The 8” Traditional Dobsonian comes with the Dobsonian Alt-azimuth mount, tension control rod, and all the necessary hardware and tools. When it comes to beginner telescopes, it is harder to write a review. This is not a good telescope for long exposure astrophotography partly due to the Alt-azimuth’s tracking limitations. Specifically, a 2” wide-angle eyepiece such as the GSO 30mm SuperView, and a high-power eyepiece such as a 6mm goldline or a 5.5mm Meade UWA. The Ultimate Convenience SkyWatcher does it again. Due to long exposure and tracking, it is not ideal for DSO astrophotography. This depends on the seller. What do you mean when you say “You’ll also probably want a 2ʺ wide-eyepiece” are you referring to a Barlow lens? I ordered the SVBONY Red Laser Collimator for Newtonian Reflector Marca Telescope Alignment 1.25 inches 7 Bright Levels Triple Cemented Lens with 2 inches Adapter from Amazon. Hi Zane, It seems like the current product description for the 8″ Classic SkyWatcher Dobsonian (which I’m assuming same as the “traditional” you have reviewed here) is currently described on the Skywatcher site as having “25/10 Super (modified Kellner)” eyepieces included rather than the Plossl ones you describe in your review. ointing the Dobsonian Pointing an altitude-azimuth (alt-az) mounted telescope, such as a Dobsonian, is relatively easy. Description Dobsonian 8″ Traditional. Saturn shows several bands – currently it has three major ones – as well as the Cassini Division in its rings, and several moons. Disclosure - If you buy something via our link, we may earn a commission with no additional expense to you. The Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian telescope is the best telescope for beginners as it can open up the night sky for you and your entire family. The 8 inch dobsonian is a significant upgrade with respect to the views you will get on deep space objects, and the resolution at high magnification on planets. Sky-Watcher Australia, Open up the sky with our range of Telescopes, Mounts, Accessories, Filters, Lenses. M81 and M82 in Ursa Major are quite interesting. The regular version holds collimation better, but the functionality of the two scopes is basically the same. So here I am, a complete newbie with no idea of what telescope to buy. There may be some DIY upgrades needed to get it up to top notch, but even a beginner can perform these simple, optional steps to improve maximum performance out of the SkyWatcher Dobsonian. Whеn І аm nоt dоіng thаt І lоvе tо rеаd, lеаrn аnd еmроwеr mуѕеlf. It works just as well as a Crayford unit, but there are two issues I have with it: First, the knobs are hard plastic with little ridges that dig into your fingers. Although this Skywatcher Heritage 76 Mini Dobsonian Telescope is one of the smaller scopes on the market, all of the objects we’ve mentioned above can be seen with it. Hi Zane, I am a first time user of Telescopes. At f/5.9 there isn’t any coma like there is with faster scopes such as Sky-Watcher’s 10” and larger models, which have to have faster focal ratios to avoid being cumbersome and (at the largest sizes) requiring a tall ladder. While it’s not the greatest for astrophotography, the images you’ll see will motivate you to learn more to justify an upgrade in the future. UNBOXING AND FIRST LIGHT. Like all other Chinese-made Dobsonians, the 8” Traditional’s mount is made of melamine-covered particle board – basically sawdust compressed with glue, and a cheaper version of the stuff your IKEA furniture is sometimes made out of. Hi Zane, Which one would you recommend this telescope or the Sky-Watcher 8″ Dobsonian Collapsible? complete with box, instructions and user guide. Many planetary nebulae besides the Ring and Dumbbell are interesting to investigate with an 8” (particularly with a light pollution or oxygen-III filter), such as NGC 1535 in Eridanus and the Eskimo Nebula in Gemini in the winter, and the Blinking Planetary nebula and NGC 7027 in Cygnus in the summer. Sky Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Aperature Telescope – Solid-Tube – Simple, Traditional Design – Easy to Use, Perfect for Beginners, White (S11610) Visit the … An 8-inch aperture is on the higher end when it comes to amateur telescopes. The mount that supports the scope is … I don’t have the budget for a full set of eyepieces… so I just want 2 to go with the basic ones that come with the scope. The Bresser Messier 8-inch, f/6 Dobsonian is firmly in this category. It’s heavy compared to plywood, and if the melamine is damaged even slight moisture (i.e. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sky-Watcher 8-Inch Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope (Manufacturer’s Code: BKDOB8) by Karthik Jayashankar. SkyWatcher 6″ Classic Dobsonian Telescope Review: Near Perfect. The 8 inch aperture is fantastic and incredibly sturdy as well as the solid rocker mount and equatorial disc stand meaning that this is a hugely durable telescope. - F. Who is the SkyWatcher Traditional 8” Dobsonian Best Suited to? The Dobsonian mount, popularized by John Dobson in the late 1970’s, is a very simple but effective method of mounting a Newtonian Reflector, based on the alt-azimuth principle. https://astronimus.com/sky-watcher-12-collapsible-dobsonian-telescope-review The encoders and motors come already attached. You may have to observe what the image quality is like through the lens as some bright objects may be overwhelming for photos. Beyond our solar system, you’ll be able to observe the entire set of 110 astronomical objects of the Messier Catalog, have useful resolution for star clusters like the M2, M3, M4, and M5, and more. An 8” Skywatcher Dobsonian telescope gathers as much light as more complicated (and pricy!) The focuser on the 8” Traditional is a rack-and-pinion. Transporting it should be done with the tube and mount disassembled for transportation and then assembled at the site. The 8” Traditional Dobsonian is best suited to beginners looking for a first-time buy or even for intermediate users who want something a little more lightweight, compact, and more practical to use over larger Dobs. To attach your camera, you’ll need an adapter to mount it. It will help you learn how to star hop and chart maps while learning the techniques that will make you a pro. Skywatcher Dobsonian 6-inch Review (Best $300 Telescope!?) If you’re on a budget and would rather save additional spending on accessories for later, the Sky-Watcher 8” Traditional  is your friend. What Accessories come with the SkyWatcher Dobsonian? With two included eyepieces, you have 48x and 120x magnification. He got featured in Sky & Telescope (Sep, 2018), TIME (Sept 3, 2018), and National Geographic (Oct 12, 2018). To increase power to get maximum useful magnification of 406x, you can purchase additional eyepieces. Used, Skywatcher 200p Dobsonian flextube Telescope . The single-speed focuser is a smooth, precise Crayford design. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to share these excellent views of deep space. The focuser measures 2”, but it comes with a 1.25” adapter, so you can use eyepieces of either size. With an 8” Dobsonian, you can see just about everything there is to see with a telescope. Second, the focuser comes with a strange thread-on 1.25” adapter and a thread-on 2” adapter, which means that unless you spend additional money on a separate 1.25” to 2” adapter you’ll be fumbling around in the dark with these silly adapters. Due to the design of the altitude bearings, I would not recommend tampering with them. Welcome to my SkyWatcher Dobsonian 6-inch (also know as the Skyliner 150P) review! Big aperture means better light gathering power, with this Sky Watcher Telescopes, you are able to see prominent deep-sky object such as nebulae, star cluster and many more. The scope’s motions are pretty smooth, but the azimuth motion can be improved by replacing the cheap Nylon pads with real Teflon pads (available from various vendors on eBay and some hardware stores) and nailing a sheet of Formica onto the azimuth board. The mount is made completely of particleboard which is where a lot of the additional weight will come in. Can you use a DSLR Camera with the SkyWatcher Telescope? A 10ʺ scope becomes a bit uncomfortable to wrap your arms around, and a 12ʺ or larger is a nightmare to handle, unless you are built like Paul Bunyan. Fortunately, this isn’t a scope that you throw away after you’ve bought a new one. Best telescope in the range of $350 - $450 on Best Telescopes Outside the solar system, 8” of aperture is enough to show you the entire Messier catalog, though a few galaxies like M74 and M83 may be difficult if you suffer from light pollution. Sky-Watcher - The worlds largest telescope manufacturer. This system works well but the handles can get caught on things such as loose clothing, especially in the dark. The mount comes with a handle and an eyepiece tray – nice conveniences, but I don’t recommend using the latter as it’s a good way to get your eyepieces damaged/dewed up/dirty. I had a questions about collimating skywatcher 200p. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Is this possible with only 2 additional EPs? Cheapest 8” Dobsonian available and best value, Tensioning knobs stick out from the sides. The aperture, however, is quite low and only 6 inches which mean that it is the right one for a b… guide. A Telrad is far easier to use, and a 50mm right-angle finder will also work well and do wonders for your neck. What can you see with an 8-inch Dobsonian telescope? Jupiter and Saturn shot through the SkyWatcher 8” Dobsonian telescope! (1) If you can assemble IKEA furniture, you’ll have no problem assembling the base of a SynScan Dob. The focal ratio is nearly f/8 which is again good enough. In the spring, the Virgo Cluster becomes a bit crowded with galaxies, and in the autumn several smaller galaxy clusters may show at least one or two bright members with effort. Parabolic mirrors are more expensive, but they ensure the highest quality image that is essential for viewing DSOs like galaxies and other dim targets like star clusters and nebulae. For first time buyers and experienced users. Many packages have been shipped in two separate boxes – one for the tube and the other for the base with each box weighing approximately 30 lbs. Additionally, a Telrad or Rigel Quikfinder is a great supplement or replacement for the included 9×50 finder on the telescope. Which would be a better option the 6 or the 8 of the Sky-Watcher Dobsonian ? It is well-built, has exceptional optics, and will stand years of use. Sky-Watcher Flextube 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Collapsible Large Aperture Telescope Description: Corresponding to the escalating "aperture fever" that has gripped amateur astronomy for several decades, an 8" diameter is now generally regarded as the minimum entry-level aperture for serious observing. Orion SkyQuest XX16g GoTo Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope Review, Explore Scientific Firstlight AR152 Telescope Review (EXOS-2 GoTo Refractor), Celestron Advanced VX800 RASA Telescope Review, Celestron Advanced VX 6 Refractor Telescope Review. The gist is, the larger the aperture, the more light is available to be transmitted to the eyepiece. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Sky-Watcher Flextube 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Collapsible Large Aperture Telescope – Portable, Easy to Use, Perfect for Beginners at Amazon.com. It provides the classic and undisputed benefits of a Dob with bright and clear viewing of deep space objects. Globular star clusters with an 8” actually start to show resolution. The SkyWatcher scope has a type of Alt-azimuth mount that is made from particleboard, and in place of using stabilizing devices and the traditional side bearings and frictional material, they opted for patented tech instead. I don’t get why Sky-Watcher elected to add this system rather than just supplying the 2” adapter and a 1.25” to 2” adapter. But its current price at 450$ is not reasonable. Our Verdict: The SkyWatcher is an excellent and affordable Dob. There are a lot of techs, specs, and modifications to a mount that is installed to a Dobsonian telescope depending on the manufacturer. Jupiter itself shows many festoons, cloud belts, and of course the Great Red Spot. Since it’s a Newtonian reflector, it has mirrors instead of lenses, therefore, it can be made larger and cheaply to increase size and reduce cost. Zane Landers has owned over 80 telescopes as of 8/17/19. This is on the smaller side for Dobsonians since they can range from 6” to 32”, but you’ll see a lot more 6”-16” telescopes in the entry-level and beginner market. Even the dimmer Messier globulars like M10, M12, and M79 can show hints of resolution with practice. But I think I would be frustrated trying to find anything except the moon. The aperture is the measurement of the diameter of the primary mirror in the optical assembly. If you could only buy 2 additional mid-range eyepieces for this scope, which 2 would they be? Clavius can show three or four dozen craterlets provided good seeing and collimation. We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Sky-Watcher 8 inch Collapsible Review (Is It Really… Zhumell Z10 Review (At $700 Is This Dobsonian System… Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Review (Worth… Orion SkyQuest XT6 Dobsonian Telescope Review (Best… Zhumell Z12 Dobsonian Review (A Great 12" Device Or… An old favorite gets a complete facelift with new features and upgraded components - the new Skywatcher Black Diamond 8" Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope features a collapsible truss-tube Dobsonian design requiring no reassembly between uses! To achieve this, it comes with the necessary accessories to get observing right away. While there are one or two 8” Dobsonians with extra accoutrements that we might recommend over the Sky-Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian, none deliver the same great combination of value and low price. In this SkyWatcher 6 review we’ll go over the pros, cons and other important features that the system has so that you can make an informed decision on whether this beginner level telescope is for you or one that you should skip out on. Saturn’s largest moon Titan is a gold color, but it falls short of being a disk with anything less than perfect seeing conditions. It’s not computerized, it’s not collapsible, but it is affordable. I got the 8 inch Skywatcher Dob as you suggested. You can think of it as turning your telescope in azimuth until it is facing the horizon This is one of the reasons why SkyWatcher 8″ is a long-term purchase, and I will delve into this in the accessories section. І lоvе nаturе аnd thе іnfіnіtе bеаutу wе аrе ѕurrоundеd bу. I’m stuck. Based on positive ranking from our team of experts and telescope owners, the Skywatcher 8″ Dobsonian has earned the following awards in our buyer’s guides. My 130EQ Astromaster would really never provide great resolution about 200X, but I found with proper collimation, I get good resolution at 400X on this Dobsonian. The 8” Dob is a Dobsonian at its core, so it has the makings of an excellent deep space viewing telescope. When some of the lightest refractor scopes come in around under 10 lbs, the 8” Dob is heavy indeed. The Sky Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Aperature Telescope is a large light bucket style telescope with a foot in the past and a foot in the future. It will likely fit the bill for many looking to stay within a given budget for a more-than-decent telescope as it will last you a long time and see you through the mapping and star-hopping skills you’re still yet to learn. The mirrors are borosilicate glass (Pyrex) which expands far less with expansion and contraction than plate glass. Buy Sky-Watcher 8" Dobsonian Telescope featuring 8" Dobsonian-Style Newtonian, 1200mm Focal Length, 2" Crayford-Style Focuser, 2 Plossl 1.25" Eyepieces, 8x50 Viewfinder, Teflon Bearings, Tension Clutch, Collapsible Tube Design. Tonight we got our first looks at the two giants of the solar system! However, considering that this is on the smaller side for a Dob, it’s pretty lightweight. Is the SkyWatcher 8” Dobsonian Delivered in One Package? telescopes. Telescope Reviews / By Lee. You may have to leave the small lens cap on to reduce light like a moon filter and perhaps additional filters to cancel out light pollution. As a first-time buy, it’s an excellent investment into furthering your hobby goals and acquiring necessary skills to upgrade in the future. Is the Traditional 8” Dobsonian Telescope Portable? Neptune is a nice azure disk and Triton can be seen with some effort. I am loving it. The Sky-Watcher 8" Dobsonian is a large aperture Newtonian reflector telescope, ideal for wide field and deep-sky observation. If you’re new to the telescope world take a look at our recommendations for your first telescope. Sky-Watcher’s SynScan Dobsonian is a complete system. guide. I am in Ontario and I am getting the 6 for 485 CAD inclusive of taxes and the 8 for 680. Best dob in the price range of $350 - $450 on Best Dobsonian Telescopes 1. https://telescopicwatch.com/best-telescope-filters/. That means you can delve just as deeply into the Universe as electronically controlled 8” telescopes, but at a surprisingly low price. M2, M3, M5, M13, M15, and M92 in particular tend to show a fair amount of stars sprinkled across with an 8”, while M4 may yield fantastic views if you don’t live too far north and don’t have much light pollution to the south of you. Its large optical diameter provides great value as it’s large enough to get that wide field of view and great detail without killing it in weight, handleability, and price. It will last a long time and may likely be your go-to telescope for many years to come. The famous Whirlpool Galaxy can just show a hint of spiral arms from a dark site, and its companion M51B/NGC 5195 is pretty easy to see. Have a look at my other items happy to combine postage Dimmer ones like M10 and M12 can be observed as your skills improve. Balance with heavy eyepieces can be troublesome. I want to maximise the magnification capabilities but also give myself a nice wide view. Fortunately, this Dob is reasonably lightweight as it’s likely that you will travel to dark locations to get maximum viewing pleasure from your telescope. The telescope is heavy with the optical tube weighing in at 24.25 lbs. Spotting Scopes Spotting Scopes are the workhorse of Terrestrial observation, but can give a surprisingly good view when turned skywards ! Hi Zane, It seems like the current product description for the 8″ Classic SkyWatcher Dobsonian (which I’m assuming same as the “traditional” you have reviewed here) is currently described on the Skywatcher site as having “25/10 Super (modified Kellner)” eyepieces included rather than the Plossl ones you describe in your review. Review Sky-Watcher null They work well, but you’ll want some additional 6mm and 9mm “gold-line” eyepieces at the minimum for high power (the 10mm Super is a little short on eye relief), and a 2” wide-angle eyepiece to get the maximum possible field of view at low power for expansive views of nebulae, star clusters, and other deep-sky objects. But I see here that they recommend this 8″ Dobsonian. The SkyWatcher 8” Dobsonian is exactly as expected; simple optics on a simple mount, but don’t underestimate its simplicity. The 8” Traditional comes a 25mm (48x) and 10mm (120x) “Super” eyepieces that seem to be Plossls. Hey. ❌ Worst Feature: Not good for astrophotography, Ideal For: Celestial Viewing, Deep-Sky Viewing, Beginners, Intermediates. 8” Dobsonian-style Newtonian telescope, solid rocker-mount with Teflon bearings and tension clutch for altitude, 2” single-speed Crayford-style focuser with 1.25” adapter, 4-element Plossl 25mm and 10mm 1.25” eyepieces, 9x50 finderscope Quality-wise they tend to be good. Get the 8 if you can, it is no more difficult to transport, store or use and shows a lot more. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. The Sky-Watcher Dobsonian SynScan series is precision engineered instrument that will allow you to easily find and enjoy viewing night sky treasures, such as Planets, Nebulae, Star Clusters, Galaxies and much more.