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Your cart is empty.Sky-Watcher’s GoTo Dobsonian epitomizes Sky-Watcher’s dedication to innovative ideas, combining our exclusive collapsible optical tube design with the convenience of a computerized GoTo mount. The SynScan hand controller allows users to point the telescope at specific objects, or tour the night sky with the touch of a button! Most astronomers crave the large aperture of a Dobsonian telescope, yet the lack of computerized GoTo features can be discouraging for some users. Sky-Watcher tackles this by adding motors to a traditional Dobsonian base, giving astronomers the benefits of a computerized GoTo system. Sky-Watcher’s signature SynScan hand controller uses two easy alignment methods, ‘Bright Star Alignment’ or ‘Two-Star Alignment’ for quick and easy setup. Once aligned, the SynScan hand controller can point to over 42,000 objects, including a full catalog of Messier, NGC and IC objects, providing you with a lifetime of celestial observing! While Dobsonian telescopes have a reputation for large apertures at a low cost, they often come at the expense of portability. The GoTo Dobsonian fixes this problem using our exclusive collapsible optical tube, featuring a strut system with three 1” steel poles and chrome locking screws. The strut system uses preset indentations which place the optics in the same position time after time, maintaining collimation. Unlike other Dobsonians using truss-tube systems, Sky-Watcher’s GoTo Dobsonian optical tube does not need to be disassembled before transporting from one location to another. With the ability to collapse up to 36%, these optical tubes can be easily transported in the backseat of most vehicles. At the heart of every Sky-Watcher telescope are professional-grade optics. The GoTo Dobsonian is no exception, using borosilicate mirrors coated in quartz, titanium and silicon dioxide. This yields an amazing 94% reflectivity, vivid contrast and minimal vignetting to deliver an exceptional viewing experience. Unlike other manufacturers, Sky-Watcher has a policy of providing you with all necessary accessories to get started. 8”, 10” and 12” GoTo Dobsonians include a 2” Crayford-style focuser, with a 1.25” adapter and two 1.25” eyepieces (10mm and 25mm). Whether this is your first telescope or not, there’s enough accessories for every kind of astronomer.
Nicholas D
2025-09-03 19:12:57
This telescope provides awesome views. Both pieces arrived unlike other reviews stating that they did not. It was easy to assemble but it is very large so not an easy option for portability unless you are dedicated to doing so. My only critique is the fact that the base is made from particle or MDF board. For a high level telescope I feel that the base which supports it should be made of better material, but time will tell.
Keona Ann Fonteyn
2025-08-22 15:37:32
This is my first ever Telescope and I went up and back between this one and the Celestron StarSense Explorer 8 and I am sure happy that I made the right choice! This Telescope is simply beautiful! It took me 45 minutes to assemble and it was easy, I used the tools they sent. I don’t know why people are giving these bad reviews? Mine did t have a scratch on it, both boxes came with all the parts and the build quality is amazing! I will post an update in a couple of months. The only downside to this package is they send you 2 tiny wood screws for the controller holder and they do not work. I want two little bolts with nuts and washers and will stop at ace tomorrow. It is a quick easy fix! Otherwise I will definitely buy from Skywatcher again! And I paid 100% for this scope with my own money! If you’re thinking about a sky watcher, don’t listen to these bad reviews because mine is awesome. Go ahead and pull the trigger. You won’t be sorry.! Beautiful Telescope!
Joel
2025-08-01 18:13:52
Delivered with no mirrors inside. They are missing in the box
G. Spooner
2025-07-04 13:50:05
I had been thinking of upgrading to this scope for a year before I did it, and I wish I could get that time back and just buy the thing already! NO regrets! Previously I had a 4.5" manual dob; it was a great starter scope. What I love about this one: 1) The tracking! It's great to be able to keep observing without having to manually track an object, especially at higher magnifications. 2) The goto synscan system: setup is amazingly quick and easy (2-4 minutes!). 3) The ability to seamlessly switch between goto and manual moving; yes, you can at any moment just manually move the scope and then go right back to the goto system without resetting! 4) The collapsible tube; the scope can fit in my Prius when collapsed; a cloth light shroud keeps it as dark as if it was non-collapsible (this is NOT included, but is a highly recommended accessory. You can make one yourself or buy one for not too much.) The only thing I did not like was the focuser was in need of adjustment, but that only took me about 5 minutes with an allen wrench and now all's well!
May Trix
2025-06-16 13:12:14
So this will,sort of, be a live review. That is to say, I will add to the review, as I assemble...all the way up through initial setup.I let the box sit on my floor for a day... after seeing how much struggle the delivery guy presented... i wanted to wait a piece before tackling this mechanical job.Everytime I walked by the two monster boxes ...I could see the box shiver a bit... it was ready to be seen... and I was ready to see it in action. Unfortunately these things don't arrive ready to go.The good news is, it comes with all the tools you need to assemble it. The bad news is, like all products of this nature, those tools blow... naa, I'm kidding. It's two allen wrenches and a Phillips head.As far as materials, for the base at least, it's particle board.I can't see how this thing can be yanked in and out of vehicles, over years, without falling apart somewhat. Let's be real, particle board sucks flying dragon dorks. A little material science forthought can most certainly make this a more rugged item... and at this size and weight and most importantly , this is where small accidents can easily turn into catastrophes. Anybody who had ever had the pleasure of assembling 80's furniture, knows of what I speak.So...a future DIY upgrade path maybe. Should not have to.Base install, step 1, make a cocktail.Step 2... follow the inst... wait, there are instructions?Sort of... as with all chineasium products... stuff must get lost a bit in translation because all of their "how to" sheets suck.However, there is enough illustrations that it's easily figured out. 20 minutes of casual mechanicing will see you through without drama.Only had one pre-drilled hole that was off a bit, but that was just on the middle hole of the lens holder... not a dealbreaker.So far so good... it's 1 am, time to stop this racket and do something useful... that's right, make another cocktail and watch astronomy videos 😉Tomorrow, tube assembly...Hey...so remember that part where I said these things don't come reassembled?Apparently, I was only speaking of the base. Because I opened the box... and it was assembled. Nothing to do but put it in place.So I put it in place.Brought it out for one night of no-instruction, no-tuning, no-skill viewing. Who, knows... maybe I will have gotten lucky.Nope... zero luck. Couldn't see a damn thing. Read the manual folks.
Alfred Bhulai
2025-05-26 16:40:37
I took 2 hours to set up the base for my 12", because I wanted to do it carefully and was misled by the instructions about the side on which to screw the bracing foot and handle. I was also disappointed that although the parts list had 3 handles for the 12", there were only 2. I could have used that extra handle for fetching and packing. Anyhow all's well that ends well. The barrel and optics were set up in negligible time even though I had never before seen that clever design. The 9x50 finder was quickly aligned with the top of a distant telegraph pole, on which a snail hawk decided to perch and pose unknowingly.Next will be the electronics after I set up a solar powered 12V d.c. supply.
B. Mayo
2025-05-16 13:11:07
I've been looking for a larger telescope for years. And now in a position to get one I chose this Sky watcher. Had a 4-in Bushnell for ever, and was not very happy with the quality. At some point I may splurge and go all out and get the 16-in version. But for now this is just fine for backyard viewing.I will caution that no power supply came with us. You will need to supply a plug and Supply or make some type of battery supply plug this into.
Bernard C.
2025-03-17 12:23:02
I just closed the box and sent it back!
Takhell
2025-01-06 11:52:37
It went together really well - took about an hour to build the mount. Seems very solid and of good quality. Collimation was quick (under 5 minutes), and aligning the spotting scope was easy. I haven't actually used it at night time yet - waiting on the skies to clear up a tad. My only gripe and why the one less star is the 12V power adapter supplied. It's only for a cigarette lighter. A separate adapter to allow the use of a 120v outlet or an adapter for the lighter to plug into an outlet should've been included imo (were I live has little to no light pollution so I have no need to relocate). I can't even use the car adapter as my vehicle (and likely most newer ones) powers off all the ports (usb / cig. lighters, etc) unless it's running. Anyways, the telescope itself is fantastic and I cant wait to use it to it's fullest. I'll update my post once I get some power to it and have a chance to play with it.
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