This telescope is now sold.
Intes Micro Alter M706DL Maksutov-Cassegrain Astrograph
I acquired my Intes Micro Alter M706 Deluxe secondhand, intending to use it when I travel for astrophotography.
Technical Data
| • Aperture: 180 mm | • Focal length: 1080mm | • F-ratio: F/6 |
| • Weight: 6.75 kg = 14.85 lbs | • Tube length: 450mm = 17.71 inch | • Tube diameter: 218 mm = 8.58 inch |
| • photographic diameter of image circle at focus: 41 mm | • spotdiameter on axis: 8,44 micrometer | • spotdiameter at edge of image circle at focus: 20,10 micrometer |
| • Backfocus behind tube-end: 60 mm (optimum) | • diameter secondary mirror: 78mm = 3.07 inch | • central obstruction: 43.3 %, Tube baffles: 3 inside |
When the telescope arrived, it had kept its collimation wonderfully and performed well during the first tests with my ST-10XME. However I found that the two fittings that accept the finder and the piggy-back holder were loose on the tube and that the screws holding them could not be tightened adequately. So I removed the main mirror assembly to find that these screws were only held by the thread in the thin aluminium tube wall. So I added nuts to the screws for a better fastening of these fittings. Can't think of a reason why it was not done like that in the first place!
The focuser system is different from those used in commercial SCT's,so there is no image-shift.
Front of the M706. Holes are for ventilation, air is drawn from them inside the telescope and then out via a small ventilator on the back. Works well to balance telescope OTA with external temperature before imaging. During imaging, when a dew remover is used on the dewcap, it is better not to use the ventilator as you would then suck in slightly warmer air into the tube.
Note the collimation screws to collimate the complete primary mirror assembly. Ventilator is powered by 12V. The focusknob on my M706 looks as it has been reduced in size by the previous owner. The recommended distance between detector and telescope backplate is 60 mm.
Below are two pictures taken during our stay in Montlaux, France at the B&B Grand Champ. I mounted the telescope on my Takahashi EM200 and everything was set up in an astrotent.
Below is a single image made with a SBIG STL-4020 (15x15 mm chip), 10 minutes exposure, only darkframe, no flatfield and below that the results from CCD Inspector on this image. Good flatfielding will make this an excellent image.
Some more photos taken with this instrument:
