Skywatcher Dobson Telescope N 203/1200 Skyliner FlexTube BD DOB GoTo

A large aperture for a little money – that was always the main idea when acquiring a Dobsonian telescope. With their BlackDiamond Dobsonian, Sky-Watcher have created a classic with a new slant. The new, patented, a novel patented sliding rod design makes it is particularly easy to transport. Another advantage of this is that it allows the focus point to be flexibly shifted by sliding the rods further in or out.

Not being able to track objects has always been a problem. Hardly was an object positioned, than it was already drifting out of the eyepiece’s field of view. Dobsonians were therefore preferentially used for deep sky observing at low magnifications. With BlackDiamond Autotracking and BlackDiamond GoTo Dobsonians, Sky-Watcher has now created a new option: a series featuring automatic tracking. Tiresome guiding by hand is no longer necessary. The device is fully capable, even when planetary observing at high magnification.

The telescope and mount:

This BlackDiamond truss-tube Dobsonian is equipped with an 8 inch parabolic mirror. 8 inches is a classic size for astronomical observing. Globular clusters can be well resolved, and some galaxies show the first signs of having a spiral structure. Its f5.9 aperture ratio and a 2 inch focuser also make the telescope well suited for observing extended nebulae. The planets also show a wealth of detail. Saturn’s rings can be easily seen and even the famous Cassini division can be observed!

The telescope is equipped with a smoothly operating Crayford focuser, which allows precise focusing adjustment. A T2 camera connector is included with the focuser. A camera-specific T2 adapter, which is included in our product range, is additionally required for using a DSLR camera.

Truss tube Dobsonians are particularly popular with committed observers due to their excellent portability. Skywatcher offers an especially easy to manage system with its new FlexTube Dobsonians. Only having 3 tubes, they can be quickly collapsed. On arriving at the observing site you simply need to extend the tubes again and you have a fully operational and aligned instrument within seconds. The telescope is still very rigid even in its fully extended configuration. The manufacturer promises very stable collimation despite the simple design.

Included in delivery:

• optics with a collapsible tube
• reinforced rocker box
• 10mm and 25mm eyepieces (1.25″)
• 2 inch Crayford focuser with 1.25 inch adapter and T2 camera connector
• 9×50 quick-release finder for easy location of objects in the night sky
• primary mirror with central marker for a easier collimation
• user manual in German

The built-in tracking capability allows the photography of brighter objects. Unlike many standard Newtonians, there is no problem with the focus position with Sky-Watcher truss tube Dobsonians. The position of focus can be flexibly adapted. The large light gathering power opens up interesting options at lunar eclipses and for planetary astrophotography. The powerful servo-motors on both axes can be controlled is via the hand box and can move the telescope at a range of different speeds.

The GoTo version of the Sky-Watcher Dobsonian comes with a SynScan control. The hand box is used to select any object from the pre-programmed database of 42,900 objects and the telescope then slews to this fully automatically.

Additional features included with the Dobsonian GoTo version:

• high performance 12V servo motors on both axes
• adjustable speed of 1X, 4X, 8X, 32X, 64X or 800X
• easily operated SynScan hand box for rapidly finding thousands of astronomical objects

It is not only important which telescope you buy, but also where you buy it.

We provide extra help:

• We are a leading telescope dealer and know these instruments like the back of our hands.
• We are always very happy to offer our assistance after your purchase, should you encounter any problems with your telescope’s setup or operation.
• Our ‘Telescope Basics’ booklet – an 80-page beginner’s guide for our telescopes – is provided free of charge with every telescope we sell.