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Sky-Watcher offers three amazing 10-inch Dobsonian telescopes. These are the Classic Dobsonian, the Collapsible Dobsonian (which features a collapsible tube design for increased portability), and the SynScan Dob (which adds a computerized GoTo system to the collapsible design for precise automated tracking).
The Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescopes are some of the best Dobsonians on the market. These Dobsonian telescopes offer users the benefits of a large aperture (for vivid viewing) with a low budget.
However, there are different variations of the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescope. This review will discuss these different Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescopes and the best eyepiece for these scopes.
At the end of this review, you’ll know whether the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescope is right for you.
1. Sky-Watcher 10-inch Classic Dobsonian Telescope
The Sky-Watcher 10-inch Classic Dobsonian telescope is a 10 inches f/4.7 Newtonian with a focal length of 1,200m.
The Sky-Watcher Classic Dob uses two mirrors, a metal tube, and a simple rocker box. The telescope is often called a “light bucket,” as it provides users with the highest possible aperture for their money when compared to similarly-sized telescopes.
The Sky-Watcher 10-inch Classic Dobsonian telescope utilizes its large aperture to give users bright, vivid images. Also, its primary and secondary mirrors deliver 94% reflectivity for exceptional views.
The telescope tube of the Sky-Watcher classic 10-inch Dobsonian is similar in length to the vast majority of 6-inch and 8-inch Dobsonians. So the telescope is easy to transport to viewing sites.
The Sky-Watcher Classic Dobsonians come complete with accessories. These include two (2) super wide-angle eyepieces (10mm and 25mm), a 2-inch Crayford-style focuser with a 1.25-inch eyepiece adapter, and a 9×50 finderscope.
Unlike the metal-bodied Plossls that come with many other Dobs, the eyepieces of the Sky-Watcher Classic Dob are made largely of plastic. They have longer eye relief, making them more comfortable to look through, especially for eyeglass wearers.
Of course, the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Classic features an easy-to-use Dobsonian mount. The scope swings side-to-side on plastic pads and pivots up and down on plastic bearings hiding on Teflon pads.
Teflon ensures smooth movement yet creates enough friction to prevent any unintentional movement of the scope.
The Classic Dob features the Sky-Watcher patented tension control handle, providing solid control for precise aiming and slewing.
Why you should buy the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Classic Dobsonian
- It has a large aperture for bright, vivid images
- It is relatively lightweight and portable
- It is relatively easy to use
- It is relatively inexpensive
2. Sky-Watcher 10-inch Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope
Sky-Watcher 10-inch Collapsible Dobsonian telescope offers a large aperture for crisp images with improved portability for ease of transport. Like the Sky-Watcher Classic Dobsonian, this Collapsible Dobsonian from the same company has a 10-inch aperture, increasing its resolving power for producing sharp images.
In addition to its large aperture, the Dobsonian features components that yield high contrasts, 94% reflectivity, and minimal vignetting. For example, mirrors are made of glass borosilicate and coated with quartz, titanium, and silicon dioxide for high-quality optics.
The Sky-Watcher Collapsible Dobsonian guarantees bright, clear views of even faint deep-space objects. Many challenging deep-sky objects for an 8-inch aperture become visible and clear with this 10-inch Collapsible Dob.
For instance, with this Dob, you’ll see the subtle filamentary structures of the planetary nebula the Crab (M1), the blooming rose pattern of the Rosette Nebula in Monoceros, etc.
While Dobsonian telescopes are known for giving users large apertures at low costs, they aren’t always portable. This Dobsonian from Sky-Watcher solves this problem by featuring an innovative collapsible design.
This Sky-Watcher Dobsonian telescope features three retractable steel struts, which you can collapse to shorten the optical tube by up to 36%. This makes the telescope even more portable, making it easier to store and transport from one place to the other.
Interestingly, the strut system holds alignment exceptionally well. The strut has present indentations that place the optics in the same position almost all the time, so you will not need to collimate your scope every time you use or move it.
The Dobsonian mount of the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Collapsible is so smooth it can rotate with the push of a finger. The 10-inch Collapsible Dob also features Teflon bearings for easy movement.
The Sky-Watcher 10-inch Collapsible telescope comes with all the accessories you require to start observing the skies. Included is a 10:1 dual-speed Crayford-style focuser, which gives you a more precise method for focusing. The package also includes two eyepieces (10mm and 25mm), an eyepiece tray, and an 8×50 finderscope.
Why you should buy the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Collapsible Dobsonian
- It has a large aperture for a bright and bold viewing experience
- Its collapsible design makes for improved portability
- It features a Dobsonian mount, making it easy to use
- It is relatively inexpensive
3. Sky-Watcher 10-inch SynScan Dobsonian Telescope
Sky-Watcher 10-inch SynScan Dobsonian telescope is a GoTo Dob that combines the innovative collapsible optical tube design with the convenience of a computerized GoTo mount.
Sky-Watcher 10-inch SynScan Dobsonian is a product of Sky-Watcher’s dedication to innovative ideas. This telescope simply adds a computerized GoTo system to the 10-inch Collapsible Dob to create a scope that easily locates objects in the night sky.
As a 10-inch telescope, this Sky-Watcher Dobsonian has a large aperture to gather enough light to produce bright and crisp images. The telescope also features borosilicate mirrors coated in quartz, titanium, and silicon dioxide to yield 94% reflectivity, vivid contrast, and minimal vignetting.
Thus, the Sky-Watcher SynScan Dobsonian telescope is a powerful machine to get clear, detailed views of celestial bodies.
With your SynScan Dobsonian, you can get clear views of even deep space objects like star clusters, the Andromeda galaxy, and more.
Since it features a collapsible tube design, the Sky-Watcher 10-inch SynScan Dobsonian is immensely portable.
The collapsible tube features a strut system with three 1-inch poles and chrome locking screws. The system can shorten the tube’s length up to 36%, improving its portability and making it easy to transport.
The distinctive feature of the SynScan Dobsonian is that it combines the precise automated tracking of a computerized GoTo telescope with the large-aperture viewing of a Dobsonian.
The telescope adds motors to a traditional Dobsonian mount to give the benefits of a computerized GoTo system. The computerized telescopes come with SynScan hand controllers, which allow you to point the scopes at specific objects in the sky.
You simply need to align the SynScan hand controller using one of two simple methods (Bright Star alignment or Two-Star alignment). Once aligned, the hand controller can point to over 42,000 objects in the sky at the touch of a button.
The SynScan 10-inch Dobsonian also comes with a built-in WiFi signal which lets you control the telescope remotely using your smartphone or tablet.
Like the other Sky-Watcher Dobsonian, the 10-inch SynScan Dob comes with all the necessary accessories to get started. These include a 2-inch Crayford-style focuser with a 1.25-inch adapter and two 1.25-inch eyepieces (10mm and 25mm).
With its Dobsonian mount and computerized GoTo system, the SynScan 10-inch Dob is a perfect first telescope.
Why you should buy the Sky-Watcher 10-inch SynSCan Dobsonian
- It has a large aperture for clear, vivid views
- It has a collapsible optical tube, making it portable and easy to transport
- It features a Dobsonian mount, making it easy to use
- It comes with a GoTo computerized mount for easily locating and tracking objects in the sky
- It is relatively inexpensive
You may also like: How to motorize a Dobsonian telescope
Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian specs
The Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian features the Newtonian optical design and the easy-to-use telescope mount design invented by John Dobson.
Here are the specifications of the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescope
| Optical design | Newtonian Reflector |
| Aperture | 254 mm (10 inches) |
| Focal length | 1,200 mm |
| Focal ratio | f/4.7 |
| Mount | Alt-azimuth |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
| Finderscope | Reflex |
| Power source | Adapter |
Weight of Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian
The Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescope features a sturdy and lightweight design. For example, when fully assembled, the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Classic Dobsonian weighs only 53 lbs (tube – 28 lbs, base – 25 lbs).
However, the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Collapsible Dobsonian weighs 60 lbs (tube – 33 lbs, base – 27 lbs), while the Sky-Watcher 10-inch SynScan Dobsonian weighs 72 lbs (tube – 33 lbs, base – 39 lbs).
John Dobson, who invented the Dobsonian telescope, sought a lightweight mount to rival the bulky and heavy equatorial mounts that Newtonian telescopes came with. He succeeded in creating the Dobsonian telescope, a Newtonian on a simple, portable, and lightweight mount.
The Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescope follows John Dobson’s lightweight mission of powerful but lightweight telescopes.
Given their portable and lightweight design, the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescopes are easy to transport to viewing sites, star parties, etc.
Images from Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescope
Thanks to a large aperture and long focal length, the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescope gives clear and vivid images.
This is because of the following:
Large aperture
The aperture is the size of a telescope’s light-gathering mirror or lens. The bigger the aperture, the more light a telescope will gather to create brighter and sharper details.
The large 10-inch aperture of Sky-Watcher Dobsonians helps these telescopes produce clear images, allowing you to see faint objects better.
A large aperture is a must-have for deep-sky viewing, as the scope needs to capture enough light from distant targets to produce clear images. This makes the 10-inch Dobsonian telescope suitable for deep-sky observing.
Long focal length
The Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescopes have long focal lengths (1200mm).
A telescope’s focal length determines its magnification. The longer the focal length, the higher the scope’s magnification.
The long focal lengths of the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonians help these telescopes to effectively enlarge small celestial objects, allowing detailed visual observing.
Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian light shroud
A telescope light shroud is a black tubular cloth wrap that fits snugly over the scope’s tube for high image contrast (especially for the collapsible Dobs).
The shroud prevents stray light from entering the scope’s mirror and disrupting the image. It also helps prevent dust and dew from entering the telescope’s setup.
Thus, a Sky-Watcher Dobsonian 10-inch light shroud is a must-have accessory. But, it usually does not come standard with the Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dob.
Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian price range
The Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescopes cost around $1,000, with the Classic version just over $900 and the Collapsible version just over $1,000.
Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian delivers on the promise of high-quality optics with a low budget. If you want a powerful large, aperture telescope that gives bright and vivid images but do not want to break the bank, the Sky-Watcher Dobsonian telescope is for you.
You may also like: 10 Reasons Why Dobsonian Telescopes are Cheaper.
Best eyepiece for Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian Telescope
Some of the best eyepieces for Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescopes include
SVBONY SV190 Ultra Flat Field 1.25-inch 10mm eyepiece
The SVBONY SV190 eyepiece paired with a Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian is ideal for deep space viewing.
The eyepiece optics are fully multi-coated for clear and sharp imaging. It features blackened lens edges for maximum light transmission and excellent contrast.
The SVBONY SV190 is an ultra-flat field (UFF) eyepiece, which removes the field curvature at the edge of the field of view. This improves image quality, giving you flat views.
One big advantage of this SVBONY SV190 eyepiece is that it provides a 60-degree apparent field of view. Such a wide field of view gives you good sights of the night sky. It is also helpful for finding particular objects in the sky, especially when starting out.
Another big advantage of the SVBONY SV190 eyepiece is that it provides 16mm eye relief. Thus, your eyes will not feel uncomfortable when viewing for a long time.
The eyepiece comes with M28.5×0.6 standard filter threads that support standard 1.25-inch filters. So, you match the eyepiece with filters of different bands according to your needs.
Celestron X-Cel LX Series 1.25-inch 18mm eyepiece
The Celestron X-Cel LX series provides a 60-degree field of view through a six-element, fully multi-coated lens system.
The Celestron X-Cel LX Series features premium optical sets finished with multiple layers of high-transmission coatings.
The edges of the optics are blackened for increased contrast, and the eyepiece’s body is made of black-anodized aluminum. These combine to ensure the eyepiece provides clear and sharp images.
The eyepiece provides a 60-degree wide field of view, making it ideal for spotting objects in the sky. The rich field of view makes the eyepiece good for planetary and lunar observations and for deep-sky astronomy.
The C-Cel LX eyepiece also provides a comfortable 16mm eye relief, which makes it perfect for long-exposure viewing and glasses wearers.
They also come with popup eyecups that make it easy to adjust the height for different users. The eyepiece is also parfocal, so you won’t need additional focusing when you switch the eyepiece with another in the series during observation.
Lastly, the eyepiece accepts filters and has a rubber grip around the center for secure handling.
Baader Morpheus 17.5mm eyepiece
The Baader Morpheus eyepiece is perfect for a Dobsonian-style telescope and gives a spacewalk feel.
In Greco-Roman mythology, Morpheus is the god of dreams. This dreamy eyepiece lives up to its exalted name as it’s a competitively-priced moderate-power, wide-field eyepiece with long eye relief.
As with all Baader Planetarium eyepieces, this Morpheus eyepiece’s internal mechanicals are fully ray-traced and baffled to eliminate the effects of stray light.
The Morpheus eyepiece has a sharp flat 76-degree field of view that is virtually unsurpassed by any other wide-field eyepiece.
As you move away from the center, the field remains flat and in focus, even in short-focus telescopes.
With its best-in-class optical performance, stars remain as pinpoints in the sky, while planets and lunar features retain tier shapes.
The Morpheus eyepiece also delivers 20mm of eye relief. This makes it very comfortable for eyeglass wearers and those who take in views for long periods.
FAQ – SkyWatcher 10-inch Dobsonian Telescopes
With the basics out of the way, it’s time to tackle some of the common queries that arise regarding SkyWatcher 10-inch Dobsonian Telescopes.
Explore Scientific vs Sky-Watcher 10-inch traditional Dobsonian telescope, which is better?
The Sky-Watcher 10” Classic Dob is superior to the Explore Scientific Dob. While the Explore Scientific Dob has a design that allows for better bearing movement, the included eyepiece and finder are not up to the standard of the Sky-Watcher Dob.
The Sky-Watcher 10” Dobsonian is the closest to the traditional John Dobson design. It features a simple, bog-standard Dob mount.
However, the Explore Scientific FirstLight 10” Dobsonian has a more robust mount, with a pair of large, half-circle bearings attached to the tube rings holding the optical tube.
Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian vs Orion SkyQuest xt10, which is better?
The Sky-Watcher Classic Dobsonian edges Orion SkyQuest XT10 Dobsonian as the better telescope. Like the Sky-Watcher Classic Dob, the SkyQuest XT10 Dob has a large-aperture optical tube. However, the XT10’s tube doesn’t perform well with cheap eyepieces.
Specifically, the scope is more prone to aberrations, as the image will not be sharp all the way to the edge of the field of view.
While the Classic Dob has decent accessories, the XT10 Dob’s are less impressive. For example, the XT10 Dob comes with only one eyepiece, and it is a 25mm low-power, poor-quality Plossl eyepiece. The red-dot finder that comes with the scope is also not very useful in locating faint deep-sky objects.
Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian vs 10-inch Cassegrain, which is better?
The Sky-Watcher Dobsonian and a Cassegrain are two different types of telescopes, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. So, which of the two telescopes is better depends on your preferences and priorities.
Dobsonians are some of the most widely used telescopes because of their ease of use. Dobs’ modified alt-azimuth mouth makes it easier to point them in the sky and follow celestial bodies. So, Dobs may be more suitable for beginner astronomers.
However, Cassegrains fold a long optical path into a shorter tube. So, Cassegrains tend to be more compact than Dobs. This generally makes Cassegrain easier to move and set up.
Takeaway: Get rich, bright views with an easy-to-use Sky-Watcher 10-inch Dobsonian telescope
The Dobsonian is the perfect telescope for beginner astronomers, as it features a classy mount that lets you point the scope anywhere in the sky. The 10-inch Dobsonian is popular because it has a large aperture that helps the telescope produce crisp images of your celestial targets.
Sky-Watcher offers three amazing 10-inch Dob telescopes that an amateur astronomer will be happy to call his/ her stargazing buddy.
These include the Classic Dob, the Collapsible Dob (which features a collapsible tube design for increased portability), and the SynScan Dob (which adds a computerized GoTo system to the collapsible design for precise automated tracking).
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