The Dobsonian mount 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.

Our view

The most economic way of attaining a long-focus small secondary Newtonian for sharp lunar and planetary images. In theory, the classic 6” f/8 Newtonian should out-perform everything in its aperture apart from an APO and an f/15 Mak with a small secondary, both of which will be at least eight times the price. The Skywatcher 6” f/8 tube assembly is available on different mounts, the Dobsonian being the least expensive.

Tips

Park it next to a slightly larger aperture short focal ratio Newtonian at a star party for comparison. The small secondary of this telescope will demonstrate why planetary observers prefer small secondary or zero secondary telescopes. Budget for a Baader UHC or OII 1.25 filter, a Neutral density filter or Baader polarising set for the moon, and an A4 sheet of Baader Astrosolar filter for the Sun in white light.

• 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

PARABOLIC PRIMARY MIRRORS
Features High Quality Parabolic Primary Mirrors to eliminate spherical aberrations inherent in 'fast' focal lengh reflectors with spherical primary mirrors. The mirrors are parabolized to bring all the light rays to the same focal point to give sharp, constrasty images, which are full of detail.