Sky-Watcher StarGate 18" Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope - Sky&Telescope awarded both motorized Stargate versions

For the purists who would rather invest in optics than in electronics, the Skywatcher Dobsonian N 458/1900 StarGate-450P telescope is a dream! The Dobsonian telescope with truss tube, mirrors and a lightweight construction collects a great deal of light, but despite its size, it is still relatively easy to transport.

Sky&Telescope awarded both motorized Stargate versions with GoTo control:

    Skywatcher Dobson N 458/1900 Stargate-450P Synscan GoTo telescope
    Skywatcher Dobson N 508/2000 Stargate-500P Synscan GoTo telescope

They are equipped with the tried and tested SynScan control system, which helps you to find celestial objects and then automatically guides the telescope.

Highlights

• 18" fused conical primary mirror
• Cellular secondary mirror
• 2" dual-speed Crayford focuser
• Two section truss poles provide compactness for easy transport
• Minimalist all-metal design
• Fast f/4.1 optics for short eyepiece heights
• 18" aperture gathers 27% more light than a telescope with 16" aperture
• 94% reflectivity coatings

With the amazingly modular Skywatcher 18” Stargate you can delve into deep space from your own backyard or a dark-sky site and experience intricate celestial details that are normally only seen in photographs! Enjoy the dust lanes and detailed arm structures of galaxies and the glowing star nurseries of beautiful nebulae, or hunt for the wispy remnants of a supernova. The Sky-Watcher 18” Stargate Truss Tube Dobsonian gathers a whopping 27% more light than a big 16” Dob, and on a still, dark night, you’ll be amazed at how much more you’ll see!

Fast Optics for Reasonable Eyepiece Height

The Skywatcher 18” Stargate has a fast f/4.1 focal ratio to enhance light-gathering and keep the eyepiece height to a maximum of 74.5” at zenith. This means that while you will need a step-stool or ladder to view objects high overhead, most adults will be able to forego the use of a ladder when objects are closer to the horizon.

The 18” fused conical parabolic primary mirror is exclusively designed for the Skywatcher Stargate. It’s thinner construction is lighter in weight than a traditional primary and allows the mirror to cool down more quickly. Both the Stargate primary and the cast cellular secondary are topped with 94% reflective coatings, for bright, sharp views at a limiting magnitude of 15.9. The dual-speed 2” Crayford focuser is sturdy and lets you make coarse and fine adjustments, and the included 2” to 1.25” adapter allows you to use 1.25” eyepieces and accessories as well as 2”.

Modular Components for Easy Transport

The Skywatcher Stargate Truss-Tube Dobsonian is quite striking to look at and is designed to break down into several pieces for easy transport and storage. When unassembled, it can look a bit daunting to put together, but due to labeled truss anchor points, you can assemble your Stargate Dob in only 20 minutes! Each of the components is made of metal, including the truss tubes, azimuth and altitude bearings, base, mirror box, and secondary/focuser structure with a built-in light shield. The six truss tubes each separate into two pieces that are only 36” long, making it easier to store and transport. You will love the smooth, easy movements in both altitude and azimuth due to the steel bearings and a Teflon surface. Three 2.3 pound counterweights (included) allow you to adjust balance, and adjustable feet on the base assist you in leveling the telescope.

Comes with Finder, Two Eyepieces, Shroud, and More!

The Skywatcher 18” Truss Tube Stargate Dob comes with several accessories so that you can start observing right out of the box. Sky-Watcher has included two eyepieces (28mm and 10mm) for low and medium magnification options. A 9x50 optical finderscope is also part of the package, and a collimation eyepiece will help you keep your optics aligned. To increase your contrast and protect your mirror from light bounce and dew, a ribbed fabric shroud is included.

Specifications

Telescope Series	Sky-Watcher Stargate Dobsonians
Telescope Optical Design	Newtonian Reflector
Telescope Aperture	18"/458mm
Telescope Focal Ratio	f/4.1
Telescope Focal Length (mm)	1900
Optical Coatings	94% reflectivity
Limiting Stellar Magnitude	15.9
Lowest Useful Magnification	65x
Highest Useful Magnification	902x
Telescope Counterweights Included	(3) 2.3 lbs.
Telescope Eyepiece(s) Included?	Yes - 2 Eyepieces Included
Finder Included?	Yes - 9 x 50 Finder Included
Focuser Style	Crayford/Crayford Style
Focuser Size	2"
Focuser Speed	Dual Speed
Telescope Mount Type	Dobsonian
Eyepiece Height at Zenith (in.)	74.5
Telescope Base Weight (lb.)	40
Telescope Total Weight (lb.)	129

In the Box