The SkyWatcher Virtuoso GTi 150/750 Flex Dobson is an ultra-compact, highly portable astronomical telescope at a far-from-astronomical price. Its optical tube is collapsible, making it even more compact for transport. It is a true grab-and-go telescope, and its optical performance will impress beginner astronomers as well.
A telescope of this size already reveals a wealth of celestial sights in the night sky. The Moon’s countless craters, Saturn’s rings, and Jupiter’s colourful cloud bands are sure to amaze observers. Under dark rural skies free from light pollution, dozens of star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies can be observed with this telescope.
At the heart of the SkyWatcher Virtuoso GTi 150/750 Flex Dobson is a precisely crafted 150 mm primary mirror. Unlike many entry-level reflecting telescopes, its surface is not spherical but parabolic, delivering sharp, pleasing images even at high magnifications. The included 25 mm and 10 mm eyepieces provide 30x and 75x magnification, respectively. Naturally, the magnification range can be extended further, up to 300x, by purchasing additional eyepieces or a Barlow lens. A StarPointer helps with locating objects.
The advantages of the classic Dobsonian mount include not only simplicity but also excellent stability. Unlike beginner telescopes mounted on simpler equatorial mounts, the image remains steady even at high magnifications. With a total weight of 6 kg, including the mount and optical tube, it can be easily carried by hand from one end of the garden to the other.
The Virtuoso GTi mount features GoTo control and can be operated from a smartphone or tablet via its WiFi connection. The telescope can be easily controlled using the free SynScan app, available for download to your device. This feature is particularly useful for beginners, as there is no need to know the names or positions of stars: simply align the mount with one or two bright stars. The telescope can also be used with the SkySafari planetarium app, available for mobile devices, which includes an updatable database of asteroids and comets. Naturally, the mount not only locates the selected object but also tracks it.
Thanks to its built-in encoders, the Virtuoso GTi mount can be freely moved manually after alignment without “losing” its celestial position. An excellent solution for those who sometimes prefer to locate objects themselves and at other times would like to use computer assistance.
The telescope can be powered by 8 AA batteries inserted into the built-in battery compartment (not recommended), or operated from an external 12 V power supply, such as an optional 12 V AC adapter or gel battery. A digital camera can also be attached to the mount in place of the optical tube for astrophotography or time-lapse videos. Via its jack connector, the mount can also control timed exposures with DSLR or mirrorless cameras.
