Powerful performance, ease of use simple handling space-saving and easy transport (thanks to folding), and the GoTo control convenience of the SkyWatcher Flex-Goto 355/1600 Dobsonian are the hallmarks of the SkyWatcher Flex-Goto 355/1600.
This astronomical giant - thanks to its GoTo system for sky-tracking - lets you use it as effortlessly as if you weren't working with one of the heavyweight champions. But designed primarily for visual observation, it gives you a view close to that of an observatory instrument on a quiet night - whether you're observing the breathtaking surface shapes of the Moon and planets or catching a glimpse of deep-sky objects.
GoTo control
GoTo control means that your telescope, mounted on the very handy Dobsonian mount, is able to track the sky - objects you observe do not "climb out of the field of view (unlike with non-GoTo azimuthing mechanisms) - so you can observe them longer, more accurately and at higher magnification in complete comfort.
With the SynScan controller included with the SkyWatcher Flex-Goto 355/1600 drum telescope, you can easily track the rotating sky. Simply point the drum at two stars at the beginning of the observation. After that, whichever object is selected manually from the sky, the telescope will follow it. But if you don't feel like searching for celestial objects, or want to start observing as soon as possible, you can select any of the 42900 objects programmed into the manual control - the scope will lock on and follow, keeping it in the eyepiece's field of view. All we have to do is observe.
Flex tube - for convenient storage and transport
The unique folding design of the SkyWatcher Flex-Goto 355/1600 dobson makes the SkyWatcher Flex-Goto 355/1600 drum extremely space-saving - both during transport and storage. Of particular note is that it can be folded to its transport size without disassembly - the length of the tube ready for use is 151 centimetres the length of the tube folded is less than one metre, just 97 centimetres!)
Impressive optics with ease of use
Dobson scopes are characterized by simple construction, ease of use and powerful performance. The SkyWatcher Flex-Goto 355/1600 Dobson telescope features improved 35-centimeter diameter optics that collect 40% more light than its 30-centimeter diameter counterpart. This, of course, is reflected in the "list"of objects that can be seen in the telescope. The star clusters can be broken down into small stars, and the spiral arms of quite a few galaxies are easily recognisable. Many interstellar clouds of gas and dust almost look as they do in photographs.
The instrument's extremely precisely machinedmain mirror is of premium quality, with minimum diffraction limitation, and is made of low thermal expansion Pyrex material. What's more, it is supported at nine points to ensure greater stability for the optical element that is the "heart" of the telescope. The telescope can reveal objects fainter than 16 magnitude under a sufficiently dark sky.
It's also excellent for observing the Moon and the planets - on a still or clear night it shows fantastic detail of the surface of our celestial companion, while in Saturn's ring system it can even reveal the Encke's Rift. It is also a precise, high-quality instrument for studying close binary stars.
Precise mechanics, rich features
The Teflon pads on the Dobsonian mount of the SkyWatcher Flex-Goto 355/1600 binoculars provide precise glide bearing alignment, and the adjustable brake system keeps the scope balanced at all times. Of course, the premium scope comes with a precision 2" Crayford eyepiece. The 2" mount allows for a vast field of view - the mount also comes with a 1.25" adapter, so you can use eyepieces of this diameter with the scope. The binoculars come richly equipped: with the standard 25 and 10 mm eyepieces, magnifications of 64x and 160x are available, and a 9x50 viewfinder is also standard.
The GoTo mechanics are powered by 12V with a cigarette lighter socket cable supplied by the manufacturer, but can also be operated from other power sources (e.g. 12V gel battery, PowerTank or 12V mains adapter)