Sky-Watcher | Skyliner 250P Classic Dobson

Other improvements: Included in the delivery is now a 9x50 finder with 90° and upright image for more comfortable observing, 70° wide-angle eyepieces of 12.5 mm and 20 mm, a 1.25" adapter with brass locking ring to avoid marks on your eyepieces, as well as a universal smartphone adapter to take your first photos of the night sky.

The Sky-Watcher Skyliner 250P Classic Dobson, with its impressive parabolic optics, is an excellent all-rounder that offers truly impressive views of the Moon and planets, as well as deep-sky objects such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Our Skyliner Classic Dobson telescopes are extremely popular and perfect for beginners due to their high performance and ease of use; they are often the only telescopes an observer needs. At Sky-Watcher, we also love motorized telescopes, but using a star chart to find objects in the night sky yourself can be much more rewarding and deepens your knowledge of the sky. Put your electronic devices aside, go outside, and let yourself be amazed by the wonders of the universe. It is a rewarding experience to contemplate the wonders of the night sky in real-time through an eyepiece.

Often referred to as “light buckets,” traditional Dobson telescopes offer the largest possible light-gathering aperture for your budget compared to other types of telescopes. You benefit from the best price-performance ratio, as the largest part of the budget is invested in the optics. The Dobson mount, introduced by John Dobson in the 1970s, is a very simple yet effective method for mounting a Newtonian telescope according to the altazimuth principle. It assembles quickly and easily. The Dobson mount consists of a “rocker box” that allows you to adjust the height of the telescope in its cradle and rotate the box itself in azimuth. The secret of this design lies in the proper balancing of the optical tube and the use of low-friction materials for the bearings, which allow the tube to be moved slightly and smoothly while keeping it in position when released. The mount was primarily designed to be moved by hand.

The heart of any Dobson telescope is the quality of its mirror. The precision of the polishing, the material used, and the coating play a crucial role in the telescope's performance. Sky-Watcher's experience in manufacturing high-quality telescope mirrors is well recognized. Sky-Watcher is an expert in this field and has proven it for decades. Parabolic mirrors have a complex surface and must therefore be manufactured with the utmost care. A perfectly shaped parabolic primary mirror avoids spherical aberrations and brings all light rays to a focus. Sky-Watcher's parabolic primary mirrors, limited by diffraction, produce sharp, high-contrast, and detail-rich images.

The primary mirror and secondary mirror are treated with the high-end Sky-Watcher RAQ™ Radiant Aluminium Quartz coating, consisting of layers of aluminum and dielectric tantalum pentoxide for increased reflectivity and protection, as well as silicon dioxide. A brilliant and durable combination with 94% reflectivity that lasts for many years.

The secondary mirror is held by four specially designed supports, only 0.5 mm thick but very robust. They minimize obstruction in the optical path and reduce spikes (diffraction artifacts) around stars to a minimum.

The mount of the Skyliner Classic Dobson is much more than just a simple rocker box. The base uses special friction pads for smooth and easy azimuth movement, as well as cleverly designed patented friction control handles that ensure you always have the necessary level of resistance for precise movement and good stability. The right degree of resistance can be intuitively adjusted in seconds, for example when using heavy eyepieces or when you want to lock the telescope. These handles can also serve as additional carrying handles. An accessory tray keeps your accessories securely in place. The telescope tube quickly and easily detaches from the rocker box for easy transport.

The Skyliner Classic Dobson are beautifully finished in a glossy white, which is not just a matter of aesthetics: the white surface makes it easier to see your telescope at night, so no one accidentally bumps into it.