Sky-Watcher 203 Traditional Dobsonian Telescope (8" Dobsonian)

Dobsonian telescopes are made to be popular among amateur astronomers who seek ease of use, simplicity and guaranteed elegance. The Sky-Watcher 203 Traditional Dobsonian Telescope (8" Dobsonian) is designed to have 203mm diameter and 1200mm focal length in a Dobsonian mount. It integrates a Paraboloidal primary mirror to lessen spherical aberration. Its four arm, secondary- mirror bracket with fine supports (0.5mm thick)reduces the tendency of light loss and lessens diffraction spikes. Its packaging includes 2" focuser with a 1.25" adapter for users to be able to comfortably use either of the eyepiece size. The Tension control handle is Sky-Watcher’s latest technology that is capable of adjusting the tension to modify the friction between the sideboard mount and the optical tube.

Product Features in Detail

Loads of features
The Sky-Watcher Dobsonian Telescope 203mm/1200mm (8") have a "paraboloidal" primary mirror to eliminate spherical aberration and a four-arm, secondary- mirror bracket with fine supports (0.5mm thick), to reduce diffraction spikes and light loss. In addition, this models include a 2" focuser with a 1.25" adapter, allowing the use of either eyepiece size. This models also include the new feature-tension control handle.

Alt-azimuth mount
A simple, elegant form of an alt-azimuth mount made to carry a Newtonian reflector was popularized by John Dobson in the late 1970's. The Dobsonian mounted telescope is popular among amateur astronomers and telescope makers because of its simplicity. In its simplest form, the Dobsonian mount consists of a box which allows the optical tube assembly to pivot in altitude, while the box itself is swiveled on a base in azimuth.

Dobsonian mount
The Dobsonian mount usually relies on the friction between the side bearings on the optical tube of the telescope and a frictional material on the saddle to hold the optical tube in place. If there is too much friction, the telescope is difficult to move to center an object in the filed of view. If there is too little friction, the telescope will not sty where it is positioned. This makes stabilizing the optical tube of the telescope difficult when using a Dobsonian mount, especially when accessories, such as a finderscope or an eyepiece, are added to the optical tube. As long as the amount of friction is at an appropriate level, and therefore stabilization of the optical tube is achieved, the telescope can remain in its desired position to view an object and maintain its position even when the mount is rotated.

Telescope stabilization
The devices for stabilizing a telescope on the Dobsonian mount currently available include: a sliceable weight to counter balance the weight of the telescope, a friction lock that must be adjusted to inhibit movement of the telescope, and a spring attached between the telescope tube and mount to aid in stabilization. These devices are inconvenient to use because they do not provide a simple and user-friendly way to adjust the friction.

Tension Control Handle
The object of the Sky-Watcher Tension Control Handle invention (US Patent No. 6,940,642) is to provide a tension adjuster that users can easily turn to add or reduce tension, thereby increasing or decreasing the friction between the optical tube and the sideboard of the mount. By providing such a tension adjuster, the telescope does not need to be balanced in order to stay in position. The tension adjuster can be tightened such that the optical tube can stay in a position but can still be moved when prompted to adjust the position of the optical tube. Alternatively, the tension adjuster can be completely tightened to lock the optical tube in position. 

Included in the Box

     Sky-Watcher 203 Traditional Dobsonian Telescope (8" Dobsonian)
     8 Inches Solid Tube
     Dobsonian Base
     2" Focuser With 1.25" Adapter
     Eyepiece - 10mm & 25mm
     Finder Scope
     5 Years Genuine Warranty with Sky Watcher Australia

Warranty Information

     This Sky-Watcher 203 Traditional Dobsonian Telescope (8" Dobsonian) comes with 5 Years Genuine Warranty with Sky Watcher Australia.
     Our products are sourced from authorised Australian suppliers and therefore come with genuine Australian warranty.
     Camera Warehouse does not participate in 'Grey Market' or 'Parallel Import' activities.