Sky-Watcher GoTo Upgrade Kit for 8" Dobsonian (SynScan HC)

The Sky-Watcher GoTo Upgrade Kit for 8" Dobsonians allows you to transform your manual telescope into a fully computerized tracking system. Specifically designed for Sky-Watcher 8-inch solid-tube models, this kit replaces the manual base with a motorized system featuring dual-axis DC servo motors and high-resolution encoders. This upgrade brings automated object location and tracking to your setup, allowing you to spend less time hunting for targets and more time observing. The installation is incredibly easy and fits directly onto your existing optical tube assembly without requiring any modifications to the tube or primary components, ensuring you are ready to go in no time.

Once installed, the mount enables automated slewing to any of 42,900 celestial objects via the included SynScan V5 hand controller, which contains extensive catalogues including Messier, NGC, IC, and the planets. The kit incorporates a low-backlash, high-resolution motor drive system to ensure accurate tracking and smooth movement across the sky. With support for multiple alignment methods—such as 1-star, 2-star, and Brightest Star Alignment—and tracking rates for sidereal, lunar, and solar targets, the system is both flexible and precise. Power is supplied via a 12V DC input, making this computerized transformation portable, field-ready, and compatible with various power tanks or adapters.

Product Features in Detail

Automated "Point-and-Track" Technology

This kit eliminates the need for manual "star hopping." By upgrading to GoTo functionality, you can select a distant galaxy or nebula on the hand controller, and the dual-axis motors will move the telescope to that exact location and keep it centered as the Earth rotates.

High-Resolution Motor Drive System

The upgrade features low-backlash motors paired with high-resolution encoders. This ensures that the movement is not only accurate but incredibly smooth, which is essential for maintaining a steady image when observing at the high magnifications a mirror can provide.

Extensive SynScan V5 Database

The included V5 hand controller is pre-programmed with a massive library of 42,900 objects, including the complete Messier, NGC, and IC catalogues. It also includes named stars and planets, making it an invaluable educational tool for identifying everything in the night sky.

Flexible Alignment Routines

Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the kit offers alignment methods to suit your needs. You can choose from 1-star, 2-star, or the "Brightest Star" alignment, allowing you to calibrate the computer quickly even in light-polluted areas where fewer stars are visible.

Seamless Mechanical Integration

Designed specifically for the Sky-Watcher ecosystem, the hardware fits perfectly into the existing base footprint. Because it uses the original optical tube assembly without modification, you retain the full optical integrity of your telescope while gaining professional-grade automation.

Portable and Field-Ready Design

The system is designed to be powered by a standard 12V DC input, making it compatible with portable power tanks or AC/DC wall adapters. This ensures that you can take your computerized "light bucket" to remote dark-sky sites without being tethered to a fixed power source.