Outstanding performance, the ease of use, compact storage and easy transport (thanks to its collapsible design) characteristic of Dobsonian telescopes, combined with the convenience of GoTo control – these are the defining features of the SkyWatcher Flex-Goto 355/1600 Dobsonian telescope.
Thanks to its GoTo system capable of tracking the sky, this astronomical giant is as easy to use as if you were not operating one of the heavyweights. Yet, this instrument, designed primarily for visual observation, provides views approaching those of an observatory-class instrument on a calm night – whether observing the breathtaking surface features of the Moon and planets or catching a glimpse of deep-sky objects.
GoTo control
GoTo control means that your telescope, mounted on its highly practical Dobsonian base, can track the sky – ensuring that observed objects do not drift out of the field of view (unlike with non-GoTo alt-azimuth mounts) – allowing you to observe them longer, more precisely and, moreover, at higher magnifications in complete comfort.
With the supplied SynScan controller, the SkyWatcher Flex-Goto 355/1600 Dobsonian telescope can easily track the rotating sky. At the beginning of an observing session, simply align the Dobsonian with two stars. From then on, whichever object you select manually in the sky, the telescope will track it. However, if you do not feel like searching for celestial objects or want to start observing as quickly as possible, you can select any of the 42,900 objects programmed into the hand controller – the telescope will slew to it and then track it, keeping it continuously in the eyepiece field of view. All that remains is to observe.
Flex tube – for convenient storage and transport
Thanks to its unique collapsible design, the SkyWatcher Flex-Goto 355/1600 Dobsonian telescope is extremely space-saving both during transport and storage. It is particularly worth noting that it can be collapsed without disassembly to its transport size – while the ready-to-use tube is 151 centimetres long, when collapsed it measures less than one metre, just 97 centimetres!)
Impressive optics with easy operation
Dobsonian telescopes are characterised by their simple construction, ease of use and outstanding performance. The impressive 35 cm optics of the SkyWatcher Flex-Goto 355/1600 Dobsonian telescope collect 40% more light than a 30 cm model. This is naturally reflected in the range of objects visible through the telescope. Star clusters can be resolved into individual stars, while the spiral arms of many galaxies are easily recognisable. Numerous interstellar gas and dust clouds reveal forms that closely resemble their appearance in photographs.
The instrument's exceptionally precisely manufactured primary mirror is of premium quality, at least diffraction-limited, and made of low-expansion Pyrex glass. Furthermore, the manufacturer supports it at nine points, providing greater stability for this optical component, the very heart of the telescope. Under suitably dark skies, the telescope can reveal objects fainter than magnitude 16.
It is also ideally suited for observing the Moon and planets – on nights of good seeing and transparency, it reveals fantastic detail on the surface of our celestial companion, while even the Encke Division in Saturn's ring system can be seen. It is also a precise, high-quality instrument for observing close double stars.
Precision mount, comprehensive equipment
The Teflon pads of the Dobsonian base of the SkyWatcher Flex-Goto 355/1600 telescope provide precise smooth-bearing movement, while the adjustable brake system keeps the telescope perfectly balanced at all times. Naturally, this premium telescope comes with a precise 2" Crayford focuser. The 2" focuser allows for an exceptionally wide field of view – it also includes a 1.25" adapter, allowing eyepieces of this diameter to be used with the telescope. The telescope comes well equipped: the included 25 mm and 10 mm eyepieces provide magnifications of 64x and 160x, while a 9x50 finder scope is also included as standard.
The GoTo mount operates from a 12 V power supply, and the manufacturer includes a cigarette-lighter power cable. It can also be powered from other sources, such as a 12 V gel battery, PowerTank or 12 V mains adapter.
