I discovered this UK CAT scope design while I was surfing the UK astronomy dealer websites. Anybody ever look through one?
http://www.capenewise.co.uk/
When the company compared it against other competing scope designs, I see that they wisely chose not to compare it against the Russian Maksutov-Newtonian which is optically simpler and accomplishes basically the same thing. The Mak-Newt has only 4 air-to-glass surfaces vs. the 8 air-to-glass surfaces of this UK design.
Also, my Meade SN8 with Baader MPCC should accomplish basically the same thing at a faster f/4 focal ratio and with two less optical surfaces to scatter light.
I think I would opt for an Intes-Micro MN86 myself, or an MN84 if I was astrophoto inclined. Just about every positive attribute of the Cape Newise scope could be applied to the Mak-Newt in my opinion, and the Mak-Newt has a few things over it such as fewer optical surfaces. There is no way this Cape Newise design with 4 extra air-glass optical surfaces can be as "refractor like" as a good Mak-Newt. Maybe that's why it never took off in North America? The prices seem OK relative to a Mak-Newt, but I never read a Cape Newise review. There are 8 UK dealers listed, so I guess Cape Instruments is selling a few units now and then. Intes-Micro probably isn't exactly soaked in a cold sweat over this design, however. The TAL 200K KCT with focal reducer should do as well and be more compact.
The Cape Newise scope looks like something for Ye Olde Scope Shoppe to sell to somebody simply wanting something different and British. A bit more compact and lighter than a Mak-Newt, but that's about all I can see it has as technical advantages. What thinks ye?
Phil
http://www.capenewise.co.uk/
When the company compared it against other competing scope designs, I see that they wisely chose not to compare it against the Russian Maksutov-Newtonian which is optically simpler and accomplishes basically the same thing. The Mak-Newt has only 4 air-to-glass surfaces vs. the 8 air-to-glass surfaces of this UK design.
Also, my Meade SN8 with Baader MPCC should accomplish basically the same thing at a faster f/4 focal ratio and with two less optical surfaces to scatter light.
I think I would opt for an Intes-Micro MN86 myself, or an MN84 if I was astrophoto inclined. Just about every positive attribute of the Cape Newise scope could be applied to the Mak-Newt in my opinion, and the Mak-Newt has a few things over it such as fewer optical surfaces. There is no way this Cape Newise design with 4 extra air-glass optical surfaces can be as "refractor like" as a good Mak-Newt. Maybe that's why it never took off in North America? The prices seem OK relative to a Mak-Newt, but I never read a Cape Newise review. There are 8 UK dealers listed, so I guess Cape Instruments is selling a few units now and then. Intes-Micro probably isn't exactly soaked in a cold sweat over this design, however. The TAL 200K KCT with focal reducer should do as well and be more compact.
The Cape Newise scope looks like something for Ye Olde Scope Shoppe to sell to somebody simply wanting something different and British. A bit more compact and lighter than a Mak-Newt, but that's about all I can see it has as technical advantages. What thinks ye?
Phil
