Sky-Watcher Skyliner-200P Telescope

Dobsonian telescopes offer an incredible aperture-to-price ratio. The Dobsonian mount, popularized by John Dobson in the 1970.s, is a simple and efficient method of mounting a Newtonian reflector, based on the Alt-Azimuth principal. Fast and easy to set up, the Dobsonian mount consists of a box-type mounting which allows the telescope to pivot in altitude, while the box itself is rotated on a base in azimuth. The secret of the design is to correctly balance the optical tube and use frictional materials which allow it to be moved easily when nudged but to stay in position when not. The mount is designed to be driven by hand as opposed to slow motion controls. Sky-Watcher Dobsonians provide excellent all round performance for the observation the Moon and Planets and Deep Sky Objects such as Galaxies and Nebulae.

Specifications:

• Magnifications (with eyepieces supplied): x48 & x120
• Highest Practical Power (Potential): x406
• Diameter of Primary Mirror: 203mm
• Telescope Focal Length: 1200mm (f/5.91)
• Eyepieces Supplied (1.25"): 10mm & 25mm
• Dual-Fit 1.25"/2" Focuser
• Parabolic Primary Mirror
• 0.5mm Ultra-Thin Secondary Mirror Supports
• 9x50 Finderscope
• Direct SLR Camera Connection
• Wooden Alt-Azimuth Mount with Accessory Tray
• 77% more Light Gathering than 150mm

“The Skyliner 200’s flat-packed base is very easy to build and set up, and comes with excellent instructions….The optics were sharp across 80% of the 1 degree field of view….We were very pleased with the appearance of al the test objects – we even managed to find the Crab Nebula, M81 and M82 in near-full Moonlight, whereas the other scopes were struggling. Under darker skies the Double Cluster had that ‘Wow’ factor when it was centred using the 25mm eyepiece, as did M35. The Pleiades (M45) was just a bit too large to fit in the field of view, but the main central stars looked stunning….Turning to Saturn, the view really took our breath away: we saw five moons, a clear-cut Cassini Division and a colour difference between the A and B rings. Not only that, but Saturn also displayed a prominent belt – with this scope planetary detail is certainly not compromised….Fans of deep-sky observing would certainly find the Skyliner satisfying….The Skyliner was a joy to use.”

BBC SKY AT NIGHT MAGAZINE