has the mount and
extras.


Yes. It's also the same as the Skywatcher Skymax 127. Made by Synta (PRC).

2. I have been reading that the Apex 127 is very good for the
planets but have seen little concerning its capabilities
regarding star clusters, nebula and galaxies. Any comments on
this?


It's a 5" scope, so it has a limited light grasp, BUT... Even under light
polluted skies this is a very useful instrument for open and globular
clusters, and the brighter nebulas and galaxies. Here's a short list of
faint and not-so-faint fuzzies I've been able to observe with this scope:
http://www.smaal.info/astro_en/index...ent#starmax127


Jeroen.
http://www.smaal.info/astro_en

"Kirby Benson" wrote in message
...
Dear Group,

I have two questions and am hopeful someone will answer them.

1. Is the Orion Apex 127 and the Orion StarMax 127 the same
scope? It appears so - just that the StarMax has the mount and
extras.


Yes. It's also the same as the Skywatcher Skymax 127. Made by Synta (PRC).

2. I have been reading that the Apex 127 is very good for the
planets but have seen little concerning its capabilities
regarding star clusters, nebula and galaxies. Any comments on
this?


It's a 5" scope, so it has a limited light grasp, BUT... Even under light
polluted skies this is a very useful instrument for open and globular
clusters, and the brighter nebulas and galaxies. Here's a short list of
faint and not-so-faint fuzzies I've been able to observe with this scope:
http://www.smaal.info/astro_en/index...ent#starmax127


Jeroen.
http://www.smaal.info/astro_en