Sky-Watcher 70/500 SolarQuest Refractor Telescope with Heliofind Mount and Tripod

Embark on a delightful family astronomy adventure even during daylight with the Sky-Watcher 70/500 SolarQuest Refractor Telescope. Pointing a telescope directly at the sun can be challenging, and searching for it using a traditional scope view is often like finding a needle in a haystack. The SolarQuest simplifies this process by letting the innovative Heliofind Mount do the work for you. This setup is ideal for beginners keen on observing sunspots, eclipses, and the transit of inner planets, providing a user-friendly and safe solution for solar observation.

Operating the Heliofind mount is easy for anyone in the family with the simple push of a button. Once activated, the mount smoothly slews clockwise in the azimuth direction to locate the sun effortlessly using Sky-Watcher's "point-and-track" technology. Even if the tripod is accidentally moved during your session, restarting is easy, and the SolarQuest quickly reorients itself. Please note that the SolarQuest mount is designed to work with the attached solar telescopes only; looking directly at the sun without a certified filter will cause immediate and irreversible damage to the eyes or instrument.

Product Features in Detail

True "Push-to-Observe" Simplicity
Unlike traditional telescopes that require a complex "Three-Star Alignment," the SolarQuest uses a built-in GPS and a solar sensor. You simply turn it on, and the mount calculates exactly where the sun is, slewing to it automatically.

Safety-First Design
The 70/500 SolarQuest is a dedicated solar instrument. Its filters are permanently attached or integrated, removing the risk of a filter accidentally falling off during a public outreach event or a family gathering.

Dynamic Re-Alignment
If a child or a pet bumps the tripod, most telescopes lose their target completely. The Heliofind system constantly monitors the sun’s position; if the tripod is moved, it can re-acquire the sun in seconds with minimal user intervention.

Education in Real-Time
This telescope allows you to see the "active" sun. You can observe sunspots (darker, cooler regions) and track their movement over several days, providing a practical way to learn about solar rotation and the solar cycle.

Portable Eclipse Chaser
Because it is lightweight and runs on standard AA batteries, this is the ultimate tool for traveling to see solar eclipses. It sets up in minutes and tracks the entire event from first contact to last.

Smooth Azimuth Slewing
The mount uses high-quality DC motors to ensure that the tracking is "jitter-free." This is especially important when using high-magnification eyepieces to see the fine details of the solar photosphere.