SkyWatcher Dobson Skyliner 203/1200 Flextube GoTo

SkyWatcher Skyliner 203/1200 Flextube GoTo – Dobson Telescope with Automatic SynScan Pointing

The SkyWatcher Skyliner 203/1200 Flextube GoTo is a Newtonian Dobsonian telescope with 203 mm of aperture, a 1200 mm focal length (f/5.9), a collapsible Flextube truss tube and an automatic SynScan GoTo pointing system. Once aligned, it automatically locates and tracks any object from its 42,000-object database, controllable via the SynScan hand controller or a PC connection. The Flextube design dramatically reduces the tube's size for transport, making a generous aperture accessible alongside the simplicity of computerised pointing.

203 mm f/5.9: Excellent Aperture with the Convenience of GoTo

With a 203 mm aperture and an f/5.9 focal ratio, the Skyliner 203/1200 GoTo gathers around 83% more light than a 150 mm, revealing greater detail in galaxies, nebulae and globular clusters, while delivering high-contrast planetary views. The maximum useful magnification is 406x, ideal for high-resolution lunar and planetary observation.

Objects observable with 203 mm:

• Solar system: Jupiter's cloud bands and Great Red Spot, the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings, Mars' polar caps, the phases of Venus and Mercury
• Deep sky: galaxies such as M51 and M81/M82 with visible spiral structure, planetary nebulae (M57, M27), resolved globular clusters such as M13 and M15
• Double and variable stars: resolving close binary systems and photometric monitoring

Included: a 9×50 finder, SP 25mm (48x) and SP 10mm (120x) eyepieces with a 31.8 mm barrel, a wooden base and the computerised alt-azimuth SynScan GoTo mount.

SynScan GoTo: Automatic Pointing and Tracking

The computerised alt-azimuth SynScan mount features a database of 42,000 celestial objects, with automatic pointing, continuous tracking and the option to connect to a PC for remote control. After a quick initial alignment, simply select the desired object from the SynScan hand controller and the telescope locates and tracks it automatically, greatly simplifying observation even for beginners.

Flextube Design: Generous Aperture, Maximum Portability

The collapsible Flextube truss tube significantly reduces the telescope's size for transport and storage, without affecting optical collimation once reopened. The wooden Dobson base provides stability and smooth alt-azimuth movement, while the compact design makes the Skyliner 203/1200 GoTo an excellent compromise between optical power and portability, whether observing from the backyard or on the go.

Technical Specifications