SkyWatcher 120/600

Product Description

The SkyWatcher 120-600 telescope is a large refractor telescope with a 120mm aperture and 600mm focal length, called the StarTravel 120. SkyWatcher 120-600 features a wide field of view and an f/5 ratio, making it suitable for deep sky observations. SkyWatcher 120-600 includes a sturdy metal tripod and an alt-azimuth mount with slow motion control for easy operation. SkyWatcher 120-600 comes equipped with a 2-inch focuser element that is fully multi-coated, providing exciting and rich views of the night sky. SkyWatcher 120-600 offers good quality and ease of use for astronomy beginners, with a reasonable price range of $200-$300 when new.

SkyWatcher 120-600 is a versatile instrument for viewing various celestial objects including planets, nebulae, and galaxies. The refractor design makes it suitable for terrestrial viewing, allowing users to explore landscapes and wildlife during the day. Its lightweight construction makes it a portable telescope, easily transported to different locations. The AZ3 mount provides smooth and stable movement for precise tracking of celestial targets.

SkyWatcher 120-600 is an inexpensive refractor offering excellent value for astronomy beginners and experienced observers alike. The telescope combines quality optics, versatility, and portability in a single package. Key specifications include a focal ratio of f/5, dimensions of 120x45x25cm, and a weight of 8.5kg.

Should you buy SkyWatcher 120-600 as your first telescope?

The SkyWatcher 120-600 is an excellent choice for beginners as their first telescope. SkyWatcher 120-600 offers crisp images and wide field views at a reasonable price. The telescope features a 120mm aperture and 600mm focal length, providing a balance between portability and optical performance. Its parabolic mirror allows magnification up to 240x, perfect for observing the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects. SkyWatcher 120-600 comes with an equatorial mount and photographic tripod, making it versatile for both terrestrial and celestial observations. The telescope is lightweight, compact, and fits in a convenient carrying case, serving as a great travelling telescope. SkyWatcher provides customer service to assist beginners with questions or issues. Users report the SkyWatcher 120-600 optically exceeds expectations for its class, offering sharp images and better contrast than anticipated.

Is SkyWatcher 120mm Refractor Telescope easy to use?

SkyWatcher 120mm Refractor Telescope offers ease of use as a key feature. Setup requires 15-30 minutes. User-friendly controls and adjustments include a smooth focuser and sturdy altazimuth mount. Quick-release dovetail plate ensures secure attachment. Aluminum tube provides durability and lightweight properties. Telescope weighs 22 pounds, allowing relative portability. Five main steps comprise the straightforward setup process.

Should you buy SkyWatcher 120 Refractor EQ Telescope for kids?

The SkyWatcher 120 Refractor EQ Telescope is suitable for kids interested in astronomy. The telescope’s adjustable height from 63-101cm accommodates children of different ages. Its 120mm aperture and 282x light gathering capacity allow observation of brighter celestial objects. The telescope’s price range of $200-$300 makes it affordable for beginners. The included 6×30 finderscope and rack-and-pinion focuser are suitable for children to use. The equatorial mount helps kids learn to track celestial objects. The telescope enables observation of the Moon, planets, nebulae, and galaxies. Adult supervision is recommended for younger children during assembly and use. The telescope’s 8.5kg weight may be challenging for some kids to handle. Storage space is required for the telescope’s dimensions of 120x45x25cm. The SkyWatcher 120 Refractor EQ Telescope offers a good price-performance ratio for young astronomy enthusiasts.

What can you see with SkyWatcher 120-600 EQ Refractor Telescope?

The celestial wonders you can see with the SkyWatcher 120-600 EQ Refractor Telescope are listed below.

• Star fields
• Open clusters (e.g., the Pleiades)
• Globular clusters (e.g., M13)
• Nebulae (e.g., the Orion Nebula)
• Galaxies (e.g., Andromeda Galaxy)
• Planets (e.g., Jupiter)
• Saturn’s rings
• The Moon
• The Sun (with proper filtering)
• Double stars (e.g., Albireo)
• Multiple star systems (e.g., Mizar)
• Milky Way’s texture
• Jupiter’s cloud bands
• Lunar surface features

Should you buy SkyWatcher 120 Refractor EQ Telescope to observe planets?

The SkyWatcher 120 Refractor EQ Telescope offers a decent starting point for planetary observation with limitations. Refractor telescopes suffer from chromatic aberration, affecting image quality of bright objects like planets. The 120mm aperture reveals planetary detail, allowing observers to see Jupiter’s banding and Saturn’s rings. However, larger apertures provide sharper views and better image quality of planets. The f/5 focal ratio enables observation of Jupiter and Saturn, but the telescope does not provide the best planetary views. Refractors require less frequent collimation, benefiting beginners in telescope maintenance. The simple design offers advantages for observers, providing a straightforward observing experience. Users must learn traditional skills like navigating the night sky and adjusting telescope settings. Serious observers should consider alternative scopes with larger apertures for optimal planetary observation. The SkyWatcher 120 Refractor EQ Telescope delivers a rewarding experience for beginners who accept compromises in image quality and detail.

Should you buy SkyWatcher 120/600 EQ Refractor Telescope to observe galaxies?

The SkyWatcher 120/600 EQ Refractor Telescope is suitable for observing galaxies with limitations. Its 120mm aperture reveals brighter galaxies adequately, but galaxy observation requires larger apertures for better image quality. Refractor telescopes are better suited for bright, compact objects rather than galaxies. The telescope provides wide field observations suitable for low power stargazing, making it a decent all-around instrument. Higher magnifications challenge galaxy observation with this refractor telescope. Price consideration makes it affordable for beginners, though advanced telescopes offer better optics for galaxy observation at higher prices. The focuser uses a rack-and-pinion mechanism for smooth focusing, but some users report stiff operation. Galaxy enthusiasts will prefer more advanced telescopes with larger apertures.

Should you buy SkyWatcher 120mm Refractor Telescope for astrophotography?

The SkyWatcher 120mm Refractor Telescope is a suitable entry-level option for astrophotography. Its 120mm aperture and 600mm focal length provide decent light-gathering ability for capturing celestial objects. The telescope offers good value for its $300-$400 price range. The equatorial mount allows smooth tracking for long-exposure shots. The parabolic optical design with glass optics produces quality images, though some chromatic aberration may occur. The rack-and-pinion focuser enables precise focusing for astrophotography. The telescope’s portability at 8.5kg allows for easy transport to dark sky locations. Included accessories like the 6×30 finderscope and 1.25″ eyepiece enhance its usability for astrophotography.

Is SkyWatcher 120/600 Refractor Telescope portable?

The SkyWatcher 120/600 Refractor Telescope offers moderate portability. The telescope weighs 8.5 kg (18.7 pounds) and measures 60 cm (23.6 inches) in length. Users can transport the telescope without a car and carry it up stairs to a 5th floor apartment. The telescope allows for “grab and go” stargazing sessions with some planning and effort for movement and setup. Its compact size and weight balance performance with transportability, making it suitable for apartments and limited storage spaces. The telescope fits in a closet or under a bed when not in use. SkyWatcher 120/600 enables easy transport for stargazing while maintaining high quality optics.