Introducing the Sky-Watcher 16" Computerized Dobsonian telescope. This marvel combines big aperture with a collapsible design that fits into mini-vans, SUV's and trucks, or a car trailer. The largest aperture scope in the Sky-Watcher fleet has been coupled with the Synscan computer drive system, making this scope an outstanding value for the level of light gathering and functionality that it provides. Deep space views are simply stunning.
The computer drive system is rather clever. If you nudge a traditional computerized telescope, the computer has no clue that you moved it, and how far. Not so with this Dob.
The closed-loop system incorporates motor drives and high resolution gear-driven optical encoders coupled to each axis providing accurate slews, while registering all movement - even if you push the telescope out of position.
This Dobsonian collapses by running up and down on three vertical bars fixed to the top section, reducing the need for collimation upon setup, which can be an issue for truss-tube Dobsonians. The base collapses into 6 wooden pieces simply by unscrewing the thumbscrews; no tools required.
As an added bonus, if the instrument is collapsed slightly, binocular viewers will come to focus and can be used without the need for a Barlow or image amplifier - a big plus for deep space binocular viewing.
The parabolic primary mirror brings the rays of light to a common focal point, there-by correcting for spherical abberation. The tapered mirror design with additional glass support ridges means the mirror is full-thickness where it counts right in the middle, and tapers off towards the edge. This design reduces the thermal mass of the mirror, and improves acclimatization time. The mirror is supported at the thickest point in the middle, and no diffraction-inducing mirror clips are required.
Sky-Watcher computerized Dobsonians support a GPS receiver (sold separately). This plug-in module will set your time, date, longitude and latitude automatically based on the Global Positioning Satellites orbiting the Earth. You can also plug this GPS receiver into your PC's USB port to add geo location capabilities. One possible use is contributing to the Open Street Mapping project.
This shipment contains one or more large and/or heavy boxes, and may require two to four people to safely take off the delivery truck.
There is an additional charge for powered tailgate lift service if you require it, starting from $150.00 CAD.
Due to liability concerns, the truck driver will not bring the boxes into your home.