Sky-Watcher Skymax 127 Virtuoso GTi Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope

Designed as a compact, portable and fully computerised observing system, the Sky-Watcher Skymax 127 Virtuoso GTi combines a 127 mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope with a motorised tabletop alt-azimuth mount featuring built-in Wi-Fi.

Its 1500 mm f/11.8 optical system is particularly suitable for observing the Moon, bright planets and double stars. The mirror coatings are designed to preserve image contrast and sharpness.

The Virtuoso GTi creates its own Wi-Fi network and can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet using the free SynScan app for iOS and Android. No external Wi-Fi or mobile network is required.

After entering the observing location coordinates and completing the alignment procedure, the GoTo system can automatically slew the telescope to objects contained in the application's database.

Patented Freedom-Find dual-encoder technology also allows the telescope to be moved manually on either axis without the mount losing its positional information.

127 mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Optics

The Skymax 127 uses a Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design with:

• Primary mirror diameter : 127 mm
• Focal length : 1500 mm
• Focal ratio : f/11.8

Its long focal length within a compact optical tube is well suited to high-magnification observation.

RAQ Mirror Coatings

The primary and secondary mirrors feature Radiant Aluminum Quartz RAQ coatings.

Stated reflectivity is:

• Up to 94%

The coating is designed to provide durability and maintain optical performance over time.

Lunar and Planetary Observation

The Skymax 127 optical configuration is particularly suitable for observing:

• Moon
• Bright planets
• Double stars

Its 1500 mm focal length makes high magnifications readily accessible with commonly available eyepieces.

Supplied Magnifications

Two 1.25-inch eyepieces are supplied:

• 10 mm
• 25 mm

They provide magnifications of:

• 150x
• 60x

The stated highest practical potential power is:

• 254x

Virtuoso GTi Wi-Fi GoTo Mount

The Virtuoso GTi is a motorised alt-azimuth mount designed for direct tabletop use.

It incorporates:

• GoTo motorisation
• Wi-Fi
• Dual-axis automatic tracking
• Freedom-Find technology
• 45 mm saddle

SynScan App Control

The mount can be controlled using the free SynScan application for:

• iOS
• Android

Its built-in Wi-Fi module creates its own network.

This allows the telescope to be operated in the field without relying on an Internet connection or external Wi-Fi network.

Database of More Than 10,000 Objects

The SynScan app provides access to more than 10,000 celestial objects.

The database includes:

• 10,759 deep-sky objects
• Messier catalogue
• NGC catalogue
• IC catalogue
• Caldwell catalogue
• Named deep-sky objects
• 305 named stars
• 55 double stars
• 7 planets
• Sun
• Moon

When used with compatible third-party planetarium software, the number of accessible objects is not limited to this database.

Alignment Methods

Several alignment methods are available through the SynScan app:

• 1-star Alignment
• 3-star Alignment
• Brightest Star Alignment
• North-Level Alignment

SynScan Functions

The app also provides:

• Tonight's Best Sky Tour
• Point and Go
• Celestial object identification
• Remote control over the Internet
• User-defined objects
• Pointing Accuracy Enhancement PAE

Freedom-Find Technology

Patented Freedom-Find technology uses dual encoders.

It allows the telescope to be moved manually in altitude or azimuth without the computerised system losing its positional information.

Users can therefore alternate between manual and motorised movement during the same observing session.

Resolution

Stated mount resolution is:

• 1.5 arc-second

The auxiliary encoders provide:

• 1068 counts per revolution
• Approximately 20 arc-minutes

Automatic Tracking

Available tracking rates are:

• Sidereal
• Lunar
• Solar
• Alignment-free solar

Tracking operates on:

• Two axes

Slewing Speeds

Available slewing speeds are:

• 0.5x
• 1x
• 8x
• 16x
• 32x
• 64x
• 128x
• 400x
• 600x
• Maximum

Motor Drive

The mount uses:

• DC servo motors

45 mm Saddle

The mount features a saddle compatible with:

• Sky-Watcher
• Vixen
• 45 mm dovetail bars

Tabletop or Tripod Use

The Virtuoso GTi is designed for direct tabletop use.

Its base also incorporates a standard:

• 3/8-inch tripod fitting

This allows the complete telescope to be installed on a compatible tripod.

The Sky-Watcher AZ5 stainless-steel tripod, product code 20316, is listed as highly recommended.

Connectivity

The mount provides:

• SynScan hand-controller port
• DSLR shutter-release port
• Built-in Wi-Fi module

Required DSLR shutter cables are available separately.

Software Compatibility

The mount supports:

• ASCOM for Windows
• SkySafari Plus
• SkySafari Pro
• Luminos
• Stellarium

Other compatible mobile planetarium applications can also be used.

Red-Dot Finder

A red-dot finder is supplied to assist with initial telescope pointing.

90° Star Diagonal

A 90° 1.25-inch star diagonal is supplied.

It provides a more comfortable viewing position when observing objects high in the sky.

Dimensions

Maximum telescope height with the optical tube pointing vertically:

• 580 mm

Base diameter:

• 330 mm

Total Weight

Total system weight is:

• 10 kg

Power

The mount can operate from:

• 8 AA batteries

An external power supply can also be used:

• 7.5 to 14 V DC
• 1 A
• Centre-positive polarity

Batteries are not supplied.

Technical Specifications

• Manufacturer : Sky-Watcher
• Model : Skymax 127 Virtuoso GTi
• Manufacturer product code : 10996
• Optical design : Maksutov-Cassegrain
• Aperture : 127 mm
• Focal length : 1500 mm
• Focal ratio : f/11.8
• Mirror coating : Radiant Aluminum Quartz RAQ
• Stated reflectivity : Up to 94%
• Magnifications with supplied optics : 60x and 150x
• Highest practical potential power : 254x
• Supplied eyepieces : 10 mm and 25 mm
• Eyepiece fitting : 1.25 inch
• Finder : Red dot
• Star diagonal : 90°
• Star diagonal fitting : 1.25 inch
• Mount : Virtuoso GTi
• Mount type : GoTo tabletop alt-azimuth
• Wi-Fi : Built in
• Application : SynScan
• App compatibility : iOS and Android
• Database : More than 10,000 objects
• Deep-sky objects : 10,759
• Named stars : 305
• Double stars : 55
• Planets : 7
• Alignment : 1-star, 3-star, Brightest Star and North-Level
• Freedom-Find technology : Yes
• Encoders : Dual
• Resolution : 1.5 arc-second
• Auxiliary encoders : 1068 counts per revolution
• Auxiliary encoder resolution : Approx. 20 arc-minutes
• Tracking : Dual axis
• Tracking rates : Sidereal, lunar, solar and alignment-free solar
• Motor drive : DC servo motors
• Saddle : 45 mm Sky-Watcher/Vixen
• SynScan handset port : Yes
• DSLR shutter-release port : Yes
• ASCOM : Compatible
• Tripod fitting : 3/8 inch
• Maximum height : 580 mm
• Base diameter : 330 mm
• Total weight : 10 kg
• Battery power : 8 AA batteries
• External power : 7.5 to 14 V DC / 1 A
• Polarity : Centre positive

Package Contents

• Sky-Watcher Skymax 127 telescope
• Virtuoso GTi Wi-Fi GoTo mount
• 10 mm eyepiece
• 25 mm eyepiece
• Red-dot finder
• 90° 1.25-inch star diagonal

Not Included

• Tripod
• SynScan hand controller
• 8 AA batteries
• External power supply
• DSLR shutter-release cable