”I have used a great number of telescopes; some are good, some mediocre and some bad. To me the Sky-Watcher range of instruments are very good indeed, and suited to amateurs of all kinds and they are not priced out of the market! Excellent value.
Use them and enjoy them.“
Sir Patrick Moore CBE FRS
Note: The Sky-Watcher telescope models and mountings that have been tested, endorsed and recommended by Sir Patrick Moore are labelled accordingly in their respective sections on this website.
Quality Comes First With Sky-Watcher
Sky-Watcher is a World-Class telescope brand offering an incredible range of high quality astronomical telescopes and accessories, catering for users of all age groups and abilities, from the novice right up to the serious advanced astronomer.
Sky-Watcher astronomical telescopes perfectly integrate modern optical technology with precision mechanical engineering resulting in designs of superb functionality, versatility and uncompromising levels of performance.
Whether your interests are primarily Visual Astronomy, Astrophotography or Birdwatching, the Sky-Watcher Equinox ED APO refractors will satisfy and exceed the most demanding requirements. Whether used as viewing instruments or telephoto lenses, they are unsurpassed for mechanics, portability and quality of image.
Specification and optics same as Startravel-80 but comes with 45º Erect Image Diagonal, and supplied without Equatorial Mount and Tripod. Complete with tube rings.
“Its design is that of a traditional astronomical telescope…but its also suitable for watching wildlife. Focusing was with the traditional rack and pinion assembly, which was smooth to use. The lowest power eyepiece (25mm) provided a x16 magnification, which gave an estimated field of view of 2.5 degrees. Stars remained sharp across 75% of the view. With this eyepiece, widefield views were particularly good; open cluster M44 was a delight. These wide views did seem to make the background sky lighter, but we could still make out the brighter Messier objects and even spotted the galaxy NGC 2903 in Leo. At higher magnifications the galaxy group of M65/M66 and NGC 3628 could be seen, and by adding the Barlow lens to the 10mm eyepiece we split Algieba and Castor… Saturn was also clear, with Tian and Rhea visible. Overall score 87%” BBC Sky At Night Magazine
Spotting users love the precision control and rock steadiness of this high quality alt-azimuth mount with adjustable aluminium tripod and large accessory tray. It features two flexible slow-motion cables, one for vertical and one for horizontal control. Accurately tracks distant moving objects with ease. This mounting is ideal for terrestrial observations but can also be used for basic astronomical viewing.
ACUTER 'DIGITAL-70' 3.1MP DIGITAL SPOTTING SCOPE Capture Rare Moments in the Field
This exciting new State-of-the-Art product features a fully Multi-Coated 70mm Refractor Spotting Scope with a fully integrated 3.1 Megapixel CMOS Digital Imager. The spotting scope, in standard optical mode, operates at 14x magnification. The camera however with its 2" LCD flip-up screen, can operate at 7x or 14x, or more by operating the 4x digital zoom feature. Now you can get up close and personal with your favourite subject matter and capture the moment instantly, in either Still Photo or Continuous video format. The spotting scope has its own 32mb internal memory and in addition has an SD Card slot. In addition there is a TV Out connection for viewing images directly on your TV and a USB port to connect to your PC. Supplied with soft, protective carrying case. Can fit a photo tripod via its standard 1/4-20 Tripod Bush. Colour/Material: Black Rubber
Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP, 600MB free Hard Drive space, 128MB SDRAM, CD ROM Drive, USB Port, Video card with 2MB RAM (16 bit colour)
Power Requirement
2 x AA Alkaline
Product Code
40991
Price
£ 199.00
Merlin Multi-Function Mount & Tripod
The Acuter Digital-70 Spotting Scope integrates perfectly with the Merlin Mulit-Function Mount and can utilise the mount's CRUISE & SHOOT auto-imaging feature.
ACUTER 'MERLIN' MULTI-FUNCTION MOUNT & TRIPOD An amazing new motorised mounting for all applications
The 'Merlin' D.C. fully-automated, Servo-Motor powered mounting is quite unique, in that nothing like this has been offered in the marketplace previously. It is highly versatile, and can be used to mount a wide variety of imaging devices, from Spotting Scopes & Astronomical Telescopes to Camcorders & Cameras. The mount can also be used for Astrophotography and Security/Surveillance applications. Check out the amazing features this mount offers and the benefits it can provide, as a solution for all your imaging applications!!
Features
Ideal mount for both Terrestrial & Astronomical Imaging
Single-Arm Alt-Azimuth Mount
Powerful DC operated Servo Motor
IR Encoder with Optical Wheel
Multi-Function Hand Control to Command the Motor
Slow (32x), Medium (64x) or High-Speed (800x) Alt-Azimuth Slewing, for Terrestrial & Astronomical Imaging
Ability to Store Multi-Terrestrial Positions to GO-TO
Clear Latitude Scale
Standard 1/4-20 Tripod connector
'Cruise & Shoot' Auto-Imaging* Feature for Terrestrial Positions
(*Controls Software of the Acuter 'Explorer' Digital Spotting Scope & Canon EOS Cameras via the AUX socket)
The Acuter Digital-70 Spotting Scope integrates perfectly with the Merlin Mulit-Function Mount and can utilise the mount's CRUISE & SHOOT auto-imaging feature.
SKYMAX-127 SupaTrakTM AUTO 127mm (5) f/1500 MOTORISED MAKSUTOV-CASSEGRAIN AUTO-TRACKING TELESCOPE
The highly-acclaimed Skymax-127 Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA excels for high-power Lunar and Planetary observations, double-star observations, as well as being suitable for terrestrial daytime observations. The Skymax-127 features a compact but extremely powerful, high-contrast, high-resolution diffraction-limited optical system. High-transmission multi-coatings are employed on all optical surfaces for optimum performance.
The new SupaTrak™ Auto-Tracking Alt-Azimuth Mount is a heavier-duty version of the standard Auto-Tracking mount, designed to carry heavier OTA’s. This mounting, with its built-in dual-axis multi-speed Servo motors is ideal for both Astronomical & Terrestrial use. In Astronomical mode, after following the simple set-up procedure, the mount is capable of tracking astronomical objects automatically. The fully motorised mount is convenient, practical, lightweight and easy to set-up and is ideal for both beginners and experienced users alike.
Overall this is a sizzling telescope package offering a truly phenomenal, ground-breaking combination of quality, performance and value for money.
SupaTrakTM Heavy-Duty Motorised Multi-Speed Auto-Tracking Alt-Azimuth Mount
Power Requirement: 12v DC Power Supply (Tip Positive) or AA Batteries (not supplied)
Aluminium Tripod with Accessory Tray
”This is one of the jewels in the Sky-Watcher crown. It's large enough to produce richly detailed, high-contrast lunar and planetary images…. The Skymax-127 packs a performance punch with a relatively short cool-down time….For daytime terrestrial use, the instrument is quite capable of focusing down to 8 metres….The new SupaTrak™ mount shares more than a passing resemblance to the Celestron SLT, but the somewhat quieter and heavier duty SupaTrak sports a more robust Vixen-style dovetail clamp…. I found that the SupaTrak was capable of following a celestial object at high magnifications for tens of minutes before slowly drifting out of the field of view, which is perfectly adequate for visual use or simple webcam imaging…. If you are looking for an intuitive and far less intimidating user experience than that offered by cheaper GoTo mounts, the SupaTrak is highly recommended as a versatile grab-and-go system.” Ade Ashford, www.scopetest.com
Review of Skymax-127 OTA
“…Optically, all the lenses are multicoated and the internal baffles had no shiny surfaces that could cause reflections of bright objects…The Focuser was quite smooth with very little image shift…The field was sharp across 80 percent of the view…We were pleased with the quality of the view even when pushing the telescope to higher magnifications…Mars and Saturn bore high magnifications well…The rings of Saturn appeared sharply defined…Turning to the Moon, it was a revelation through the Skymax…This telescope certainly does a good job on the more detailed Solar System objects…In the deep sky, the Skymax performed well on everything to galaxies to nebulae” Sky At Night Magazine
βThe telescope is optically very good, giving clear, sharp images; a particularly strong point is the sturdiness of the mounting for the price, and the whole instrument is easy to use. Recommended to the serious amateur.β
Endorsed and recommended by
Sir Patrick Moore CBE FRS
The Sky-watcher EVOSTAR series are two-element, air-spaced, multi-coated objective achromatic refractors. They are truly outstanding, high-performance, high-resolution instruments manufactured to extremely high standards of optical and mechanical precision. With their long focal lenghs and breathtaking, diffraction limited optical performance, they are ideal for the detailed high-power study of the Moon, Planetary Surfaces and other objects in our solar system, giving crisp contrasty images. These telescope packages will stand you in great stead for a lifetime of serious astronomical viewing. Tube Material: Aluminium
Equinox-66 PRO OTA f/400 Fluorite Ed Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
The Equinox 66 is the perfect choice for birding, nature study, and/or astrophotography. Its fast optics and generous field of view make it an ideal instrument for studying larger clusters and star fields too (see specs below).
Standard Features: D = 66 mm, fast, flat f/6, F = 400
Razor sharp, colour-free, high contrast optics.
Retractable aluminum dew shield.
Removable L-shape bracket for easy mounting on any any camera tripod.
Perfect for astronomy, birding and terrestrial use.
Fast speeds and flat fields for widefield astrophotography.
Aluminum carrying case for safe, easy transportation.
High-Precision Indexed Focuser:
Dual-Speed machined Crayford focuser.
360-degree adjustable for easy framing of objects for photography.
Graduated scale on drawtube for fast and precise focusing with CCD or DSLR cameras.
Whatever your application, we’re sure that Sky-Watcher Equinox refractors will meet and exceed your most demanding performance requirements with their superior mechanics, high portability and razor-sharp colour-free optics.
Highest Practical Powre (Potential): x198
Objective Lens Diameter: 65mm
Telescope Focal Length: 400mm (f/6)
Supplied without Eyepieces, Finderscope and Star Diagonal
Equinox-80 PRO OTA f/500 Fluorite Ed Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
The Equinox 80 is another excellent choice for birding, nature study, and photography. Its fast, high-contrast optics and generous field of view make it an ideal instrument for studying larger clusters and star fields, and it is a proven performer for astrophotography – you can even use it with a common SCT focal reducer to achieve speeds down to f/4.5! But don’t be afraid to push up the magnification, too. Its crisp optics make it a strong performer on tight double stars, and it provides crisp, clear lunar and planetary images with no image breakdown, even at high powers.
Schott Glass Used in Selected Models for Crown Element
Equinox 80 benefit from the inclusion of Schott glass being used for the positive front Crown element in the objective. Schott is the recognized world leader in glass utilized for precision optical lens systems, including medical instrumentation, and famous-brand camera lenses. While Schott glass is only used in selected models, all other models utilize top-quality, Grade-A glass from perhaps less famous but, nonetheless, highly respected, high-quality glass manufacturers
Metallic High-Transmission Lens Coatings
Each air-to-glass lens surface has exotic anti-reflection metallic coatings applied to ensure optimum light through-put of approaching 99.5%. The proprietary Sky-Watcher “Metallic High-Transmission Coatings” (MHC) are the finest photon anti-rejection coatings in their class.
Standard Features:
D = 80 mm, fast, flat f/6.2, F = 500.
Razor sharp, colour-free, high contrast optics.
Retractable aluminum dewshields.
Removeable L-shape bracket for easy mounting on any any camera tripod.
Perfect for astronomy, birding and terrestrial use.
Fast speeds and flat fields for widefield astrophotography.
Aluminum carrying case for safe, easy transportation.
High-Precision Indexed Focuser:
Dual-Speed machined Crayford focuser.
360-degree adjustable for easy framing of objects for photography.
Graduated scale on drawtube for fast and precise focusing with CCD or DSLR cameras.
Whatever your application, we’re sure that Sky-Watcher Equinox refractors will meet and exceed your most demanding performance requirements with their superior mechanics, high portability and razor-sharp colour-free optics.
Highest Practical Powre (Potential): x240
Objective Lens Diameter: 80mm
Telescope Focal Length: 500mm (f/6.25)
Supplied without Eyepieces, Finderscope and Star Diagonal
2" to 1.25" Eyepiece adaptor (with Brass Compression Rings)
Retractable Dewshield (with aluminium cap)
Multi-Coated Objective Lens
Standard 1/4-20 Tripod Bush (will accept Sky-Watcher dovetail bars)
Foam-lined Aluminium Carrying/Storage case
EQUINOX-80 ED PRO “We took five, two-minute exposures of the Pleiades & Andromeda galaxy which were then stacked and image-enhanced using K3CCD tools. They gave a tremendous amount of detail – in fact they were the best images of these objects I have ever taken…”The view was pin-sharp across 85 percent with the 20mm lens and there was no apparent colour fringing at all around the stars”…Overall the refractor performed well on all tasks. It would make a top quality addition to any astronomers scope collection! BBC SKY AT NIGHT MAGAZINE
”The quality of the star images cannot be faulted, and a higher magnification of Mars showed surface detail well.“
Endorsed and recommended by
Sir Patrick Moore CBE FRS
DUAL-SPEED 11:1 CRAYFORD FOCUSER This premium focuser is truly a delight to use and is a perfect match for these first-class telescopes. With excellent efficiency, it provides an exceptionally smooth 2-speed focusing operation with the utmost precision. Its fine-focusing facility is perfect for focusing accurately during Astrophotography. A graduated scale is marked on the drawtube for fast and precise focusing with CCD or DSLR cameras. The focuser is 360-degree Rotatable for easy framing of objects for Photography.
The prices listed on this website are U.K. suggested retail prices (SRP) including VAT for reference purposes only
and that prices may vary from dealer to dealer. Please contact your nearest stockist for firm pricing information.
As we are purely a distributor, we regret we are unable to sell directly to the public.
Specifications subject to variation due to later production changes. E&OE.
Optical Vision Ltd
Unit 3, Woolpit Business Park, Woolpit, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP30 9UP, England
Email: info@opticalvision.co.uk
DUAL-SPEED 11:1 CRAYFORD FOCUSER