SkyWatcher Flextube 300 SynScan Dobsonian 12" Folding Computerized GoTo Large Aperture Telescope (S11820)

Yes, it is big, yes it is awesome. Now for all you fans, something I did not know. Upon opening the box, the first piece of paper slipped out and indicated , "by the way your Sky-Watcher has built in Wi-Fi." I did not know they had started doing this. I almost bought the Wi-Fi dongle with the scope. I did not have a lot of time with the scope before skies stopped cooperating. I never even used the hand control, just my phone. Fantastic. The pic of the Orion Nebula was just with me trying to line up the phone with the eyepiece, we know that isn't easy, but time was an issue. In any case, the thing kicks butt and has its own Wi-Fi, not networkable, but just connect with phone. I love you Sky-watcher, you're my only scope. Edit. Many folks ask about tracking for astrophotography. Added last pic of Orion with my Pixel with 1:20 minutes exposure. So yes you can do some exposure, but probably not more than 30 sec. Re-edit. Has issues with the drive. Skywatcher support was quick and helpful and sent new base. Very hard to find that type of customer support. Good job!

I am very sorry to leave this rating, as I think it is somewhat unfair, but I can't see doing better just yet. I start by noting that I am a professional astronomer, with years of observing experience with Celestron and Meade scopes, and I even teach laboratory astronomy courses. I'm extremely familiar with the alignment and use of Go-To telescopes. I bought this scope because I wanted a good light-bucket, that could reach further than my 8" catadioptrics. I don't do astrophotography, but a Go-To drive was essential as I've long since gotten star-hopping out of my system. The telescope arrived, and was an easy assembly. Collimation of the secondary and preparation for observing was straightforward. Optical tests showed that it was perfectly consistent with my 2" Ethos eyepieces, with no vignetting, which was really sweet to see. Also, optical tests on bright stars and the moon showed that the image quality of the optics was really great. Then...came the final test...star alignment. Alignment was straightforward on paper, and not to dissimilar to the methods used for Celestron and Meade 8" cats. I opted for two-star alignment, used the hand paddle to move the scope easily from star #1 to star #2. Alignment was declared complete. I tasked the scope to see M27, a fave object, as my "first light" detection. And....nothing. I tasked the scope to go to Vega, and instead I found myself looking at epsilon Lyrae, about 100' off target. So....I realigned, using Altair as star #1 and Capella as star #2....alignment successful, so the paddle declared. I tasked the scope to look at Albireo...again, about 100' off. I tasked it for Capella, which it found, but then it could not refind Altair. I rebooted the scope from a cold start, tried a third time. Same failure. Then, I rebooted the scope, tried "bright star alignment," and got similar bad results. The next clear night, I tried again, after having messaged with customer service at Skywatcher (they got back within 24 hours). I carefully (using a bubble level and compass) made sure my initial configuration of the scope was as required by the manufacturer. I also checked to see if NPE and CE values were set to zero--they were. But still no success in aligning the scope. I wanted to try more tests, but my grace period to return the scope was running out (it's the rainy season in NorCal, and clear nights are rare), so I had to return the scope. I am thankful I fastidiously saved ALL PACKING MATERIAL, bags, etc, so I could avoid a charge from the seller (Adorama). I steeled myself for a battle, as I was afraid Adorama would argue that I somehow damaged the scope, but they did not provide pushback. I intend to repurchase this scope in the summer, when I have more time to check it out. The scope looks really good, and users of the scope on social media tell me that the behavior of the scope I get was abnormal.

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.

Awesome scope! We have the 14" version as well but wanted this as it's more portable. Tracks great, GoTo is great, images with ASI camera great.

I just closed the box and sent it back!