Sky-Watcher 20 cm (8") Dobsonian


Strengths: deep sky objects, planetary observing 
Portable: fair, Set up time: excellent, Ease of use: excellent
Comes with instructions
Quantity available: 1

Often referred to as "the best first scope" and a scope that will "last a lifetime" this telescope has a "paraboloidal" primary mirror to eliminate spherical aberration and a four-arm, secondary-mirror bracket with fine supports (0.5mm thick), to reduce diffraction spikes and light loss. It also include the new feature: tension control handle. The secret of the design is to correctly balance the optical tube with special designed handles on the base. The design adds enough friction and tension to allow the tube to move easily when nudged but to stay in position when not. Users can easily add or reduce tension by turning on the handle. This feature solves the common balance problem found on many Dobsonians. 

See the Sky-Watcher web site for further instructions.

Telescope details

  • Make: Sky-Watcher
  • Models: 200mm Dobsonian mounted reflector
  • Objective / aperture: 203 mm (8")
  • Type: reflector (Newtonian-based)
  • Focal length: 1200 mm
  • Focal ratio: f/6
  • Weight: 8 kg
  • No carrying case

Mount details

  • Model: Sky-Watcher
  • Type: Dobsonian
  • Base: Dobsonian
  • Weight: 8 kg
  • This mount is not motorized
  • No carrying case

Optics provided

  • 2" 32mm eyepiece with 1.25" adapter
  • 25mm SMA 1.25" eyepiece
  • 10mm SMA 1.25" eyepiece (replaced with Plossl)
  • 6mm Plossl 1.25" eyepiece
  • Barlow
  • Finder: 9x50 straight-through
  • Carrying case: camera bag