Combining Ease of Use & High Performance. The Sky-Watcher Flextube SynScan 16″ Dobsonian!
If you’re looking for a user-friendly visual setup that packs a punch, look no further than this Sky-Watcher Flextube SynScan GoTo Collapsible Dobsonian! This system combines the impressive light gathering power of Dobsonians with powerful SynScan GoTo technology—all within a portable, easy to transport package. The collapsible design significantly increases setup time, as there are only two components to transport: the optical assembly and the rocker box. In addition, the hassle of trying to manually find objects is eradicated thanks to the included SynScan technology. This streamlines your visual sessions by allowing you to automatically slew to and track just about any celestial object for a personalized tour of the night sky. Whether you’re a seasoned visual observer or just getting started in astronomy, the ease of use provided by the Sky-Watcher Flextube Collapsible Dobsonian provides engaging astronomy sessions for those of any experience level!
In contrast to other truss tube designs, this Sky-Watcher Flextube optical assembly was built with a collapsible architecture, meaning it does not need to be broken down for transportation. The entire system transports as two units and assembles in just seconds. This means you can enjoy outstanding views with this massive telescope in no time! To put this 16” Dobsonian’s unmatched light gathering ability into perspective, it offers 1.31x the light gathering power of a 14” Dobsonian, 1.78x of a 12” Dobsonain, and 2.56x of a 10” Dobsonain. This serious telescope is designed for those yearning for the ultimate visual experience, providing views of unsurpassed brightness and detail. For use straight out of the box, Sky-Watcher has included two eyepieces within this kit. Also, the 2” Crayford-style focuser offers compatibility with just about any eyepiece on the market today thanks to the included 1.25” adapter. As far as collimation goes, adjustment is quick and simple, and its robust design holds collimation in place—even after it’s been collapsed. The heavy-duty rocker box houses Teflon bearings for smooth, clean motion across the night sky, and the patented Tension Control Handle provides the user with heightened control over the movement of the optical tube. Thanks to the ingenuity from Sky-Watcher, visual astronomy has never been easier!
Innovative Collapsible Design
While the development of truss tubes were ground breaking in their ability to disassemble into multiple pieces for easy transport, many issues with this optical tube design came to fruition. Keeping track of the multiple components became a hassle, and oftentimes users would forget a strut at home, or a strut would become damaged rendering the entire telescope unusable. Understanding this problem, Sky-Watcher sought to develop an optical assembly that provided heightened portability, without the frustration that typical truss tubes presented. Their solution? A collapsible optical body! By keeping the necessary components of the telescope confined in one unit, there is no need to fumble with multiple pieces during set up or take down—simply collapse or extend the struts and you’re all set. This innovative design reduces the length of this telescope by about half, providing effortless transportation to dark skies or star parties. On this 16” model, the base itself can also break down to aid in portability.
Explore the Cosmos With This Feature-Rich GoTo Dobsonian
Fitted with premium 16” optics, powerful electronics, and a user-friendly design, this Sky-Watcher Flextube SynScan GoTo Collapsible Dobsonian is perfect for astronomers who are ready to streamline their visual sessions. Learn more as we delve deeper into its exciting aspects below!
16″ of Light Gathering Power
When it comes to optical performance, this light gathering powerhouse is a dream for visual astronomers! The massive 16” primary mirror provides a limiting magnitude of 15.5 by reflecting copious amounts of light up to the eyepiece. Enjoy magnificent detail on nebulae, outstanding resolution on the planets, and even impressive arm band structure within galaxies. To maximize the remarkable light gathering ability, Sky-Watcher has furnished the primary mirror with Radiant™ Aluminum Quarts (RAQ™) coatings. This produces a high 94% light reflectivity. Also, these mirrors have been treated with a protective overcoat to preserve integrity and uphold performance for years to come.
Powerful Sky-Watcher SynScan Technology
With the included SynScan hand controller from Sky-Watcher, you have the power to curate your own personal tour of the night sky! Two modes of operation are available: Auto Tracking Mode and AZ GoTo Mode. The Auto Tracking Mode is great for those already familiar with the night sky looking to quickly get started. This mode allows the user to manually or electronically slew from target to target without having to halt tracking. Once the new target is found, the Flextube Dobsonian will automatically begin to track. The patented Freedom Find™ technology from Sky-Watcher aids in this aspect, as the built in dual encoders allow the pointing model to be retained even if the telescope has been moved manually. For those wanting automated visual sessions, the AZ GoTo Mode allows you to automatically slew to any target within the extensive 42,900 object database. You even have the option to utilize your smart device for operation of this Dobsonian with the built-in WiFi!
Effortless Manual Maneuvering
To hold the optical tube in place, traditional Dobsonian mounts rely on friction between the side bearings on the optical tube and a frictional material within the saddle. Though standard within many Dobsonians on the market today, this design has proven to make centering objects within the eyepiece difficult, as too much friction makes maneuvering cumbersome, while too little friction fails to hold the position of the telescope in place. Remedying this, Sky-Watcher introduces their patented Tension Control Handle, which allows you to adjust the tension between the optical tube and the sideboard of the mount for easy maneuvering across the night sky! Loosen this tension adjuster for lengthy slews, tighten it for smaller precise movements, and tighten it completely to hold the telescope in place.
Everything You Need in One Package
Setting you up for success, Sky-Watcher has included numerous accessories within this Flextube GoTo Dobsonian package. The two included Plössl eyepieces, 12.5 mm and 20 mm, provide views of the Moon, star clusters, the planets, and diffuse objects like nebulae and galaxies right out of the box! Get up close and personal with the craters on the Moon with the 144x magnification 12.5 mm eyepiece, and marvel at the sight of the Orion Nebula with the 90x magnification 20 mm eyepiece. To make star alignment a breeze, Sky-Watcher had added a 9×50 straight-through finderscope. This accessory also helps you locate objects when in Auto Tracking Mode. As mentioned above, you’ll also find the SynScan hand controller within this kit. This powerful device allows you to choose from multiple tracking rates (Sidereal, Lunar, Solar), change your slew speed from anywhere between 1X to 1000X, features built-in WiFi for smart device operation, and allows you to slew to objects with incredible accuracy.
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