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Telescopes > Skywatcher > Skyliner Classic > Skywatcher Dobson telescope N 200/1200 Skyliner Classic DOB
( 4.9 / 5 )
Product no.: 4440

Dobson telescope N 200/1200 Skyliner Classic DOB

$ 590.00 incl. VAT, plus shipping costs
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  • Easy-to-use entry-level telescope
  • Robust, reliable optics with closed tube
  • Large range of accessories for an immediate start

Product description

More about the series Skyliner Classic...

Dobsonian telescopes are among the most practical instruments in astronomy. They are of simple construction and yet a brilliant idea. They essentially consist of two parts: firstly the optics, which in most cases is a solid tube or truss tube design; and secondly the mount, a wooden box (also called a 'rocker box') which sits on the ground and into which the telescope is inserted. This design allows you to begin observing sessions immediately without first having to spend time setting up and aligning a complicated mount. The basic idea of the Dobsonian design came from the wish to have a big telescope at a low price, a wish that has succeeded brilliantly. A true fan base has developed since the invention of the Dobsonian telescope which is dedicated to these instruments and their fascinating simplicity and to the idea of 'high performance at low price'.

The DOBSON telescopes from the house of SKYWATCHER convince by technical innovation and functional Design.

A simple, elegant form of an alt-azimuth mount made to carry a Newtonian reflector was popularized by John Dobson in the late 1970's. In its simplest form, the Dobsonian mount consists of a box which allows the optical tube assembly to pivot in altitude, while the box itself is swivelled on a base in azimuth. Normally such mounts are moved by hand rather than motor driven. Their main advantages are low cost, fast easy setup and ability to make a mount big enough for larger tubes.

The devices have handles, which are very useful both to transport and for adjustment the elevator axle.

The telescope has a 2"-Focuser with adapter for 1,25"[ - ] like that is also a later ascent to 2"-Apex eyepieces without problems possible.

Precision figured surfaces: the mirror of this telescope is made of BK7 glass and meets 75nm ptv or better, so the well-known precision condition Lambda/8 is more than satisfied. The telescope has a Strehl ratio of 0.8 or higher. This value expresses something of the optical performance and therefore the quality of the figured surfaces. When theoretically 80% of the light is incorporated in the Airy disk of the telescope image, the optics are described as 'diffraction limited'. That means that the resolution of a telescope is only limited by the diffraction of light. As it is not possible for this to be 100%, the definition of the diffraction limit has been set at 0.8. This always means that you have excellent optics (other systemic losses are not included here).

The 2" focuser is smooth and comes provided with a 1.25" reducer. The finder scope has a fine crosshair, allowing easy location of even the somewhat fainter objects.

The Skywatcher rocker box is very easy to use. The telescope can be pointed in azimuth and altitude easily and smoothly by using only a couple of fingers. The telescope moves on slide and pivot bearings. It remains stable in any position, allowing highly enjoyable observing. And observing still remains a joy even at higher magnifications. The Tension Control System also lets you easily adjust the friction setting and so the amount of resistance when moving the optics on the rocker box. This allows you to always have the appropriate resistance set.

It not only matters which telescope you buy but also where you buy it. Our additional services:

  • We are a leading telescope dealer and know the devices we sell. Our customer service team will gladly help you after your purchase if you have problems with assembly or operation.
  • We provide a copy of the 80-page Telescope ABC beginners handbook with every telescope.
  • We also provide an edition of the exciting astronomy magazine, “Sterne und Weltraum” with each telescope.

Our expert comment:

Dobsonian telescopes offer a lot of telescope for the money. They are often purchased by beginners due to their simplicity and ease of use. Tracking is done manually. These instruments are primarily designed for visual observing. Their relatively large apertures mean you can resolve globular clusters and also see some structure in nebulae. Photography of the Moon and Sun are also possible with the appropriate accessories. Photography of other celestial objects requires a mount with tracking capabilities. This mount can be retrofitted later.

(Bernd Gährken)

Specifications

Optics


Type
Reflector
Type of build
Newton
Aperture (mm)
200
Focal length (mm)
1200
Aperture ratio (f/)
6
Resolving capacity
0,58
Limit value (mag)
13,3
Light gathering capacity
820
Max. useful magnification
400
Tube construction
Full tube
Tube weight (kg)
11

Reflector


Main mirror´s construction
parabolic
secondary mirror design
Plan
Adjustable
yes
Ventilation for central mirror
no
reflectivity
94
protective layer
Quartz
aluminising
Aluminium

Focuser


Type of build
Crayford
Connection ( to eyepiece)
2

Mount


Type of build
Dobson
Mounting type
Dobson
GoTo control
no

Tripod


Material
Wood
Type
Rockerbox

Included accessories


1.25'' eyepieces
25mm, 10mm
Finder scope
9x50
Eyepiece adaptor
1,25" & 2"

General


Total weight (kg)
26
Series
Skyliner Classic
Special recommendation
yes

Area of application


Moon & Planets
yes
Nebulae & galaxies
yes
Nature Observation
no
Astrophotography
no
Sun
no (Only with appropriate Sun filter)

Recommended for


Beginners
yes
Advanced
yes
Observatories
no

Recommended accessories

Telescope accessories > Barlow & Erecting Lenses (6)
Barlow Lens

Omegon 1.25'', 2X, 3 Element Barlow eyepiece

$ 99.00*
Telescope accessories > Transport & storage (8)
Carry case

Oklop Carry case Padded bag for 200/1200 Newtonians

$ 76.00*
Telescope accessories > Other (7)
Finder

Baader SkySurfer V Night & Day red dot finder

$ 158.00*
Eyepieces (4)
Eyepiece

Omegon Eyepiece LE Planetary 18mm 1,25''

$ 149.00*
Eyepieces (5)
Eyepiece

Omegon SWA 38mm eyepiece, 2”

$ 179.00*
Eyepieces (4)
Eyepiece

Omegon Ultra Wide Angle eyepiece 9mm 1,25"

$ 69.00*
Eyepieces > Other (4)
Eyepiece

Skywatcher Plossl Eyepiece & Accessory Set 1,25"

$ 228.00*
Filters > Moon filters & Polarizing filters (4)
Filters

Omegon Filters Variable grey filter 1.25"

$ 34.90*
Filters > Other (2)
Filters

Explore Scientific Filters Filter Set Moon & Planets from 200mm Telescopes 1.25"

$ 49.90*
Astrophotography > Camera mounts (4)

Omegon Easypic Universal Smartphone Adapter

$ 129.00*
Astrophotography > Other (2)
Camera

Omegon Telemikro USB Camera

$ 69.00*
Mountings & accessories > Equatorial wedges (4)
Polar wedge

Omegon Polar wedge EQ-Platform 40°

$ 459.00*
Mountings & accessories > Other (1)

Omegon anti-slip rubber feet for SkyQuest and Skyliner Dobsons

$ 1.00*
Observatories (1)

Omegon Tent observatory

$ 189.00*
Media (3)

John Wiley & Sons Astronomy For Dummies

$ 24.90*
Outdoor > Lamps (3)
Astronomy torch

Explore Scientific Astronomy torch Astro R-Lite

$ 18.90*
Outdoor > Other (1)

Omegon aluminium case, large

$ 89.00*
Astronomy (1)

noctutec Dark adaptation glasses for astronomers

$ 26.90*
Globes & Maps (1)
Continental map

Oculum Verlag Sky Quality Map Europe

$ 18.90*
Maintenance & Cleaning > Lens cleaners (3)

Omegon 7-in-1 lens cleaning set

$ 19.90*
Maintenance & Cleaning > Other (2)

Omegon microfibre cleaning cloth 20cm x 20cm

$ 4.90*
Miscellaneous (1)

Star In A Star Moon Hat

$ 17.90*

*All prices include VAT plus shipping costs.

Skywatcher Dobson telescope N 200/1200 Skyliner Classic DOB
Skywatcher Dobson telescope N 200/1200 Skyliner Classic DOB
Skywatcher Dobson telescope N 200/1200 Skyliner Classic DOB

Customer reviews

Fantastic scope

Review by T. L. on 25.04.2023 16:22:48

( 5 / 5 )

I've had this scope for a year now and it's been fantastic.
Considering this is a usual go to scope for a beginners, here are some other purchases are made to make this scope even more enjoyable:

- A 6mm goldline eyepiece. You can pick this up rather cheap but they are a huge improvement over the 10 mm that comes with the scope, especially for planetary viewing. The other 25 mm eyepiece that comes with the scope is perfectly fine.
- A laser colimator (takes less than 5 mins to collimate the scope)
- A telrad - takes some time to understand how it works but starhopping to objects is super easy compared to starhop through the finderscope.

If you add an EQ platform & astrocamera to this scope you can do fantastic EAA on bright objects and combined with a planetary camera & barlow you can take great shots of the planets (see my website www.astrothib.com for some examples)

A telescope is successful for visual observation.

Review by . Е. on 14.08.2021 15:14:41

( 5 / 5 )

A telescope is successful for visual observation.

The image in the eyepiece is of good quality. The moon will hit you with its craters. Saturn will show its rings. Jupiter will show its four moons and its cloud bands. At times, in good conditions, cloud bands can show barely noticeable details.
Closed clusters look like piled silver coins. Open clusters are also beautiful.
I watched from the terrace of a moderately lit city. I can say that under very good conditions I have seen galaxies up to 10 magnitude.



I sold the telescope to start basic alt-az astrophotography
telescope.
But if you have the money you need, you can get a suitable equatorial mount to mount the telescope on it and take pictures.

Sometimes I miss this telescope and its clear image.

If you want to advance even more in visual observation, you need to get a telescope with a larger aperture. But remember that weight and size increase.

Success!

The best investment i've ever made.

Review by LOL221 on 15.02.2018 22:19:11

( 5 / 5 )

I bought it last year in mid July and forgot to leave a Review.
Dobsonians are Light buckets. You cant get a better price/performance ratio than this. The Oculars are not the best but they do what they do, and they do it great!. When comparing to my old 76/900, the 76/900 feels like it was a waste of money. This 8 inch Scope is by far the best thing a Beginner can get because: Its easy to assemble and it doesnt take long at all, again the price/performance ratio is AWESOME, It really doesnt need as much collimation as everybody will tell you, but you do need to collimate it before using it the first time. The Views are sharp clear and bright, You can do basic planetary imaging with videos and Its not really that heavy for 8 inch so you can carry it alone. You can start seeing detail and single stars in Clusters and Nebulas and you will be able to see Galaxys (most of them will be smeared grey blobs of light with halo around them). If you decide to buy it and take a look at Orion for example, make sure to have medics on your side because you may Pass out from the Beauty this thing will show you!
I would reccommend to get the Basic Planetary Filters (Blue, Red, Green, Yellow) and a UHC Filter (tries its best to remove light pollution you may have) to enhace your views even further!
So if you want an awesome Telescope, definitely spend your money on this one!!

10/10 would buy again.

Brilliant product!

Review by L. S. on 10.06.2016 12:11:40

( 5 / 5 )

What more can I say ... dobsonian light buckets for the win! That thing has brilliant mirrors for the price. Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Moon... with a 5 mm good eyepiece... no worries in good viewing conditions the resolution is awesome! Wanna see the cassini division - BAM! Wanna see shadows on Jupiter of Jupiter's moons? - BAM! Wanna see the polar caps on Mars? -BAM! Awesome scope! Great optics!

Fear not, this is what you want - Part 2

Review by soniC on 17.02.2016 04:04:49

( 5 / 5 )

After having this scope for 3 years now I figured I would make a follow-up review and review how it is after many more viewings. I've seen Saturn's rings (with the cassini division), Jupiters moons with discernable features on Jupiter, the Orion Nebula (M42). Obviously the Moon is extremely clear on such a scope. I upgraded the eyepieces obviously as time has gone on (Celestron Vixens, super wide angle EPs, 2x Barlow lens etc.)
While having this scope I found myself wanting to take astrophotos, because I want to share my passion for astronomy and there aren't many that appreciate it whereabouts I live in Sweden. I just want to add that it IS possible to take astrophotos with this very model if you want to hook up your DSLR to the actual eyepiece. There is a guide on youtube showing you exactly that. Search under "Attaching an SLR camera to your Newtonian Telescope" made by the British "Astronomy and Nature TV." The Skywatcher has the advantage of being easier to modify (Quite easily) compared to e.g. an Orion telescope where you are forced to get a barlow lens and things get a biy shaky.
This "Newt" gets 5/5 stars still, and as mentioned by other reviewers, just upgrade the accessories as you go along. The best accessory you can get is the "Telrad" finder- that is worth it's weight in gold and has saved many frustrating moments in case you are a beginner like me!

Fear not, this is what you want.

Review by soniC on 05.06.2013 13:00:04

( 5 / 5 )

I read the reviews from Aki, Saphiron and Maciek over and over until I almost knew them by heart. Now that I have finally received my Skyliner, I can only say that I agree with them and have some more to add:

I was back on forth on what scope to get. Final choice was between this and the 6 inch Skyliner. I finally caved in and bought this (pricey!! :-O) along with the following great accesories:

Omegon binos 10x50 (porro prism)
Telrad finder with base
Skywatcher collimation eye piece.
Philips Planestron

All i can say is, dont worry about your choice. Skywatcher is a great brand. I received my shipment yesterday and assembled it all tgthr. MIND YOU, the instructions are incomplete for the base of the dobsonian. You have to figure out some things yourself, so if you arent handy, then look it up on the net. IT wasnt hard to figure out. After some collimation (much wasnt needed) with my eye piece, I ventured out on my balcony (low light pollution) not expecting much, as it was a hazy night (only a few stars visible.) I point it in the SE horison and WOW! I have no idea what I saw (I think it was a deep sky object) but I couldnt stop looking at it. I would def. recommend getting some more eyepieces, perhaps a barlow x2 as well, as the scope can handle it.

What are you waiting for? Buy it!

Great Scope

Review by Maciek on 18.07.2012 10:12:47

( 5 / 5 )

I totally agree with two other reviewers (Aki and Safiron). Highly recommend this scope. You get more with skywatcher than orion and the quality of what you can see is the same. Now I only think what other accessories to use, especially eyepieces. The fun just starts.

Impressive Quality

Review by Saphiron on 20.04.2012 19:50:01

( 5 / 5 )

It's my first big scope and I gotta say it's awesome. When I've decided to buy 8" Dob I basicly had two options: this scope and Orion alternative (in black). If you are where I was, then go for Skywatcher. It's cheaper you'll get better finderscope with slightly illuminated cross (Orion has Red-Dot), two eyepieces instead of one, and 2" extension tube. So in the end you actually get more for less money. No need to worry about quality I dont think Orion is made any better then Skywatcher It's just more expensive.

If you're newcomer and this is your first scope or had a small 3" like me don't hesitate and go for 8". It's best compromise between price and performance. There is not much of the visual difference between 8" and 10" but It costs much more. It's also large to transport, It has smaller focal ratio so you will more likely need coma corrector. So you will pay big mount of money for 2" of apeture. Believe me 8" is big enough. If you wanna go larger go for 12" or more.

Great Scope

Review by Aki on 20.07.2010 18:24:58

( 5 / 5 )

For the price, the view is marvellous. Galaxies down to magnitude 10 are visible in pitch-black skies with adapted eyes.
The Azimuth movement is a little stiff, but not notably so; tracking planets at high powers is not difficult, but it is a bit jerky.
A good investment would also be a good 2" eyepiece, perhaps around 20mm-26mm, as the eyepieces included are a 10mm, 1.25" and a 20mm, 1.25".
As telescopes go, though, it's tough to find a better deal if you're a relative newcomer. This is my second telescope, and it'll last me a long time.

Very Good 1st Scope

Review by Silverhoof on 11.08.2014 14:31:37

( 4 / 5 )

I only ordered this telescope after GSO N200/1200 Dob (with fine focus Crayford) was delayed a bit too many times. There is not much difference between GSO and Skywatcher - one is maid in China (GSO) and the other in Taiwan (Synta). Between them two they supply pretty much all commercial telescopes on the wast - they are just re-branded by different companies (Skywatcher, Orion, Celestron, Zhumell, Apertura ...). GSO and Synta dobsonians are neck and neck so it really doesn't matter which one you pick - the optical tube assembly (OTA) will be pretty much identical. So it's the accessories that come with them that put them apart (like fine focus Crayford on that GSO I wanted; but unlike Skywatcher it only comes with one eyepiece).

Anyway, to the Skywatcher dobsonian 200/1200. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. 5 starts would mean that this product is perfect, considering cost and all. So let me tell you pros and cons and I'll start with the cons first.

Cons:
•low quality eyepieces that come with the scope. This telescope is capable of so much more than the original eyepieces that come bundled with it would lead you to believe. They are the cheapest kind you can find and really do no justice to the power of OTA. They are not even plossel. They will serve you OK at the beginning since you would not know any better, but you'll start thinking about replacing em very fast.
•straight through finderscope. This this was made in hell. It will make you suffer, it will bring you pain. Why would they put this on a dobsonian I have no idea. I would much rather have nothing (and thus reducing price by 20-40€) than the finderscope that comes with this dobsonian. Just one night will be enough to convince you about getting right angle correct image (RAIC) finderscope and/or Telrad.
•sticky base. It's just teflon pads so adjusting the telescope can be a bit annoying, especially at high power. GSO comes with roll bearings, but that's not perfect solution either. For this one you'll just have to mod it yourself (search the internet).

Pros:
•200mm primary mirror is big enough to really open a lot of night sky for you. Really only the dimmest DSO (deep space objects) will be out of your reach. Keep in mind that the stuff you'll be hunting for was discovered using much, much, much crappier telescopes. Good quality primary mirror is what you are paying for in dobsonian telescopes. Everything else is basic. This telescope will show you planets (rings and moons of Saturn even with the eyepieces that come with it), deep sky objects (galaxies, nebulas, clusters) and I don't even have to point out the Moon (which any telescope will produce good image of).
•ease of use. This is basics, no computers, no alignment. You just place it on the ground and you are good to go. I personally enjoy the fact that there is no computer guidance - where is fun in that? Just type in the object you want to view and telescope will turn itself towards it. No thrill of exploration what so ever, no joy of learning the night sly on your own. By keeping it so simple there is really nothing to break or fail.

Keep in mind that this is dobsonian and you'll have to collimate it. Don't worry, it's only painful at first. There are gadgets that will make it easier for you, but for starts all you need is a old film canister. If you like to tinker with things, you'll even enjoy collimation :)

So, final words. 4 out of 5 starts. If this telescope would come without finderscope and eyepiece, I'd give it 5 out of 5. So it's ironic that the accessories that are bounded with it bring the value down in my eyes. You'll replace the finderscope, you'll replace the eyepeices. Only thing that you'll keep is an OTA, and that's 5 out of 5!

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