254mm (10-inch) Newtonian Optical Tube 1200mm Focal Length (f/4.7) SynScan GoTo with 42,900+ Object Database Collapsible Flextube Design for Portability Freedom Find Dual Encoders for Manual Slewing Description FAQ Specifications In the Box Downloads Warranty Sky-Watcher Flextube 250P SynScan GoTo Collapsible Dobsonian The Sky-Watcher Flextube 250P SynScan GoTo delivers massive light-gathering power with its 254mm primary mirror, featuring Radiant Aluminum Quartz (RAQ) coatings with 94% reflectivity for brilliant images. Its fast f/4.7 focal ratio creates a wide field of view ideal for deep-sky objects, while the 1200mm focal length provides the power to resolve details with a maximum magnification of 500x. This collapsible design shrinks the optical tube from 44 inches to just 31.5 inches, making a large-aperture instrument genuinely portable. 254mm Aperture with 94% Reflectivity Coatings At the heart of the Flextube 250P is a 254mm (10-inch) borosilicate primary mirror. This large aperture gathers 57% more light than an 8-inch model, resolving down to a limiting magnitude of 14.5. Sky-Watcher's Radiant Aluminum Quartz (RAQ) coatings ensure 94% of that light reaches your eyepiece, producing brighter, higher-contrast views of faint nebulae and distant galaxies. SynScan GoTo with 42,900+ Object Database The computerized SynScan system transforms this Dobsonian into a powerful discovery tool. After a simple two-star alignment, the hand controller can automatically slew the telescope to any of the 42,900+ objects in its database. The Freedom Find dual-encoder system is a critical feature; it allows you to move the telescope manually to a new target without losing your alignment, giving you the best of both push-to and GoTo functionality. Flextube Design: from 44" to 31.5" Large aperture no longer means an impossibly large telescope. The patented Flextube design allows the optical tube to collapse from a fully extended 44 inches down to a compact 31.5 inches. This makes transport and storage simple, allowing you to easily fit the 33 lb optical tube and 39 lb base into a standard vehicle for trips to dark-sky sites. Quick Setup: The truss tube system doesn't require disassembly. It transports as two main pieces and can be set up in seconds. Tension Control: A patented Tension Control Handle lets you adjust the friction on the altitude axis, ensuring smooth motion even with heavy eyepiece and accessory combinations. Collimation Stability: The rigid truss design holds collimation well throughout an observing session, a known trade-off for the fast f/4.7 optical system that demands precise alignment for the sharpest views. Flextube 250P vs. 200P: A 57% Light-Gathering Advantage For observers deciding between the 10-inch 250P and its 8-inch sibling, the primary difference is light grasp. The Flextube 250P's larger mirror provides a significant boost for viewing faint deep-sky objects. Flextube 250P (10-inch): Gathers 57% more light, making nebulae like the Veil Nebula (NGC 6960) appear brighter and more detailed, and resolving more stars in globular clusters like the Hercules Cluster (M13). Flextube 200P (8-inch): A capable and even more portable option, but the 250P offers a noticeable step up in image brightness and resolution that dedicated deep-sky observers will appreciate. The added aperture comes with an increase in weight, with the 250P's OTA and base weighing 33 lbs and 39 lbs respectively. What kind of objects can I see with the Flextube 250P SynScan? With its 254mm aperture, the Flextube 250P SynScan excels at deep-sky observing. You can expect to see detailed structure in galaxies like the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), resolve individual stars in globular clusters like M13, and see intricate details in nebulae like the Orion Nebula (M42). It is also excellent for planetary viewing, showing cloud bands on Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, and polar caps on Mars. Is the Flextube 250P SynScan difficult to set up and transport? While it is a large telescope, the Flextube design makes it surprisingly manageable. The optical tube collapses to 31.5 inches and separates from the base. The two main components weigh 33 lbs (OTA) and 39 lbs (base). Most adults can carry each piece separately and assemble the telescope in minutes without tools. How does the Freedom Find dual-encoder feature on the Flextube 250P SynScan work? Freedom Find allows you to disengage the motors and move the telescope by hand at any time, without losing your computerized alignment. If you are using GoTo to view Jupiter and want to quickly look at the Moon, you can simply push the tube over manually. The telescope's encoders know where it's pointing, and you can immediately resume GoTo slewing from your new position. Does the f/4.7 focal ratio of the Flextube 250P require special accessories? A "fast" f/4.7 system like this provides a wide, rich field of view but is more demanding on eyepieces and collimation. While the included 20mm and 12.5mm eyepieces perform well, you will see the sharpest edge-to-edge views with high-quality wide-field eyepieces. A laser collimator is also highly recommended to ensure you maintain the precise optical alignment needed for optimal performance. What power supply do I need for the Flextube 250P SynScan mount? The SynScan system requires a 10 to 15 Volt DC power supply capable of providing at least 1 Amp, with a 2.1mm center-positive plug. This can be a portable rechargeable power tank (like a Celestron PowerTank or a dedicated deep-cycle battery) or an AC adapter if you are observing near a power outlet. Can I use the Flextube 250P SynScan for astrophotography? The Flextube 250P is designed primarily for visual observation. While you can take short exposures of the Moon and bright planets, its Dobsonian alt-azimuth mount is not suitable for long-exposure deep-sky astrophotography, which requires an equatorial mount to prevent field rotation. UPC 050234118101 Optical Design Newtonian Primary Aperture 254mm Focal Length 1200mm Focal Ratio f/4.7 Mirror Coatings Radiant Aluminum Quartz (RAQ)™ with 94% reflectivity Glass Type Borosilicate Secondary Diameter 64mm Secondary Obstruction (by diameter) 25% Secondary Obstruction (by area) 6% Dawes Limit 0.46 arc-seconds Rayleigh Limit 0.55 arc-seconds Limiting Magnitude 14.5 Maximum Magnification 500x Minimum Magnification 36x Light Gathering (vs. 8-inch) 57% more Focuser 2" Crayford OTA Length (Retracted) 31.5" OTA Length (Extended) 44" OTA Weight (with accessories) 33 lbs Base Weight 39 lbs Base Dimensions 30" x 20" Zenith Eyepiece Height 49" Flextube 250P 10" Collapsible OTA × 1 SynScan GoTo Dobsonian Base × 1 SynScan V5 Hand Controller × 1 9x50 Right-Angle Finderscope × 1 20mm Plössl Eyepiece (1.25") × 1 12.5mm Plössl Eyepiece (1.25") × 1 2" to 1.25" Eyepiece Adapter × 1 Dust Caps × 1 Download Manual Download SynScan V5 Hand Controller Manual Download SynScan Pro App Download Sky-Watcher Software Sky-Watcher 2-Year Limited Warranty
