SkyWatcher FlexTube 250P

SkyWatcher FlexTube 250P (10″ Collapsible) Telescope is a reflector Dobsonian scope. It offers a 10’’ large aperture with 1200 mm focal length, patented Tenson Control Handle, and portability at a modest price. The flexible features have made it a reliable and great grab-and-go telescope for beginners.

Advantages and Disadvantages of SkyWatcher FlexTube 250P (10″ Collapsible) Telescope

Advantages

• Large aperture at a lower price than other Dobsonian designs.
• 8 x 50 mm viewfinder helps to avoid constant telescope adjustment to keep targets in the field of view.
• The focuser is backlash-free ensuring smooth adjustment
• Multi-coated high-quality Plossl eyepieces provide sharp images.
• Teflon bearing system ensures smooth horizontal and vertical movement.
• The truss-support concept allows the optical tube’s front and back parts to collapse together. It can be locked down while transporting the scope.
• The mirror polishing is smooth and ensures high contrast.
• The components and the structure are rigid and stable. 
• Mount is rigid and easy to use.
• Additional holes on the diagonal mirror allow it to get lower to the locking position to achieve focus while using bino-viewing.

Disadvantages

• Bearings can be annoying.
• The price is debatable.

Technical Specifications of SkyWatcher FlexTube 250P Telescope

Optics

• Plossl Eyepiece lens 
• The objective lens is 254 mm in diameter offering a bold and bright viewing experience.
• A large 10’’ aperture resolves dim sky objects like wispy galaxies and nebulae.
• 1200 mm long focal length produces a fast focal ratio of f/4.7 ensuring a broad field view, a moderate magnification potential, and maximum light.
• The primary mirror is parabolic and made of borosilicate.
• Titanium, quartz, and silicon dioxide coating result in 94% of reflectivity.
• Resolution is 0.55 arc sec (Rayleigh limit, 0.46 arcsec (Dawes Limit)).
• The secondary mirror is 64 mm in diameter.
• The eyepiece height is 48’’ while aiming towards the zenith.
• The outer tube is 11.375’’ in diameter.

Focuser

• The focus type is auto, not manual.
• A crayfold-style focuser is more precise than a rack-and-inion focuser.
• Zero backlash
• The holder is 2’’ in diameter ensuring eye relief for a long time.

Base

• Particle board Dobsonian mount
• Takes a few minutes to set up.
• Patented tension knob technology allows using as secure handles to carry the whole scope as a single piece.
• Teflon bearings allow smooth azimuth movement.

Physical Appearance 

• The weight is 40 lb when fully assembled.
• The power source is an adapter.
• The size is around 44’’ when set up but can be contracted to 31.5’’ when collapsed.

Accessories of SkyWatcher FlexTube 250P Telescope

• Nosepiece of 1.25’’ 
• Two eyepieces (25 mm- 48x and 10 mm-120x)

• 2-1.25’’ eyepiece reducer adapter
• 8×50 low power finderscope
• 2-year Warranty

What can you see with the SkyWatcher FlexTube Telescope?

• The phases of Venus and Mercury 
• Icecap and even the dark markings of Mars when it is close.
• Deimos (Outer moon of Mars)
• The cloud belt and the Great Red Spot of Jupiter.
• The Galilean moons Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto (the 4 largest moons of Jupiter)
• Saturn’s rings, the Cassini Division, and some moons.
• Uranus and Neptune with the moons Oberon and Titania
• Pluto
• The spiral· arms of brighter galaxies like M 51 and M 33, M 82 and M 31, and the H-II regions in M 33, M 101
• Nebulae like Orion and Lagoon

Recommended Accessories For SkyWatcher FlexTube

• Apertura 2x 1.25″ Barlow – A-2XB1
• Astrozap Light Shroud for 10″ SkyWatcher Flex Tube Dobsonians – AZ1306
• Apertura 15mm Super Wide Angle 1.25″ Eyepiece – SWA15
• Apertura 1.25″ Laser Collimator with 45º Angled Face – A-LC

Astrophotography Example with SkyWatcher FlexTube 250P (10″ Collapsible) Telescope

Fig 3: Astrophotography with SkyWatcher FlexTube 250P (10″ Collapsible) Telescope (Ref: cloudynights)  

Fig 4: Astrophotography with SkyWatcher FlexTube 250P (10″ Collapsible) Telescope (Ref: cloudynights) 

Alternative Options To SkyWatcher FlexTube 250P

• Apertura DT10: More Convenient bearings and improved mount design.
• Orion XT8i: Includes  IntelliScope system that makes target locating easier than Dobsonian.
• Apertura AD10 / Zhumell Z10 /Orion SkyLine 10: Better altitude bearing system, and a dual-speed Crayford focuser.